FutureVigil (r) » Disease treatment

Dimentia Numbers Continue to Rise

Jeffrey Newman — Mon, 10 May 2010 09:06:44 +0000

The results of studies show that the prevalence and incidence of dimentia continue to rise Incident dimentia was almost identical in terms of the percentage of men and women. The number of people with dimentia has risen to 35 milion up from 24 million in 2004. A statistical analysis of the numbers shows that dimentia will double every twenty years.

Top Potential Medical Breakthrough Gamechangers for 2010

Jeffrey Newman — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:53:06 +0000

1. HIV Vaccine: Researchers have deciphered two antibodies produced by some HIV patients which have neutralized many HIV strains. These are far more potents than the four previously discovered and may be specific to the developing world where 95% of the new cases happen. The current focus is on creating a vaccine active ingredient to produce antibodies. 2. Cancer Prevention and Treatment: Oncologists are now prescribing exercise for their patients as it boosts survival and lowers recurrence rates. Brisk walking 3 hours a week lowered breast and colon cancer mortality by 50%. 3. Alzheimer’s treatment: Researchers at West Virginia have developed a test and treatment for Alzheimer’s disease relating to a defectuve ezyme involved in memory function. Low doses of the chemo drug bryostatin reactivated these defective enzymes restoring memory. Human clinical trials are starting this year. 4. Heart Attack Prevention: A prescription drug Lovaza is FDA approved to treat high triglycerides and has 3-4 more EPA and DHA forms of Omega 3 as usually found in fish oils.

Millions at risk as AIDS focus fades

Jeffrey Newman — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:28:56 +0000

Global attention appears to be turning away from the AIDS epidemic and this comes just at the wrong time as a fresh wave of the disease is expected to infect millions of people in high risk countries a leading expert said Friday. “There seems to be a perception now that AIDS has been dealt with and we can turn our attention to other issues,” said Alan Whiteside, Director of Health Economic and HIV/AIDS research at Kwazulu Natal University. He explained that many African countries where the diseases poses the worst threat were failing to implement long-term prevention measures needed to stem the disease. “Climate change and he environment are the big issues now and politicians may abandon the battle against AIDS,” he said. The disease is developing into a “hyper-epidemic” in African countries like Malawai and Swaziland where half the women 25-29 have HIV or AIDS.

Gene Modification Can Prevent Huntington’s Disease

Jeffrey Newman — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:32:42 +0000

Researchers have founf a molecular switch that can prevent the development of fatal Huntington’s in mice. Huntington’s is a neurological condition caused by a mutation of a gene that codes a brain protein known as huntingtin. It is characterized by uncontrolled jerking movements and stuttering. According to a study published in NEURON, a chemical modification of genes can prevent the development of the disease by blocking the mutation of the responsible protein. The subtle modification of only two amino acids can prevent the onset of the disease. Scientists are now examining whether the same process will work in humans

DO IT YOURSELF CELL-PHONE MICROSCOPE

Jeffrey Newman — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:31:50 +0000

One of the more significant developments in technology and medicine is the creation of a cell-phone microscope allowing for the use of a standard cell phone and off the shelf lens. This allows physicians to view blood cells to help diagnose blood borne illnesses such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. This device, created by Aydogan Ozcan, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at The University of California has added benefits as well. His software program allows visualization of the slides digitally making it possible to immediately see pathogen within a vast array of healthy cells. The pictures can also be sent via the internet over vast distances for immediate diagnosis.

Film EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TRUE GENZYME STORY

Jeffrey Newman — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:06:31 +0000

The new Hollywood film EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES, starring Harrison Ford as a brilliant scientist, opens Friday and is based on a true story taking place at Genzyme Corporation in Cambridge. It is about the treatment developed for Pompe disease, a rare enzyme deficiency. Genzyme created Myozyme using in house research. Boston Globe staffer Geeta Anand wrote a book on the topic called THE CURE. Now more than a thousand patients take the drug which has saved their lives. Henri Termeer, Genzyme’s CEO has yet to see the film but said he hopes it is an opportunity to educate the world about about the efforts of hundreds of researchers, scientists and others still working to perfect such drugs. Pompe disease is a neuromuscular disorder in which sugar builds up in muscles causing damages throughout the body. It affects both children and adults. The research done on this disease is thought to have broad ranging benefits to the study of other neurogenic disorders. The film itself will be reviewed on this blog next weekend.

SHARK BLOOD POTENTIAL WEAPON AGAINST CANCER

Jeffrey Newman — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:53:02 +0000

Australian scientists have found that antibodies in shark blood are highly resilient, can withstand high temperatures, extremely acidic or alkaline conditions and could be crucial in the development of a cancer fighting pull. Professor Mick Foley of Melbourne’s La Trobe University said the shark molecules can attach themselves to cancer cells and stop them from spreading. Sharks have a robust immune system and rarely succumb to infections. There is also evidence that shark antibodies can slow the spread of breast cancer.