sciencetolife | July 29, 2007
A scientist from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has developed a way to make allergen-free peanuts.
The scientist, Dr. Mohamed Ahmedna, found a way to essentially inactivate peanut allergens while maintaining the taste and quality of the nuts.
Peanut and tree nut allergies are the most severe of all food allergies, affecting approximately 3 million Americans, and causing 100 -- 150 deaths from anaphylactic shock annually and many more hospitalizations. In industrialized nations, the allergy has been rapidly increasing in children, for causes that are not…
sciencetolife | July 25, 2007
An Industrial Design and Technology student from Brunel University in West London has designed an air-filtering cycle helmet and respirator that will filter out air pollutants and contaminants while you ride. It may be useful for those who suffer from severe allergies or hay fever.
Would you wear this, though? Seems bulky to me.
Read more from this Brunel University press release
sciencetolife | July 23, 2007
Caution for bungee jumping enthusiasts!
The July "Images in Clinical Medicine" section of The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) presents a 25-year-old patient who went bungee jumping and developed a hemorrhage in the left eye. The image was contributed by Atul K. Jain, M.D. and Michael Gaynon, M.D. of Stanford University.
Here is an explanation taken directly from NEJM: A 25-year-old woman with no clinically significant medical history and with normal coagulation and hematologic studies went bungee jumping from a vertical height of 150 ft (45.7 m). Immediately afterward, she…
sciencetolife | July 17, 2007Why is gambling so seductive? Author Jonah Lehrer of The Frontal Cortex explains how the neurotransmitter dopamine plays a role in the lure of gambling. Read his post here.
sciencetolife | July 11, 2007
Scientists appear to have evidence of water on a planet outside our Solar System.
The planet is called HD 189733b and orbits a star in the constellation of Vulpecula the Fox.
The international team, which included scientists from University College London, took measurements of the planet's absorption parameters. They did painstaking calculations to show that the absorption pattern observed could only be explained by the presence of water vapor in the atmosphere.
Although the planet has water on it, it is far from being habitable-parts of the atmosphere reach 2,000 degrees.
These results…
sciencetolife | July 9, 2007
Researchers from Harvard University and McGill University are conducting research on a drug that appears to be able to "dampen" the psychological and physiological stress associated with remembering traumatic events.
The drug is called propranolol. It has been around for over two decades and the idea that it can be used to alter memory has been floating around for over a decade.
This is by no means a way to "erase" bad memories but the research is interesting nonetheless.
These latest research findings on how propranolol affects memories is published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research…
sciencetolife | July 3, 2007Bora from A Blog Around the Clock tagged me in the Eight Random Facts Meme.
Here are the rules:
1. Players start with 8 random facts about themselves.
2. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 8 random facts.
3. Players should tag 8 other people and notify them they have been
tagged.
I honestly can't think of 8 people to tag but here go my random facts:
1.I've never had a pet
2.As a teenager I wanted to become a nun
3.I'm from Ghana (this is not really random but most people don't know that about me)
4.I love to travel but hate to fly
5.Until last month I had never been to a…
sciencetolife | June 29, 2007
Here's a mix of recent science stories I found interesting.
Unraveling the puzzle of pain
"Today's pain medications are not always providing as much relief as we would like. We hope these early findings will lead to new drugs, and give some hope to people with chronic nerve pain, or pain from inflammation," says Dr. Gerald Zamponi. Read more about his research on pain pathways in the brain here.
Giant microwave turns plastic back to oil
US company Global Resource Corporation is taking plastics recycling to another level - turning them back into the oil they were made from, and gas. Read…
sciencetolife | June 27, 2007A while ago I was very graciously awarded a "thinking blogger award" by the blog Nobody Important.
Here's how it works:
1.If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think.
2.Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme
3.Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote (here is an alternative silver version if gold doesn't fit your blog).
Here's my list:
1.WorldChanging written by numerous authors
2.Aetiology by Tara C. Smith
3.Global Health Report & The Health Media Watch…
sciencetolife | June 22, 2007
Contrary to earlier reports that estrogen replacement therapy increased the risk of heart attack and stroke, researchers are now saying that it may actually be beneficial for some women.
Here's a little back-story (taken from this LA Times article).
Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy was popularized in 1966 by Dr. Robert A. Wilson's book "Feminine Forever," which touted the treatment as a panacea for menopausal ills. Subsequent animal and small human studies suggested the hormones could help ward off heart attacks and increase bone density. By the end of the century, an…
sciencetolife | June 20, 2007You may have noticed that there is no banner for this blog. The reason is that I have no artistic talent whatsoever.
