Posts Tagged ‘immune system’
Health & Medicine - May 10, 2010 16:29 - 11 Comments
Can mental trauma alter our biology?
U. MICHIGAN (US)—Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be caused by actual alterations in the body’s immune system triggered by exposure to a disturbing event. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Apr 28, 2010 22:13 - 2 Comments
Belly bacteria are talking. Your body listening?
CALTECH (US)—We are not alone—even in our own bodies. The human gut is home to 100 trillion bacteria, which, for millions of years, have co-evolved along with our digestive and immune systems. Some can be harmful, some beneficial, and—according to new research—other microbes may be perched somewhere in between. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Apr 19, 2010 12:02 - 0 Comments
Birds of a feather don’t fight infection together
PRINCETON (US)—Different populations of the same animal species don’t always use fever to fight infection the same way. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Mar 17, 2010 15:54 - 0 Comments
HIV cells’ secret hideout discovered
U. MICHIGAN (US)—HIV-infected cells lie in wait in hidden reservoirs, ready to jump on the chance to serve as a factory for new infection, a new study shows. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Mar 16, 2010 10:15 - 0 Comments
Obese bodies forget how to fight flu
UNC CHAPEL HILL (US)—Being overweight appears to inhibit the immune system’s ability to “remember” how it fought off previous similar bouts of illness. This could limit the body’s ability to develop immunity to influenza viruses, particularly secondary infections, new research shows. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Mar 5, 2010 18:45 - 3 Comments
Are belly bacteria making us overeat?
EMORY (US)—Too many calories and not enough exercise may not be the only culprits in the weight gain epidemic. Intestinal bacteria also may play a role in human obesity and metabolic disease. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Mar 5, 2010 12:46 - 1 Comment
Fiber in food calms angry immune cells
U. ILLINOIS (US)—Soluble fiber—found in oats, apples, and nuts—reduces inflammation associated with obesity-related diseases and strengthens the immune system, according to a new study. (more…)
Science & Technology - Mar 4, 2010 19:30 - 0 Comments
Why are some plants pathogen proof?
TEXAS A&M (US)—A team of scientists has been studying—at the cellular level—how a plant defends itself from bacterial infections rather than how it gets sick. They say it may help them understand how people and other animals could be better protected from such pathogens. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Mar 2, 2010 11:47 - 3 Comments
Probiotics prime immune system to fight
PENN (US)—Scientists have long pondered the seeming contradiction that taking broad-spectrum antibiotics over an extended period of time can lead to severe secondary bacterial infections. Now researchers may have figured out why. (more…)
Science & Technology - Feb 23, 2010 11:47 - 1 Comment
Pesky aphid thrives despite weak defenses
EMORY (US)—Pea aphids, expert survivors of the insect world, appear to lack major biological defenses, according to the first genetic analysis of their immune system. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Feb 22, 2010 15:34 - 0 Comments
Proteins act as special forces to stop bacteria
EMORY (US)—A set of proteins found in our intestines can recognize and kill bacteria that have human blood type molecules on their surfaces, scientists have discovered. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Feb 17, 2010 10:35 - 0 Comments
TB-blocking molecule discovered
INDIANA U. (US)—Researchers have identified a mechanism used by the tuberculosis bacterium to evade the body’s immune system and have identified a compound that blocks the bacterium’s ability to survive in the host, which could lead to new drugs to treat tuberculosis. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Feb 1, 2010 11:56 - 7 Comments
‘Ghostly’ molecule stops rheumatoid arthritis
NORTHWESTERN (US)—A stealthy molecule, nicknamed Casper the Ghost, can float undetected into overactive immune cells responsible for rheumatoid arthritis, causing them to self-destruct. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Jan 21, 2010 10:52 - 2 Comments
Ebola’s deadly disguise
IOWA STATE—The Zaire Ebola virus has an uncanny ability to disguise itself, making it unrecognizable—and deadly—as an invading virus. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Dec 11, 2009 10:05 - 4 Comments
Let kids get dirty. It’s good for them
NORTHWESTERN (US)—Are hyper-hygienic parents getting too worked up over germs? A new study suggests exposure to common germs early in life may actually protect against cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Dec 10, 2009 18:15 - 1 Comment
Surprising weakness found in H1N1
RICE (US)—The H1N1 influenza virus has been keeping a secret that may be the key to defeating it and other flu viruses as well. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Dec 9, 2009 14:20 - 5 Comments
Childhood trauma lingers in mind, body
DUKE (US)—Negative experiences in childhood may alter not only an adult’s psychology but also physical health into middle age and beyond. (more…)
Health & Medicine - Dec 8, 2009 12:20 - 0 Comments
Neurons’ novel way of battling infections
NYU (US)—Biologists have determined how neurons combat viral infections, a discovery that may offer a path for treating viral encephalitis and related afflictions. (more…)
