BBC News. “Drugs ‘could stop spread of Aids’.” BBC MMX. February 21, 2010. [Internet]. [accessed Feb 21, 2010] Available from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/8526690.stm
Drugs ‘could stop spread of Aids’
Top scientists, including Dr. Brian Williams of Sacema, now believe that anti-retroviral treatments (ARVs) and universal testing could stop the spread of Aids in areas such as South Africa within the next five years. Although it would cost between $2 – 3 billion per year to deliver these drugs to the more than 6 million HIV-positive patients in South Africa, even if 30% are able to receive the drugs, it would help prevent transmission of the virus.
In addition to the ARVs used to treat the disease, scientists are still working on a vaccine for Aids, but it may be a long time before an effective one is achieved. Dr Williams spoke about HIV and Aids at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He believes that these new drugs are helping to keep many of infected individuals alive, while reducing their viral load up to 2,000 times, thereby achieving an almost non-infectious state.
The drugs work best when given early in the course of infection and may not be as effective in later stages of Aids. It unfortunately has no effect on HIV transmission because most infected individuals have already transmitted the virus by the time they receive ART treatment.
Clinical trials have already begun in the US, Canada and sub-Saharan Africa. Dr. Williams hopes that trials in South Africa can begin in the next one or two years, since it can take up to five years to make sure all of the HIV positive individuals there receive ARV treatment. The US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease is about to begin trials in New York and Washington DC in areas that have an HIV rate similar to that in Africa. Once these trials are conducted, they can then move forward with trials in South Africa.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Science Article Summary #12
American Friends of Tel Aviv University. “Pinch Away Pain: Scorpion Venom Could Be an Alternative to Morphine.” Science Daily. February 21, 2010. [Internet]. [accessed Feb 21, 2010] Available from:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216163341.htm
Pinch Away the Pain: Scorpion Venom Could Be an Alternative to Morphine
Everyone knows that scorpions are poisonous and that one sting could deliver a dangerous dose of deadly venom, but could that venom be effectively used as an alternative to addictive painkillers such as morphine? According to Prof. Michael Gurevitz of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Plant Sciences, he believes it can.
Prof. Gurevitz has studied the peptide toxins in scorpion venom with regard to their interactions with the sodium channels of nervous and muscular systems. Mammals have nine of these sodium channels, not all of which deliver pain signals to our brain. Some of the peptide toxins in scorpion venom are programmed to interact with particular sodium channel subtypes in mammals, while others are programmed to interact with insects and other invertebrates. It is hoped that through genetic engineering, scientists may be able to manipulate these toxins to effectively be used as a potent painkiller, while eliminating or reducing harmful side effects.
The Chinese are way ahead of us when it comes to the use of natural medicines. They practice what we refer to as “alternative medicine,” using nature to fight disease and in some cases to fight pain. For hundreds of years, they have been using scorpion venom as an analgesic. If we can develop a safe and effective, natural medicine from scorpion venom, it could be a superior replacement to dangerous, addictive drugs such as morphine
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100216163341.htm
Pinch Away the Pain: Scorpion Venom Could Be an Alternative to Morphine
Everyone knows that scorpions are poisonous and that one sting could deliver a dangerous dose of deadly venom, but could that venom be effectively used as an alternative to addictive painkillers such as morphine? According to Prof. Michael Gurevitz of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Plant Sciences, he believes it can.
Prof. Gurevitz has studied the peptide toxins in scorpion venom with regard to their interactions with the sodium channels of nervous and muscular systems. Mammals have nine of these sodium channels, not all of which deliver pain signals to our brain. Some of the peptide toxins in scorpion venom are programmed to interact with particular sodium channel subtypes in mammals, while others are programmed to interact with insects and other invertebrates. It is hoped that through genetic engineering, scientists may be able to manipulate these toxins to effectively be used as a potent painkiller, while eliminating or reducing harmful side effects.