At the suggestion of one of my readers I have decided to host a banner design contest.
So here goes:
The banner must be 756 wide by 93 high.
It must represent the link between science and life or how science affects/shapes life (you get the idea)
You can email them to me or link to them in your comment.
If I get enough submissions I'll have you guys (the readers) vote on your favorite.
Denialism Blog is doing the same thing so you may also want to participate in their contest…
sciencetolife | June 17, 2007Scientists from The Johns Hopkins University have identified two proteins, CCSA-3 and CCSA-4, found in blood that would allow detection of colon cancer and precancerous polyps without the need for a colonoscopy.
Read more about it here and here
sciencetolife | June 13, 2007 A consortium of UK researchers has identified genetic markers associated with common diseases like diabetes and coronary disease. The researchers identified small variations in the human genome that appear to be associated with a predisposition to certain diseases.
According to the authors, who published in the June issue of Nature, this research is important because the identification of variants, genes and pathways involved in particular diseases offers a potential route to new therapies, improved diagnosis and better disease prevention.
What they did:
The scientists extracted DNA from…
sciencetolife | June 7, 2007Three different research groups have show that normal mouse fibroblast cells can be reprogrammed to resemble embryonic stem cells. The significance of this accomplishment has been likened to the cloning of Dolly-the first mammal cloned.
Embryonic stem cells are important as therapeutic agents due to their ability to become any type of cell in the body. According to this Nature news article, until now the only way to obtain embryonic stem cells was to destroy an embryo which raised ethical concerns. Furthermore, to get a genetic match for a patient would be extremely difficult.
The new…
sciencetolife | June 6, 2007My recent posts have focused on different aspects of public health: from exploring the scientific advancements that have shaped global health to discussing a new way of acquiring antibiotic resistance in disease causing bacteria.
To continue the public health theme I invite you to check out Christine Gorman's talk given at the Global Health Council conference in Washington DC.
The seasoned health journalist with 20+ years experience at TIME Magazine talks about how the media is covering global health-what they've gotten right and what they're still missing.
Also check out fellow science…
sciencetolife | June 6, 2007There has been a lot of media attention on drug-resistant bacteria lately. According to the Food and Drug Administration overuse of antibiotics is the primary cause of drug resistance in disease-causing bacteria.
Researchers from Ohio State University have now uncovered another way harmful bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance-close proximity with harmless bacteria found in foods people eat every day.
The research team led by food microbiologist Hua Wang Ph.D, an assistant professor of food science and technology in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, found…
sciencetolife | May 29, 2007Vaccines, indoor plumbing, antibiotics and a better understanding of geography. These are some of the responses I obtained when I posed the following question to a panel of scientists, journalists, authors and public health experts:
What scientific advancements do you think have made the greatest impact on global health and why?
Their responses, I hope, will initiate and engage conversation about the impact of science on human life. Do you agree, disagree, have anything to add? Your opinions are always welcome.
1. Ruth Levine Ph.D.
Vice President for Programs and Operations, Center for…
sciencetolife | May 23, 2007Scientists from Virginia Commonwealth University claim to have developed a treatment for hepatitis C that can be considered a "cure".
Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of life-threatening liver cancer and cirrhosis in the United States. An estimated 4.1 million Americans have been infected with the virus.
The researchers, who presented their findings at the 38th annual Digestive Disease Week conference in Washington, D.C, say that use of the drug peginterferon alone, or in combination with another drug ribavirin, points to a cure for hepatitis C.
The study…
sciencetolife | May 17, 2007I've always wondered if chocolate is really an aphrodisiac. So when I recently read a knowledgeable response to this question from author Anahad O'Connor I thought I'd share it with you.
He explains:
Most scientists believe that the aphrodisiac qualities of chocolate, if any, can be ascribed to several chemicals.
1.Tryptophan, a building block of serotonin, the brain chemical that creates feelings of pleasure, helps sooth pain and plays a role in sexual arousal.
2.Theobromine a chemical stimulant similar to caffeine but has a great ability to elevate mood.
3.Phenylethylamine, a chemical…
sciencetolife | May 14, 2007 There is a need for nurses with higher degrees to serve as faculty and train the future generation of nurses. A study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) examined the availability of nursing faculty in North Carolina. It found that nurses are not pursuing advanced degrees in sufficient number to meet the demands for nurses in faculty and advanced practice roles. According to the paper schools of nursing cite a lack of qualified nursing faculty as a primary barrier to program expansion.
The study followed a total of over 8,000 nurse graduates from North…