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Ancient Chinese medicine put through its paces for pancreatic cancer
The bark of the Amur cork tree (Phellodendron amurense) has traveled a centuries-long road with the healing arts. Now it is being put through its paces by science in the fight against pancreatic cancer, with the potential to make inroads against several more.

UT Health Science Center researcher A. Pratap Kumar was already exploring the cork tree extract's promise in treating prostate cancer when his team found that deadly pancreatic cancers share some similar development pathways with prostate tumors.

In a paper published today in the journal Clinical Cancer Research, the researchers show that the extract blocks those pathways and inhibits the scarring that thwarts anti-cancer drugs. Dr. Jingjing Gong, currently pursuing post-doctoral studies at Yale University, conducted the study as a graduate student in Dr Kumar's laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology. Eurekalert!

Increased intake of fish can boost good cholesterol levels
Increasing the intake of fatty fish increases the number of large HDL particles, according to a recent study completed at the University of Eastern Finland. People who increased their intake of fish to a minimum of 3-4 weekly meals had more large HDL particles in their blood than people who are less frequent eaters of fish. Large HDL particles are believed to protect against cardiovascular diseases. The results were published in PLOS ONE. MedicalXpress

Seaweeds high in guluronate inhibit fat absorption
New research published today in Food Chemistry and funded by BBSRC has identified the chemical properties of alginates which prevent fat from being digested by our bodies and this has allowed scientists to produce a league table of the most effective seaweeds. If added to everyday foods these seaweeds could prevent us absorbing much of the fat from our diets. MedicalXpress

DASH diet may lower risk of recurrent kidney stones
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet might be an effective alternative to the low-oxalate diet for reducing risk of kidney stone recurrence, according to research published in the March issue of the American Journal of Kidney Diseases. MedicalXpress

A Science-Based Discussion of the Role of Magtein(tm), a Novel Compound of Magnesium -L-threonate, For Cognitive Health, including Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
Dr. Guosong Liu, one of the world’s leading cognitive health researchers said, “There is general scientific agreement that magnesium is an essential cofactor for more than 300 enzymes involved in biosynthesis processes and energy metabolism. In addition, it plays an important role in many of the brain’s functions; but most magnesium compounds have low brain bioavailability and severe gastrointestinal side effects.

“However, a significant number of health care providers are unaware that Magtein, is the only magnesium compound that has been shown to effectively raise the brain’s magnesium levels, which leads to enhanced learning abilities, working memory, and short- and long-term memory in both young and aged animals. Four published preclinical studies found that Magtein improved memory, and help prevent the decline and reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. ”¹  NewsWise