The Chinese are way ahead of us when it comes to the use of natural medicines. They practice what we refer to as “alternative medicine,” using nature to fight disease and in some cases to fight pain. For hundreds of years, they have been using scorpion venom as an analgesic. If we can develop a safe and effective, natural medicine from scorpion venom, it could be a superior replacement to dangerous, addictive drugs such as morphine
Science Article Summary #11
Rockefeller University. “Human Genetic Vulnerabilities May Underlie Infection Diseases, Scientist Argues.” Science Daily. February 21, 2010. [Internet]. [accessed Feb 21, 2010] Available from:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100219204419.htm
Human Genetic Vulnerabilities May Underlie Infection Diseases, Scientist Argues
At the annual conference of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) on February 19, 2010, scientist Jean Laurent Casanova of Rockefeller University gave a talk entitled “Inborn Errors of Innate Immunity in Humans.” Casanova is currently conducting research on two infectious diseases, pneumococcal disease and herpes simplex encephalitis.
Casanova presented evidence at the symposium that how members of a population respond to infectious diseases such as these are dependent upon on their underlying genetic vulnerabilities. In other words, while a microbe can infect someone, whether or not that person can fight the infection depends on the defense mechanisms present in his or her genes.
Not all microbiologists agree on the subject of genetic vulnerabilities. Many others believe that infectious diseases are strictly caused by environmental factors. Immunologists, in particular, doubt that immunological molecules would target a narrow range of infectious microbes.
Whether disease happens due to genetic or environmental factors seems to be the basis for the disagreement among scientists. Casanova hopes to continue his work in finding the genetic basis of infectious diseases so that we may better understand how to effectively treat them.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100219204419.htm
Human Genetic Vulnerabilities May Underlie Infection Diseases, Scientist Argues
At the annual conference of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) on February 19, 2010, scientist Jean Laurent Casanova of Rockefeller University gave a talk entitled “Inborn Errors of Innate Immunity in Humans.” Casanova is currently conducting research on two infectious diseases, pneumococcal disease and herpes simplex encephalitis.
Casanova presented evidence at the symposium that how members of a population respond to infectious diseases such as these are dependent upon on their underlying genetic vulnerabilities. In other words, while a microbe can infect someone, whether or not that person can fight the infection depends on the defense mechanisms present in his or her genes.
Not all microbiologists agree on the subject of genetic vulnerabilities. Many others believe that infectious diseases are strictly caused by environmental factors. Immunologists, in particular, doubt that immunological molecules would target a narrow range of infectious microbes.
Whether disease happens due to genetic or environmental factors seems to be the basis for the disagreement among scientists. Casanova hopes to continue his work in finding the genetic basis of infectious diseases so that we may better understand how to effectively treat them.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Science Article Summary #10
University of California – San Diego. “Biologists Discover How Biological Clock Controls Cell Division in Baceria.” Science Daily. February 19, 2010. [Internet]. [accessed Feb 20, 2010] Available from:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100218125154.htm
Biologists Discover How Biological Clock Controls Cell Division in Bacteria
As reported in the February 19, 2010 issue of the journal Cell, biologists have discovered the biochemistry of the timing of cell division in all living organisms, controlled by their biological clocks. Susan Golden, a biology professor at UC San Diego, headed the study, which focused on how the circadian clock is different in bacteria than in other life forms.
Golden’s team of researchers looked at how the biological clock regulates when a cell divides. Bacteria cells have a four-hour period in which no division occurs. Structural changes in the key protein that controls this period were identified. With the help of time-lapse microscopy, the team discovered that three bacterial clock proteins, KaiA KaiB, and KaiC control the action of another protein, FtsZ, which prevents it from moving to the middle of the cell, where it forms a ring in preparation of cell division. After four hours, the three clock proteins allow this action of FtsZ to occur.
