Humans

First Vaccine Designed for Africa Cleared for Testing in Humans

The first AIDS vaccine candidate designed specifically for Africa will enter human trials this summer. The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) announced on July 11 at the 13th International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa, that the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) of the United Kingdom has approved Phase I testing of a DNA vaccine based on HIV subtype A, the most commo...

Water regulation in humans

Hopkins medical sleuths found that the absence of a certain protein interferes with the body's ability to regulate its water levels.Reported in the New England journal of medicine,it provides insight into how the kidney works.// The protein aquaporin-1has a definitive role in the normal functioning of the kidneys",says Landon King,lead author of the study.The study showed that ind...

FDA approves Phase 0 trial which tests experimental drugs on humans

Good news for researchers has FDA has approved testing of small quantities of experimental drugs in human beings. Approval of small quantity drug clinical trial will be very helpful for researchers to// understand the path of the drug in the body and its efficacy if the drug is proved effective in small quantities researchers can proceed with a phase I clinical trial. Researchers feel...

Humans Found To Have The Ability To Block Unwanted Memories

A new study shows there may be reason to believe we have a selective memory . It seems a mechanism in the brain may block unwanted memories. Researchers from Stanford University studied 24 volunteers // between ages 19 and 31. Participants were given 36 pairs of unrelated words and asked to remember them at five-second intervals. Researchers then divided the 36 word pairs into three sets of...

US Senate Votes against Testing of Pesticide on Humans

The US congress is considering whether to temporarily ban the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using human tests to determine whether a pesticide should be marketed//. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill will soon decide whether to place a one year moratorium on the conduct and use of studies that expose participants to pesticides. In most cases, trials are conducted by companies seeking to have...

Limb Regeneration In Humans: A Future Possibility

Recently, a study has been launched, which, if fruitful, may enable future generations to heal without scarring and grow their own replacement limbs. A research team at Manchester University, headed by Dr Enrique Amaya//, and partly funded by The Healing Foundation charity, is looking to animals for clues to how the body can regenerate. Prof Amaya will focus on the genetics of wound hea...

Mirrors An Enigma for Humans

A rather very interesting and thought provoking research was conducted by the psychologists at the University of Liverpool. The research was mainly based on the people’s difficulty in understanding how the mirror reflects images//. The research was headed by Dr Marco Bertamini working at the University's School of Psychology. He designed various experiments by hanging a covered mirror i...

Bacteria Commonly Seen In Radioactive Waste, Hot Springs Found Inside Humans

A group of bacteria, previously known to exist in radioactive waste, hot springs and fecal matter of animals has now been found to reside inside the human stomach. // This finding could eventually pave for a better understanding of gastrointestinal diseases and newer treatment strategies. The bacteria 'Helicobacter pylori', that was discovered about 20 years ago, has been largely blam...

Elderberries the drug against bird flu in humans?

Bird flu has now killed more than 80 people in Asia and many countries fear that it might one day result in a pandemic. Hence various researches are been done to develop a new dug to combat the disease. // Researchers at the Retroscreen Virology institute have found that Sambucol (an extract from elderberries) is very efficient in reducing the spread of virus in the cells. <br...

Neanderthals Vs. Early Modern Humans

A study was conducted by the anthropologists, from the University of Connecticut, University of Haifa, Hebrew University, and Harvard University. // They said that Neanderthals were very good in hunting and their skills were comparable to that of the early modern humans. But the early modern humans were attributed as a cause for their extinction. This is due to the compe...

Humans force yet another species to extinction

Humans are known to damage. And a new study says just that.Due to deforestation and genetic evidence the study points to a catastrophic collapse in orangutan populations// living in the fragmented forests of the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah, Malaysia. Benoit Goossens, Lounès Chikhi, The main researcher, Michael Bruford, points that the collapse occurred within the past...

Diseases in Marine Animals Could Portend Unhealthy Prognosis for Humans

There appears to be profound links between land-based pollution, and diseases in our marine mammals, according to scientists, physicians, and veterinarians, that implies an unhealthy prognosis for Human health. // According to Paul Sandifer, Chief Scientist for the new Oceans and Human Health Initiative in the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),"Marine mammals are...

India Awaits Test Results To Confirm The Bird Flu Virus In Humans

The result of the blood samples, taken from the people of Nandurbar district, is yet to confirm whether the H5N1 strain of avian influenza virus had spread to humans, even as the culling of thousands of birds goes on unhindered. // Officials said the massive culling exercise in the region that reported India's first case of the global disease was likely to be completed by early Thurs...

Humans in the bird flu net: suspects in Azerbaijan

In a new development in Azerbaijan, 10 people suspected of carrying the H5N1 bird flu virus have been placed under observation reveals the Ministry// of Health. Daikyand settlement in Salyan Rayon in the eastern part of the country is the location of all the suspected cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Friday. In Indonesia two children had died of bird flu,...

