Chinese scientists successfully infect mouse with Hepatitis C

BEIJING: Chinese scientists have successfully infected a lab mouse with chronic hepatitis C, opening the doors for better study of the virus' effect on humans. 

Previously, HCV infections were restricted to humans and chimpanzees, with lab mice, the normal testing subjects for viral research, showing immunity. 

But a recently published study shows researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) successfully sustained the virus in a lab mouse for almost two years, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. 

Scientists say the development will open a new way to study the mechanisms of chronic hepatitis C and develop better treatments. 

The new breakthrough, conducted by a research team led by Chinese scientists Tang Hong and Chen Xinwen, has been published on the Cell Research website. 

Previous attempts to replicate HCV in mice failed, with the test subjects either unaffected by the virus or with immune systems quickly overcoming the effects. 

Their breakthrough saw a mice infected with HCV successfully replicating the virus, showing sustained viremia and infectivity for nearly two years. 

Some 80 per cent of the lab mice can be infected persistently and show other typical HCV symptoms, such as fatty liver, fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver. 

Source:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Chinese-scientists-successfully-infect-mouse-with-Hepatitis-C/articleshow/41102337.cms

Lack of quality healthcare has increased death rates in India, study says

CHENNAI: Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and smoking are all risk factors for heart diseases, but they aren't just the only ones. Researchers have found that absence of quality healthcare plays increases death rates in low income countries such as India and Pakistan. 

The risk factors in low income countries are lesser when compared to high income countries such as Canada, Sweden and the UAE. However, rates of cardiovascular disease and death were higher in low-income countries. 

"We concluded that the high burden of risk factors in high income countries may have been mitigated by better control of risk factors and more frequent use of preventive medicines and therapy," said Dr V Mohan, who one of authors of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiologic (PURE) Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

For the study, scientists from the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) at McMaster University (Canada) and Hamilton Health Science (Canada) analyzed data of over 150,000 people in 17 countries.

The countries were ranked as low-income (India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh), middle-income (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Columbia, Iran, Poland, South Africa, Turkey and Malaysia) and high-income (Canada, Sweden and UAE) according to the ranking from the World Bank. The risk factors were measured using a standardized scale called the Interheart Risk Score. 

The study's lead author and PHRI director Dr Salim Yusuf termed the results a "real paradox." 

"We found that richer countries with higher risk factors have less heart diseases and once people have a heart attack or stroke, the risk of dying is substantially less compared to poor countries," he said. 

Doctors have always said that many Indians are affected by heart diseases at a much younger age compared to their western counterparts. "The risk factors remain the same, but Indian patients are younger and that makes it even more difficult," said Dr Mohan.

Source:  CHENNAI: Diabetes, hypertension, obesity and smoking are all risk factors for heart diseases, but they aren't just the only ones. Researchers have found that absence of quality healthcare plays increases death rates in low income countries such as India and Pakistan. 

The risk factors in low income countries are lesser when compared to high income countries such as Canada, Sweden and the UAE. However, rates of cardiovascular disease and death were higher in low-income countries. 

"We concluded that the high burden of risk factors in high income countries may have been mitigated by better control of risk factors and more frequent use of preventive medicines and therapy," said Dr V Mohan, who one of authors of the Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiologic (PURE) Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

For the study, scientists from the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) at McMaster University (Canada) and Hamilton Health Science (Canada) analyzed data of over 150,000 people in 17 countries.

The countries were ranked as low-income (India, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh), middle-income (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Columbia, Iran, Poland, South Africa, Turkey and Malaysia) and high-income (Canada, Sweden and UAE) according to the ranking from the World Bank. The risk factors were measured using a standardized scale called the Interheart Risk Score. 

The study's lead author and PHRI director Dr Salim Yusuf termed the results a "real paradox." 

"We found that richer countries with higher risk factors have less heart diseases and once people have a heart attack or stroke, the risk of dying is substantially less compared to poor countries," he said. 

Doctors have always said that many Indians are affected by heart diseases at a much younger age compared to their western counterparts. "The risk factors remain the same, but Indian patients are younger and that makes it even more difficult," said Dr Mohan.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Home/Science/Lack-of-quality-healthcare-has-increased-death-rates-in-India-study-says/articleshow/41112386.cms 

Tomato-rich diet helps prevent prostate cancer

English.news.cn  

LONDON, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Men who eat over 10 portions a week of tomatoes have an 18 per cent lower risk of developing prostate cancer, a new research by British scientists suggests.

According to researchers, the study, published Wednesday in the medical journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, is the first of its kind to develop a prostate cancer "dietary index".

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, and the rates are higher in developed countries, which some experts believe is linked to a Westernised diet and lifestyle.

To assess if proper dietary reduces risk of prostate cancer, researchers at the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford looked at the diets and lifestyle of 1,806 men aged between 50 and 69 with prostate cancer and compared with 12,005 cancer-free men.

The researchers find that, tomatoes were shown to be most beneficial, with an 18 per cent reduction in risk found in men eating over 10 portions a week. This is thought to be due to lycopene, an antioxidant which fights off toxins that can cause DNA and cell damage.

Eating the recommended five servings of fruit or vegetables or more a day was also found to decrease risk by 24 percent, compared with men who ate two-and-a-half servings or less.

"Our findings suggest that tomatoes may be important in prostate cancer prevention," said Vanessa Er, from Bristol University. "However, further studies need to be conducted to confirm our findings, especially through human trials. Men should still eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight and stay active."