Both the cell cycle and circadian cycle operate in timed patterns, but appear to work together to perform cell division. Researchers learned how the two cycles interact, and that they work differently in bacteria than they do in eukaryotic organisms (plants, animals and fungi). Learning how these mechanisms work can help us to understand how the biological clock effects our sleep cycle and thereby help us to avoid related problems, such as weight control, sleep patterns and response to disease.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100218125154.htm
Biologists Discover How Biological Clock Controls Cell Division in Bacteria
As reported in the February 19, 2010 issue of the journal Cell, biologists have discovered the biochemistry of the timing of cell division in all living organisms, controlled by their biological clocks. Susan Golden, a biology professor at UC San Diego, headed the study, which focused on how the circadian clock is different in bacteria than in other life forms.
Golden’s team of researchers looked at how the biological clock regulates when a cell divides. Bacteria cells have a four-hour period in which no division occurs. Structural changes in the key protein that controls this period were identified. With the help of time-lapse microscopy, the team discovered that three bacterial clock proteins, KaiA KaiB, and KaiC control the action of another protein, FtsZ, which prevents it from moving to the middle of the cell, where it forms a ring in preparation of cell division. After four hours, the three clock proteins allow this action of FtsZ to occur.
Both the cell cycle and circadian cycle operate in timed patterns, but appear to work together to perform cell division. Researchers learned how the two cycles interact, and that they work differently in bacteria than they do in eukaryotic organisms (plants, animals and fungi). Learning how these mechanisms work can help us to understand how the biological clock effects our sleep cycle and thereby help us to avoid related problems, such as weight control, sleep patterns and response to disease.
Science Article Summary #9
Public Library of Science. “Viruses helped shape human genetic variability.” Science Daily. February 19, 2010. [Internet]. [accessed Feb 20, 2010] Available from:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100218203053.htm
Viruses Helped Shape Human Genetic Variability
Viruses are historically well-known as potential threats to human populations worldwide. A group of Italian scientists have used population geneticists to study variants in genes which may indicate susceptibility to, or protection from viral infections.
In the study, which consisted mainly of computer simulations, researchers looked at populations of different geographic areas who have been exposed to different groups of viruses. The hypothesis was that populations would develop increased resistance to those pathogens most prevalent in their geographic area. This would indicate that certain viruses would be targeted by natural selection and that variants in the human genome could help prevent infection or lessen the severity of related diseases. Populations of one geographic area would develop immunities different from those in other areas due to the particular viruses present.
Through this study, 139 human genes were found that modulate susceptibility to viral infections due to protein interactions between the genes and viruses. It is hoped that identification of responsible gene variants may help scientists develop new vaccines or cures for viral diseases. The approach of this study may also be used to identify susceptibility to infections contracted from other, non-viral pathogens.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100218203053.htm
Viruses Helped Shape Human Genetic Variability
Viruses are historically well-known as potential threats to human populations worldwide. A group of Italian scientists have used population geneticists to study variants in genes which may indicate susceptibility to, or protection from viral infections.
In the study, which consisted mainly of computer simulations, researchers looked at populations of different geographic areas who have been exposed to different groups of viruses. The hypothesis was that populations would develop increased resistance to those pathogens most prevalent in their geographic area. This would indicate that certain viruses would be targeted by natural selection and that variants in the human genome could help prevent infection or lessen the severity of related diseases. Populations of one geographic area would develop immunities different from those in other areas due to the particular viruses present.
Through this study, 139 human genes were found that modulate susceptibility to viral infections due to protein interactions between the genes and viruses. It is hoped that identification of responsible gene variants may help scientists develop new vaccines or cures for viral diseases. The approach of this study may also be used to identify susceptibility to infections contracted from other, non-viral pathogens.
Science Article Summary #8
Gill, V. “Dolphins have diabetes off switch.” BBC News. February 20, 2010. BBC MMX [Internet]. [accessed Feb 20, 2010] Available from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/8523412.stm
Dolphins have diabetes off switch
New findings from scientists at the US National Marine Mammal Foundation indicate that bottlenose dolphins exhibit insulin resistance, similar to human diabetes. The difference is that in dolphins, this resistance is switched on and off. It is hoped that researchers can find a human equivalent to the “off switch” in dolphins.
