When does a cell decide its particular identity? According to biologists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), in the case of T cells – immune system cells that help destroy invading pathogens – the answer is when the cells begin expressing a particular gene called Bcl11b. The activation of Bcl11b is a “clean, nearly… Continue reading
Category: Health News
There is a way to control cancer cells
Oncogenes are like friends who’ve gone off the deep end. Normally steady, reliable members of the cellular workforce, these genes become very bad influences when mutated or expressed at high levels — urging a cell to divide uncontrollably and become cancerous. Now scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the University of Wuerzburg,… Continue reading
Some cells are not so helpful as they say
Current research suggests that T helper-type 1 (Th1) cells, previously thought to mediate autoimmunity, may actual inhibit the development of experimental immune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), by suppressing Th17 cells. The related report by Wildbaum et al, “Antigen-specific CD25-Foxp3-IFN-γ high CD4+ T cells restrain the development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis… Continue reading
Virus and some kind of genes causing Crohn’s-like illness
Scientists have shown that a specific virus can interact with a mutation in the host’s genes to trigger disease. The observation may help explain why many people with disease risk genes do not actually develop disease. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that three factors were necessary in mice to… Continue reading
Genetic “chips” gave the information about heart disease
New research at the University of Leicester will use the latest genetic techniques to examine DNA from over 20,000 patients with heart disease. The study will help to identify new genes and molecules responsible for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This, in turn may help to develop new diagnostic and treatment strategies. The project is being… Continue reading
What are the efects of oil spills on a human health
University of Rhode Island Pharmacy Professor Bongsup Cho knows there are cancer-causing chemicals in diesel fumes and cigarette smoke. The biomedical scientist also knows that some of the same chemicals are found in the gooey tar balls that are being produced as a result of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which began… Continue reading
The meaning of IVF and large amount of money
Children conceived by Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) have fiscal implications for government both in terms of future government spending and tax revenue. Based on public funding to conceive a MAR child – after factoring in education, future health and pension costs, and future tax contributions of this child – the discounted net tax revenue (the… Continue reading
High risk of multiple sclerosis from eating of margarine, procesed meat and other foods
Increased production of certain types of industrially produced foods – specifically of margarine, processed meat and sausage, jam and marmalade, chocolate and chocolate confectionary, sugar confectionary and beer – correlates statistically with an increased incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS). This conclusion from analysis of data from seven EU countries is presented today by the German… Continue reading