Two specific toxins — including the popular drug Botox — have multiple uses for treating many neuromuscular conditions, including frown lines, disabling muscle spasms and migraine headaches.
health & medicine
Benign bacteria block mosquitoes from transmitting Zika, chikungunya viruses
The bacteria could present a “novel biological control mechanism,” aiding efforts to stop the spread of Zika virus.
Monkey study shows Zika infection prolonged in pregnancy
Researchers have shown that one infection with Zika virus protects against future infection, though pregnancy may drastically increase the time the virus stays in the body.
Novel mouse model sheds new light on autism spectrum disorder
These sorts of studies cannot be performed in humans, hence the need to develop and study mouse models.
New strategy could yield more precise seasonal flu vaccine
The new approach would better forecast the naturally occurring mutations that help seasonal flu virus dodge vaccines.
Gene regulatory mutation linked to rare childhood cancer
This basic knowledge of a specific cancer is essential to start drug testing, says researcher Peter Lewis.
Cell transplant treats Parkinson’s in mice under control of designer drug
Su-Chun Zhang and co-first authors Yuejun Chen and Man Xiong grew the specialized nerve cells from human embryonic stem cells.
Experimental drug cancels effect from key intellectual disability gene in mice
“We are a long way from declaring a cure for fragile X, but these results are promising,” says researcher Xinyu Zhao.
Wisconsin researchers transform common cell to master heart cell
If replicated in human cells, the feat could one day fuel drug discovery, powerful new models for heart disease and the raw material for treating diseased hearts.
UW–Madison researchers begin work on Zika virus
Very little is known about the virus even though more than 50 years have passed since it was discovered in the Zika Forest in Uganda.