Source:  http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/health/2014-08/28/c_126926161.htm

Homocystinuria due to Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Deficiency

Important

It is possible that the main title of the report Homocystinuria due to Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Deficiency is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

• homocystinuria
• cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency
• classical homocystinuria

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Homocystinuria is a rare metabolic condition characterized by an excess of the compound homocystine in the urine. The condition may result from deficiency of any of several enzymes involved in the conversion of the essential amino acid methionine to another amino acid (cysteine)--or, less commonly, impaired conversion of the compound homocysteine to methionine. Enzymes are proteins that accelerate the rate of chemical reactions in the body. Certain amino acids, which are the chemical building blocks of proteins, are essential for proper growth and development. 

In most cases, homocystinuria is caused by reduced activity of an enzyme known as cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS). Infants who develop homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency (which is also known as classical homocystinuria) may fail to grow and gain weight at the expected rate (failure to thrive) and have developmental delays. By approximately age three, additional, more specific symptoms and findings may become apparent. These may include partial dislocation (subluxation) of the lens of the eyes (ectopia lentis), associated "quivering" (iridodonesis) of the colored region of the eyes (iris), severe nearsightedness (myopia), and other eye (ocular) abnormalities. Although intelligence may be normal in some cases, many children may be affected by progressive mental retardation. In addition, some may develop psychiatric disturbances and/or episodes of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain (seizures). Affected individuals also tend to be thin with unusually tall stature; long, slender fingers and toes (arachnodactyly); and elongated arms and legs ("marfanoid" features). In addition, affected individuals may be at risk for the development of blood clots that can become lodged within certain large and small blood vessels (thromboembolisms), potentially leading to life-threatening complications. Homocystinuria due to deficiency of CBS deficiency is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. The disorder is caused by changes (mutations) of a gene on the long arm (q) of chromosome 21 (21q22.3) that regulates the production of the CBS enzyme.

Source:  http://www.webmd.com/children/homocystinuria-10851

Homocystinuria - Topic Overview

Homocystinuria is a rare inherited disease that causes a deficiency of one of several enzymes needed for the breakdown of food (metabolism). This enzyme deficiency may cause a buildup of homocysteine in the blood. Excess homocysteine may be released in the urine.

Babies born with homocystinuria may fail to grow and gain weight (failure to thrive) and may experience developmental delays. People with homocystinuria may develop diseases of the heart and blood vessels at a young age. If homocystinuria is not diagnosed in infancy, other problems may develop, including:

• Partial dislocation of the lens of the eyes (ectopia lentis).
• Severe nearsightedness (myopia).
• Progressive intellectual disability.
• Seizures.
• Psychiatric problems.
• Skeletal problems (such as scoliosis, osteoporosis, or protrusion or depression of the breastbone).
• Formation of blood clots in deep veins (deep venous thrombosis, or DVT).
• Stroke.

People with homocystinuria may have a thin appearance, with long, slender arms, legs, fingers, and toes. These features have been described as "marfanoid" because of the similarity to Marfan's syndrome.

Treatment for homocystinuria may include eating foods low in certain amino acids and taking vitamin supplements and medicine to enhance the breakdown of homocysteine.

Source:  http://www.webmd.com/children/tc/homocystinuria-topic-overview

Homocystinuria Screening in Newborns Misses Many Cases

Nov. 22, 1999 (Atlanta) -- Current screening tests in newborns for homocystinuria -- a condition that can result in mental retardation and other medical problems -- miss too many cases, according to a study in the Nov. 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The researchers recommend a change in the way doctors analyze the test results.

"If one lowers the cutoff level -- that is, increases the sensitivity of newborn screening for homocystinuria -- you identify cases that otherwise would be missed," co-researcher Harvey Levy, MD, tells WebMD. Levy is senior associate in the departments of medicine and genetics at the Children's Hospital in Boston and an associate professor of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School.

Homocystinuria is a rare disorder that affects only one out of every 200,000 infants, but if it is not detected early enough it can cause serious complications, including severe mental retardation, osteoporosis, and the formation of clots in blood vessels. The disorder is diagnosed by measuring the amount of the amino acid called methionine in the blood. The amount measured currently varies from state-to-state.

M. Judith Peterschmitt, MD, and colleagues reviewed the results of neonatal screening for homocystinuria over 32 years in New England. When blood methionine levels were at or above the established cutoff, additional specimens were analyzed to confirm the disorder.

"We might have expected to find an occasional case [of homocystinuria] but we didn't expect to find that almost all of the cases that have been identified since the cutoff level was lowered in 1990 would have been missed at the previous higher cutoff level," says Levy. "We thought one or two would have been missed, but we didn't realize that actually five out of seven would have been missed."

"Even very small rises in methionine might indicate the presence of the disease," says Levy. "These small rises would not be identified if the cutoff were too high. Most newborn screening programs are missing children with homocystinuria because of that [too high cutoff]. In fact, we think that many newborn screening programs have discontinued screening for homocystinuria because of that, when indeed, they didn't realize that they were missing these cases."

Even if the cutoff value is reduced, not all infants with homocystinuria will be identified, warn Peterschmitt and colleagues. They write that probably more than one in five affected infants will be missed.

Most states in the U.S. do not screen for homocystinuria, says Levy. "[Therefore,] if a child has any of those problems [such as skeletal abnormalities or vascular problems, parents] should suggest to the doctor that those problems may be due to a metabolic disorder such as homocystinuria, and I would urge the doctor to test the child," he says.

"There is a misconception among consumers as well as physicians that newborn screening covers all of the metabolic disorders. That is absolutely not true." He adds that if the child who has been tested is experiencing problems possibly connected with homocystinuria, the child should be tested again since the condition may have been missed the first time.

Vital Information:

Homocystinuria, a condition in newborns that can cause mental retardation, is diagnosed by measuring the amount of the amino acid called methionine in the blood.

