Human Stem Cells Successfully Developed by U.S. Scientists Using Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)

In a latest finding, that could be monumental if passes successfully through further tests and analysis, US scientists have developed a cloning procedure to obtain custom-made embryonic stem cells to grow in unfertilized human egg cells. 

Human Stem Cells Successfully Developed by U.S. Scientists

Researchers used a cloning method called Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT) to get embryonic stem cells that match a patient's DNA. The details of the research and its findings are published in the journal Nature on today (Wednesday, Oct. 5).

The findings are of great significance because now it would be possible to replace damaged cells of any patient with the cloned patient-specific cells, obtained through this new technique, without the risk of rejection by patient’s immune system.

"This paper will be seen as significant both by those who are trying to use SCNT to produce human patient-specific embryonic stem cell lines and by those who oppose human 'cloning' experiments," said Professor Robin Lovell-Badge, a division head at Britain's National Institute for Medical Research.

Stem cells are the source material for all other cells therefore called as the body's master cells. Those who support embryonic stem cells advocate that they could alter medicine, providing treatments for blindness, juvenile diabetes or severe injuries.

Smoking Kills -- 40 million excess deaths predicted by 2050 due to smoking habits

Washington, Oct 5: Smoking could cause 40 million excess deaths among smokers, who also suffer from tuberculosis (TB), by 2050, new research says.

40 million excess deaths predicted by 2050 due to smoking habits

Once smokers develop the disease, they are more likely to die from it, meaning that smoking can single-handedly undermine the goal to reduce TB mortality by half between 1990 and 2015, says the research.

The study, led by Sanjay Basu from the University of California, San Francisco, used a maths model to determine the effect of smoking on future TB rates, the BMJ (British Medical Journal) reports.

It shows that from 2010 to 2050 smoking could lead to 40 million excess TB deaths worldwide - from 61 to 101 million.

They also conclude that if current smoking trends continue, the number of excess TB cases could rise from 256 to 274 million - 18 million new cases in total.

"Aggressively lowering the prevalence of tobacco smoking could reduce smoking attributable deaths from tuberculosis by 27 million by 2050," Basu said, according to a California statement.

Nearly one-fifth of the world's population smokes and that most cigarettes are smoked in countries with high TB prevalence. Given this, the authors wanted to predict how much impact smoking will have on future TB rates.

Researchers found that smoking may have a substantial impact on future TB rates because a moderate increase in individual risk translates into a large population-level risk.

EXTRA SHOT: With respect to the topic I got an interesting news from entertainment world which is worth sharing here.

Bollywood's super star Shahrukh Khan, who is a big smoker, vows to stop smoking after the release of his upcoming superhero flick "Ra.One". Read Complete story below:



Bollywood Buzzzzzz. 

Esteem: A Hearing Implant from Envoy Medical -- Amazing Hope to Born Deaf People (Proof Video)

Sarah Churman, a 29-year-old born deaf woman, shared the video of her experience when she able to hear herself with the aid of a hearing device, dubbed as Esteem from Envoy Medical. 

Esteem: A Hearing Implant from Envoy Medical

It's just unimaginable for anyone who isn't deaf to even presume how it might feel to hear laughter for the first time or your own voice.

According to Sarah Churman (as he described on Youtube with her video):

“I was born deaf and 8 weeks ago I received a hearing implant. This is the video of them turning it on and me hearing myself for the first time. For those of you who have asked the implant I received was Esteem offered by Envoy Medical.”

The hearing implant is placed behind the ear and no part of it is visible.... continue reading  and watch the video on link given below:

Trends and Styles For You!

Dengue Virus/Fever Spreading Widely in Pakistan

The menace of dengue virus/fever is spreading dangerously in Pakistan, especially in the most populated province of Punjab. The most threatening situation is in the capital city of the province, Lahore, while other big cities are also getting affected rapidly including Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan and many other cities.

Dengue Virus/Fever Spreading Widely in Pakistan

 

According to latest reports; after 21 new dengue virus cases reported in Faisalabad yesterday (Wednesday, Sept. 14) the number of dengue patients has soared up to 184. Sources of health ministries revealed that out of these 21 new registered cases, 5 belong to city Faisalabad and 5 from rural areas of the Faisalabad district while 11 patients are brought from nearby districts to Faisalabad for treatment.

Despite the claims of Punjab government about wide-spread arrangements to control dengue fever by spraying and fogging throughout the district; the dengue virus is spreading rapidly and causing panic among the masses in Faisalabad district. A careful estimate shows that more than a dozen dengue cases are being reported in Faisalabad on daily basis.

On the other hand; the residents of rural localities especially slum areas are denying the Punjab governments claims of wide-spread measures to control dengue virus. They said that they had not seen any spray or fogging campaign in their areas for the last many years due to which there was much increase in the breeding of mosquitoes. 

A team of dengue fever specialist and experts from Sri Lanka has already reached Punjab and will start their fight against this menace from today.

