Eyes may help predict Alzheimer's riskOctober 22nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has shown that eyes could prove to be a potential gateway to identify whether or not a person has Alzheimer's disease. Researchers from University of California, Irvine have found that retinas in mice genetically altered to have Alzheimer's undergo changes similar to those that occur in the brain - most notably the accumulation of amyloid plaque lesions.
Response to approaching footsteps in the dark is hard-wired in our brainsOctober 16th, 2009 LONDON - The rapid response to approaching footsteps in the dark is hard-wired in the brain, say researchers. The study showed that changes in the visual cortex boost brain's sensitivity primed to identify the pursuer in dim light.
Novel therapy to destroy cancer cells via laser drug activationOctober 13th, 2009 LONDON - A revolutionary cancer treatment, called the Photodynamic therapy (PDT), could destroy cells in a patient's tumour without any side effects of surgery or chemotherapy. PDT uses a laser to activate an otherwise harmless drug inside the patient's tumour, destroying cancer cells without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue.
Mums can 'infect' unborn child with cancerOctober 13th, 2009 LONDON - Solving a longstanding puzzle, British scientists have finally proved that cancer cells can pass on from the mother to her unborn child. While there are very rare cases where a mother and child appear to share the same cancer, but in theory the child's immune system should block the cancer.
Cholesterol crucial to brain developmentOctober 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Swedish researchers have shown that a derivative of cholesterol is necessary for the formation of brain cells by conducting experiments on mice. Professor Ernest Arenas, from the medical university Karolinska Institutet, says that the study's findings may prove helpful for scientists in cultivating dopamine-producing cells outside the body.
British health authorities investigate as girl dies after receiving cervical cancer vaccineSeptember 30th, 2009 British girl dies after cervical cancer vaccineLONDON — Health authorities are investigating after a 14-year-old girl died a few hours after receiving a cervical cancer vaccine. Health officials in Coventry, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of London, said Tuesday they had quarantined the batch of vaccine given at the school attended by Natalie Morton.
Health authorities investigate as girl dies after receiving cervical cancer vaccineSeptember 30th, 2009 Biriths girl dies after cervical cancer vaccineLONDON — Health authorities are investigating after a 14-year-old girl died a few hours after receiving a cervical cancer vaccine. Health officials in Coventry, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of London, said Tuesday they had quarantined the batch of vaccine given at the school attended by Natalie Morton.
Developer of Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas dies after battle with leukemiaSeptember 25th, 2009 Las Vegas' Stratosphere developer dies at 67LAS VEGAS — The developer of the 1,149-foot Stratosphere tower on the Las Vegas Strip has died at a hospital after a long fight with leukemia. A spokeswoman for Bob Stupak's family says the casino entrepreneur and colorful gambler died Friday at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas.
Drug that reverses resistance to chemotherapy identifiedSeptember 25th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers have for the first time shown that inhibiting the action of an enzyme called TAK-1 could make pancreatic cancer cells sensitive to chemotherapy, paving the way for the development of a new drug to treat the disease. Dr. Davide Melisi said that resistance to chemotherapy was the greatest challenge to treating pancreatic cancer.
Aussie scientists find HIV reservoir in the brainSeptember 23rd, 2009 MELBOURNE - Aussie scientists have discovered that the brain also acts as a key "reservoir" for HIV, a finding that may be a serious threat to the search for a way to eradicate the virus from the body. While scientists are using antiretroviral drugs to get rid of HIV altogether, they are finding it difficult to perfect techniques to kill off infected cells in the known reservoirs for HIV in the body.
Patients in vegetative state can learn, say researchersSeptember 21st, 2009 LONDON - An international team of researchers have found that brains of patients in vegetative and minimally conscious state still appears to have the ability to learn. The team hopes that the finding will lead to a simple test that will enable practitioners to assess the patient's consciousness without the need of imaging.
Scientific paper: CIA interrogations likely harmed suspects' ability to recall terrorist plotsSeptember 21st, 2009 Report: CIA interrogation harmed inmates' recallWASHINGTON — A new scientific paper asserts that the CIA's harsh interrogation program likely damaged the brain and memory functions of terrorist suspects, diminishing their ability to provide the detailed information the spy agency sought. The paper, published Monday in the scientific journal "Trends in Cognitive Science: Science and Society," says the harsh techniques used by the CIA under the Bush administration were biologically counterproductive to eliciting quality information.
Larry Gelbart, writer of 'M-A-S-H,' 'Tootsie,' other hit comedies, dies at 81September 11th, 2009 'M-A-S-H,' 'Tootsie' writer Larry Gelbart diesLOS ANGELES — Larry Gelbart, the comedy writer famed for his work on "M-A-S-H" and "Tootsie," has died. Gelbart died at his Beverly Hills home Friday morning after a long battle with cancer, said Creative Artists Agency, which represented him, He was 81.
Terminally ill Manson follower asking Calif. parole board to set her free before deathSeptember 2nd, 2009 Manson follower dying from cancer seeks paroleCHOWCHILLA, Calif. — A terminally ill Charles Manson follower who admitted killing actress Sharon Tate four decades ago is going before a parole board to ask for freedom before she dies.
Alex Grass, founder of Rite Aid drugstore chain, dies of lung cancer at 82August 28th, 2009 Alex Grass, founder of Rite Aid chain, diesHARRISBURG, Pa. — Rite Aid Corp.
