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Mutant
night-owl gene found
HARWELL, UK —
A genetic mutation aptly named "After-hours" (Afh, for
short) explains why some people like to stay up late,
says a new study in the April 30 issue of Science
Magazine. Researchers have discovered that mice
whose circadian cycles are an abnormally long 27 hours
have a mutation in the Fbxl3 gene. Scientists now plan
to look for the human equivalent of the late-night mouse
gene to treat people with abnormal circadian cycles.
Brooke's
baby blues
WASHINGTON, DC
— This time it's not Tom Cruise who has
provoked the medical wrath of Brooke Shields —
it's the US Congress. The actress — who suffered
from postpartum depression after the birth of her first
child and had to go on antidepressants, which prompted
Mr Cruise's criticism last year — says it's time
Congress stepped in and did something about postpartum
depression. A bill has been introduced proposing more
funding for research on postpartum depression and improved
services for sufferers, but is currently held up in
committee. Similar legislation has been introduced twice
before but never came to a vote.
Misdiagnosis
saved UK man's life. Still, he's suing
LONDON —
A 62-year-old Briton is asking for compensation from
his hospital after doctors misdiagnosed him with terminal
cancer, inspiring him to spend his life savings on restaurants
and travel. The diagnosis was reversed a year later,
after the man's prognosticated due-date had passed,
when doctors reevaluated him and found a treatable pancreatic
inflammation instead. He hopes the hospital settles
with him but if it does not, he says he intends to either
sue or sell his house. After a review of its records,
the hospital maintains the cancer diagnosis was appropriate
at the time.
9/11
sarcoidosis dust-up
NEW YORK CITY
— A recent study has revealed more woes
for New York City rescue workers who were on-site on
September 11, 2001. Published in the May 7 issue of
Chest, the study found that the number of NYC
rescue and recovery workers with sarcoidosis, a mysterious,
debilitating inflammation of the lungs and other organs,
soared following the collapse of the Twin Towers. The
rescue workers' incidence of the disease was five times
higher after 2001 compared to the 15 years prior to
9/11, corroborating the results of past studies that
found workers exposed to World Trade Centre dust developed
persistent coughs and respiratory problems.
HPV
jab for oral sex
BALTIMORE —
Besides increasing the risk of cervical cancer as a
result of vaginal sex, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
can also be spread by oral and anal sex, greatly raising
the threats of oropharyngeal and perianal cancers, respectively,
according to several new studies published in the NEJM
on May 10. A second NEJM study found the HPV
vaccine effective at reducing the incidence of HPV-related
cancers, further vindicating Canada's $300 million investment
in the vaccine announced in the federal budget in March.
Research is now underway to determine if the vaccine
should be given to boys as well as girls before they
become sexually active.
New
drug's reptilian flavour
WASHINGTON, DC
— A new drug to help type II diabetics achieve
glucose control is modelled after monster spit. Marketed
under the name Byetta, and recently approved by the
FDA, the drug is inspired by the saliva of the Gila
monster, a 2-foot-long endangered, venomous American
lizard that only eats several times a year. The drug,
which is based on a chemical used in the Gila monster's
digestion called exendin-4, works by stimulating beta
cells, suppressing glucagon secretion, and slowing stomach
emptying — much like a human hormone called glucagon-like
peptide-1, but even more effective.
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