AstraZeneca in Collaboration for Finding New Treatment for Malaria

AstraZeneca is to partner with an international not-for-profit organization in a corporation designed in such a way, so as to find new treatments for malaria.

The accord will see the pharmaceutical Company offer the Medicines for Malaria Venture by offering admission to its compound library so as to recognize potentially capable drugs.

This procedure will engage the screening of almost 500,000 compounds for treatments, which reveal efficiency against the lethal malaria parasite, P. falciparum, with the proposal intended to form the foundation of new anti-malarial drug discovery projects.

It is expected that schemes like this one will finally lead to the formation of a one-dose treatment for malaria, which is a disease that is becoming more and more hazardous because of the growth of drug-resistant strains.

David Brennan, AstraZeneca's Chief Executive Officer, said that the team’s experience with infection study, and certainly with all of the research and growth efforts, has been able to teach them that the solutions will be found to today's global health problems through joint efforts.

British kids for sex education

A passed norm makes sexual education compulsory for the kids of Britain.

It was further stated that sexual education is a vital part that has joined in the course of prescribed syllabus from primary school to early adulthood, according to National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

The parents however denied of this norm as they believe sexual education won't prove any good for kids who are five and below and also added 'unnecessary and harmful.'

According to social policy expert, Patricia Morgan who said that there is no evidence that states lessons in sex education help in shielding against early teenage pregnancy, reports the Daily Express.

She adds that more they are informed more would they experiment upon.

Cigarettes become dearer in New York

A new law, passed by the state legislature, has made the cigarettes dearer in New York. The step, which will force the smokers to dig but deeper in their pockets, was taken as an emergency step.

As per the reports, another $1.60 has been added to the existing price making the average price of cigarette packs shooting up to $9.20 across the US. For New York, the price is going to be even higher at $11.

This means that the taxes on the smokeless tobacco will more than double and will become $2 an ounce from the existing 96 cents an ounce.

The new rates will become operational from August 1. Also the rise can be seen in the rates of wholesale taxes in case of cigars, dips and other kinds of tobacco as well.

In these cases the increase ranges between 46-75 per cent.

Merck & Co loses second trial on jaw deaths

As a major shock to the pharmaceutical company, Merck & Co lost the second trial over its drug, Fosamax. As per the claims, the drug causes jaw death.

Post the loss, Merck may have to pay $8 million as damage charges.

The case was filed against the company by Shirley Boles, 72 and who was awarded $ 3 million by the court as against her demand of $5 million.

Boles had claimed that because of the usage of Fosamax, she had developed osteonecrosis of the jaw.

The verdict which was given by the U.S. District Judge John Keenan said that the scheduled three attempts were made to settle the issue out-of-court.

Verdict on the third case is going to come in November and it is expected that the past two-trials will surely have an impact on the third one as well.

It is said that Merck tried every possible bit to be able to win the case but the lawyers of the company were unable to do much. Now, Merck is thinking of following a different strategy in its third case.

McDonald's faces yet another health-related trial

Once again, the fast food chain is facing a situation when it is in middle of public health debate. This time around it is with respect to its happy Meals.

The point of fight is that McDonald's does not given options in its Happy Meal category as replacement of the French fries. And the health advocates have even asked McDonald's to stop luring children with their toys, as the steps taken by the company are too little to make sure of the public health.

A research done by Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has said that a study of the consumer groups has shown that people think that McDonald's develops unhealthy habits in children.

And another report in the USA today said that in 44 outlets that the researchers went, in most of the cases French fries were given to children and they were not even asked if they want an alternative.

NHS: Lack of Breastfeeding Renders Children at Disease Risk in Halton

Health officials have suggested that babies are rendered at a boosted risk of disease in Halton, citing concerns of a severe lack of breastfeeding for them.

The figures reveal that presently just over 19% of mothers who have delivered recently breast-feed in Halton and St Helens, ranking the area as the third lowest in England.

Dympna Edwards, NHS Halton and St Helens Deputy Director of Public Health said, “A mother’s milk is the ultimate designer food for babies”.

Breast milk is deemed to be the most essential and best source of nutrition for babies, as it assists in shielding them from infection and diseases, explained an NHS spokeswoman. In addition, it also permits a mother to develop a physical and emotional bond with her baby.

