Computer program found useful in cancer diagnosis

An algorithm developed to recognize people at risk for developing cancer has proven itself to be useful for use by general practitioners. The program combines risk factors and symptoms that are provided by patient data, which results in a warning when this combination could lead to cancer in the future. Specifically, the tool is able to predict lung cancer and gastro-oesophagael cancer. By raising awareness to GP's, the tool could save about 5000 lives each year. That is what scientists conclude after conducting experiments with the program, which seems quite high for a tool that just raises attention to known risk factors and symptoms.

The release of genetically modified mosquitoes in nature might prevent disease

A field trial has revealed that genetically modified organisms released in nature are able to, or at least partly, integrate with the native population. In a recent study, male mosquitoes that can carry the dengue virus were genetically altered to render them unable to survive without antibiotics. The arthropods were kept alive in the lab, whereafter they were released in nature, where they managed to mate with females and produce offspring, carrying the same genetic difference that causes them to die before mature age when left untreated. This shows releasing modified organisms into the wild can help us in reducing the numbers of disease carriers.

Massive library of possible cancer drugs made

Series of screening has created a library of possible new drugs that can be used to treat cancer. The activity of 178 enzyme inhibitors has been assessed, catalogued, documented and made available for the scientific community. While it is unsure whether these enzyme inhibitors can be used in cancer treatment, the enormous collection of data is a starting point for new research that could give rise to multiple new drugs for patients that suffer from cancer. The blocked enzymes, called kinases, all have the same basal function, but we were previously unable to systematically assess their function in the body.

Delivery system makes stem cell treatment easier

Therapies that focus on delivering cells to individual organs, for regenerative purposes, might just be much more effective with a new technique developed by scientists. To send cells to their respective organs effectively, researchers engineered certain receptors on the cellular surface, that function as a 'homing device'. By doing this, cells containing the receptors will only 'hook' on to tissue that is damaged. Being able to specifically target tissues that require cell treatment is a big step forward for cell-based therapies, for example with stem cells, that have been hallowed as a 'wonder drug' for several diseases.

Method to artificially produce blood is ready

We may very well be producing blood by ourselves soon, without the need to tap it from volunteers. Scientists in Edinburgh, Scotland have found a way to produce blood by using stem cells. They would only need two to three years to start tests in humans. If it all works, the artificial blood could be used in situations of acute blood loss, surgery, and other reasons that involve the rapid administration of extra blood to a patient. Because we currently rely heavily on donors, finding artificial ways for blood production is an important step forward.

Probiotics affect body without populating intestines

Lots of claims have been made about probiotics; dairy products that contain a set of bacteria that are supposed to improve our gut flora. It is claimed, mostly by the companies that produce them, that they improve our digestion and metabolism, but none of these effects have ever been properly shown in a scientific study. However, a recent study shows that there might be beneficial effect of probiotic products. While the ingested bacteria do not seem to stick in the gut, where a lot of other human populating bacteria are, the metabolism of people who consume yoghurt with micro-organisms may be altered. While the implications of this study are yet to be unraveled, it could be that probiotics have a beneficial effect after all, even though it might be small.

Aspirin found to dramatically cut down risk of cancer

Daily intake of aspirin has a beneficial effect in preventing cancer, as shown by a recent study in people with  increased risk on hereditary colorectal cancer, called Lynch syndrome. The participants all have a genetic predisposition that makes them prone to developing colorectal cancer, but in the study group that took daily aspirin, there was a dramatic decrease in cancer development. Even though the researchers focused on people that have a specific genetic disorder increasing the chance on colorectal cancer, they think that a daily dose of aspirin is beneficial for everyone that in some way has an elevated risk on cancer.