Health News for October 10, 2008

Artificial cells capable of powering medical implants designed
Yale University researchers have designed a blueprint for artificial cells that are more powerful and efficient than the natural cells they mimic - and may soon be used for powering of tiny medical implants. ANI

New approach to check toxic genes in disease-causing bacteria devised
After studying a bacterium called Photorhabdus asymbiotica, scientists at Universities of Bath and Exeter have developed a new method, called Rapid Virulence Annotation (RVA), for checking toxic genes in disease-causing bacteria which infect insects and humans. ANI

Preemies get no benefit from steroid treatment
A new study at Johns Hopkins Childrens Center has raised questions against the age-old practice of treating premature babies with hydrocortisone, a steroid considered to fight inflammation and prevent lung disease. ANI

Grapes, red wine may help in treating familial breast cancer
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have identified a compound found in grapes and red wine as an excellent candidate for treatment of inherited breast cancer. ANI

Your gut can also sense and spit out bitter tasting food
Just like the way people have an instantaneous tendency to spit out bitter-tasting food, mammals small intestine too can sense sour toxins in food - and make their quick expulsion. ANI

Vitamin D a major contributor in overall health of body organs
Once linked to bone diseases such as rickets and osteoporosis, vitamin D has now been considered to play a major role in contributing to overall human health, says UC Riversides Anthony Norman, an international expert on vitamin D. ANI

Nerve stimulation therapy eases pain for chronic headache
In a new study, researchers found that a novel therapy using a miniature nerve stimulator instead of the medication for the treatment of profoundly disabling headache disorders alleviated the experience of pain by 80-95 percent. ANI

Gene that may make humans more vulnerable to tuberculosis identified
A new gene, named Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), has been identified to play a major role in human susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis, according to a new study. ANI

Researchers find clue to genetic cause of fatal birth defect
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine have found that a novel enzyme may play a significant role in anencephaly - a rare fatal birth defect in which the brain fails to develop. ANI

Trial drug slows age-related macular degeneration in mice
A new study in mice has shown that retinylamine - a trial drug that has been tested in a medical school lab - markedly slows the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). ANI

Ginkgo extract may help prevent stroke damage
Daily dose of a standardized extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree can prevent or reduce brain damage after an induced stroke, say researchers. ANI

Smuggled tobacco causes 4000 deaths a year in UK
Tobacco smuggling is causing around 4,000 premature deaths a year in Britain, which is four times the number of deaths caused by the use of all smuggled illegal drugs put together, claims experts. ANI

Washing hands better than pills for keeping colds at bay
They say popping vitamin C tablets can help colds, but a new research has shown that the pills do not provide nearly as much protection as other natural measures, like frequently washing your hands. ANI

Smuggled tobacco causes 4000 deaths a year in UK
Tobacco smuggling is causing around 4,000 premature deaths a year in Britain, which is four times the number of deaths caused by the use of all smuggled illegal drugs put together, claims experts. ANI

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