A magazine for the boroughs mums-to-be is reported to hit stores shelves this month, in a bid to mark Breastfeeding Awareness Week. Health advisors expect the magazine to extend huge support in raising the profile of breastfeeding and its related health advantages for both mother and her child.

Magnets can alter the Alzheimer's symptoms

A new study conducted by Italian scientists found that applying magnets to the brains of patients suffering from Alzheimer's can improve their symptoms. This method will help patients to understand what is said to them.

Researchers have carried out various experiments which show that magnet can improve "cortical activity" in the brain, which involves readjusting unhealthy patterns caused by disease.

The scientists from Brescia and Milan said that there are number of trails that help us to understand the development s related to brain plasticity mechanisms along with designing new rehabilitation strategies in patients with neurodegenerative disease.

The study tracked 10 patients, and researchers used repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) - a rapid succession of magnetic pulses - to the prefrontal lobes of the Alzheimer's patients for 25 minutes at a time.

50% of the patients were given daily doses for five days in a week for 4 weeks and the remaining 50% received fake treatment for 2 weeks followed by 2 weeks TMS.

Researchers found that those patients who received full course of treatment have more command on their understanding, probably between 66% to775 more. They found that there is a sizeable amount of improvement seen even after eight weeks of treatment.

Species of Bees under Threat

The population of honeybees, bumblebees, hoverflies, moths, wasps and butterflies is in danger. There has been a 75% fall in the species of butterfly in the UK, three species of bumblebees are now died out and honeybees have been struggling for life, for the last few years.

The causes of such threat could be land use, disease, environmental change and pesticides. Today, a share of £10m fund has been received by the nine projects. Fitting tiny radio frequency ID tags to pollinators to trace when bees go in and come out of the nest is the interesting technique, which was used.

Funding for Warwick University to untie the impact of the varroa mite on spreading viruses in honeybees will be predominantly greeted by beekeepers throughout the world, as they struggle with trying to manage the blood sucking scroungers that lives on the honeybees and is a main reason for their constant deaths.

45-Plus Should Add Sex in Exercise Routine for Good Health

Sex for the people, who are over 45, is most often either missing or faster and less fulfilling than it once used to be.

Sexual activities are generally limited to the bedroom and usually with lights off.

One in three also confessed that they had slashed a sex session short as they were too worn out, and 37% said that they were too exhausted to do it at all.

Iain Laing, of Kwai Garlic supplement that sponsored the study of 1,752 adults, said, "The results highlight that maintaining a healthy lifestyle, together with taking care of your heart, could keep your sex life on track”.

By doing so, the 31% trimming down of a session because of fatigue might have more vigor to continue, he says.

Iain added that individuals 45-plus should include sex in their exercise regimen so as to help sustain good heart health, whilst having enjoyment.

However, one in 20 even fear putting pressure on their heart if they are too excited.

Sex is restricted to the bedroom for 85% of older pairs, whilst 64% indulge in sex only when the lights are switched off.

Four-Month-Old Baby Operated For Rare Congenital Disorder

According to reports, a four-month-old baby girl whose intestine and liver were outside her body got new life after medical doctors at a New Delhi hospital operated upon her and put her vital organs back in position.

Chahun was a special case for the doctors at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute. Normally, infants take birth with such deformities, called Pentalogy of Cantrell, hardly survive.

In a million, just 5 to 8 kids survive such disorder.

The intestine and liver of the Arunachal Pradesh's girl were outside her body in a thin membrane like structure. Her heart had two holes and was away from its original location.

The doctors said that the baby girl survived without any medication for three months before she was brought to the hospital last month.

Dr. K. S. Iyer, head of the team that operated upon the baby mid-May, stated, "One, her heart was out of place and, two, it had two holes. The flow of blood from heart to the lungs was so high that it was creating high pressure on lungs. She was unable to breath properly."

Fortis received such a case for the first time.

"Although her intestine and liver were outside her body, they were working properly, being covered in a sac, there was no space inside her body for the organs. But we managed to adjust them inside and covered it with the skin," Meera Luthra, pediatric surgeon said.