The current methionine level used to detect homocystinuria is too high and should be lowered to identify more cases.

A very small rise in methionine can indicate the presence of the disease, so even with the new recommendations for diagnosis, some cases can still be missed.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/19991122/homocystinuria-screening-misses-many-cases

the seven wonders of water

Drinking plenty of water is a well-known and basic wellness tip, but busy lives often make it an easy one to forget.  It is easy to resent buying water when you have a tap at home, so days are often spent water-less; a can of DC or a post-lunch Starbucks substituting for good old h2O.

While obviously hot, cold, alcoholic and soft drinks all have their places in our diets, it is important not to neglect the central importance of water.  Astonishingly, healthy adults lose between 2.5 and 3 litres of water each day -more if you are exercising,  flying (1.5 litres over a three hour flight!), or in a hot climate.  It is vital for human survival to remain hydrated, and in light of this 3 litre a day loss, we need to be replenishing our water reserves constantly.

Humans should never feel thirsty – it is a sign that you are already dehydrated.  Dehydration can cause lethargy, headaches, mood changes, dry skin, low concentration, tiredness, nausea and will hamper any attempts at exercise.  As hangovers charmingly remind us, dehydration all in all makes you feel pretty appalling.

Luckily it’s easy and cheap to increase your water intake, and the health benefits are both felt immediately and long-lasting.  Carry a flask with you, buy a bottle instead of a coffee, take advantage of the tap at home – however you do it (I’m into sparkling water at the mo because makes it slightly more interesting), work to get your water intake up, and reap the rewards…

1) Skin – increased hydration encourages fresh looking, clear skin by flushing out toxins and filling cells with water creating a more toned and firm appearance.  Dry skin is a common symptom of dehydration, and will sort itself out when water consumption is increased

2) Weight Loss – water consumption contributes to weight loss in two ways.  When you feel hungry, you are often actually thirsty.  By drinking water instead of reaching for the biscuit tin, you will keep hunger locked up ‘til lunch without having to snack on waistline-expanding treats.  AND, if you swap fizzy, calorific drinks for water – you will reduce your sugar intake, both protecting your teeth and again, your waistline: WIN WIN WIN!

3) Heart Health – drinking plenty of water thins your blood and reduces blood pressure, which for all sorts of reasons is a very good thing

4) Metabolism – water is important in eliminating the byproducts of your digestive system; the more water you drink, the quicker you will get those nasties out

5) Hair – I’m sure all the men reading will be glad to know that water = shiny and healthy hair

6) Body – stiffness, joint problems and muscle swelling; all can be avoided.  Water consumption will dramatically improve your physical condition at any age by flushing out lactic acid and increasing the cushioning around joints.

7) Long-term Stuff – water has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer – the help it gives to the digestive system reduced the risk of colon cancer by up to 45% according to one study

So here are just seven reasons why water is the best beverage ever and we should all drink it more.  Women should aim to drink 2.1 litres a day, and men 2.6, but not much more – be careful not to drink 200 litres of the stuff in an attempt to drown out that tequila headache that you are struggling with on a Sunday morning…

The very old and the very young are especially at risk from dehydration, so pass on the word to your Grannies and all them thirsty babes out there.  And get drinking!

Source: http://hotwaterandlemon.com/the-seven-wonders-of-water/

Satellite technology secures Ireland’s place in space race

Irish companies are working on projects to advance less expensive space exploration

The modern space race is better likened to price wars between Tesco and Lidl than any geopolitical rivalries empires might have had in the past.

We already know how to do a lot of stuff in space (clearly this reporter is an expert in the field). Communications, space travel, GPS, etc. The challenge now is to make these rapidly developing sectors a little less Marks & Sparks so that we might all live “a Lidl” more.

Okay, it’s not that simple. We are still dealing in the tens of millions of euro range for many satellite projects. Today, the image data market – that companies such as Digital Globe work in – is worth about $1.5 billion a year. Digital broadcasting and space and communications consulting firm Euroconsult estimates this will reach about $3.6 billion by 2023.

But many ubiquitous services the average person relies upon depend on commercial satellite technology. So innovators must find ways to provide satellite-based services such as broadband, mobile phone communications and GPS, without breaking the bank.

Synergy is the word. Space-based anything has always been an expensive game. So if you can find technology originally designed for another purpose and apply it in the commercial satellite sector then you’re on to a winner.

“There are several examples of how Irish companies are bringing innovative technologies from non-space to space and in so doing reducing the costs, while achieving performance and reliability requirements for space,” says Tony McDonald, of the Irish delegation to the European Space Agency (ESA) at Enterprise Ireland.

SensL, a Cork-based SME, develops advanced silicon photomultipliers (SiPM), sensors that are used with extremely low levels of light and are deployed in various sectors including medical imaging and hazard and threat detection. However, in 2013 SensL secured a contract with the ESA to begin the development of the next-generation sensor for future space science missions.

Irish surface technology company Enbio had been working in the medical sector. But In 2012 it signed a contract with the ESA worth €500,000 to develop a “proprietary surface treatment for use as a ‘sunscreen’ to protect satellites as they travel through space.”

“The types of interfaces used in cars are now being used in satellites, as they are much cheaper and have been proven to withstand harsh conditions,” says Barry Kavanagh of start-up OCE Technology, based in Bray, Co Wicklow. OCE designs software tools to support companies developing embedded systems for the space and aerospace industries.

Chinese aerospace It is currently working with Enterprise Ireland and the ESA to develop software for a Chinese space and aerospace industry hardware manufacturer.

