A little stress gives beneficial oomph! to immune system
New research in mice provides more evidence that a brief bout of stress can give the immune system a beneficial boost ?under certain conditions. Laboratory results showed that acute stress ?stress that lasts for minutes to hours ?temporarily mobilized all major types of immune cells, or leukocytes to potential battle stations in the body. In certain situations, this stress-induced boost i...Bugs, even 'bad' ones, can be educationally beneficial, new book says
We have much to learn from bad bugs, according to Gilbert Waldbauer, whose book "Insights From Insects: What Bad Bugs Can Teach Us" was published March 1 (Prometheus Books). "We know a lot about pests, because so much money is spent on their research," said Waldbauer, professor emeritus of entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Of the 900,000 known species of insect...Beneficial Beetles Battle Pesky Saltcedar
Tiny beetles that munch on saltcedar leaves, shoots and twig bark are helping stop the spread of this rugged, aggressive weed. Also known as tamarisk, saltcedar was brought into the United States in the 1800s to help control erosion. By the mid-1900s, however, saltcedar had become an out-of-control pest, crowding native plants, such as cottonwoods and willows, along streambanks and river channels...Genome study of beneficial microbe may help boost plant health
In a study expected to greatly benefit crop plants, scientists have deciphered the genome of a root- and seed-dwelling bacterium that protects plants from diseases. The research provides clues to better explain how the helpful microbe, Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5, naturally safeguards roots and seeds from infection by harmful microbes that cause plant diseases. The genome paper will be p...Pollen proves beneficial for northern lakes
Mention the word pollen to most people and it triggers thoughts of their battle against allergic reactions. However, a University of Alberta researcher has found an important spin-off for this fine yellow dust-like powder. Mark Graham, a PhD student from the Department of Biological Sciences at the U of A, has shown for the first time the benefits of pollen on boreal lakes. Rich in nutri...Emphysema surgery - unbeneficial
Lung reduction surgery for emphysema does not help the sickest patients, according to the latest report.In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs - the alveoli - are progressively destroyed, leaving the patient so short of breath that they cannot do everyday activities like climbing stairs or carrying their shopping. In the mid-1990s, studies seemed to suggest that lung reduction surgery was bene...Blood transfusions beneficial after heart attacks
Doctors can save the lives of many elderly heart attack victims by quickly giving blood transfusions to those who have even mild anemia, a U.S. study found. Researchers said this advice, if widely adopted, could save thousands of people each year. Taking care of anemia is probably as important as giving aspirin, beta blockers or clot-dissolving drugs, which are already standard care for heart att...Surgery beneficial in Meniere's disease
According to a new research, surgery improves the quality of life for people with Meniere's disease. Meniere's disease is a disorder of the ear which leads to progressive deafness, dizziness, vomiting and tinnitus.The problem lies with a swelling of the endolymphatic duct in the ear// and this area can be the target of corrective surgery. Researchers at the Michigan Ear Institute in t...Drinking wine beneficial in dementia
According to a major medical study by researchers it is observed that drinking wine may have some health benefits. The latest from researchers in Denmark, observe that people who drink wine// now and again may have a lesser risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease. People who drank wine weekly or monthly had the most benefit. The researchers are realistic about their researc...Lowering blood pressure beneficial for PAD patients
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), a risk factor for heart attacks, is characterized by atherosclerosis, a condition in which blood vessels of the legs are narrowed by fatty deposits. PAD is a risk factor for heart attacks because the atherosclerosis// probably also occurs in the coronary arteries. Researchers at the University of Colorado studied a group of 955 people with diabetes....