Nurses Meet to Discuss Mediator's Suggestions Today

According to a report, there will be a meeting on Tuesday, in which many nurses throughout the province will take part. The meeting has been organized in order to talk about suggestions by mediators for a contract settlement.

The United Nurses of Alberta disclose that Tom Hodges has provided the Union with formal advice regarding the labor deal. Alberta Health Services and other health employers are also considering Hodges report.

The recommendations of the report will be considered by around 600 nurses. Eventually, it will be decided whether to take the proposal to the union members for an approval vote. After the meeting, Heather Smith, the Union President, will address the media.

The previous contract ended on March 31. Around 24,000 psychiatric nurses and registered nurses were covered in the contract.

The talks about the deal did not start on a positive note in March. The Union disclosed that at that point, safe-care provisions, reduction in salaries and other benefits were being demanded by Alberta Health Services.

The Union wanted more resources to handle the problem in the health-care system. After getting resources it was looking for a rise in salaries by 4%.

Experimental New Drug Developed by B.C. Scientists to Treat Prostate Cancer

B. C. scientists have been able to develop an untried new drug that is capable of shrinking prostate cancer tumors, which is based on molecules taken out from a marine sponge collected in New Guinea.

Their reading, published on Monday in the journal Cancer Cell, depicts the experimental drug, EPI-001, not only helped shrink tumors but did so with no obvious toxic effects on the cancer-afflicted laboratory mice, who received injections of the drug.

Marianne Sadar, a Scientist with the BC Cancer Agency said that the day she saw tumors were actually shrinking and she hurriedly ran all around the building trying to show everyone the pictures of shrunk tumors.

Sadar has put in a number of years searching for new drugs that help men suffering from relapses when their cancer becomes defiant to what’s named as androgen ablation therapy: surgical or drug treatment that is meant to prevent production of male hormones, testosterone, that work as fuel towards the growth of tumor.

In such men, prostate cancer starts growing and average therapies might augment survival only for about two months time, as per the new study.

A Drug That Causes Addiction to Gambling and Sex

A group of people who are afflicted from Parkinson's disease claimed that their medicine has caused them an addiction to gambling and sex. The treatment for curing tremors associated with Parkinson's disease developed a variety of uncharacteristic addictive disorders, heard the Federal Court in Melbourne.

Pfizer Australia and Aspen Pharmacare Australia breached a duty of care to the customers on several fronts, as per the lawyers. The companies didn’t properly research the possible side effects of the drug and also didn’t give proper warning about the increased risks of obsessive disorders. The company was also blamed that even after knowing about the increased risks, it failed to withdraw the drug from sale.

Some of the drug users have become addicted to pornography and many of them have lost their money to gambling. As a matter of fact, the compulsive behavior ceased once they gave up taking the drug.

Arnold Thomas and Becker from Melbourne law firms represent the claimants, who are suing the companies, for advertising a class of drug known as dopamine agonists.

With Rise in Teen Sex Increases Sexual Infections

The latest reports highlight a troubling trend in not just Taranaki, but the whole of New Zealand.

As per the figures from the public health, about one third of year 9 and 10 New Zealand students, who are generally under the age of 15, resorted to sexual relationships.

Further, specifically in Taranaki, the rate of sexually transmitted infections had risen at an alarming pace. The reason attributed for the widespread teen STI’s is the sheer number of teenagers who were having sex regularly.

The rise has been so dramatic that many schools in the region are concerned. To tackle the worrisome situation, many schools in the region have initiated special information nights for parents.

Inglewood High School is one of the schools that has witnessed the worrisome trend. The Principal of the school, Mrs. Mabin, said that the parents and students should be informed so that the children were safe and they make the right choices.

Another school concerned about the trend is Waitara High School. In order to restrain the scenario, Principal Jenny Gellen invited Waves health nurse so that the teenagers can be educated about safe sex.

Voicing her concerns, Family Planning Association Taranaki Spokeswoman, Karen Finderup, said over the 20-year period, there has been a sharp rise in the number of teenagers who were having sex.

She further said that since more people were having sex, the incidence of STIs was also higher.

Osbourne to Write Health Column

Ozzy Osbourne will soon be writing a health column for The Sunday Times. He wants the people to learn from his mistakes and not repeat them in their lives.