Mystery Syndrome: The 13-year-old Joshua Parson Feels No pain, Cry Tears or Sweat

Back in November 2010 we shared here an article about a little 8-year-old girl, Gabby Gingras, who couldn’t feel any pain due to mysterious syndrome called HSAN Type V.

Mystery Syndrome: The 13-year-old Joshua Parson Feels No pain, Cry Tears or Sweat

Now another case came in spotlight in Australia where a 13-year-old Leopold boy was born with an undiagnosed syndrome that means he can't feel pain, cry tears or sweat.

The syndrome also affects his growth and muscle tone.

Joshua’s mother Leanne described Joshua as a "mystery man" and hoped this week's visit to Monash Children's Hospital could provide the subtle diagnosis.

To send him off in style, Portarlington Police visited Grovedale College with the police helicopter and 4WD.

Mrs Parson said Joshua's Barwon Valley School, which is annexed through Grovedale's campus, had been a big support throughout his stints in hospital.

In March he spent five weeks at Monash including three days in intensive care and was given a 20 per cent chance of survival.

Mrs Parson said Joshua had 1.1m of bowel removed and fought off pneumonia before being released and heading straight to his first Geelong Cats game at Skilled Stadium.

"It's been a long year but he's great, he never complains, he does so well," she said.

"The police visit is a nice treat he likes police (television) shows, and even the hospital ones."

After happily telling the Geelong Advertiser he'd been "really sick" for a long time, Joshua delighted in getting amongst his classmates and hamming it up with the cops.

Brother Nick, 10, said while he had to go easy on Joshua, he was a great brother and he just wanted him to get well.

Mrs Parson said she knew something was wrong when Joshua was born "floppy" and developed a blood condition within a week.

Baseless Health Warning: Skin Cancer Caused by Scratch Card Coating

Scratching Recharge Card Coating (Silver Nitro Oxide) with Nails Causes Skin Cancer

A warning message started spreading first on Facebook, through re-posting and request for re-posting, and then it spread like a jungle fire via mobile text message/SMS; which warns recipients not to scratch the recharge mobile or phone cards with nails as the material used for scratch card coating i.e. Silver Nitro Oxide, can cause ‘SKIN CANCER’.

The mastermind behind this warning message used the name of Medical research Authority of the US to authenticate this message and in the last it is requested to re-post and forward the same to your contacts and friends.

Let’s have a look to the contents of the message before we start post-mortem of the reality of this ‘Scratch Card Coating Causing Skin Cancer’ warning message.

1. Facebook version looks like the shown below:

1. It mentions, “ATTENTION! !!!!!!! Medical research Authority of the US have found that new cancer in human beings caused by 'Silver Nitro oxide'. Whenever u buy recharge cards or calling cards don't scratch them with ur nail as it contain 'silver nitro oxide' coating and can cause skin cancer. Copy and paste this status and spread awareness please”
2.  
3. SMS/Mobile Text Message reads like this mentioned below:

Fwd as rcvd Medical research authority of us have found new cancer in human being caused by silver nitro oxide.. whenever you buy recharge cards dont scratch wid nail as it contain silver nitro oxide coating and can cause skin cancer… share dix msg to ur frndx…

Found interesting want to read more, click below:

Continue Reading >>>HERE

Breakthrough in cancer treatment - - Genetically engineered T cells eradicate cancer cells in patient's body

In a potential breakthrough in cancer research, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have genetically engineered patients' T cells — a type of white blood cell — to attack cancer cells in advanced cases of a common type of leukemia.

A microscopic image shows two T cells binding to beads, depicted in yellow, that cause the cells to divide. After the beads are removed, the T cells are infused into cancer patients. (Dr. Carl June / Penn Medicine)

Two of the three patients who received doses of the designer T cells in a clinical trial have remained cancer-free for more than a year, the researchers said.

Experts not connected with the trial said the feat was important because it suggested that T cells could be tweaked to kill a range of cancers, including ones of the blood, breast and colon.

"This is a huge accomplishment — huge," said Dr. Lee M. Nadler, dean for clinical and translational research at Harvard Medical School, who discovered the molecule on cancer cells that the Pennsylvania team's engineered T cells target.

Findings of the trial were reported Wednesday in two journals.

Before reading further just watch the video below:

To build the cancer-attacking cells, the researchers modified a virus to carry instructions for making a molecule that binds with leukemia cells and directs T cells to kill them. Then they drew blood from three patients who suffered from chronic lymphocytic leukemia and infected their T cells with the virus.

When they infused the blood back into the patients, the engineered T cells successfully eradicated cancer cells, multiplied to more than 1,000 times in number and survived for months. They even produced dormant "memory" T cells that might spring back to life if the cancer was to return.

On average, the team calculated, each engineered T cell eradicated at least 1,000 cancer cells.

Continue Reading ........... Link given below:

HERE.