“UK-based company Astrium develops micro-satellites using what would be considered ordinary components,” says Kavanagh. “They bring them to a lab and simulate the space experience, conduct radiation testing etc. Some components will pass, some won’t, but if they do, they’ll use off-the- shelf components for space missions. Testing is one of the biggest expenses for any company involved in commercial space technology. It costs a lot of money to prove something will work in space.”

Synergy in this space works the opposite way too. “The space industry is trying to reduce the cost of everything,” says Kavanagh. “Our plan is to develop unique features required by our client but also by the ESA, that are transferable,” he says. “We know that if the ESA requires them then companies developing mobile phones, alarm systems, fridges, industrial automation etc will likely need them too.”

OCE Technology is one of a growing number of companies in Ireland to which the global commercial satellite industry goes when it has specific requirements.

“We have built a reputation for very innovative technologies that can be reliably used for satellite systems used in terrestrial and satellite communications,” says McDonald.

“We frequently find synergies between different markets. If you are designing a technology for satellites, you work in reliability engineering. There is very little margin for error. In other words, if you are prepared to put your name to it you had better be sure it’ll work.”

Constantly evolving Satellite technology is constantly evolving, so those in the business need to develop software and hardware that can adapt to changing needs in the marketplace.

“Klas Telecom builds network equipment for use with satellite networks and the bulk of our equipment is used with [remote communications providers] Inmarsat Networks,” explains Frank Murray, engineering manager at Klas Telecom in Dublin.

“While Inmarsat was initially created as a pan-national agency to provide emergency communications for ships and oil rigs, most of its business is now focused on providing internet access in remote areas.

“As Inmarsat have launched new satellite constellations, Klas has then developed network equipment to avail of those data services.”

It seems Ireland has its place in the latest space race.

Source:  http://www.irishtimes.com/business/satellite-technology-secures-ireland-s-place-in-space-race-1.1905134?page=2

Sony PlayStation network back online following attack

Cyuber action claimed by Twitter user seeking Sony investment in gaming network

Sony said that the network had been taken down by a denial-of-service-style attack, which overwhelmed the system with traffic but did not intrude into the network or access information of its 53 million users

Sony Corp’s PlayStation Network was back online yesterday following a cyber attack that took it down over the weekend, which coincided with a bomb scare on a US commercial flight carrying a top Sony executive.

Sony said on its PlayStation blog that the network had been taken down by a denial-of-service-style attack, which overwhelmed the system with traffic but did not intrude into the network or access information of its 53 million users.

Meanwhile, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation said it was investigating the bomb threat that caused an American Airlines flight to be diverted.

A Twitter account with the handle @LizardSquad claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack and said it was meant to pressure Sony to invest more in the network.

“Sony, yet another large company, but they aren’t spending the waves of cash they obtain on their customers’ [PlayStation Network] service. End the greed,” one post said.

Plans for looser network Sony’s was the victim of a notorious 2011 breach that compromised data of tens of millions of PlayStation Network users, dealing a major blow to plans for a looser network designed to allow for the connection of a range of Sony devices.

Since then it has invested heavily in securing the network, which it hopes can serve as a centrepiece of its plans to rebuild its business after years of losses in its flagship electronics operations.

Lizard Squad said it had also targeted servers of World of Warcraft video game maker Blizzard Entertainment, whose website was down.

It threatened to attack Microsoft Corp’s Xbox Live network.

“We don’t comment on the root cause of a specific issue, but . . . the core Xbox Live services are up and running,” said an Xbox spokesman.

Blizzard’s customer support Twitter account said the company’s servers were stabilising.

Tweet Lizard Squad also tweeted to American Airlines on Sunday to say they had heard that explosives were on board a flight carrying Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley.

An FBI spokesman said the bureau was investigating the threat against American Airlines Flight 362, which was travelling from Dallas to San Diego. It was diverted to Phoenix, then continued on to San Diego.

Daniel Clemens, founder of PacketNinjas, which helps businesses fight cyber attacks, said he expected the US government would quickly catch the attackers. He said the Lizard Squad did not appear to be practising good operational security, meaning it would be relatively easy for authorities to track them down.– (Reuters)

Source:  http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/technology/sony-playstation-network-back-online-following-attack-1.1907704

Alternative health: osteopathy

The osteopath Amberin Fur explains why osteopathy is about more than just bad backs

"Osteopathy is the treatment of the person not the pathology,” says Amberin Fur succinctly. But it is perhaps easier to say what osteopathy isn’t than what it is. And despite what many believe, says Fur, it isn’t just about bad backs. In fact, it can have a profound bearing on emotional healing too. That said, in 17 years of practice Fur, 42, has seen her share of bad backs. Sufferers, however, soon come to see that back issues are often symptoms of something else, such as digestive problems. “Anyone can give a bit of release short term, but you have to ask why the pain is there and see it in the context of everything else.”

Osteopaths believe that all aspects of health depend on the entire body – bones, muscle, ligaments, tissue and all – functioning smoothly and that the physical and emotional are intertwined. One thing out of synch can have far-reaching effects. “See it as a car loaded to the max on one side,” says Fur. “It is going to wear down the tyres on that side.”

Nebulous as it may sound, osteopathy is rooted in rigorous principles and can be very effective, though treatment isn’t without its odd moments. One minute Fur might be doing some fairly orthodox musculoskeletal work, the next she’ll be standing, as you lie, with her fingers in your ears. Many people consult her after exhausting all other avenues, and their desperation means they soon suspend their scepticism. Within a session or two, she says, any misgivings disappear. For while there is no quick fix, patients do feel rapid progress, whether that’s more energy or sleep patterns restored. “And you see it,” she says. “You see it in their demeanour, in their colour."

What is it?

