Gene therapy may restore sense of smell

Can’t smell anything? This discovery may give you hope – Gene therapy in mice restores sense of smell, may also aid research into other diseases caused by cilia defects, U-M researchers say – Scientists have restored the sense of smell in mice through gene therapy for the first time — a hopeful sign for people who can’t smell anything from birth or lose it due to disease. The achievement in curing congenital anosmia — the medical term for lifelong inability to detect odors — may also aid research on other conditions that also stem from problems with the cilia.

Parents less likely to develop colds – benefit of parenthood

Parents less likely to develop colds, Carnegie Mellon research shows – There is no question that being a parent is, at times, challenging both physically and mentally. However knowledge of the actual affect parenthood has on health has been inconsistent at best, until now. New research led by Carnegie Mellon University’s Sheldon Cohen and Rodlescia S. Sneed shows that being a parent influences health in a positive way.

First stress and then inflammation is the culprit

How stress influences disease: Carnegie Mellon study reveals inflammation as the culprit – Can removing stress from my environment make me healthy & happier? Yes, it is proven by a recent research that shows how stress influences disease and our health.

Zinc reduces common cold symptoms severity and duration

Zinc or Zinc supplement reduces the burden of the common cold – Zinc supplements reduce the severity and duration of illness caused by the common cold, according to a systematic review published in The Cochrane Library.

Exercise reduces frequency and severity of colds

Physical fitness curbs frequency and severity of colds — Upper respiratory tract infection is reduced in physically fit and active adults – People who are physically fit and active have fewer and milder colds, indicates research published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Vitamin C boosts reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells

Citrus surprise: Vitamin C boosts the reprogramming of adult cells into stem cells – Famous for its antioxidant properties and role in tissue repair, vitamin C is touted as beneficial for illnesses ranging from the common cold to cancer and perhaps even for slowing the aging process.

HIV vaccine failure probably caused by adenovirus

HIV vaccine failure probably caused by virus used, says new research – The recent failure of an HIV vaccine was probably caused by the immune system reacting to the virus ‘shell’ used to transmit the therapy around the body, revealed by researchers.

Certain Zicam cold remedies linked to loss of sense of smell

FDA Advises Consumers Not To Use Certain Zicam Cold Remedies — Intranasal Zinc Product Linked to Loss of Sense of Smell. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advised consumers to stop using three products marketed over-the-counter (OTC) as cold remedies because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell (anosmia).

Health Newstrack