UB in the News

An article on Discovery News looks at tarantula-venom research being conducted by Frederick Sachs, professor of biophysics, who found that instead of causing cellular damage, a small protein in the tarantula toxin initiated a structural health process, and may block the cell reactions that cause muscle degeneration for people with muscular dystrophy.

An article in the Los Angeles Times reports a novel theory about the cause of multiple sclerosis took a hit Monday from two studies that called into question the premise that the disease is the result of obstruction in the veins carrying blood from the brain back to the heart. The article reports that a study of venous blood flow is ongoing at UB, where treatment for venous insufficiency is being offered in clinical trials. The article also appeared in the Hartford Courant and St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

An article in the Wall Street Journal reports research has emerged casting doubt on a popular new theory that multiple sclerosis is caused or worsened by blockages in the jugular veins, and notes UB is conducting a study of 1,000 patients to see if using balloon angioplasty or stents to open veins is an effective treatment for MS.

A somewhat tongue-in-cheek article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports a UB professor says that parents should talk to their children about current events using mathematical terms as part of the explanation in order to help their children better understand the world and perform better in school. The article quotes Ming Ming Chiu, professor of learning and instruction, who said that family chats about society and current events are not common, and occur less that once a month in most households.

An article in England's Telegraph newspaper reports that UB researchers have found that a plant extract contained in the skin of red grapes helps to protect the body against aging by reducing inflammation that leads to heart disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes. The research also is the subject of an article in the recipe-finder section of Australia's NineMSN.com. UPI also distributed an article on the findings. Other news outlets reporting on the research include Yahoo! News India, News-Medical.net and Futurity.

An article in the Montreal Gazette reports that a study conducted by researchers at UB has shown that accidents are more commonly to blame for on-ice amateur-hockey injuries than bodychecking. The article quotes Barry Willer, professor of psychiatry and rehabilitation studies and senior author of the study. The article appeared newspapers throughout Canada, including the Ottawa Citizen and Vancouver Sun. The Buffalo News also reported on the research.

An article in the Charleston Gazette on the benefits of having a pet reports that pets lower stress, and a UB study of stockbrokers with high blood pressure found that those with pets had fewer blood pressure spikes cause by tension and stress.

UB biologist Derek Taylor is quoted in a story today in Science Magazine about ancient viruses persisting in the genomes of mammals. Research on Ebola virus conducted by Taylor and Jeremy Bruenn also is referenced in the same article.

An article on ScienceBlog.com reports on a UB study that showed that body-checking – intentionally slamming an opponent against the boards – is not the primary cause of injuries in youth hockey, and that 66 percent of overall injuries were caused by accidentally hitting the boards or goal posts, colliding with teammates or being hit by a puck. Articles also appeared on Science Daily, PhysOrg.com and in Kingston, Ontario's, Whig Standard.

An article on PhysOrg.com reports a study by UB endocrinologists has found that resveratrol, a plant extract with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, appears to suppress inflammation in humans. Articles also appeared on ProHealth.com and ScienceBlog.com.