Cut your toe, and platelets — those disc-shaped cells circulating in your blood — rush to the scene, clumping together to plug the leak. But when an unwanted clot forms in an artery, and an overaccumulation of platelets blocks blood flow, a heart at…
Citing the lack of clear guidelines for ordering blood transfusions during surgery, Johns Hopkins researchers say a new study confirms there is still wide variation in the use of transfusions and frequent use of transfused blood in patients who don’t n…
Johnson & Johnson’s blood clot preventer Xarelto has come out well in clinical trials, with results comparable to other treatments for blood clotting in the lungs. A study of nearly 5000 patients showed effectiveness and safety were on par with anythin…
New guideline’s published in Annals of Internal Medicine by the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks), recommends a restrictive red blood cell transfusion strategy for stable adults and children. Between patients on a restric…
Within all our cells lies two meters of DNA, highly ordered in a structure of less than 10 micro meters in diameter. Special proteins called histones act as small building bricks, organising our DNA in this structure. Preservation of the structure is n…
Everyone is familiar with the pain of skinned knees. However, the complex pathway of proteins that works behind the scenes after the bleeding has stopped is not as well known. Central to this process is the production of plasmin, a powerful blood enzym…
Worldwide, over 13 million people suffer from sickle cell disease, for which few treatment options exist. Over six decades ago, scientists discovered the cause of sickle cell disease. They established that individuals with sickle cell disease produce c…
In a study presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting, The Pregnancy Meeting™, in Dallas, Texas, researchers reported findings that show that in women with acute postpartum anemia, due to excessive blood loss during deliver…
A new catalytic process discovered at Cardiff University could unleash a range of useful new by-products from diesel fuel production. More sustainable production of sulphur-free diesel from natural gas and biomass is increasing. However the by-products…
According to a study in the January 18 issue of JAMA, patients who stop using an antiplatelet agent, such as clopidogrel, before undergoing cardiac surgery to reduce their risk of bleeding and received intravenously the platelet inhibitor cangrelor, ac…
