Healthwise    February 2010  

Healthwise is a regular column written especially for laterlife.com members and visitors. Welcome to healthwise 119.

For previous articles in the healthwise series visit 'more healthwise'

NEWS AND VIEWS

We should all be delighted at the advances now being made by scientists, researchers and the medical profession. For 2010 we will continue to highlight some of the latest developments in health and medicine.

MICE SHOW MOBILE PHONES CAN BE GOOD

With all the recent news that over use of mobile phones could be damaging, it is interesting to learn of a study carried out by the University of South Florida.

Researchers there have found that the long-term use of mobile phones might actually help to protect against Alzheimer’s disease. They found that the electromagnetic waves developed by mobile phone antenna can help to eradicate the sticky proteins that help cause Alzheimer’s.

Evidently it would take years of constant phone use for humans to obtain real benefits, but the researchers say the knowledge may help towards developing effective drug-free treatment.

OUCH – SOMEONE HAS HURT THEMSELVES

You can actually feel another person’s pain.

This is the belief of Dr Stuart Derbyshire of the University of Birmingham after conducting research where the brains of a group of hypersensitive students were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging.

Dr Derbyshire said the results provided convincing evidence that some people can suffer the feeling of real pain from an observed injury in someone else.

A BRAIN-WAVE FOR EPILEPSY

Researchers from Newcastle University have uncovered the potential for new treatments for epilepsy.

Their work has revealed that a particular type of brain-wave pattern linked to epilepsy is caused by electrical rather than chemical connections between nerve cells. This means that in some cases the traditional drugs, which target chemical malfunctions, won’t work and the researchers are now hoping new ways of tackling the disease may be closer.

NEW HOPE FOR LUNG CANCER SUFFERERS

A new drug which destroys tumours in certain lung cancers is to begin being tested on humans later this year.
The new drug is known as PD173074 and works by blocking FGF-2. FGF-2 speeds up the division of cancer cells and also makes the cells resistant to chemotherapy treatment, so anything that acts against it is very good news.
Early trials on mice have shown excellent results.

NANOBURRS – A NEW WORD IN HEART DISEASE

Researchers at the top US universities of Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have introduced a new word in the treatment of cardiovascular disease – nanoburrs.

These are particles which can cling to damaged artery walls and slowly release a medicine which can help prevent the growth of artery-clogging scar tissue.

The idea is that the nanoburrs will replace the treatment of vascular stents, which work by holding arteries open and releasing drugs. The nanoburrs have a number of advantages, they can work in areas such as forks in arteries which are difficult to treat and they can be injected intravenously at a site away from the damaged tissue. They are also able to deliver drugs for longer, which means there is less need for patients to undergo invasive procedures.

If in any doubt about any of the information covered in healthwise articles and it's relevance for you, consult your GP.

IN THE PREVIOUS EDITION

End to hangovers

New synthetic substance can be used as a substitute for alcohol.

Hospitals go off air

Growing concern for hospital radios with digital switchover.

Quick cure for high blood pressure

A quick and easy operation that could help to cure high blood pressure.

A further problem from depression

Researchers have found that people suffering from depression are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.