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A commonly available pesticide has been associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a University of Queensland study. Researchers analyzed links between pesticide exposure and the risk of kidney dysfunction in 41,847 people, using data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). School of Public Health Associate Professor Nicholas Osborne said the study found people exposed to higher amounts of the insecticide Malathion, known as Maldison in Australia, had 25 percent higher risk of kidney dysfunction. "Nearly one in 10 people in high income countries show signs of CKD, which is permanent kidney...

Adult kidney, liver cells can repair organs, studies say (ANSA) - Florence, September 6 - Two teams of Italian scientists have made important advances in stem-cell research that could pave the way for new treatments for kidney and liver disease. What is more, the researchers say the cells appear able to turn into an array of other body cells. Importantly, amid controversy over the use of embryos for stem-cell research, both discoveries were made in adults. A Florence team led by top immunologist Sergio Romagnani has identified kidney stem cells that have proved capable of helping damaged kidneys repair themselves....

Animal study shows promise for treatment of Alport syndrome BOSTON -- The discovery that bone-marrow derived stem cells can regenerate damaged renal cells in an animal model of Alport syndrome provides a potential new strategy for managing this inherited kidney disease and offers the first example of how stem cells may be useful in repairing basement membrane matrix defects and restoring organ function. Led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), the findings are described in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), which appears on-line the week of April 24, 2006. Symptoms of Alport syndrome,...