Cancer Research: Engineers develop 'killer cells' to destroy cancer in lymph nodes ♦ Kidney failure and its treatment may impact cancer risk ♦ Drug could limit spread of deadly brain tumors

Tracing activity of cancer-fighting tomato component Years of research have demonstrated that lycopene, the bioactive red pigment found in tomatoes, reduces growth of prostate tumors in a variety of animal models. When consumed, lycopene undergoes a change in its chemical structure that potentially influences health,

Drug could limit spread of deadly brain tumors In a significant breakthrough, researchers have identified a drug, propentofylline or PPF, that could help treat patients with deadly brain cancer. They report that PPF works to limit the spread of glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM -- the most common primary tumor of the brain and central nervous system -- by targeting a protein called TROY.

Engineers develop 'killer cells' to destroy cancer in lymph nodes Biomedical engineers have developed specialized white blood cells -- dubbed 'super natural killer cells' -- that seek out cancer cells in lymph nodes with only one purpose: destroy them. This breakthrough halts the onset of metastasis.

Kidney failure and its treatment may impact cancer risk Risk of kidney and thyroid cancers was especially high when kidney failure patients were on dialysis, researchers have discovered. Conversely, risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, lung cancer, and certain skin cancers was highest following kidney transplantation, likely due to immunosuppressant medications. Kidney failure is on the rise and currently afflicts an estimated 2 million people worldwide.

Health Research: Include men in osteoporosis screening ♦ Kidney failure impacts survival of sepsis patients ♦ Natural plant chemicals could help fight tooth decay

Include men in osteoporosis screening guidelines,Osteoporosis affects more men than prostate cancer. In a large study of smokers, men were more likely than women to have osteoporosis and fractures of their vertebrae. Smoking history and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were independent risk factors for low bone density among both men and women. Researchers say screening for low vBMD by using QCT in men and women who are smokers will identify and treat osteoporosis.

Kidney failure impacts survival of sepsis patients Kidney function plays a critical role in the fate of patients being treated for sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection. Acute kidney injury is a serious and common health complication, occurring in up to 20 percent of all hospitalized patients and more than 45 percent of patients in a critical-care setting. Sepsis, which is defined as systemic inflammation resulting from an infection, results in an abrupt decrease in the kidney's ability to filter the blood.

Natural plant chemicals could help fight tooth decay Oral-care products containing a natural chemical that stops bacteria harming teeth could help prevent decay. The plant natural product acts against harmful mouth bacteria and to prevent the build-up of plaque.

Discovery of a treatment to block the progression of multiple sclerosis A drug that could halt the progression of multiple sclerosis may soon be developed thanks to a new discovery.

Epstein-Barr virus co-infection may boost malaria mortality in childhood Malaria researchers are calling attention to a trouble-maker whose effects may be underappreciated: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Their experiments with mice show that co-infection with a virus closely related to EBV can make a survivable malaria parasite infection lethal.