Julie Karceski's Archive

Julie Karceski is a graduate student in journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa, where she also did research in microbiology. She enjoys writing about science, health, and the environment, and has been a reporter at the Columbia Missourian and an intern at E/The Environmental Magazine. Currently, she's also working on her thesis, which is about cultural stereotypes of women scientists. She loves Hawkeye football, running, and newspapers.

Julie Karceski has written 13 article(s) .

[ by | Oct 7, 2009 8:29 am | Comments Off ]
Immune System Cells Protect Myeloma Cancer Cells, Study Finds

The findings of a recent study, which will appear in Cancer Cell this month, provide a clue to the mystery of multiple myeloma cancer cells’ resistance to powerful drugs. A specific type of immune system cell is literally “switching teams” and protecting the cancer cells instead of destroying them.

The study’s authors note that this is the first time that any type of immune system cell has been shown to protect cancer cells.

“The study has identified a defect in …

Tags: , ,
Read the full story »
[ by and | Oct 2, 2009 10:17 am | Comments Off ]
Beacon NewsFlashes – October 2, 2009

Congress Encouraged To Continue Senator Kennedy’s Legacy Of Supporting Stem Cell Research & Development – The CEO of Cryo-Cell International, a stem cell research company, has encouraged Congress to continue initiatives that Senator Kennedy strongly supported. Senator Kennedy’s legacy of supporting stem cell research and development was responsible for improving health research, human services, and well-being. Senator Kennedy strongly supported the Hematological Cancer Investment Research and Education Act of 2001. This bill increased research and education on blood cancers, including …

Tags: , ,
Read the full story »
[ by | Sep 30, 2009 9:28 am | Comments Off ]
New Drug Enters Phase 2 Clinical Trial For Stem Cell Collection For Blood Cancer Patients

A new drug designed to assist in stem cell transplants will be studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial. TG-0054, created by TaiGen Biotechnology, was effective at moving stem cells from the bone marrow into the blood during the Phase 1 trial.

This drug may help patients collect enough stem cells for stem cell transplantion. Patients suffering from disorders of the blood, bone marrow, or certain cancers receive stem cells, which repopulate the depleted bone marrow with new, healthy blood …

Tags: , , ,
Read the full story »
[ by | Sep 25, 2009 5:43 pm | Comments Off ]
New Study Highlights Myeloma Treatment Infection Risks

A recent study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases evaluates the infection risk presented by different multiple myeloma therapies. The authors conclude that while current therapies, particularly high-dose regimens and novel agents, improve the outcomes of patients with myeloma, they also introduce a much greater risk of infection.

Myeloma impairs the quality and quantity of immune system proteins that an individual produces. As a result, more than 75 percent of myeloma patients will experience marked immune system depression, becoming vulnerable to …

Tags: , , , , ,
Read the full story »
[ by | Sep 22, 2009 10:02 pm | Comments Off ]
Study On Myeloma Diagnosis Techniques Favors Newer Imaging Methods

Doctors have several different techniques at their disposal for diagnosing multiple myeloma and detecting bone disease. A new study, “Role of radiography, MRI and FDG-PET/CT in diagnosing, staging and therapeutical evaluation of patients with multiple myeloma,” suggests newer imaging techniques are better for diagnosis than traditional X-rays. The study, published September 18 in Annals of Hematology, examined several different imaging methods.

Reinier Raymakers, a coauthor of the study, noted better diagnosis techniques could lead to earlier treatment.

“You can prevent …

Tags: , , , ,
Read the full story »
[ by | Sep 19, 2009 8:39 pm | 2 Comments ]
Study Supports Use Of Kyphoplasty For Multiple Myeloma Patients

A recent study titled “Balloon kyphoplasty in malignant spinal fractures,” found that balloon kyphoplasty is a safe and effective procedure for multiple myeloma patients and other cancer patients with spinal fractures. The study was published in BMC Palliative Care on September 9.

Balloon kyphoplasty involves inserting an inflatable balloon into the fractured vertebra of the spinal column. The balloon is then filled with bone cement to return the vertebra to its correct position. Afterwards, patients typically have reduced pain and …

Tags: , , ,
Read the full story »