He agreed that he was surprised when he got a call from the paper but eventually agreed to write a health column for The Sunday Times. He claimed that initially he felt that it was a joke but then he realized that the paper was serious about the offer.

The rock star felt that it makes sense for him to write a health column as he has spent millions of pounds on doctors and to get treated for various problems. He felt that he knows as much about various health conditions as did the doctors know.

He also admitted that being alive at the age of 61 was like a miracle for him. He agreed that he had made a lot of mistakes in his life and hoped people could learn from his experiences.

The singer also revealed that he had been an addict of alcohol and prescription drugs for years. But he wants that people should not take their health lightly and learn to maintain their health.

Sexy figure after pregnancy may not be as difficult to achieve

Many modern women are offended with their shape after pregnancy and following which we offer some tips that comes in handy with a proper health regime.

As stated by Supermodel Karolina Kurkova she eased herself and retained her figure back after giving birth six months ago, as a celebrity trainer she aids in providing some valuable tips to all expecting mothers.

The first and foremost important thing that the models insists upon is the training which one should undergo preferably under a personal trainer which should be followed by intensive workout as done by other countless celebrities.

Whilst her interview with the W Magazine she stated that she did a lot of work out in order to regain shape, and at the same time has a healthy lifestyle. She further added, "I did Pilates, a lot of weight training, I walked a lot and I traveled.

I was eating really healthy, taking good supplements and vitamins, drinking green juices and just making sure I was putting the best stuff in my body. Obviously you want to try to give it more natural foods, and fruits, good vitamins, fish oils, fibre. Lots of fibre when you're pregnant!

Eye care for summer

Eyes are one of the main sense organs in the human body. But in this sizzling summer, if people won’t take proper care of their eyes then it may hamper a lot to it.

The tired eyes may completely destroy the out look. Sizzling hot in summer days along with the rough sunlight with the dirt and dust are the main cause for the swollen eyes.

So as per the doctors, everybody should take care of their eyes properly in this hard summer. Using good quality of sunglasses and clear glasses to protect the eyes is the best idea.

The use of sun glasses is just like a sunscreen for eyes. Just like people apply sun screen to their skin to protect it from the harmful ultraviolet rays, use of sunglasses in the summer season protects the eyes from the ultraviolet rays.

Organic foods are really organic

Organic foods to be termed as healthier foods as no evidence has been brought in consideration that it contains more nutrients than conventionally grown food.

The researchers at School of Molecular Bioscience, state that people go for commercially available foods as they are cheaper and one can get to gorge more on them.

The findings of the study on the international literature on organic produce state that nutritional content hardly differ in foods that are produced by organic and conventional methods, says associate Professor Samir Samman, told The Sunday Telegraph.

However a few of the health professionals still believe that organic foods have more nutrients and elicit more health benefits, without any scientific evidence.

Intake of vitamin D, be safe from Osteoporosis

Intake of vitamin D can get rid of osteoporosis. This can lead to fracture of bones. This study is done by Melbourne researchers.

This study took the 6 years for the scientists to draw a conclusion. Women who received a particular, yearly elevated dosage of vitamin D had a 26% higher rate of bone breakage.

Geoff Nicholson, the co-researcher and the head of the University of Melbourne's department of clinical and biomedical sciences have said that scientist were planning to find the contradictory reason i. e. a decrement in fractures in the high-dose vitamin D group.

He has said that the result was surprising and they had lots of reason to accept the fact is true that elevated dose of vitamin D would check fractures. About 2000 women aged 70 and over have participated in this study.

Older women are vulnerable to short vitamin D levels, mostly in winter due to inadequate contact with sunlight. This vitamin is essential for bone and muscle power.

Use of Henna can lead to leukemia

Henna is an herbal element used in decorating women hands especially in India. But the bad news is Synthetic henna dye can cause acute myeloid leukemia, which is one type of cancer. According to a recent study, the possibility of being affected by leukemia is high in women as compared to men in UAE.

The possibility is approximately twice as that of men and this is due to use of henna dye. UAE University has conducted a research and has provided a note in the periodical Leukemia and Lymphoma that the tempo of acute myeloid leukemia, a deadly cancer of the blood as well as bone marrow was 93 % more among UAE women than men.

