Human vaccine against bird flu soon

Human vaccine against bird flu a reality with new discovery – A vaccine to protect humans from a bird flu pandemic is within reach after a new discovery by researchers at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Vitamin D protects from colds and flu

Vitamin D deficiency may increase risk of colds, flu. Large-scale study supports potential role in boosting immune system. – Vitamin D may be an important way to arm the immune system against disorders like the common cold, report investigators from the University of Colorado Denver (UC Denver) School of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Children’s Hospital Boston.

Melanoma skin cancer linked to mental stress

Stress may hasten the growth of melanoma tumors but common beta-blocker medications might slow that progress. – For patients with a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer malignant melanoma stress, including that which comes from simply hearing that diagnosis, might amplify the progression of their disease.

Psychotherapy improves survival for breast cancer patients

Psychological interventions associated with breast cancer survival; Psychological intervention improves survival for breast cancer patients. – A new study finds that breast cancer patients who participate in intervention sessions focusing on improving mood, coping effectively, and altering health behaviors live longer than patients who do not receive such psychological support.

A man defeated HIV virus through bone marrow transplant

Millions of people infected with HIV may hope for healing promises, as a patient who has had undetectable HIV viral loads for almost two years after bone marrow transplant. – An HIV-positive person, who underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat leukemia, has had undetectable HIV viral loads for almost two years. HIV-positive man was ill from leukemia and had underwent treatment by the team led by Prof. Eckhard Thiel, director of the Medical Clinic with a focus on hematology and oncology.

Updated labeling for psoriasis drug Raptiva approved

US FDA Approves Updated Labeling for Psoriasis Drug Raptiva by Genentech; Safety concerns drove labeling changes. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced labeling changes, including a Boxed Warning, to highlight the risks of life-threatening infections, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), with the use of Raptiva (efalizumab).

2 doses of flu vaccine needed against bird flu pandemic

New study determines double flu jab needed against bird flu pandemic. Scientists recommend stockpiling influenza vaccine. – An international study led by University of Leicester researchers has determined that vaccination will be the best way to protect people in the event of the next influenza pandemic ? but that each person would need two doses.

Stomach bacteria protect against type 1 diabetes

Friendly? bacteria in stomach protect against type 1 diabetes, Yale researchers find. – In a dramatic illustration of the potential for microbes to prevent disease, researchers at Yale University and the University of Chicago showed that mice exposed to common stomach bacteria were protected against the development of Type I diabetes.

HIV people not tested for tuberculosis

Only 1% of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide have been screened for tuberculosis, according to a report recently released by the coalition Advocacy To Control TB Internationally, or ACTION. – A mere 1% of people living with HIV/AIDS are reported to have been screened for TB, according to the most recent global data available from the World Health Organization. Health experts and activists at the International AIDS Conference are calling upon HIV/AIDS programs and international donors to ensure universal TB screening of every person who has tested positive for HIV.

Genetic variation in Africans raises HIV risk

A variant of a gene found only in people of African ancestry increases the odds of becoming infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) by 40 percent. – A genetic variation which evolved to protect people of African descent against malaria has now been shown to increase their susceptibility to HIV infection by up to 40 per cent, according to new research. Conversely, the same variation also appears to prolong survival of those infected with HIV by approximately two years.

Health Newstrack