Radiation therapy can boost longevity in rare pancreatic cancer patientsNovember 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON - People with rare pancreatic cancer, called pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNTs), might live longer if treated with radiation therapy, says a study. The researchers found that this method is effective in achieving local control and palliation in PNTs, despite such tumours being commonly considered resistant to radiation therapy.
New discovery can speed up development of Parkinson's drugsNovember 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from Sydney's Garvan Institute of Medical Research have made a novel discovery that can speed up the development of more effective Parkinson's drugs. People with Parkinson's Disease suffer from muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement and, in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement.
Secret of plants' drought resistance revealedNovember 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A team of scientists has discovered that the key to plants' resistance to stressful situations such as drought lies in the structure of a protein. Much as adrenaline coursing through our veins drives our body's reactions to stress, the plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is behind plants' responses to stressful situations such as drought, but how it does so has been a mystery for years.
How plants and bacteria 'talk' to thwart diseaseNovember 6th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study by scientists at the University of California, Davis, has revealed how plants and bacteria 'talk' to thwart disease. When it comes to plants' innate immunity, a receptor molecule in the plant pairs up with a specific molecule on the invading bacteria and the immune system swings into action to defend against the invasion of the disease-causing microbe.
Common plants can help remove indoor air pollutantsNovember 5th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Common indoor plants such as purple waffle, English ivy, variegated wax and purple heart plant have been found tremendously effective in eliminating harmful air pollutants in homes, offices, and other indoor spaces, say researchers. Indoor air is said to be 12 times more polluted than outdoor air due to paints, varnishes, adhesives, furnishings, clothing, solvents, building materials, and even tap water.
Parkinson's disease cure on the anvil?November 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from Iowa State University have made a novel discovery that can possibly help cure Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease sufferers lack a sufficient amount of a brain chemical called dopamine.
How bacteria resist attackNovember 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa can 'switch on' production of molecules that kill white blood cells - preventing the bacteria being eliminated by the body's immune system, say researchers the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark. P. aeruginosa is responsible for many hospital-acquired infections and also causes chronic infections in those with pre-existing medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis (CF).
Breakthrough discovery could lead to new Alzheimer's treatmentOctober 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A research team, including an Indian-origin boffin, has made a new discovery that could lead to a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The discovery by researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL is based on the unexpected finding that when the brain's immune cells (microglia) are activated by the interleukin-6 protein (IL-6), they actually remove amyloid plaques-considered a hallmark of the disease, instead of causing them or making them worse.
AIIMS boffins' discovery could eliminate 75pc of cervical cancers in northern IndiaOctober 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new discovery by researchers from All India Institute of Medical Sciences can eliminate 75 percent of the cervical cancer among women in Northern India. They have identified two common types of HPV viruses responsible for causing cervical cancer, a vaccination for which could eliminate 75 percent of the disease in the region.
How to make antibiotics more effective at lower dosesSeptember 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at the NYU School of Medicine say that they have gained significant insights into a mechanism that plays an important role in making human pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus anthracis resistant to numerous antibiotics. Writing about their work in the journal Science, they have said that their study provides evidence that Nitric Oxide (NO) is able to alleviate the oxidative stress in bacteria caused by many antibiotics, and that it also helps to neutralize many antibacterial compounds.
How plants prevent their genes from going haywireSeptember 11th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study, by researchers at the Universite de Montreal in Canada, has found a key mechanism that enables plants to keep dangerous gene alterations in check to ensure their continued existence. "We've discovered a new pathway that plants use to protect their genes against dangerous alterations that could also allow some useful mutations to occur," said Normand Brisson, a Universite de Montreal biochemistry professor who made his discovery with graduate students Alexandre Marechal and Jean-Sebastien Parent.
Indoor plants can reduce toxic ozone levels in offices, homesSeptember 9th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Potted plants in the house can make indoor air healthier by cutting down ozone levels, according to a new study. Ozone, the main component of air pollution, also known as smog, is a highly reactive, colorless gas formed when oxygen reacts with other chemicals.
Cotton may be promising source of proteinSeptember 8th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Cotton is emerging as a promising source of protein for millions of the world's malnourished, according to the latest research. Researchers engineered the cotton to reduce the toxic gossypol to tolerable levels in the high-protein seed, without affecting higher levels in the rest of the plant, to ward off pests and disease.
Indoor plants could be injurious to healthSeptember 4th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Potted plants might add a certain aesthetic value to your house, but they are likely to have adverse health effects, suggests a new study. The research team headed by Stanley J.
Reduce tension, keep plants in offices, classroomsSeptember 3rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - House plants can help reduce tension and stress among office workers, who spend more than 80 percent of the day indoors. Researchers found the presence of plants in homes and workplaces exerted a positive effect on headaches and fatigue and hoarseness.
