Zinc supplements boost immunity in older adults
The immune system weakens as the body ages, making older adults more susceptible to infections. Low levels of zinc impair immunity, particularly in older adults.
Immune system
Early antiretroviral therapy benefits all HIV-infected individuals
Starting antiretroviral therapy early not only prevents serious AIDS-related diseases, but also prevents the onset of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other non-AIDS-related diseases in HIV-infected
VirScan blood test can reveal viral history
Your complete viral history revealed by VirScan – Blood test detects exposure to hundreds of viruses simultaneously – VirScan – a single blood test can now simultaneously test for more than 1,000 different strains of viruses that currently or have previously infected a person.
A new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection
In first human study, new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection – In first human study, new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection. The new study, conducted in Michel Nussenzweig’s Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, finds that administration of a potent antibody, called 3BNC117, can catch HIV off guard and reduce viral loads.
New blood test predicts breast cancer risk
New test predicts the risk of non-hereditary breast cancer — A simple blood test is currently in development that could help predict the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer – A simple blood test is currently in development that could help predict the likelihood of a woman developing breast cancer, even in the absence of a high-risk BRCA1 gene mutation. This new research is published in the Genome Medicine.
Zinc supplements boost immune system in children
Zinc supplementation boosts immune system in children, Cochrane Review finds – Zinc supplements reduce diarrhoea and other infections in malnourished children, and may prevent death. This study is the first Cochrane systematic review to focus on zinc as a means to prevent childhood death, including deaths caused by diarrhoea, one of the biggest killers of under-fives.
Low cholesterol slows HIV progression
Low cholesterol in immune cells slows HIV progression – Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have identified why some HIV-infected people experience much slower disease progression, even without medication, and it has to do with cholesterol levels in specific immune cells.
Breast milk purchased online may contain bacteria
Study Shows Buying Breast Milk Online is Likely to Cause Illness in Infants – More than three-fourths of breast milk samples purchased over the Internet contained bacteria that can cause illness, and frequently exhibited signs of poor collection, storage or shipping practices.
Good bacteria arrive from mum’s gut via breast milk
Breast is best: Good bacteria arrive from mum’s gut via breast milk – Another study is highlighting benefit of breastfeeding babies. Important ‘good’ bacteria arrive in babies’ digestive systems from their mother’s gut via breast milk, and this finding does confirm that when it comes to early establishment of gut and immune health, ‘breast is best’.
Urine test can diagnose and predict kidney transplant rejection
Urine test can diagnose, predict kidney transplant rejection — NIH-funded study describes noninvasive alternative to kidney biopsy – Analysis of three biomarkers in the urine of kidney transplant recipients can diagnose — and even predict — transplant rejection, according to results from a clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.