Scientists decipher genome of fungus that can cause life-threatening infections
In a project that already has benefited animportant field of biomedical research, scientists have deciphered thegenomes of two closely related strains of Cryptococcus neoformans, afungus whose importance as a human pathogen has risen in parallel withthe HIV/AIDS worldwide epidemic and the increased use ofimmunosuppressive therapies.The study, posted online January 13 in Science Express, rev...Gene chip technology shows potential for identifying life-threatening blood infection
Right now there's no rapid way to diagnose sepsis, a fast-moving blood infection that is a leading cause of death in hospital intensive care units. The illness unleashes a powerful inflammatory response that can quickly overwhelm the body, causing organ failure and death, often within days. With a narrow window of opportunity for halting its lethal spread, doctors who suspect sepsis typica...Food May Trigger Life-Threatening Asthma
For the first time, food allergy -- especially to peanuts -- has been shown to be a major cause of life-threatening asthma in children. Asthma attacks are the most common reason for children to be hospitalized, say Dr. Graham Roberts from St. Mary's Hospital in London and a team of experts. Despite great strides in treatment, death due to childhood asthma has not dropped. Roughly 50 child...The Use Of Invasive Treatment For Life Threatening Heart Conditions Questioned
A new study shows invasive procedures do not necessarily improve survival rate for patients hospitalized for life-threatening heart conditions.// Researchers studied more than 28,000 patients in 14 countries who were hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome between April 1999 and March 2003. Most patients were admitted to hospitals with cardiac catheterization facilities and underwent m...Baking Soda Treatment for Life-Threatening Asthma
Baking soda as it is commonly known may be a treatment for life-threatening asthma (LTA) in children, according to a study // conducted in 17 children. These children were treated with intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate to reduce the acidity of the blood which is a common problem in LTA. It was seen that in 17 children with LTA who were treated with sodium bicarbonate ther...Cancer Time Bomb Threatening Economic Infrastructure
An article published by the British Medical journal reveals that there has been a tremendous increase in the number of cases of cancer in the Asian region. This has become a// major strain on the already burdened health system. According to a WHO report the number of cases are expected to climb at the rate of 45% which will overtake the even the Americas to 156 to 100,000 as compared...FAO Says Biofuels Threatening Food Security
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that diverting food crop land to extensive cultivation for biofuels would damage biodiversity and lead to a serious threat to food security. "Poor countries will have to cope with a nine percent rise on food imports and the poorest, which will import most, will pay an extra 10 percent", the FAO report said Thursd...