Parkinson's disease

15 October 2009 -- A French research team reports a new gene therapy approach tested in macaque monkeys that shows promise for treating Parkinson’s disease by restoring dopamine in the brain and preventing the jerky, involuntary movements that accompany long-term treatment of the disease.

The research is reported in the 14 October issue of Science Translational Medicine, the new journal from AAAS and Science that’s designed to help speed basic research-advances into clinics and hospitals worldwide.    » read more »

Application for Part 1 of California's State Stabilization Funds Approved Today

April 17, 2009 -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced that nearly $4 billion is now available for California under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. This funding will lay the foundation for a generation of education reform and help save hundreds of thousands of teaching jobs at risk of state and local budget cuts. California will be eligible to apply for another $2 billion this fall. Today's funding is being made available per California's successful completion of Part 1 of the State Stabilization Application, which was made available April 1. California is the first state to be approved for the first round of state stabilization funding.    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- EXECUTIVE ORDER

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. Research involving human embryonic stem cells and human non-embryonic stem cells has the potential to lead to better understanding and treatment of many disabling diseases and conditions. Advances over the past decade in this promising scientific field have been encouraging, leading to broad agreement in the scientific community that the research should be supported by Federal funds.    » read more »

(As prepared for delivery)

March 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, with the Executive Order I am about to sign, we will bring the change that so many scientists and researchers; doctors and innovators; patients and loved ones have hoped for, and fought for, these past eight years: we will lift the ban on federal funding for promising embryonic stem cell research. We will vigorously support scientists who pursue this research. And we will aim for America to lead the world in the discoveries it one day may yield.    » read more »

Washington, DC -- March 9, 2009 -- Listed below are the individuals who will attend today’s event.

Stage Participants

Energy Secretary Stephen Chu Dr. Peter Agre
Dr. Patricia Bath
Dr. H. Robert Horvitz
Dr. Janet Rowley
Dr. Harold Varmus

Dr. Peter Agre    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- Today, more than ever before, science holds the key to our survival as a planet and our security and prosperity as a nation. Its time we once again put science at the top of our agenda and worked to restore Americas place as the world leader in science and technology. - President Barack Obama

Today, in conjunction with the issuance of a new Presidential memo on scientific integrity, President Obama is signing a Presidential Executive Order removing barriers to responsible scientific research involving human stem cells.

This Executive Order by President Obama revokes the Executive Order signed by President Bush on June 20, 2007 and the Bush Presidential statement of August 9, 2001 that limited federal funding of research involving human embryonic stem cells.    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Energy Secretary Steven Chu made the following statement regarding President Obama's decision to allow promising stem cell research to go forward under strict ethical guidelines:

“One of the reasons I joined President Obama’s cabinet was his commitment to making decisions on the basis of sound science rather than ideology – a commitment he demonstrated again today with his thoughtful, compassionate decision to allow ethical stem cell research to go forward.    » read more »

Statement on President Obama's Executive Order and Presidential Memorandum By Ralph J. Cicerone, President, National Academy of Sciences, Charles M. Vest, President, National Academy of Engineering and Harvey V. Fineberg, President, Institute of Medicine

March 9, 2008 -- "On behalf of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine, we applaud the orders issued by President Obama today.    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- Statement of Joseph Heyman, MD, Board Chair, American Medical Association:

"The American Medical Association supports President Obama's decision to lift the ban on federal funding of stem cell research.

"Stem cell research holds great promise to treat diseases that science has so far been unable to cure, and this change in policy will allow researchers to accelerate their efforts by applying for federal research funds.

"The AMA supports biomedical research on stem cells and has encouraged strong public support of federal funding for this research.

"Today's action by President Obama will help scientists realize the potential of stem cell research to benefit the many Americans living with diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's."

Source: AMA

March 9, 2009 -- "I thank you for your executive order on federal support for human embryonic stem cell research, and applaud your decision to issue presidential guidance on scientific integrity," AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner, executive publisher of Science, wrote in a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama. It was the association's first letter to Obama since his 20 January 2009 inauguration as president of the United States.

Read the full text of AAAS's letter to President Barack Obama (pdf).    » read more »

March 09, 2009 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s plans to sign an Executive Order that lifts restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.

“President Obama’s commitment to lifting the restrictions on stem cell science is a great step forward, and I want to thank him for his decision.

"The ultimate goal of stem cell research is curing illness, alleviating suffering and saving lives. It is in the best interest of patients and families that we pursue all the promising avenues of stem cell research, and studying embryonic stem cells is essential to scientific discovery and future breakthroughs.    » read more »

Announces $101.8 Million in New State Funding for Stem Cell Research

March 9, 2009 -- “Today, President Obama demonstrated admirable leadership in reversing a Bush administration initiative that for years has placed limits on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

"The President’s Executive Order will expand opportunities for medical researchers to study new treatments and potentially find cures for some of the most debilitating and life-threatening conditions, including spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease and juvenile diabetes.    » read more »

March 9, 2009 -- Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued the following statement on President's Obama's announcement on federal funding for stem cell research :

"I applaud President Obama for lifting the restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research. Last fall, Michigan citizens voted to lift state restrictions, because they believe stem cell research has the potential to save lives and prevent disease.

"Today's announcement is particularly important to the University of Michigan, a world leader in adult stem cell research, which announced it is launching a major new embryonic stem cell initiative in its effort to find cures for spinal cord injuries and diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, juvenile diabetes, and even some forms of cancer."    » read more »

03/09/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s executive order that rolls back restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research:    » read more »

Mouse study shows dopamine blocks tumor-feeding blood vessels

March 13, 2008 -- ROCHESTER, Minn. — A study published in the March 13 online issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation (http://www.jci.org/) shows that dopamine, a drug currently used to treat Parkinson's disease and other illnesses, also might work in cancer patients. The study, which was done in mouse and laboratory models, shows that dopamine could possibly prevent new blood vessels from growing and as a result, slow cancer progression.    » read more »