Cancer drug pulls surprising double duty to treat muscular dystrophy

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a debilitating genetic disorder that eventually leaves patients in a wheelchair. In a new study, researchers have found that an existing cancer drug shows promise in slowing the progress of DMD by changing the type … Continue reading Cancer drug pulls surprising double duty to treat muscular dystrophy

CRISPR gene-editing tool tweaked to tackle muscular dystrophy via RNA

We’ve seen the powerful ways the CRISPR gene-editing tool could bring about better health outcomes by targeting and replacing specific pieces of DNA, but scientists at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) have been exploring a different approa… Continue reading CRISPR gene-editing tool tweaked to tackle muscular dystrophy via RNA

FDA-approved drug could help patch up repetitive strain injuries

The human body is a bit cruel sometimes. “Use it or lose it” applies to muscles, but unfortunately so does “don’t use it too much or lose it.” Now, researchers at Temple University have tested a drug that appears to reverse muscle damage from overuse i… Continue reading FDA-approved drug could help patch up repetitive strain injuries

Harvard breakthrough shows stem cells can be genetically edited in the body

We owe our long lives to stem cells, which are nestled deep inside certain tissues in the body and constantly replace old cells. In recent years scientists have been able to correct genetic diseases by removing these stem cells, editing their… Continue reading Harvard breakthrough shows stem cells can be genetically edited in the body

FabLab Hackathon Gives the Gift of Art Back to a Stranger in Need

If building the James Webb Space Telescope and F/A-18 fighter jets aren’t enough reasons to work for Northrop Grumman, there’s always the FabLab – the company sponsored hackerspace. It’s a place where anything goes and everything is possible, including giving the gift of art back to a stranger in need.

The video below tells the story of [Raul Pizarro], a young man and gifted artist. Diagnosed as a child with muscular dystrophy, [Raul] was getting to the point where the progressive weakening of his muscles was making it difficult to hold up his arm. [Raul]’s art was slipping away – …read more

Continue reading FabLab Hackathon Gives the Gift of Art Back to a Stranger in Need