The research was conducted on 263 cases of myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia for seven years. According to the result the major reasons of leukemia include contact with radioactivity, smoke, age and hereditary disorders. Though, it remains very exceptional. Chemicals in henna dye, which is used to embellish the body, as well as deficiency of sunlight, could be a reason of increased occurrence.

Pregnant women keep distance from oral bacteria

Pregnancy problem can be developed in healthy women due to oral Bacteria. This has been informed by the scientists from Case Western Reserve University. Scientists have found out that how and which bacterium is liable to for increment in number of stillbirths from 700 types of microorganisms.

This particular study was done by Yiping Han from the section of periodontics. According to the study numerous new microbes originating in the mouth cavity pass throughout the blood to cause inflammation in the placenta and ultimately cause a variety of health problems like stillbirths.

Scientists have been puzzled why oral microbes have exposed in the placenta or amniotic liquid of pregnant women. Scientists have done an experiment by injecting blood of pregnant mice with saliva of periodontal patient. After
24 hours, they have found out that the oral microbes kept on growing. It was also concluded that infection were through the vaginal tract.

Oral microorganisms can be transmitted to blood when there is a cut in mouth's lining or an oral disease like gingivitis or periodontitis which breaks down the defenses check bacteria from infiltrating the blood vessel.

Paracetamol can cause asthma

Paracetamol is very common drug used in every household for many years. It is mainly used to control high fever. But now the scenario has changed. It is found from a study that the medicine Paracetamol can be a cause of asthma later. It may decrease tenderness and body heat within few minutes.

But the unfavorable effect may be elevated day by day. A study done by Chest research foundation has stated the assumption. This experiment is about to be revealed at European Respiratory Society Congress. Whole effort of Dr. Rahul Kodgule and Dr Bill Brashier did an experiment called impulse oscillometry.

The experiment shows that paracetamol amplifies congestion in trachea and causing gentle asthma in lungs. The experiment was done on 20 people and after the treatment of paracetamol drug 15 out of 20 test patients developed gentle asthma. It is a key factor to worry that every other home is giving their children a dosage of paracetamol when they suffer from fever worldwide.

IVF pregnancies threatened by pollutants

Rising pollution has become a huge concern for mankind. Fruitfulness remedial success rates are declined day by day in contaminated zones, according to the physician. The finding appeared from the main environmental study of its class.

And it can help drugs enhance women's prospect to be pregnant. The most injurious pollutants are contributed by energy stations burning fossil-fuel and from diesel engine. This contamination of a gas called nitrogen dioxide, which has harmful to the female reproduction organ. It causes difficulty which stops an egg from fertilizing inside the mother womb. Approximately 7,000 women of child-bearing age joined in a long project of seven-year headed by physicians from Penn State College of Medicine.

They gathered pollution figures from the US Environmental Protection Agency. They expected the amount of contact of each woman with pollutant during IVF and fertility on a day by day. IVF occupies thorough observation of the patient. It can calculate precisely the consequence of contact to pollutants on treatment and subsequent pregnancies. However, now the physicians have to understand that technology is liable for the contamination and the entire motherhood is suffering.

Gene’s alteration causing Breast Cancer

Scientists have added that p53 mutations occurring in numerous cancers, as breast cancer. Numbers of breast cancer patients have over-responsive to regular estrogen receptor. Different stage of appearance of genes can help to activate the cell modification that is gradually turns into to breast cancer.

Slight modifications in the form of two usual genes pushing microbial changes can be a cause to develop breast cancer. The scientists have adjusted look of two genes alpha and p53. It was understood that both the gene get into when breast cancer is developed.

According to a study on rats, scientist took rats those running short of one imitation of the p53 gene. This gene controls cell improvement and is a powerful cancer defiant. Mutations in p53 are observed in 30 to 40 % of breast cancer cases. In the other group of rats, scientists amplified appearance of estrogen receptor alpha by 2-times.

This is a level of enrichment sometimes observed in female bodies. 70% of breast cancer issues have estrogen receptor-positive. Both the groups of rats have been demonstrated extensive precancerous alteration in breast cells. Those alterations were even more transparent in rats that had one p53 gene.