Here First - Science and Technology Blog

Men of science at Northwestern Medicine research center had a successful discovery in the field of nanotechnology and multiple sclerosis . They have discovered a perishable nanoparticle that seems to be the complete vehicle to stealthily bear an antigen that deceptions the immune system into discontinuing its aggression on myelin, and stop a model of reverting remitting disseminated multiple sclerosis (MS) in mice.   This discovery can be practiced to a diversity of immune-disorders like Type 1 diabetes, nutrient negative reactions and bronchial asthma. In multiple sclerosis , the immune system aggresses the myelin tissue layer that isolates nerves cells in the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord. When the layer is destroyed, the signals are having a hard time getting from one place to another, consequent in symptoms that chain from mild arm numbness to palsy or sightless. Almost 80% of multiple sclerosis patients have the getting worse postponing variant of the disease. ...

Scientists at Stanford University say they have managed to erase traumatic memories of mice while they were sleeping. The study aims to help people suffering from post-traumatic stress, says Nature. The standard treatment involves recollecting and talking about the painful events over and over again, in order to overcome this moment and learn to accept it.  In their study, scientists have induced this disease in mice. Every time they were exposed to jasmine scent, rodents were shocked. Then, half of the mice received the conventional treatment. While they were sleeping, they were exposed to the smell of jasmine, but not accompanied by the electric shocks. These mice, just like humans with post-traumatic stress, tended to regain the symptoms of the disease. The other group of animals was tested with an innovative technique. Researchers gave mice a drug to block production of a protein in an area of ​​the amygdala. That's a part of the brain associated with fear causing ...

After many efforts to produce vaginal creams that can stop HIV the scientists are finally testing if a medicament practiced to treat HIV contagion at last could give women a tool to prevent it -- by impregnating the medicine into vaginal gels and contraceptive-style rings. Addressed microbicides, this sort of woman-controlled protection is believed to be the key for combating the HIV plaguey -- particularly in evolving nations where the virus crushes its worst and adult female too frequently can not convince their sexual partners to utilise a rubber. "Frankly, blocking transmission of the virus appears to be a lot harder than anyone understood it would be at the beginning," alleges meeting co-chair Dr. Sharon Hillier of the University of Pittsburgh and a PI of the Microbicide Trials Network. "The reason we're not depressed in the microbicide world? We actually have learned a lot and moved on to think about potent drugs and really cool delivery methods." ...

Heart conditions takes more life in United States than anything else. For every one of the 3100 people with coronary failure presently waiting for an organ transplant every minute is precious. Dr. Jennifer Ashton introduces in this video a man who's on a organ transplant list, but he's found his freedom by carrying around a remarkable new device. The device costs around $125.000 and the maintenance for it it's about $18.000 per year. It is speculated that someday this new heart device will replace heart transplant - as it will evolve to a smaller model. The key is to better treat the heart failure patients before they will get sick enough to require this new medical device.

Harvard Starts Heart Outside Body, Preserves Organs for 10 Days Prof. Hemant Thatte from Harvard Univ. has highly-developed a cocktail of 21 compounds that he calls Somah, deduced from the Sanskritic language for “ambrosia of rejuvenation”. Applying Somah, Thattle and his squad of scientists have achieved some astonishing exploits with pig hearts. They can preserve the heart alive for organ transplant up to 10 days after harvesting – that is unbelievably longer than the 4 hr limitation seen in hospitals nowadays. Using coldnesses and Somah, they were capable to acquire a pig heart that was harvested postmortal and make it beat 24 hours afterward in the lab. [source: Technology Review , Tech Transfer (Harvard) , Circulation ]

It is known that animals test or lab experiments have their limits and it comes a moment when every scientists/medic wants to test in on the next level: humans. Michael Mosley is an award-winning journalist and former doctor. In this BBC series he tries to expos the curious, gruesome and sometimes fatal ways in which scientists have transformed medical knowledge regarding anaesthetics by using themselves as guinea pigs. Enjoy the full episode (part1-part6). Via Youtube.com Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Nucleus Medical Art's http://www.nucleusinc.com 3D medical animation of a baby's birth shows a time lapse view of labor and delivery during normal vaginal birth in a simplified form with only the mother's skeletal structures and the baby in the uterus. Also shown in detail is dilatation (dilation or dilating) and effacement (thinning) of the cervix during childbirth contractions. Music: Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 See more 3D medical, surgery and health animations from Nucleus Medical Art at http://www.nucleusinc.com/youtube

WOONSOCKET, R.I.— A handicapped woman who is permitted to possess medical marijuana was allegedly beaten by her supplier. Woonsocket Police tell NBC 10 News that Vanessa A. Armstrong, 22, of Diamond Hill Road, allegedly beat a 22-year-old neighbor for failing to pay for her supply of medical marrijana. Police say Armstrong was arrested Thursday night and charged with one count of assaulted after the victim called police to alert them of the assualt. According to police Armstrong also made the victim sign a note to pay the delinquent bill. Armstrong will be in court on a later date.

"CBS-Cutting Edge" explores the possibilities of stem-cell therapy to grow new organs, etc. Very interesting video about the possibility of rapid cell regeneration and, in theory, growing of organs for transplants using (stem) cells from your body. Original vid This can be a massive medical breakthrough