New Test May Help Predict Prostate Cancer – Karim Kader, MD, PhD, associate clinical professor at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, together with a team of researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, have developed a genetic test to predict a man?s risk for prostate cancer.
FDA approves first drug for reducing the risk of sexually acquired HIV infection — Evidence-based approach enhances existing prevention strategies – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), the first drug approved to reduce the risk of HIV infection in uninfected individuals who are at high risk of HIV infection and who may engage in sexual activity with HIV-infected partners.
Ordinary chickens may be extraordinary in fighting cancer, says Texas A&M researcher – The common barnyard chicken could provide some very un-common clues for fighting off diseases and might even offer new ways to attack cancer. James Womack, Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, is co-author of a paper detailing the team’s work that appears in the current issue of PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).
H1N1 vaccine associated with small but significant risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome – Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is usually characterized by rapidly developing motor weakness and areflexia (the absence of reflexes). “The disease is thought to be autoimmune and triggered by a stimulus of external origin.
Cranberry products associated with prevention of urinary tract infections – Use of cranberry-containing products appears to be associated with prevention of urinary tract infections in some individuals. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections and adult women are particularly susceptible.
HPV vaccine reduces infection, even in unvaccinated — Study shows evidence of herd protection – The HPV vaccine not only has resulted in a decrease in human papillomavirus infection in immunized teens but also in teens who were not immunized. The study is believed to be the first to show a substantial decrease in HPV infection in a community setting as well as herd protection ? a decrease in infection rates among unimmunized individuals that occurs when a critical mass of people in a community is immunized against a contagious disease.
FDA approves first over-the-counter home use HIV test kit – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, the first over-the-counter, self-administered HIV test kit to detect the presence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2). HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Avian flu viruses which are transmissible between humans could evolve in nature — Research provides insight into feasibility of virus becoming airborne transmissible – It might be possible for human-to-human airborne transmissible avian H5N1 influenza viruses to evolve in nature, new research has found. The findings, from research led by Professor Derek Smith and Dr Colin Russell at the University of Cambridge, were published today, 22 June in the journal Science.
The most contaminated surfaces in hotel rooms – – TV remote and bedside lamp switch – An experiment of surfaces in hotel rooms finds television remotes to be among the most heavily contaminated with bacteria and items on housekeeping carts carry the potential to cross-contaminate rooms, revealed by researchers from the University of Houston.
Natural HIV control may rely on sequence of T cell receptor protein — Protein on the surface of killer T cells appears to confer ability to suppress viral replication – The rare ability of some individuals to control HIV infection with their immune system alone appears to depend ? at least partially ? on specific qualities of the immune system’s killer T cells and not on how many of those cells are produced. Even among individuals sharing a protective version of an important immune system molecule ? the ability of HIV-specific killer T cells to control viral replication appears to depend on the particular sequence of the protein that recognizes HIV infected cells.
Vanderbilt researchers find common antibiotic carries heart risk – Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a rare, but important risk posed by the antibiotic azithromycin, commonly called a “Z-pack.” The study found a 2.5-fold higher risk of death from cardiovascular death in the first five days of taking azithromycin when compared with another common antibiotic or no antibiotics at all.
Antibiotics a safe and viable alternative to surgery for uncomplicated appendicitis, say experts — Safety and efficacy of antibiotic therapy with appendicectomy in the treatment of uncomplicated acute appendicitis: Meta-analysis – Giving antibiotics to patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis is a safe and viable alternative to surgery, say experts in a study published in BMJ.