Osteopathy is a long-established and well-respected area of complementary medicine whose practitioners believe that proper functioning of the body’s “structure” is central to good health. “There is a degree of intuition in our work,” says Fur, “and our skill is in our hands. But it is really about an understanding of what’s happening at tissue level.”

What is it good for?

As well as physical injuries and postural problems, Fur is seeing more and more “complex cases” caused by “hyper-reactivity” to chronic stress and fatigue, often manifest in disturbed sleep patterns. “And if you can’t sleep you can’t restore,” she says. It can help alleviate anxiety and depression.

How does it work?

Touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage are all part of the osteopath’s arsenal. The idea is to help the body’s own healing mechanisms by improving joint mobility, relieving muscle tension and enhancing blood supply to the tissues.

Who’s a believer?

Fur works with everyone from children with learning difficulties to “type-A CEOs starting to lose their efficiency” and athletes. She was on the British medical team at the 2012 Olympics – the first time osteopathy has been included.

£135 for 45 minutes; osteopathuk.com

Source:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/alternativemedicine/10892948/Alternative-health-osteopathy.html

Diabetes could be cured after scientists find its cause

            

                               Sufferers have to self-administer insulin injections (Picture: DML5050)

Scientists believe diabetes could be cured after discovering the mechanism responsible for causing the disease.

Researchers at Manchester University found that the illness is caused when chunks of the hormone amylin clump together, stopping the cells producing insulin – and it appears to explain both type-2 and type-1.

And the discovery could change the lives of more than three million Brits, with scientists optimistic the find could pave the way for drugs that stop the hormone build-up and dissolve clumps already in place.

However while diabetes suffers will be excited by the news, charities urge people to adopt healthier lifestyles to combat and prevent the disease rather than wait for a drug.

          Diabetes charities say that a balanced diet and exercise to prevent the disea (Picture: Getty Images)

‘While there is no way to reduce your risk of type-1 diabetes, the most effective way to reduce your risk of type-2 is to keep to a healthy weight by eating a healthy balanced diet and being physically active,’ said Dr Alasdair Rankin, Director of Research at Diabetes UK.

The Manchester University team hopes to have potential medicines ready to go into clinical trials within two years and these will be tested on diabetes patients suffering from both type-1 and type-2.

The majority (85 percent) of diabetes sufferers have type-2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity, poor diet and sedentary lifestyles, which can cause insulin resistance, resulting in high blood sugar.

Untreated, diabetes can have life-threatening complications including heart disease, stroke and kidney failure.

Source:  http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/21/diabetes-could-be-cured-after-scientists-find-its-cause-4841277/

Japan Company To Give Maglev Tech To U.S. For Free

The Japanese rail operator JR Tokai said it would not charge the US to license its proprietary “maglev” technology, which allows trains to hover about 4 inches (10 centimeters) above tracks and travel at speeds of 310 mph (500 kph), according to Nikkei. It is hoping the US will use its train for a proposed high-speed rail line between Washington D.C. and Baltimore.

The magnetic-levitation technology works by creating magnetic fields with onboard superconducting magnets, which interact with ground coils in the rail, allowing the whole train to “float” just above the ground. And go really fast.

On Saturday (April 12), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy took a ride on a maglev train in Yamanashi Prefecture, according to the Japan Times. “The government is making arrangements so that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe can offer the technological assistance when he meets with U.S. President Barack Obama in Tokyo on April 24,” the Times added.

One group, known as Northeast Maglev, is hoping to bring just such technology to the US, to build a train from New York to Washington. Here’s how Slate describes that idea:

The promise: New York to D.C. in an hour flat. That would be an hour and 40 minutes faster than today’s 150-mph Amtrak Acela trains, which are (rather pathetically) the fastest in the United States. In most cases, it would also be significantly faster than flying.

This doesn’t have the best chance of happening in the near future, given (in part) the difficulty of funding rail projects in the US. But perhaps Japan’s offer will change things. As Nikkei reported, “the Japanese government intends to finance half of the estimated construction cost of 1 trillion yen ($9.75 billion) through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.”

Source:  http://theoryoflife.com/press/japan-company-to-give-maglev-tech-to-u-s-for-free/

In India, an App for Chats and for Keeping Secrets

BANGALORE, India — Naitik Gohain, 17, has a secret.

As he prepares to enter engineering school, he is living in a hostel in Hyderabad. Like many young Indians who have left home for the first time, Mr. Gohain has been expanding his social horizons beyond the radar of his family in Guwahati, 1,500 miles to the northeast.

While they do not even know he has a girlfriend, his friends in Hyderabad know all about her, from the breezy status updates he posts using an instant messaging application in his phone, often in the form of confessions about what he was doing the evening before.

Users like Mr. Gohain are flocking to use the app, called Hike, for just that reason: It can keep a secret. In June the free service, which is less than two years old, surpassed 20 million users, making it by far the most popular Indian-made instant messaging system.

Mr. Gohain hides the “last seen” timer that reveals to contacts when he has last logged in, so his parents believe him when he says he is busy studying. He keeps delicate one-to-one chats in “hidden” mode, and stores selected contacts in a concealed, password-accessible mode, so that someone picking up his phone will see only a list of innocuous contacts.

“One of the reasons Hike is trending is that young people crave control, and this app lets you have control,” Mr. Gohain said.

Like WeChat in China, Line in Japan and KakaoTalk in South Korea, in its home country Hike has started to outdo bigger global rivals like WhatsApp. It is tailored to attract the rapidly growing under-25 age group, in a society where the young are shedding conservatism.

Indians commonly live with their parents well into their 30s, and it is not unusual for middle-class families in smaller towns to share a single smartphone because of the cost, making privacy still more complicated. Hike’s developers knew those challenges because they had also faced them.

