Cocaine use may increase HIV vulnerability
Cocaine use may increase one’s vulnerability to the deadly HIV infection, a new study has warned. Scientists found that cocaine alters immune cells, called “quiescent CD4 T cells,” to render them more susceptible to the virus, and at the same time, to allow for increased proliferation of the virus. “We ultimately hope that our studies will provide a better understanding of how drugs of abuse impact how our body defends itself against disease,” said Dimitrios N Vatakis, the study’s senior author and a scientist with University of California, Los Angeles’ Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Oncology and the UCLA AIDS Institute. “Such discovery can significantly improve the quality of life of drug users,” Vatakis said. In the study, scientists collected blood from healthy human donors and isolated quiescent CD4 T cells, and exposed them to cocaine and subsequently infected them with HIV. Following infection, researchers monitored the progression of HIV’s life cycle and compared this progression against that of untreated cells. They found that cocaine rendered this subset of CD4 T cells susceptible to HIV, resulting in significant infection and new virus production. (PTI)
Scientists find crucial gaps in breast cancer research
Scientists have discovered key gaps in breast cancer research pertaining to understanding of genetic changes in the development of tumour, a study said. In an article in BioMed Central’s open access journal Breast Cancer Research, leading scientists in the field reported on a gap analysis that critically assessed issues and new challenges emerging from recent breast cancer research, and proposed strategies for translating solutions into practice. It is estimated that around 570,000 people are living with, or after, a diagnosis of breast cancer in the UK, and this number is expected to double by 2030. Breast cancer, therefore, remains a significant challenge. Over 100 specialist breast cancer scientists and healthcare professionals reviewed a wide range of issues and challenges involved in breast cancer research, prevention and treatment. Through facilitated discussions and consultation, including appraisal from experts and patients, they produced an account outlining ten major gaps and five strategic solutions, reports Science Daily. The key gaps that were identified in the research paper included: an understanding of the genetic and epigenetic changes in normal breast development and during cancer, how to implement sustainable lifestyle changes through diet, exercise and weight management, and an understanding of how to optimise treatment for improved personalised therapy. (IANS)
Brain processes ‘big’ words faster than ‘small’ ones
Human brain can quickly understand words for big things, like whale, than ‘small’ words like plum, a new study has found. Researchers at the University of Glasgow had previously found that big concrete words – ocean, dinosaur, cathedral – were read more quickly than small ones such as apple, parasite and cigarette. Now they have discovered that abstract words which are thought of as big – greed, genius, paradise – are also processed faster than concepts considered to be small such as haste, polite and intimate. “It seems that size matters, even when it’s abstract and you can’t see it,” Dr Sara Sereno, a Reader in the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, who led the study said. Participants were presented with a series of real words referring to objects and concepts both big and small, as well as nonsense, made-up words, totalling nearly 500 items. The different word types were matched for length and frequency of use. The 60 participants were asked to press one of two buttons to indicate whether each item was a real word or not. This decision took just over 500 milliseconds or around a half second per item. Results showed that words referring to larger objects or concepts were processed around 20 milliseconds faster than words referring to smaller objects or concepts. (PTI)
Yoga may prevent insomnia in menopausal women
Yoga may help women going through menopause sleep better, a new study has found. Many women suffer from insomnia during menopause, besides experiencing symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain and acne. Researchers found that taking a 12-week yoga class and practicing at home was linked to less insomnia. However, it was not associated with fewer or less bothersome hot flashes or night sweats. “Hormone therapy is the only Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment for hot flashes and night sweats and fewer women are opting for hormone therapy these days,” said lead author Katherine Newton, a senior investigator at Group Health Research Institute in the US. The study tried to see whether three more “natural” approaches – yoga, exercise, or fish oil – might help ease menopause symptoms. The study assigned 249 healthy, previously sedentary women at multiple sites, including Group Health, to do yoga, a moderate aerobic exercise programme, or neither – and to take an omega-3 fatty acid supplement or a placebo. Exercise seemed linked to slightly improved sleep and less insomnia and depression, and yoga also was linked to better sleep quality and less depression – but these effects were not statistically significant. The omega-3 supplement was not linked to any improvement in hot flashes, night sweats, sleep, or mood. The study was published in journal Menopause. (PTI)
Heart disease kills 17.3 million each year
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart disease and stroke, cause 17.3 million deaths each year worldwide, and by 2030 it is expected that 23 million people will die from CVDs annually, a report released Sunday said.
Sunday is being observed as World Heart Day. Every year since 2000, Sep 29 has been observed by the World Heart Federation as World Heart Day to spread awareness about the rising instance of heart disease.
“Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart disease and stroke, take lives prematurely. In fact, they cause 17.3 million deaths each year and the numbers are rising. By 2030, it is expected that 23 million people will die from CVDs annually,” said Rishi Sethi, associate professor, Department of Cardiology, Lucknow.
The intervention cardiology data compiled by Rishi Sethi revealed that over 4,500 lifesaving angioplasty procedures and almost 2,000 lifesaving pacemaker implantations have been performed in 2011-12 in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The number of these procedures has increased by almost 30 percent over the last year, he said. “Children are vulnerable too, the risk for CVDs can begin before birth, during foetal development, and increase further during childhood with exposure to unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and smoking,” the doctor said.
The doctor also underlined how simple lifestyle changes like giving up tobacco could make a big difference to cardiovascular health.
“The tobacco industry interference in public health policy has been recognised as the biggest obstacle in enforcing tobacco control laws. Strengthening tobacco control is one of the evidence-based ways to reduce CVDs,” said Ehsaan Latif, director, Tobacco Control, at the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.
It is an international voluntary scientific organisation working in low- and middle-income countries to fight HIV/AIDS, TB, lung disease, tobacco-related morbidity and non-communicable diseases. (Agencies)