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POPSAntibodies found that prevent HIV from causing severe AIDS More: The antibodies were able to block the activity of about three-quarters of the 162 separate strains of HIV they tested it against. Immunologist Dennis Burton of Scripps and his colleagues then showed that the antibodies bind to regions of two proteins on the surface of the virus, called gp120 and gp41, that help the virus invade cells. These regions had never before been considered as targets for vaccines. Researchers still have a long way to go to produce a vaccine, however. The antibodies themselves could potentially be used as a treatment for infected patients who develop severe disease. But the long-term hope is to find molecules, either synthetic or natural, that can stimulate the body to produce the broadly neutralizing antibodies. Such molecules could potentially be the basis for a successful vaccine.
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POPS A Cure For Honey Bee Colony Collapse? The loss of honey bees could have an enormous horticultural and economic impact worldwide. Honeybees are important pollinators of crops, fruit and wild flowers and are indispensable for a sustainable and profitable agriculture as well as for the maintenance of the non-agricultural ecosystem. Honeybees are attacked by numerous pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. For most of these diseases, the molecular pathogenesis is poorly understood, hampering the development of new ways to prevent and combat honeybee diseases. So, any progress made in identifying causes and subsequent treatments of honey bee colony collapse is invaluable. "Now that we know one strain of parasite that could be responsible, we can look for signs of infection and treat any infected colonies before the infection spreads" said Dr Higes, principle researcher.
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POPSPterodactyl-inspired Robot To Master Air, Ground And Sea The drones have put us into the world of science fiction. The sole purpose for the development is war. Be it that they may save lives ( the last concern of present govts, if the treatment of troops who served in Iraq is any guide), it would seem easier not to invade countries.
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POPSIdentical twins lead to leukaemia breakthrough
The twins have been crucial to the new research, as they are genetically identical but one has developed cancer whereas the other has not. The scientists found that the girls’ blood contains genetically abnormal cells known as pre-leukaemic cells. These were formed by a mutation known as translocation, in which two genes fuse to create an abnormal new one. This random event happened in a single cell in one of the twins while they were still in the womb. As the twins shared a placenta, the original mutant’s daughter cells populated the blood of both sisters. The discovery will help doctors to monitor Isabella, and children like her, so that further genetic damage in her pre-leukaemic stem cells is caught early. By the time she is 14, her pre-leukaemic stem cells should have died naturally. “Pre-leukaemic cells are still evident, so the sword of Damocles is still hanging there,” Dr Ancliff said. “Hopefully, we will see them disappear.” (Times)
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