Bird Flu in Azerbaijan Infects Humans

Eleven suspected human cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus was found in Azerbaijan. // The World Health Organization (WHO) is investigating the scenario. Out of the 11 cases 3 people have already died. Maria Cheng, spokeswoman for the UN health agency, told that all 11 cases came from the same village near the Azerbaijani capital Baku. Apart from the 3 fatal vic...

Ape Humans? Alterations in Proteins Affects Genes.

Did you know that the genetic code of chimpanzees is so much alike the code of humans, almost a 98% similarity, and perhaps that explains why they ‘ape’ us. And yet, // there are glaring differences, despite the 98% similarity, that make us humans. According to scientists, it was not a different set of genes that caused the difference, but a difference in the manner the genes were utilized. Accor...

Novel Metal Detector To Measure Zinc Level In Humans

A biochemical metal detector to measure the physiological levels of zinc has been developed by US scientists. This could eventually pave way// for new approach to study human diseases at a cellular level. Zinc, a familiar dietary supplement to millions of health-conscious people, has remained a mystery metal to scientists who study its role in Alzheimer's disease, stroke and other healt...

Passive Immunotherapy Could Prevent Avian Flu from Affecting Humans

According to a pilot study conducted by Jiahai Lu, Ph.D., of the school of public health at Sun Yat-sen University said that passive immunotherapy// is the best way to treat highly pathogenic avian influenza in humans. Passive immunotherapy uses antibodies from horses. Purified antibodies to the H5N1 strain of avian influenza are derived from horses were used against mice and it proved...

Carp May Solve the Problem Related To Anoxia Related Diseases in Humans

Humans cannot hold our breath for a long time as oxygen is essential to keep us going. Scientists at the University of Oslo have recently discovered// how the Crucian Carp, a close relative of the goldfish, is able to live for months without oxygen. This discovery is of great interest as it helps us to probe into their world which is sans oxygen. The researchers hope that this understan...

Superfoods make super healthy humans??

After superman having enthralled the audience world over it is the turn of super foods. Foods with special nutrients or high level of nutrients are ruling the roost these days.// Tesco has marketed a super tomato which has high levels of Lycopene. The catch is that they are a little expensive if you say that for around Euro 3 for four or five. Likewise there are many ot...

Understanding how humans detect sweet taste

The research conducted by the scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center described in detail the mechanism behind the detection of sweet// taste by humans. Veronica Galindo-Cuspinera, PhD noted that when saccharin used in high concentration it losses its ability to taste sweet. Then the researcher found that taste perception switches back to sweetness when these high concentrations are rinsed...

Better Communication Ensured Between Humans and Computers

Computers still are considered to be a high tech machine and are not user friendly by some even today. Hence manufacturers are working hard to make it otherwise//. There is a big generation gap which leaves some in a state of despair and confusion. Dr J?rg Voskamp, from Germany's Fraunhofer Institute plans to create a computer which would be able to read one’s emotions. A sensitive PC is a resear...

Phase 1 Drug Trials on Humans to Be Made Public

World Health Organization (WHO) asked the pharmaceuticals companies and academic institutions to reveal all information on all clinical drug trials on humans. // All drug trails including the details about Phase I trials, initial toxicity tests that were conducted on healthy humans are to be registered on independent registers as soon as they begin. Though this decision is not been made legal but...

Clinical Trials Involving Humans Should Be Registered: WHO

In an effort to respond to growing public demand for transparency in clinical trials involving humans, the UN health agency// has asked research institutions and firms to register all such studies and include details like source of funding, material support and sponsors. 'Registration of all clinical trials and full disclosure of key information at the time of registration are fundame...

Fao Declares Humans Spread Avian Influenza Virus

Without any research being done on the ecology, blaming wild birds, as the cause of H5N1 virus or bird flu virus was proof less// , says UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). A dreadful disease caused by viruses leads to Avian flu. Since it can be mutated it can even infect and deaths in poultry and humans. FAO’s chief veterinary officer, Joseph Domenech, reported that...

Protein Link Between Cancer In Humans And Lifespan Of A Worm Found

It was reported in the journal Science that a team of Californian researchers have claimed that a protein that can prevent cancer in people also plays an important role in making microscopic worms live longer//. The scientists failed to explain the logic behind the statistical equation, the longer you live, the greater your chances of getting cancer, though they did acknowledge the truth....

Humans, A Symbiotic Organisms Dependent On Other Life Forms For Existence

The team of gene researchers from The Institute for Genomic Research, (TIGR), in Maryland, after studying hundreds of DNA of different kinds of Bacteria in the GI system, stated that we may not be all human//. Their study and findings suggest that by studying the bacteria that are always present in our body might provide important hints to diseases, nutrition, and obesity and as to ho...

