Researchers from Switzerland indicated recently that mind-muddling drug types like ketamine, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), hallucinogenic mushrooms could be merged alongside psychotherapy for treating those ailing from depression, incessant pains and compulsive or anxiety disorders. Studies probing the effects of mind-altering drugs employed earlier in psychological medicine have been limited in the past due to the off-putting nuances of drugs, however, the researchers state that further research into their scientific potential were currently warranted. The scientists stated that current brain imaging studies reveal that psychedelic drugs like ketamine, LSD or psilocybe mushrooms (psilocybin being the psycho-active constituent in club drugs called magic mushrooms) – have been found to effect the brain by lowering signs & symptoms of varied mental disorders. These drugs could be employed as a form of catalytic agent, the researchers state, which would help patient in altering  [...]

Doctors could now diagnose patients having genetic disorders like Loeys-Dietz or Marfan syndrome by simply following a basic signs & symptoms checklist. These heritable conditions in case, not treated could prove fatal. Duo diverse researches that appear in the August edition of the ‘Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery’ by study groups helmed by Doctors of the Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore indicate the list could assist a patient in receiving the supervisions and therapy needed for preventing such genetic conditions from turning life-menacing. Mutations in particular genes cause these duo syndromes and cause noticeable bone irregularities along with apparent yet far grave heart conditions like aneurysms. Loeys-Dietz syndrome causes acute complications particularly among young adults due to which apt diagnosis is vital so that they could be monitored and preventative therapy employing medications for lowering blood pressure and also surgery could be conducted timely. Doctor  [...]

Promising news seems to be trickling in from many areas in the Europe about the revolutionary new vaccine proficient in arresting cancer. Such reports have borne origin in Prague, Czech Republic, where this effective tool has been produced in the Prague Motor Hospital laboratories for a year, where requests for clinical tests are being drafted. With no evident side-effects that treatments like chemotherapy pose, this vaccine is effectual in combating a wide array of tumours. Through ten long years of trials and research carried out by Czechs, have finally evolved a distinctive method to develop this vaccine that can be used to treat several ailments like blood cancer, bowel cancer, skin cancer, ovarian cancer and reappearing tumours. The treatment comes up to 5000 U.S. dollars per person with the effect of the vaccine lastly through the year. The initial prime hitch in using the vaccine being the significant amounts of time required and high-end equipment in super-specialty laboratories  [...]

Stem cells have yet again proven their versatility as British researchers on Wednesday asserted to have successfully produced human sperms from stem cells. Several doubts seem to have been raised by experts who beg to differ on the matter. Scientists at Newcastle University in joint endeavor with the North East England Stem Cell Institute have devised a radical approach to obtain what they proclaim as sperm cells from nascent stem cells. Stem cells have the ability to transform into any cell in the body. Research senior at Newcastle University, Karim Nayernia on Wednesday remarked on the immense versatility of stem cells, stating how the procedure would provide an insight to the researchers on the way the sperms were produced, that would go a long way in evolving effective treatments for male infertility. The revolutionary research was circulated on Wednesday in the Stem Cells and Development periodical. Many professionals in the field have been quite sceptical in regards to this  [...]

Dynamic progress in the field of nano technology which concentrates on advanced techniques to facilitate faster and effective release of vaccine, medicine or genetic matter to precise marked cells which are maligned or diseased. The domain for this procedure spans areas from orthopaedic, dental, heart, bladder and cartilage to vascular care. Nanoparticles are sub-sized solid colloidal materials which bear the active code in suspended, encapsulated form adhered to them and utilised for curative disease management. This nano sizing or particle size diminution of drugs has immense benefits right from zeroing on the particular cell without affecting the contiguous cells, greater surface area and increased solubility leads to faster commencement of the remedial action. Their sub-micron size facilitates the nanoparticles to infiltrate deeper into the tissues via delicate capillary systems, easily passing through to the epithelial lining like the liver and thus effectually absorbed by those  [...]

With an estimated 2.7 million HIV infections constantly cropping up globally every year, revolutionary new approaches have been adopted towards putting a plug on this life threatening menace. Many strategies are being employed to create potent anti aids vaccine which will aid in averting it. Miniature versions of the HIV virus are taken and modified in laboratories to develop synthetic copies. The process does not involve using the whole or live vaccine. The vaccine being tested will have the ability to effectively produce either cytotoxic T cells or antibodies that will aid in combating the infection. Types of investigation HIV vaccine strategies: Peptide vaccines have been developed from minuscule pieces of proteins taken from the HIV virus. A recombinant sub-unit protein vaccine which is under way makes use of bigger parts of proteins that are situated on the surface of the HIV virus. The recombinant vaccine versions gp 120, gp 140 and gp 160 developed by genetic engineering  [...]

Now, one does not have to wait to be pregnant to have the option of stem cell banking. Earlier,in chord cell therapy, the cells were obtained from the chord of the mother when the baby is delivered, thus limiting the scope of collecting stem cells. Investigations on stem cells provide vital understanding of how the healthy cells are reinstated in the place of worn-out, damaged ones in adults, leading to the option of cell-based therapy to cure various ailments. Many organisations involved in stem cell banking research have come with the novel idea of banking menstrual blood. Studies have revealed that menstrual blood is a rich source of stem cells. The monthly cycle is the result of shedding of the endometrial lining of the uterus, which redevelops every month. In this unique way of collecting stem cells, the woman would be given a collection kit that would consist of a silicone pod and collection tubes. The blood would be processed and preserved in liquid nitrogen chambers at very low  [...]

Several detailed research are being carried out to combat malaria, the awful disease that takes a ravaging toll on the world’s children. More than 1 million children are affected annually. Malaria can cause severe headache, high temperature, vomiting and chills. The disease is caused by the one-celled Plasmodium parasite. There are four versions of the Plasmodium parasite that cause the disease, of which the Plasmodium falciparum is the most deadly of them. This parasite which is transmitted by a bite from an infected mosquito spends part of its life in human body and the rest in the mosquito. Several vaccines in their experimental stages have been tested against the form of the parasite that resides in the human body. The biggest hurdle the vaccines faces is that the falciparum cells are able to escape the clutches of the human immune system by taking cover in the liver and blood cells. When these cells are in the human body, they mostly exist in the asexual form. They then transform  [...]

The globally acclaimed cancer treatment system is now within easy reach in India too. The cancer stricken have reason to be optimistic, all credit to the globally renowned, unique complete body non-invasive robot guided radio surgery system called the Cyberknife. For many years, the currently subsisting radiation treatments entailed prolonged course of action and the use of agonizing braces or manacles. The inimitable side effects are guaranteed damage to the healthy organs during treatment. Some tumours were fatal or the peril of undertaking surgery was huge, leaving the patient no way out. This advanced stereotactic robot guided surgery aims at tumours with impeccable exactness. It delivers elevated doses of emission, while routing clear of healthy tissues. What makes this treatment so exceptional and different from traditional systems, is its effectual motion tracking capacity, on similar lines to speed directed missile systems. This procedure synchronises the movement of the robotic  [...]