Immune system

Depressed girls can’t smell the roses

New Tel Aviv University (TAU) research links depression to loss of the sense of smell, suggesting that the blues may have biological roots. – Can’t smell the roses? Maybe you’re depressed. Smell too much like a rose yourself? Maybe you’ve got the same problem. Scientists from Tel Aviv University recently linked depression to a biological mechanism that affects the olfactory glands. It might explain why some women, without realizing it, wear too much perfume.

New strategies work to put cancer on the firing line

Cancer cells are our own cells gone awry. That means our immune system doesn?t always see cancer as a horrific invader. – Dr. Yukai He wants to put cancer in the bull’s eye. “Cancer really comes from us,” the Medical College of Georgia Cancer Center immunologist says of the scary reality that cancer cells are our own cells gone awry. That means our immune system doesn’t always see cancer as a horrific invader.

Siglec-8 protein a possible key to allergy and asthma control

Activating a protein found on some immune cells seems to halt the cells? typical job of spewing out substances that launch allergic reactions, a study by Johns Hopkins researchers suggests. – Johns Hopkins researchers suggests in a study that activating a protein found on some immune cells seems to halt the cells’ typical job of spewing out substances that launch allergic reactions.

Combination therapy and antibiotics may help multiple sclerosis patients

Combining a medication currently used to treat multiple sclerosis with an antibiotic may slow the progress of the disease in multiple sclerosis patients.
– A preliminary study suggests that combining a medication currently used to treat multiple sclerosis with an antibiotic may slow the progress of the disease, according to an article posted online today that will appear in the February 2008 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Most ancient case of tuberculosis found

Professor John Kappelman of The University of Texas at Austin reveals the most ancient evidence of the tuberculosis disease has been found in a 500,000-year-old human fossil from Turkey.
– Although most scientists believe tuberculosis emerged only several thousand years ago, new research from The University of Texas at Austin reveals the most ancient evidence of the disease has been found in a 500,000-year-old human fossil from Turkey.

Asacol found effective in ulcerative colitis, proctitis

Study data show Asacol (Mesalamine) is effective in treating all extents of ulcerative colitis including isolated proctitis. Findings reinforce the benefits of Asacol for ulcerative colitis patients.
– Data from two Phase III clinical trials support that Asacol, an oral, non-steroidal medication that belongs to the class of agents known as 5-aminosalicylic acids (5-ASAs), is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for patients with all extents of ulcerative colitis (UC), including isolated proctitis.

Night shift work may cause cancer

World Health Organization study found that night shift work increases the risk of cancer in humans. Women are at a higher risk to develop breast and colon cancer and men more likely to experience prostate cancer.
– A study by the World Health Organization has found that night shift work increases the risk of cancer in humans. The study found that after prolonged exposure to night shift work, women are at a higher risk to develop breast and colon cancer. Men who work the night shift are more likely to experience prostate cancer.

Immune system responsible for increased inflammation in diabetes patients

Immune system found responsible for increased inflammation in diabetes patients. With good diabetes control, this inflammation may be reduced, possibly resulting in a reduction of cardiovascular disease as well.
– Researchers at UC Davis Health System have discovered a novel pathway that results in increased inflammation of blood vessels in patients with type 1 diabetes. Their findings suggest that, with good diabetes control, this inflammation may be reduced, possibly resulting in a reduction of cardiovascular disease as well.

RGS13 protein may play role in suppressing allergic reactions

A protein in humans known as RGS13 suppresses allergic reactions, including the severe, life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. – According to scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a protein in mice known as RGS13 suppresses allergic reactions, including the severe, life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.