HIV integration requires use of a host DNA-repair pathway

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS, makes use of the base excision repair pathway when inserting its DNA into the host-cell genome, according to a new study led by researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Centre - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute. Crippling the repair pathway prevents the virus from completing this critical step in the retrovirus's life cycle. Read more >>

Diabetes: Prevention is better than cure

Here are some new insights into how you can prevent diabetes - and as always, prevention is far better than cure. Read more >>

Over 12% more bowel cancer cases found in UK's over-60s because of screening

Bowel cancer rates in 60 to 69 year olds went up by more than 12% in England from 2006 to 2008, according to the latest figures from Cancer Research UK. Read more >>

Trial results confirm five years of tamoxifen boosts breast cancer survival

Experts are urging breast cancer patients to complete their full prescription of tamoxifen, following long-term results from a major Cancer Research UK-funded trial which showed the cancer was less likely to come back in women who took the drug for five years, compared to two years. Read more >>

Only a carcinogen in some countries

Substances that are likely to be injurious to health are often assessed quite differently in different countries. This has been demonstrated in a study from a researcher at KTH, in Sweden. Read more >>

Silver medal for chemical biologist working on drug resistant bacteria

Chemical biologist Prof Erick Strauss from the Department of Biochemistry at Stellenbosch University has received the Beckman Coulter Silver Medal from the South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SASBMB), in recognition of his contribution as a young researcher working on enzyme mechanisms and antibiotic drug development. Read more >>

Combined interventions improve depression in cancer patients

A novel psychological treatment for depressed patients coping with the stresses of cancer significantly improved their depressive symptoms, while also improving fatigue and mental health quality of life. Read more >>

Sperm grown in lab

Research group of Yokohama City University succeeds in generating mouse sperm in vitro and producing healthy offspring! The results are published in the journal Nature, issue of 24 March 2011. Read more >>

University of Colorado Hospital implants MRI-safe pacemaker

University of Colorado Hospital (UCH), in Aurora, Colorado, is reputed to be the first hospital in Colorado and the region to offer a pacemaker designed, tested and approved for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. Physicians at UCH implanted the device in February 2011 - it is the first MRI compatible system implanted in the Rocky Mountain region and only the fourth in the United States. Read more >>

World record claimed in DNA analysis

To date, scientists have been limited to running a small number of DNA samples at a time at a cost of K100 000 per sample. KTH researchers in Sweden have now come up with a new method which means that 5000 samples can be run simultaneously for the same price. Read more >>

What's that smell?

Researchers discover new secret to how the brain detects and filters smells. Read more >>

Higher prevalence of psychiatric symptoms found in children with epilepsy

A newly published report reveals that children with epilepsy are more likely to have psychiatric symptoms, with gender a determining factor in their development. Findings showed that girls had more emotional problems, while boys had more hyperactivity/inattention problems and issues regarding peer relationships. Details of this study in Norwegian children are now available online in Epilepsia, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International League Against Epilepsy. Read more >>

A new anticancer vaccine study starts at The James

A new early phase clinical trial investigating the safety of an experimental anticancer vaccine designed to prevent a number of types of solid tumours is under way at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Centre - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James). Read more >>

Researcher hopes to protect kids from deceptive advertising

Project studies how children tell what is and isn't a reliable info source. Read more >>

Regulations hinder Africa's growth

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published on its website (1) a study undertaken by the Pharmaceutical Industry Association of South Africa (PIASA), highlighting the challenges of medicines registration in Africa. Against the background of increasing growth potential for pharmaceutical companies in developing countries, the study drills down to expose specific issues that are retarding progress. Read more >>

CDC releases updated STD treatment guidelines

These guidelines for the treatment of persons who have or are at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were updated by CDC after consultation with a group of professionals knowledgeable in the field of STDs. The information in this report updates the 2006 Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (MMWR 2006;55[No. RR--11]). Includes sections on Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Read more >>

Fast pace of Africa's urbanisation challenge water supplies; sanitation

Rapid urbanisation over the last five decades is changing Africa's landscape and also generating formidable challenges for supplies of water and sanitation services says a new UN report released this week. Read more >>