Dolphins in a San Diego study were fed snacks continuously throughout the day, but not fed at night. Blood samples taken both during the day and after the overnight fast showed that the changes in the dolphins’ blood chemistry mimicked that in humans with diabetes. They found that insulin, which reduces glucose levels, had no effect on dolphins during the periods of fasting. In the morning, after being fed, dolphins switch back to their non-fasting state, automatically controlling blood glucose levels.
Evolution may explain how these mammals developed this mechanism in order to cope with a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet of fish. Their large-sized brains require sugar, but since their diet is very low in sugar, they developed a way to conserve small levels present in their bodies. Other fish with smaller brains do not appear to have this mechanism, so the big brain may be a key factor in its development. However, it is suggested that even dolphins could potentially develop diabetes if fed a diet high in sugar.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/8523412.stm
Dolphins have diabetes off switch
New findings from scientists at the US National Marine Mammal Foundation indicate that bottlenose dolphins exhibit insulin resistance, similar to human diabetes. The difference is that in dolphins, this resistance is switched on and off. It is hoped that researchers can find a human equivalent to the “off switch” in dolphins.
Dolphins in a San Diego study were fed snacks continuously throughout the day, but not fed at night. Blood samples taken both during the day and after the overnight fast showed that the changes in the dolphins’ blood chemistry mimicked that in humans with diabetes. They found that insulin, which reduces glucose levels, had no effect on dolphins during the periods of fasting. In the morning, after being fed, dolphins switch back to their non-fasting state, automatically controlling blood glucose levels.
Evolution may explain how these mammals developed this mechanism in order to cope with a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet of fish. Their large-sized brains require sugar, but since their diet is very low in sugar, they developed a way to conserve small levels present in their bodies. Other fish with smaller brains do not appear to have this mechanism, so the big brain may be a key factor in its development. However, it is suggested that even dolphins could potentially develop diabetes if fed a diet high in sugar.
Science Article Summary #7
Gill, V. “Sex Hormone trial for head injury.” BBC New. February 20, 2010. BBC MMX [Internet]. [accessed Feb 20, 2010] Available from:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/8525777.stm
Sex hormone trial for head injury
A new medical trial led by Dr. David Wright was announced at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The study, which will involve 1000 patients at trauma centers in the US is focused on the use of natural progesterone to treat patients with severe head injuries.
Progesterone is a female sex hormone related to pregnancy, which was used in the first contraceptive pills. Studies have shown that the hormone supports normal development of neurons in the brain and has a protective effect on brain tissue that has been traumatized. The hormone tends to reduce the typical swelling associated with brain injuries and repair damaged neurons, thereby reducing the risk of death.
Although synthetic progesterone is now used in contraceptive pills, only the natural form appears to have the beneficial effects on brain injuries. Besides human progesterone, another, more potent natural form is available from yams (sweet potatoes). It is this form that is being used in trials. The progesterone-based drug has been approved by the FDA to be given as soon as possible after a head injury in order to achieve the maximum beneficial effect.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/8525777.stm
Sex hormone trial for head injury
A new medical trial led by Dr. David Wright was announced at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The study, which will involve 1000 patients at trauma centers in the US is focused on the use of natural progesterone to treat patients with severe head injuries.
Progesterone is a female sex hormone related to pregnancy, which was used in the first contraceptive pills. Studies have shown that the hormone supports normal development of neurons in the brain and has a protective effect on brain tissue that has been traumatized. The hormone tends to reduce the typical swelling associated with brain injuries and repair damaged neurons, thereby reducing the risk of death.
Although synthetic progesterone is now used in contraceptive pills, only the natural form appears to have the beneficial effects on brain injuries. Besides human progesterone, another, more potent natural form is available from yams (sweet potatoes). It is this form that is being used in trials. The progesterone-based drug has been approved by the FDA to be given as soon as possible after a head injury in order to achieve the maximum beneficial effect.
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