“We focused on built-for-India features when we realized that free messaging apps are becoming red hot, but hardly any were tailored to the needs of the market,” said Kavin Bharti Mittal, Hike’s chief of product and strategy.

In a first for messaging apps, Hike allows its users to send free text messages to people who use “feature phones” —low-end devices that lack a smartphone’s ability to download apps — and to people who usually keep their phones’ Internet connection turned off to save money. It allows chats within groups of up to 100 people, and transfer of large files, a useful ability for students exchanging homework files.

India is the third-largest smartphone market by sales, after China and the United States, and since the end of last year it has been the fastest growing. Mr. Mittal calls it the “last frontier” for smartphone makers, as large numbers of feature phone users make the transition to more capable devices.

The proliferation of smartphones has fueled the explosive growth in messaging-app use. People are “going mad” over the free apps, said B. Kumaresh, who works at the Mobile Store, a retail chain outlet in Mysore.

Mr. Mittal — whose father founded Bharti Enterprises, the parent of India’s largest cellphone service provider — said his team was working on many more privacy and secrecy features.

Kriti Gupta, 21, a graduate student in Rohtak, in the northern state of Punjab, recently used Hike to conspire with classmates and throw a surprise party for a friend. She said messaging apps had become “part and parcel of life” for her generation.

Mr. Kumaresh, the salesman in Mysore, said that even though he had been selling phones for eight years, children only 10 or 11 often knew much more about messaging apps than he did. “Parents give phones to teenagers to keep tabs on them, but by using the secrecy features, the kids are neatly turning the tables on the older generation.”

Source:  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/26/world/asia/in-india-an-app-for-chats-and-for-keeping-secrets.html?ref=technology&_r=0

The 7 Simplest Ways to Live Longer

                                                             Photo by Getty Images

by Dr. Oz & Dr. Roizen

Want to live longer? And as if you were younger? That’s what we call “living beautifully.” Now, what if we told you it was really, really, amazingly easy to do? It sounds like a con, but it’s not.

At the very root of living longer is leading a healthy life that’s fun. (No sour dour advice from us, here!) That means doing things that are good for you—eating lots of vegetables and getting physical activity every day—and avoiding things that, well, will kill you—things like smoking, eating too much sugar and saturated fat, and swimming in shark-infested waters.

In addition to these big-picture approaches to longevity, there are little things you can do on a daily basis that have been shown to add years to your life. How easy are these?

1. Run for five minutes a day. That’s it. Just five minutes. In a large study of 55,137 adults, runners lived, on average, three years longer than non-runners. The benefits were the same no matter how long, far, frequently or fast participants reported running: Those who ran less than an hour per week have the same mortality benefits compared to runners who ran more than three hours per week.

2. Drink coffee. An April 2014 review in the British Journal of Nutrition looked at 20 studies covering nearly 974,000 people. The overall findings came out in favor of java: Drinking coffee—especially three or more cups a day—was associated with lower risk of death by any cause. And now we know that if you do not have headaches, abnormal heartbeats, anxiety, or gastric upset from a cup of coffee, you are “genetically a fast metabolizer.” Fast metabolizers get all benefits from coffee, while slow metabolizers get all side effects.

3. Take responsibility. Research from the 1970s shows that it’s never too late to take responsibility for your own health and well-being. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that nursing home residents who took on responsibility—for instance, caring for a plant or choosing the flick for movie night—lived longer than those who relied on staff to make their decisions for them.

4. Volunteer. It’s estimated that 27 percent of Americans volunteer—and they may get back as much as they give. A review of multiple studies found that people who volunteer have a 20 percent reduction in mortality, plus lower levels of depression, higher life satisfaction and generally enhanced well-being. The researchers determined that the quality of life enhancements hinged on volunteers feeling like they’re benefitting emotionally from the work.

5. Have great sex. Duke University research spanning 25 years found that one of the most significant predictors of longevity for women was how much they enjoyed sex over the course of their lives. That, along with high health satisfaction and good physical function, helped add 23 years to women’s lives, on average.

6. Look on the not-so-bright side sometimes. A positive attitude is a powerful tool in your wellness arsenal, but so is a little healthy pessimism. People who are more realistic—that is, less idealistic—about their lives are more cautious, more prepared for difficulty and they tend to live longer than their optimistic peers.

7. Stand up! In a May 2014 study, researchers analyzed data from the Canada Fitness Survey and found that, for people who don’t exercise regularly, more time spent standing was linked with lower mortality from cardiovascular disease and death from “other causes” in a linear fashion. In other words, more standing, less dying.

Source: https://www.yahoo.com/health/the-7-simplest-ways-to-live-longer-95103056218.html

Salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs

     

The British Egg Industry Council has warned consumers to avoid imported egg, following a recent outbreak of salmonella food poisoning, which has so far affected more than 150 people.

The type of salmonella identified, Salmonella enteritidis PT14b, has not been found in UK eggs, but has previously been linked to salmonella outbreaks in the UK from imported eggs.

BEIC suggests caterers and consumers should seek out Lion marked eggs to minimise any risk of infection.

A statement from Public Health England (PHE) said it was investigating the outbreak which, to date, has seen 55 cases in Hampshire, 25 in London, 33 in Cheshire and Merseyside, and 43 in the West Midlands. “Cases have also been seen in Austria and France,” it added.

The cases have occurred over several months and testing has indicated they derive from a single source. PHE also revealed that some of the cases were linked to two particular oriental restaurants.

Dr Paul Cleary, a consultant epidemiologist leading the PHE investigation, said: “We are working with our colleagues across PHE, the Food Standards Agency, in local authorities and with other public health organisations in Europe to investigate the cause of this outbreak. We are making good progress and hope to have more conclusive evidence shortly.”

