GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As scientists work to find new treatments for Pompe disease — the devastating genetic “villain” that drives the efforts of the main characters in the new film “Extraordinary Measures” — University of Florida researchers are hopeful that gene therapy will help patients in the late stages of the disease breathe on their own.
Health Archive
Engineers: New sensor could help treat, combat diabetes, other diseases
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A tiny new sensor could provide fresh, inexpensive diagnosis and treatment methods for people suffering from a variety of diseases.
UF to dedicate 80,000-square-foot Emerging Pathogens Institute facility
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Federal, state and University of Florida officials and scientists will gather Jan. 26 to dedicate the Sunshine State’s first research facility focused on new infectious diseases threatening plants, animals, people and food safety.
New study suggests theory for insect colonies as ‘superorganisms’
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A team of researchers including scientists from the University of Florida has shown insect colonies follow some of the same biological “rules” as individuals, a finding that suggests insect societies operate like a single “superorganism” in terms of their physiology and life cycle.
UF study: Prescribed erectile dysfunction drugs don’t lead to risky sexual behavior
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Despite studies suggesting that erectile dysfunction drugs promote irresponsible sexual behavior, men who receive prescriptions for them are no more likely to engage in risky sex acts than men who do not receive prescriptions for the medications, according to a University of Florida study.
“For this study we took the perspective of a [...]
Dead Sea-dwelling microbes reveal roots of protein common to all higher life forms
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — We have more in common with Dead Sea-dwelling microbes than previously thought. University of Florida researchers have found that one of the most common proteins in complex life forms may have evolved from proteins found in microbes that live in deadly salty environments.
UF urologists use robot to shave time off vasectomy reversal, raise sperm counts
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida urologists have used robot-assisted surgery to cut about 20 minutes off average surgery time for conventional vasectomy reversal using a microscope. Sperm count after surgery is comparable over a year for the two procedures, but the robotic procedure appears to result in a quicker return of sperm count.
“For a [...]
From crickets to whales, animal calls have something in common
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Scientists who compare insect chirps with ape calls may look like they are mixing aphids and orangutans, but researchers have found common denominators in the calls of hundreds of species of insects, birds, fish, frogs, lizards and mammals that can be predicted with simple mathematical models.
Compiling data from nearly 500 species, scientists [...]