Bird flu cases in humans: WHO figures

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reaffirmed an additional case of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in Indonesia//. A 15-year-old boy from Tasikmalaya District, West Java Province who died on May 30 was the reported victim.39 of the 49 confirmed cases in Indonesia have been fatal. The virus has taken a toll of 128 people since 2003, according to a WHO report. Aproximately, 200 million...

Scare of Brain Disease Transmitted To Humans from Mutton of Affected Sheep

According to the recent findings it is said that a new disease is haunting people due to eating meat products. Britain’s food watchdog has requested// people to avoid mutton, goat and some sausages. The Food Standards Agency advices caution people about the disease and its similarity to mad cow disease in cattle and classic scrapie, a brain-wasting disease seen in sheep. This has created a lot...

Susceptibility Of TB In Humans Might Be Due To Three Human Gene Variants

A new study has reported that there appears to be three variations of a human gene that seem to cause an impact on humans upon their susceptibility towards tuberculosis// . Researchers hope that these findings would provide sufficient knowledge as to why some patients infected with the Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogen develop the full-blown disease while others are seemingly not affected. The...

New discovery may help treat stroke-affected humans

New discovery may help treat stroke-affected humans New York, A scientific discovery that has helped rats recover after a stroke by stimulating a protein// on the surface of brain cells has rejuvenated hopes about the possibility of repairing the human body afflicted with severe injuries such as stroke or spinal-cord damages. The findings on rats suggests that in humans it could be po...

Bird Flu May Evolve Into More Transmissible Agent In Humans

The risk of bird flu evolving into a more transmissible agent in humans remains high due to the widespread distribution of the H5N1 virus in poultry and the continued exposure to humans // , according to a study by the UN health agency. The overall case-fatality rate was 56 per cent with the highest rate in persons aged 10 to 39 years, according to the study by the World Health Organis...

Agreement for Joint Trials of Avian Flu Vac cine on Humans

Sanofi Pasteur, the world's third-largest pharmaceutical firm together with the Public Health Ministry have reached an initial agreement to conduct joint trials on an avian flu vaccine, which could be used on humans early next year.// According to Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, a member of the ministry's human avian flu study panel the vaccine trial is planned to be conducted on children aged...

Chlamydial Vaccine for Humans in the Pipeline

Researchers in the Newcastle University at New South Wales central coast are in the process of developing a vaccine against chlamydia and they have received financial// support from the vaccine company in the US. As of now they have developed techniques to immunise animals against the infection. As chlamydial infection rates are on the rise researchers are working very hard f...

GLEWS - A Worldwide System to Alert Onset of Animal Diseases that are a Threat to Humans

The FAO, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have initiated a global system called the Global Early Warning and Response// System (GLEWS), which is capable of forewarning the transmission of animal diseases to humans. Dr Bernard Vallat, Director General of the OIE said From an animal health point of view, controlling contagious animal...

A Protein from Primate may Save Humans from HIV !

Protein can efficiently stop HIV virus from entering and infecting blood cells, according to researchers of the University of Central Florida. // Advancement has made man to stop producing this protein that was produced by our predecessors. HIV-1 has a technique to escape the antiviral drugs targeted against it. It does so by frequently getting mutated. But a research team led by Associ...

Bird Flu Vaccine For Humans Found to Be Safe and Effective

Chinese researchers said on Monday that the first phase of clinical trials of a bird flu vaccine for humans developed by them has been found to be safe and effective.// The vaccine developed jointly by China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention and a Beijing-based pharmaceutical company, Beijing Sinovac Biotech Co., was tested on six human volunteers at a Beijing hospital betwe...

Humans Genetically More Suited To Being Vegetarians Than Meat-eaters

The discovery that humans are genetically more suited to being vegetarians than meat-eaters is among the findings that is being discussed in Queenstown// conference by more then 300 leading scientists from New Zealand and overseas. The working of a human cell and finding a cure for cancer is also under discussion at the conference. Massey University's professor, Jeremy Hyams, the Con...

Bird-Flu Vaccine to go for second round of testing on humans

After the success of the first trial of the bird-flu vaccine on humans, China is all set to conduct the second trial for which it requires 400 volunteers.// The second stage of the trial will focus on measuring the duration of protection afforded by the vaccine in the human body against the lethal H5N1 strain. It is required that the vaccine undergoes three phases of trial before being considered...

Scinetists Alert to Onset of Pandemic through Bird flu Mutations to Humans

Comparison of influenza viruses found in birds with the avian virus that have infected human hosts has revealed key genetic changes to researchers indicating pandemic strains// of bird flu. The research has been reported in the Nov. 16 issue of the journal Nature which illustrates the genetic changes required for the H5N1 avian influenza virus that makes it adaptable enough to recogni...