Salmonella enteritidis is a strain of bacteria that causes gastrointestinal illness and is often associated with poultry or eggs, it added.

Andrew Joret, chairman of the British Egg Industry Council, said: “It is unbelievable that British consumers are still being put at risk by imported eggs. The British egg industry, through the Lion mark, has invested heavily in ensuring that the eggs we sell to consumers are safe, yet we are constantly undermined by eggs that come into the country which are not fit to eat.

“Caterers should be using due diligence and ensuring that they only serve eggs which conform to Lion standards.”

The comments come as a new survey commissioned by BEIC shows 70% of shoppers say prepared foods should always use British eggs, with 90% saying that the packaging should display country of origin for eggs.

When asked what they thought about foreign eggs being used, more than 60% expressed concern.

Ian Jones, chairman of British Lion egg processors, commented: “The message from shoppers is clear – they want British eggs in prepared food and they want the packaging to state the country of origin. Very little packaging provides this information and many consumers would be shocked to find that more than a third of eggs used in manufactured food products are currently imported.”

Source:  http://www.fwi.co.uk/articles/19/08/2014/146220/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-imported-eggs.htm

Alternative health: sophrology

Are you anxious? Stressed? The sophrologist Dominqiue Antiglio explains why the visualisation technique could be your road to relaxation

                               The sophrologist Dominqiue Antiglio Photo: ALICE WHITBY

I am walking along a beach in Goa as the sun beats down and Dominique Antiglio whispers soothing words into my ear. Except I’m not. I am actually in a Mayfair consulting-room with views across rooftops, which I’d see if my eyes weren’t closed. But such is the power of visualisation under the sophrologist Antiglio, 37, that you can soon imagine yourself anywhere.

Gone is that pit-of-the-stomach anxiety, replaced by a sense of deep relaxation – or “dynamic relaxation” – induced by breathing exercises, gentle bodywork and the aforementioned visualisation.That is sophrology pretty much in a nutshell. Put crudely, it is like a souped-up form of stress management. “It is so adaptable and everyone can do it, but it is particularly suited to people who find it difficult to switch off,” says Antiglio.

I certainly can vouch for it: after a session I would experience a calmness rare in my life, and over the weeks felt more positive, less stressed and sharper somehow. I was also left wondering why something so simple isn’t available on the NHS.

If Antiglio had her way it would be. In her native Switzerland sophrology is routinely offered to women prior to labour and to children overwhelmed by exams and adolescence. Which is how she came to it, aged 15. She went on to work as an osteopath but 12 years ago decided to practise professionally what she had been doing for herself every day for 20-odd years.

“I turned my own life around in five sessions of sophrology,” she says. “I became passionate about it. I think it should be taught in schools.” Fret not: she is on to it, having already run sessions in one London academy.

What is it?

A blend of Eastern and Western philosophies and practices, sophrology draws on various relaxation techniques to bring harmony to the mind and body. It has been popular in France and Switzerland in particular, for 50 years. To date there are only about 30 practitioners in this country, though their number is growing.

What is it good for?

It can help clients overcome specific obstacles, such as an interview, but also stress and its symptoms, such as insomnia. Many Frenchwomen wouldn’t even contemplate childbirth without it.

How does it work?

A typical session might combine breathing exercises, visualisation and gentle bodywork to acknowledge and let go of tension and negative emotions. The idea is that these can be re-enacted – say in the loo at work – when you’re feeling overwhelmed, angry, unfocused or whatever.

Antiglio also makes digital recordings of sessions for clients to listen to at home. These are great for anyone who’s ever struggled to meditate. “The more you practise, the more it becomes part of your life,” she says.

Who’s a believer?

Burnt-out executives, sports people, mothers-to-be. One large food company has called on Antiglio’s services, as has a karate club.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/11049157/Alternative-health-sophrology.html

Benefits of hugging

Hugging therapy is said to be a powerful way of healing. 

Research shows that hugging is extremely effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress. Here are listed some of the positive effects of hugging:

1. The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety. This helps with open and honest communication.

2. Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger. Holding a hug for an extended time lifts one's serotonin levels, elevating mood leading to happiness.

3. Hugging boosts self-esteem. Everybody wants to be loved and treated special. The associations of self-worth from our early years are still embedded in our nervous system as adults. The hugs and cuddle we received from our near and dear ones while growing up remain imprinted at a cellular level. Hugs, therefore, connect us to our ability to self love.

4. Hugging relaxes muscles. Hugs release tension in the body. Hugs can take away pain; they soothe aches by increasing circulation into the soft tissues.

5. Hugs balance out the nervous system.

6. Hugs teach us how to give and receive. There is equal value in receiving and being receptive to warmth, as to giving and sharing. Hugs educate us how love flows both ways.

7. Hugs are like meditation and laughter. They teach us to let go and be present in the moment. They encourage us to flow with the energy of life. Hugs get you out of your circular thinking patterns and connect you with your heart and your feelings and your breath.

8. The energy exchange between the people hugging is an investment in the relationship. It encourages empathy and understanding.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Benefits-of-hugging/articleshow/30905555.cms

Now, a simple blood test to detect cancer

LONDON: In a giant leap in cancer diagnostics, a simple blood test developed by British scientists can tell whether a patient has cancer or not.

Researchers from the University of Bradford have devised a simple blood test that will enable doctors to rule out cancer in patients presenting with certain symptoms, saving time and preventing costly and unnecessary invasive procedures such as colonoscopies and biopsies being carried out.

Early results have shown the method gives a high degree of accuracy diagnosing cancer and pre-cancerous conditions from the blood of patients with melanoma, colon cancer and lung cancer.

