Washington, February 21 : In a new study in pigs, University of California, San Diego bioengineers have shown that a new injectable hydrogel can repair damage from heart attacks, help the heart grow new tissue and blood vessels, and get the heart moving closer to how a healthy heart should.

The gel is injected through a catheter without requiring surgery or general anesthesia -- a less invasive procedure for patients.

Clinical trials will begin this year in Europe.

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Washington, February 21 : A natural, nontoxic product called genistein-combined polysaccharide, or GCP, which is commercially available in health stores, could help increase the life expectancy of certain prostate cancer patients, according researchers led by an Indian origin.

The research that was conducted in prostate cancer cells and in mice focused on GCP, a proprietary extract cultured from soybeans and shiitake mushrooms and marketed by Amino-Up of Sapporo, Japan.

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Washington, February 21 : Contrary to previous research, a new study has revealed that the total level of antioxidants in people's diets may not help reduce their risk of developing stroke or dementia.

Antioxidants such as lycopene, beta-carotene and vitamins C and E are found in many foods.

"These results are interesting because other studies have suggested that antioxidants may help protect against stroke and dementia," said study author Elizabeth E. Devore, ScD, of Harvard Medical School in Boston and Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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Washington, February 19 : An Indian origin scientist and his team have taken a new approach to bladder regeneration by harvesting cells from a patient''s healthy bone marrow.

The Northwestern Medicine research, by lead author Arun K. Sharma, research assistant professor in urology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and colleagues, is an alternative to contemporary tissue-engineering strategies.

The bone marrow cells are being used to recreate the organ''s smooth muscle, vasculature, and nerve tissue.

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Washington, February 19 : Scientists at Newcastle University are using an enzyme isolated from a marine bacterium Bacillus licheniformis found on the surface of seaweed, to develop a new nasal spray to help clear chronic sinusitis.

They have described how in many cases of chronic sinusitis the bacteria form a biofilm, a slimy protective barrier that can protect them from sprays or antibiotics.

In vitro experiments showed that the enzyme, called NucB dispersed 58 percent of biofilms.

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Washington, February 19 : A bioengineered stem cell-based trachea, composed of both artificial and biological material, has been successfully transplanted.

Surgeon Paolo Macchiarini who conducted the transplant is now planning to use the technique to recreate more complex tissues, such as the oesophagus and diaphragm or organs such as the heart and lungs.

He has also made an experimental attempt to regenerate brain in mice and rats.

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