Monthly Archives:: August 2012

Enlisting the AIDS virus to fight cancer

Posted by & filed under Biology, News.

Can HIV be transformed into a biotechnological tool for improving human health? According to a team of scientists, the answer is yes. Taking advantage of the HIV replication machinery, the researchers have been able to select a specific mutant protein. Added to a culture of tumor cells in combination with an anticancer drug, this protein improves the effectiveness of the treatment at 1/300 the normal dosage levels.

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Posted by & filed under Health Sciences.

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (Afib) is safe and suppresses arrhythmia recurrences in 74% of patients after a single procedure, according to new results. The survey also showed that arrhythmia-related symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue or dizziness - present in 86% of patients before the ablation - were significantly reduced.

How ‘beige’ fat makes the pounds melt away

Posted by & filed under Health Sciences.

Researchers have decoded a signal path that could boost the burning of body fat. Mice that are missing a signal switch called VASP are clearly leaner and have more of the coveted brown and beige-colored fat cells that convert energy into heat. This might point the way to a new method for fighting obesity.

How a virus might make you diabetic later in life

Posted by & filed under Biology, News.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the viruses that most infected people carry without ill effects. Once infected you are infected for life and, although it normally is dormant, it can become active again at any point in time. New research shows that CMV infection is a significant risk factor for the type 2 diabetes in the elderly.

Reducing the side effects of treatment for prostate cancer

Posted by & filed under Health Sciences.

New research reassessing clinical data from trials, which investigate ways of treating side effects of therapy for prostate cancer, finds that tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen used to treat breast cancer, is also able to suppress gynecomastia and breast pain in men. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and early treatment is usually very successful.

Speaking two languages also benefits low-income children

Posted by & filed under Health Sciences.

Living in poverty is often accompanied by conditions that can negatively influence cognitive development. Can being bilingual counteract these effects? Although previous research has shown that being bilingual enhances executive functioning in middle-class children, less is known about how it affects lower income populations.

Divorced parents in hostile relationships use technology to sabotage communication

Posted by & filed under Health Sciences.

Separated and divorced couples are increasingly using emails, texting and social media to communicate with their ex-partners about their children. However, when ex-spouses use that technology to withhold or manipulate information, the children are the ones who suffer most, according to a family studies expert. A new study suggests divorce counselors should teach separated parents effective ways to use communication technology in order to maintain healthy environments for their children.
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