Parasite helps us to repress allergies

Allergies are caused by an immune system that is overreacting to something that does not pose a real threat. A common form is being allergic to house dust mite, a little bug that creeps around your bedroom and in carpets. There is a reason the immune system normally lies dormant: when it stirs up a war against something foreign, it drains all your energy and leaves you feeling ill. In extreme cases, the immune response can be so heavy that it causes death, which can happen when pathogens enter the bloodstream during sepsis. Luckily, allergies normally aren't that bad. Also, not all bugs or microbes are necessarily bad. Scientists from the University of Edinburgh have found that some bugs actually help us to repress allergies. It appears as if they are training our immune system.

Diabetes patients might produce insulin after all

People suffering from diabetes type 1 have a faulty immune system that attacks the cells responsible for the production of insulin. This hormone is extremely important for our metabolism, as it allows cells to take up glucose and therefore allows storage. This is important because glucose functions as the universal fuel for our body. Without insulin, levels of glucose in the blood reach dangerously high levels and patients die if left untreated. Long was thought that people with diabetes type 1, as opposed to patients with type 2 which simply have become insensitive to the hormone, do not produce insulin. Scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital have discovered this may not be true. They found a pretty strong hint suggesting there is insulin production after all.

DNA injection 'weaponizes' the immune system

Scientists have found a way to make the immune system more effective against malicious cells that need to be cleared away from the body. A group of killer cells that function by helping us to combat cancer or to fight off an HIV infection can be increased in numbers with DNA injections. With this mechanism, we may be able to treat patients with cancer of HIV by enabling them to make better use of their own defence systems.

Memory relies on a balance of old and new

In the brain, there are various structures involved with the generation of memories. What Japanese scientists found is that there are also variations in cells and their functionality when it comes to memory formation. It appears that age determines how the brain cell functions, which is rather peculiar. The study increases our understanding of creating and holding on to memories, which is in turn beneficial for studies regarding how to prevent or treat dementia.

Brain implant simulates finger movements

We continue to learn more about how the brain functions, and how neurons work together to control our bodily functions. Scientists have made use of this knowledge by developing brain implants that read signals that cells send to each other, and translate that to robot movement. This is still work in progress, but we are getting closer to creating a mind-reading device that renders us able to control limbs with our brain. Chinese researchers have refined this system by showing that a brain implant is able to read out complex brain patterns involved with finger movement. A previous study by American scientists already showed we can retrieve thoughts from people's brain.

Drug may treat previously untreatable cancers

A drug that is currently in clinical trials may have unprecedented efficacy in the treatment of certain cancers. Various studies have shown that it is highly effective in slowing down cancers that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to treat. Its effect can be explained because it works on two mechanisms that help spread cancer and make it deadly, New Scientist explains. According to scientists, its effect on cancer patients is truly remarkable, which naturally is very good news.

Two new blood types discovered

In addition to the well-known A, B and O types, there are many other factors influencing blood compatibility. Two factors called Junior and Langereis could be important in certain blood transfusions, researchers from the University of Vermont have discovered. While these factors have already proven to be involved with determining blood characteristics, unravelling the genetic basis of these proteins means we are able to test patients for these factors. In turn this ought to prevent problems arising from blood transfusion in certain patients.