The Lymphocyte Genome Sensitivity (LGS) test looks at white blood cells and measures the damage caused to their DNA when subjected to different intensities of ultraviolet light (UVA), which is known to damage DNA.

The results of the study show a clear distinction between the damage to the white blood cells from patients with cancer, with pre-cancerous conditions and from healthy patients.

Professor Diana Anderson, from the University's School of Life Sciences led the research.

She said "White blood cells are part of the body's natural defence system. We know that they are under stress when they are fighting cancer or other diseases, so I wondered whether anything measurable could be seen if we put them under further stress with UVA light. We found that people with cancer have DNA which is more easily damaged by ultraviolet light than other people, so the test shows the sensitivity to damage of all the DNA — the genome — in a cell."

The University of Bradford has filed patents for the technology.

A separate clinical trial is currently underway at Bradford Royal Infirmary. This will investigate the effectiveness of the LGS test in correctly predicting which patients referred by their GPs with suspected colorectal cancer would, or would not, benefit from a colonoscopy — currently the preferred investigation method.

This study looked at blood samples taken from 208 individuals. Ninety-four healthy individuals were recruited from staff and students at the University of Bradford and 114 blood samples were collected from patients referred to specialist clinics within Bradford Royal Infirmary prior to diagnosis and treatment.

The samples were coded, anonymised, randomised and then exposed to UVA light through five different depths of agar.

The UVA damage was observed in the form of pieces of DNA being pulled in an electric field towards the positive end of the field, causing a comet-like tail. In the LGS test, the longer the tail the more DNA damage and the measurements correlated to those patients who were ultimately diagnosed with cancer (58), those with pre-cancerous conditions (56) and those who were healthy (94).

"These are early results completed on three different types of cancer and we accept that more research needs to be done; but these results so far are remarkable," said Professor Anderson. "Whilst the numbers of people we tested are, in epidemiological terms, quite small, in molecular epidemiological terms, the results are powerful. We've identified significant differences between the healthy volunteers, suspected cancer patients and confirmed cancer patients of mixed ages. This means that the possibility of these results happening by chance is 1 in 1000. We believe that this confirms the test's potential as a diagnostic tool."

Professor Anderson believes that if the LGS proves to be a useful cancer diagnostic test, it would be a highly valuable addition to the more traditional investigative procedures for detecting cancer.

Source:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Now-a-simple-blood-test-to-detect-cancer/articleshow/39236799.cms?intenttarget=no&utm_source=TOI_AShow_OBWidget&utm_medium=Int_Ref&utm_campaign=TOI_AShow

Botox could halt stomach cancer

Anti-wrinkle treatment could be used to suppress stomach cancer after a successful trial using mice

Anti-wrinkle treatment could be used to suppress stomach cancer after a successful trial using mice  Photo: AP

By Press Association

Botox injections could provide an effective new treatment for stomach cancer, research has shown.

The rejuvenating anti-wrinkle treatment used by numerous celebrities slows tumour growth by blocking nerve signals that stimulate cancer stem cells.

In laboratory tests, Botox - made from the toxin of botulism bacteria - proved ''highly effective'' at suppressing gastric cancer in mice.

The promising results have led to the launch of an early clinical trial involving human patients with stomach cancer in Norway.

Locally administered Botox mirrored the effect of ''vagotomy'' - surgical removal of branches of the gastric vagus nerve, which regulates processes linked to digestion.

US lead researcher Dr Timothy Wang, from Columbia University Medical Centre in New York, said: ''Scientists have long observed that human and mouse cancers contain a lot of nerves in and around the tumour cells.

''We wanted to understand more about the role of nerves in the initiation and growth of cancer, by focusing on stomach cancer.

''We found that blocking the nerve signals makes the cancer cells more vulnerable - it removes one of the key factors that regulate their growth.''

Botox prevents nerve cells releasing a neurotransmitter - a chemical signal - called acetylcholine. In cosmetic treatments, blocking acetylcholine reduces wrinkles by temporarily paralysing face muscles.

The neurotransmitter is also known to stimulate cell division, hence the link to cancer.

Co-author Professor Duan Chen, from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, said: ''The anti-cancer effects were remarkable, especially with local vagotomy or by injecting Botox. It actually surprised us. The finding that Botox was highly effective was particularly exciting.''

He added: ''We believe this treatment is a good treatment because it can be used locally and it targets the cancer stem cells. The Botox can be injected through gastroscopy (a thin tube passed through the mouth to the stomach) and it only requires the patient to stay in the hospital for a few hours.''

Botox injections were less toxic than most standard cancer treatments, caused hardly any side effects, and were relatively cheap, said the scientists.

However, they pointed out that combining nerve-targeting treatment with traditional chemotherapy may be the most effective approach.

Tests showed that removing the nerve signals not only had a direct effect, but also made cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapy drugs.

In mice, the combination of Botox and chemotherapy boosted survival rates by up to 35% compared with chemotherapy alone.

The research, published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, focused on early-stage stomach cancer.

''In the future, we'd really like to look at how we can use this method of targeting nerves to stop the growth of more advanced tumours,'' said Dr Wang.

His laboratory hopes to develop drugs that block the receptor molecules on the surfaces of tumours that are sensitive to acetylcholine.

This could be more effective than either surgery or Botox in more invasive cancers, since it would seek out cells that have broken away from the main tumour.

Other solid tumours, such as prostate cancer, may have their growth stimulated by similar nerve signals, say the scientists.

But more research was needed to identify the nerves involved, which were expected to vary between different organs and tumour types.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/11047290/Botox-could-halt-stomach-cancer.html