From New Scientist: Are we about to eliminate AIDS?
This article discusses steps that could be taken to eliminate AIDS. Even though there is no cure or vaccine, the antiretroviral course available allows HIV+ people to "live a long life and almost never pass on the virus, even through unprotected sex." Through worldwide, regular, mandatory testing and free distribution of those drugs, it's theorized that AIDS could be eliminated. The author hits on the privacy concerns that could come up a massive health initiative like this. Good read, and very hopeful.
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Friday, February 20, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
the wacky world of lyme
From ScienceDaily: Scientists Identify Potential Key To Lyme Disease
Researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center have noted that the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorfei, is especially dependent on getting manganese from its host to establish infection, as opposed to iron like most pathogens. They then identified the specific enzyme that captures manganese for the bacteria. When they engineered a strain of B. burgdorfei lacking that protein and introduced it to mice, the bacteria wasn't able to infect.
I don't know if I would find this interesting except that I had Lyme a few years ago. It's fairly common where I live. My father and one of my sisters had it, too. I missed the telltale "bull's-eye" rash and must have thought I had the flu if I ever had the fever and malaise; when I was diagnosed and treated it was all extreme fatigue, joint pain, headaches, "Lyme fog," depression, mild hallucinations, and alternating insomnia and hypersomnia. It's a crazy, crazy disease. I would kind of suggest, you know, not getting it.
Researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center have noted that the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorfei, is especially dependent on getting manganese from its host to establish infection, as opposed to iron like most pathogens. They then identified the specific enzyme that captures manganese for the bacteria. When they engineered a strain of B. burgdorfei lacking that protein and introduced it to mice, the bacteria wasn't able to infect.
I don't know if I would find this interesting except that I had Lyme a few years ago. It's fairly common where I live. My father and one of my sisters had it, too. I missed the telltale "bull's-eye" rash and must have thought I had the flu if I ever had the fever and malaise; when I was diagnosed and treated it was all extreme fatigue, joint pain, headaches, "Lyme fog," depression, mild hallucinations, and alternating insomnia and hypersomnia. It's a crazy, crazy disease. I would kind of suggest, you know, not getting it.
Friday, January 16, 2009
too much coffee
From BBC News: 'Vision link' to coffee intake
Researchers at Durham University have discovered that excessive coffee drinking (seven cups a day) can lead to hallucinations. Seriously, that's a lot of coffee. I don't know anyone who drinks that much. Crazy javafiends.
Researchers at Durham University have discovered that excessive coffee drinking (seven cups a day) can lead to hallucinations. Seriously, that's a lot of coffee. I don't know anyone who drinks that much. Crazy javafiends.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
pear-shaped
From Scientific American: Are fat bums a sign of good health?
Harvard Medical School has done studies showing that having a "pear-shape," with fat on the thighs and butt, might actually be helpful in preventing diabetes 2. Subcutaneous fat is a layer of fat everyone has right under the skin (it also helps keep you warm). The bad type of body fat is visceral fat, which accumulates in the abdomen between organs and gives that beer belly.
Like it says in the article, not all fat is bad.
Harvard Medical School has done studies showing that having a "pear-shape," with fat on the thighs and butt, might actually be helpful in preventing diabetes 2. Subcutaneous fat is a layer of fat everyone has right under the skin (it also helps keep you warm). The bad type of body fat is visceral fat, which accumulates in the abdomen between organs and gives that beer belly.
Like it says in the article, not all fat is bad.
Monday, December 15, 2008
antisocial cells
From ScienceDaily: Antisocial, Invasive Cells Are Basis of Cancer, Finding Suggests
This is pretty interesting. I really like the idea of gene therapy and things like this, studying the body to manipulate it.
However, I did also just rewatch "I Am Legend," which I enjoy because I'm a fan of zombies, especially zombies created by science. Manipulation of the measles virus to cure cancer is what causes zombie-virus (and of course it goes airborne, like all proper movie viri). Guess manipulating the genetic code really does worry me a little bit, even though it seems pretty interesting. Who the hell knows what we're going to do. Guess I just have to hope those scientists aren't evil.
This is pretty interesting. I really like the idea of gene therapy and things like this, studying the body to manipulate it.
However, I did also just rewatch "I Am Legend," which I enjoy because I'm a fan of zombies, especially zombies created by science. Manipulation of the measles virus to cure cancer is what causes zombie-virus (and of course it goes airborne, like all proper movie viri). Guess manipulating the genetic code really does worry me a little bit, even though it seems pretty interesting. Who the hell knows what we're going to do. Guess I just have to hope those scientists aren't evil.
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