Why youngsters are more prone to human form of mad cow diseaseOctober 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from The Roslin Institute of the University of Edinburgh have identified certain immune cells that could help explain why younger people are more susceptible to human form of mad cow disease or variant CJD. They have specific cells within the immune system that attract corrupted proteins - known as prions - linked to variant CJD and encourage them to multiply and spread.
Earlier exposure to flu viruses 'makes people immune to current H1N1 influenza'October 15th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists at University of California, Davis, have found that earlier exposure to the seasonal flu viruses provide people with some level of immunity to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. In their study, the researchers identified a group of immunologically important sites on the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus that are also present in other influenza viruses that have been circulating for years.
Natural killer cells help keep immune system in balanceOctober 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Natural killer (NK) cells, part of our immune system, kill cells infected with a given virus. Researchers have now found that the cells also help keep T-cells from over-responding.
Immune system's natural killer cells linked to infant liver diseaseJuly 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center have found that an overactive response by one of the immune system's key weapons against infection - natural killer, or NK, cells - is linked to the onset of biliary atresia in infants, a disease where blocked bile ducts can cause severe liver damage and death. They also found that blocking a gene that helps NK cells attack bile duct tissues lessens damage and may be a way to treat the most common cause of chronically progressive liver disease in children.
Pine bark extract 'helps reduce inflammation'July 16th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree has been found effective in reducing inflammation, and soothing pain associated with various health problems, claim researchers. According to lead researcher Dr.
HIV-1 destroys immune response in the gut within days of infectionJuly 7th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers have found that HIV-1 virus moves rapidly in the body, and damages the B-cell antibody-producing system in the gut, within days of infection. The study by Centre for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology is the first to examine what happens to B cells in the gut in the earliest stage of HIV-1 infection.
Scientists find novel way of boosting newborns' immune responsesJune 13th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Newborns have immature immune system which makes them highly vulnerable to infections. Now, researchers from Children's Hospital Boston claim to have found a novel way to enhance innate immunity that would help keep respiratory syncytial virus, pneumococcus and rotavirus at bay.
Where do parasites go when their hosts become extinct?June 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The loss of endangered species sends alarm bells ringing among conservationists, but what happens to the parasites they host?
Although most people would side with the panda over the parasite, which group should we worry about more?
North Carolina State University (NCSU) biologist Rob Dunn and colleagues examined the concept of co-extinction, the loss of one species upon the extinction of another. "Decline in host species could drive parasite species to switch onto alternative hosts, which could escalate the rate of emerging pathogens and parasites both for humans and our domesticated animals and plants," Dunn said.
Novel way to stop malarial parasite growth foundMay 19th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have found a novel way to stop malarial parasite growth. According to researchers, the new finding could guide the development of new malaria treatments.
Scientists unravel how smallpox virus sabotages our immune systemMay 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers are closing in on how smallpox virus go about their deadly business of sabotaging our immune system. These findings may reveal as much about our immune system as they do about one of the world's most feared pathogens.
Scientists unravel how smallpox virus sabotages our immune systemMay 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Researchers are closing in on how smallpox virus go about their deadly business of sabotaging our immune system. These findings may reveal as much about our immune system as they do about one of the world's most feared pathogens.
How smallpox affects human immune systemMay 12th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Scientists from University of Florida have shed light on how small pox affects immune system. The research team have come across a particular interaction between the proteins produced by smallpox virus in concert with human proteins that disables one of the body's first responders to injury - inflammation.
Why do seasonal allergies increase in springMay 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - Spring season is often accompanied by allergies and increased problems for asthmatic people. Now, American scientists have identified a previously unknown cellular switch that turns allergies and asthma both on and off.
Genes from fireflies shed light show causes of infertilityMarch 28th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Genes from fireflies and jellyfish are virtually shedding light on possible causes of infertility and auto-immune diseases in humans. Auto-immune diseases are those in which something goes wrong with your immune system and it attacks healthy cells and tissues and makes you sick.
Decoding how cell memory helps immune system fend off invasionsJanuary 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - Resarchers are close to decoding the mystery of how immune cells fend off infections by remembering and recognising the nature of invading pathogens. Their key finding is that a distinct programme generates memory cells to protect an individual against re-infection.
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