It's not size that matters

DURHAM, NC — Past research suggested that low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening, which spots small tumours, saves the lives of lung cancer patients. However, a study in the June issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology challenges this assumption. Investigators from Duke University compared mortality rates from one trial that used CT scans with another that didn't. The difference — just 1.4 deaths per 1,000 person-years — wasn't exactly mind-blowing. So what gives? Apparently the genetic characteristics of a tumour is a better indicator of its behaviour than size.

Foul air mangles Mickey's DNA

HAMILTON — Canadian researchers found that mice exposed to air pollution develop twice as many inheritable genetic mutations as clean air-breathing country mice. The study, published in the May 15 issue of Science, found the mutations could usually be traced to the male mice, leading them to believe sperm is particularly sensitive to pollution particles.

Salmonella can't dance to salsa

BERKELEY/ GUADALAJARA — Dodecenal, a chemical component of cilantro, has been shown to kill Salmonella bacteria far more effectively than the commonly used antibiotic gentamicin. These findings, from a joint study by University of California at Berkeley and Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara researchers, were published in the May 26 issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Cilantro, also called coriander, is a key ingredient in popular foods like salsa and guacamole.

Good for the goose, good for the gosling

CARY, NC — A study on the antiretroviral drug nelfinavir was expected to show a two-fold increase in birth defects when taken during pregnancy. However, results published in the June issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology went against all expectations. Of the 915 mothers with HIV who were taking the drug, only nine babies were born with birth defects. This 3% average is the same as the average found in the population in general. So, mums with HIV can rest assured that their HIV therapy isn't harming their wee ones.

Up, up and away

PORTLAND, OR — Researchers have tested the NEUROLINK System — made up of a balloon catheter and stent — on people with cerebrovascular disease with positive results. Researchers implanted the NEUROLINK in 61 patients at the Oregon Stroke Center. The stent was successfully deployed in 95% of cases and no patients died from the procedure. The stroke rate was also low — just 7.3% in a one-year period. The findings are published in the June issue of Stroke.

No glove, no cancer

BERLIN — German researchers have identified a carcinogenic substance present in 29 out of 32 kinds of condoms. The substance, N-nitrosamine, is added to condoms to help improve elasticity. The researchers, at the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Institute in Stuttgart, report that when the rubber material of the condom comes in contact with human bodily fluids it can release traces of the chemical.

Oy vey! It just ain't kosher

NEW YORK — There's a hot debate underway among New York's rabbis. The city's water is indubitably safe, but it's emerged that it may not pass muster with Leviticus. Tiny, harmless, crustaceans called copepods have recently been found in NYC's upstate water sources. This is a conundrum for the rabbis who determine what is and what isn't kosher — and crustaceans definitely aren't on the menu. The key decision for the rabbinical community is deciding if the kosher laws should be applied to microscopic crustaceans.

Hyperactive additives

SOUTHAMPTON, UK — There's a growing suspicion that many food additives aren't good for our health. Data from researchers in the UK shows that artificial colours and preservatives could be having a negative effect on children's behaviour. They looked at 1,873 kids who were given a diet rich in the chemicals for one week and then, randomly over the next three weeks, were given either a drink containing additives or placebo. Hyperactive behaviour was significantly lower when the kids where knocking back the placebo.

Hops shop tames crazy cows

TOKYO — A brewery in Japan announced on May 31 that it has produced a cow that's immune to mad cow disease. The Kirin Brewery Company collaborated with Hemateck LLC — a biotech firm in Connecticut — to genetically engineer a specimen that's free of mad cow prions. But the star of the show couldn't be reached for interview — she's still in her mother's womb and will only be born early next year. Although the bovine-brewery connection is still unclear, the Japanese company is certain that it's maybe a tad early to unleash the new technology into livestock.

Breathe easy in the dark

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The 24-hour blackout that affected close to 50 million North Americans from New York to North Bay last August had at least one, albeit brief, positive side effect: clean air. A new study by the University of Maryland shows that certain air pollutants decreased by 90% and visibility increased by 40km. The researchers attribute the drastic decrease in pollution to the enforced shutdown of most fossil fuel plants in the area.

Caught dirty handed

KARACHI, PAKISTAN — Any residual doubts about hand washing's role in preventing illness should be dispelled by a report published in the June 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. The practice slashed diarrhea rates by 53% in kids living in low-income neighbourhoods in Karachi, where it's the leading cause of death. The study, conducted by the Atlanta-based Center of Disease Control and Prevention, looked at 4,500 kids. One finding was that antibacterial soap was no better than regular soap.

Americans pew-pew mainstream medicine

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Researchers found that 62% of Americans use some form of alternative medicine. The study of 31,000 people was conducted by US government agency, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and released on May 27. It showed praying for good health to be the most popular form of alternative medicine in the US (practised by 42% of respondents), followed by the use of naturopathic remedies like herbs and enzymes (19%), deep-breathing exercises (12%), and meditation and chiropractic therapy (tied at 8% each).

 

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