Special Reports
Pomegranate Juice May Protect Baby Brains (07/06)
(BETTERHUMANS.COM) The increasingly touted health food pomegranate juice may help babies resist brain injuries from low oxygen and reduced blood flow. A new mouse study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests that expectant mothers at risk of premature birth should consider drinking the juice.
Stolen gene allows insect virus to enter cells (07/06)
(MEDICALNEWSTODAY.COM) A gene enabling an insect virus to enter new cells was likely stolen from a host cell and adapted for the virus's use, researchers at Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) at Cornell University report.
Animal Research Suggests New Treatment Target For Epilepsy (07/06)
(SCIENCEDAILY.COM) New research suggests novel treatment targets for the most common form of childhood epilepsy -- with the potential to have fewer side effects than traditional therapy. The findings from Wake Forest University School of Medicine are reported today in the July issue of the Journal of Neurophysiology.
UCSD Researchers Boost White Blood Cells' Ability To Kill Bacteria (07/06)
(SCIENCEDAILY.COM) Scientists at UCSD have determined how white blood cells up the ante against invading bacteria, a finding that may lead to new treatments for infections including those caused by invasive—“flesh-eating”— Streptococcus bacteria.
Who Calms Fears of Bird Flu Virus Mutation (07/06)
(NLM.NIH.GOV) Tests have yielded no evidence so far that the bird flu virus is mutating and becoming easier to transmit between humans, the World Health Organisation said on Thursday. In May the WHO warned that the virus in Vietnam, the country with the highest number of cases, could be changing and becoming easier to pass on.
Scientists show microRNA development role (07/06)
(DRUGRESEARCHER.COM) US scientists have shown that microRNA (miRNA) plays an essential role in the development of the fruit fly. The discovery means that miRNA could emerge as a new target for interventions aimed at treating disease, or as a therapeutic in its own right.
Death-inducing cell overcomes resistance (07/06)
(DRUGRESEARCHER.COM) The drug resistance encountered by scientists when treating cancer cells has been the subject of research by German scientists who believe they have identified a cellular protein, which mediates a death signal.
Kids and their furry friends (07/06)
(MSNBC.COM) Over the years there have been many studies pointing to how beneficial it is for children to live with cats and dogs. Research has suggested that because of a pet’s love and companionship, children with cats and dogs tend to have good self-esteem, bond with their families more, miss less school, are more resilient under traumatic circumstances and are more social than non-owners.
Birds becoming immune to West Nile (07/06)
(CBC.CA) Birds seem to be developing the ability to fight off West Nile virus, reducing the likelihood that humans may contract the disease, scientists say. Studies conducted in eastern North America, where the virus first appeared on this continent, show birds are becoming immune to the virus.
New dolphin species in Australia (07/06)
(NEWS.BBC.CO.UK) A team of scientists has identified a new dolphin species - the first for at least 30 years - off north Australia. The mammals - named snubfin dolphins - were initially thought to be members of the Irrawaddy species, also found in Australian waters.
Special Reports:
Nobel Laureates Back Animal Research
Winners of Nobel prizes in physiology or medicine
overwhelmingly support responsible use of animals in research, according to
Seriously Ill For Medical
Research (SIMR) of Bedfordshire, England. SIMR has carried out a survey of
Nobel prize winners in physiology or medicine to find the views of top medical
researchers worldwide on the need for animals in medical research.
The centenary of Alfred Nobel's death in 1896
seemed an ideal opportunity. "We are concerned that animal rights propaganda has
undue influence in the media, leading to confusion amongst the public and
patients about animal research. SIMR wants to help sort out science fact from
science fiction," said the late Andrew Blake of SIMR.
Questionnaires were sent to all living Nobel
laureates in medicine or physiology. They were asked to indicate their level of
agreement with five statements on the use of animals in medcal research. Their
responses show unanimous support on the need to use animals in medical research.
The complete survey results are available at the
SIMR website. To review the achievements of these great scientists, see a
Timeline
of Nobel Laureates in Physiology or Medicine.
info@pirweb.org