Health Research: Changing the Color of Light ♦ Changing the Color of Light ♦ Fighting mosquito resistance to insecticides ♦ Clues to turning genes off

Changing the Color of Light Researchers have developed a method that could improve medical imaging and cancer treatments and increase the efficiency of commercial solar cells by 25 to 30 percent.

Gene-sequence swap using CRISPR to cure hemophilia For the first time, chromosomal defects responsible for hemophilia have been corrected in patient-specific iPSCs using CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases. Hemophilia A occurs in about 1 in 5,000 male births and almost half of severe cases are caused by identified "chromosomal inversions." In a chromosomal inversion, the order of the base pairs on the chromosome are reversed so the gene doesn't express properly and the sufferer lacks the blood coagulation factor VIII (F8) gene, which causes blood to clot in healthy people.

Fighting mosquito resistance to insecticides Controlling mosquitoes that carry human diseases is a global health challenge as their ability to resist insecticides now threatens efforts to prevent epidemics. Scientists have identified new genetic markers for mosquito resistance to insecticides, which could improve its detection in the field.

Simple flip of genetic switch determines aging or longevity in animals When does aging really begin? Scientists now have a molecular clue. In a study of the roundworm C. elegans, they found that adult cells abruptly begin their downhill slide when an animal reaches reproductive maturity. A genetic switch starts the aging process by turning off cell stress responses that protect the cell by keeping important proteins folded and functional. Germline stem cells throw the switch in early adulthood, after the animal starts to reproduce, ensuring its line will live on.

Clues to turning genes off Scientists have unraveled how an important plant protein, known as TOPLESS, interacts with other molecules responsible for turning genes off. The findings in plants provide a general model across species for this type of gene silencing, which is linked to several vital biological functions in humans.

children's Health:Newborns delivered by C-section face higher risk of chronic health problems ♦ Impact of insecticides on the cognitive development ♦ Inadequate hydration among US children

Impact of insecticides on the cognitive development of 6-year-old children Researchers have provided new evidence of neurotically in humans from pyrethroid insecticides, which are found in a wide variety of products and uses.

Why boys are performing less well at school, how to fix it 15-year-old boys are more likely than girls of the same age to be low achievers, experts report. This is yet more evidence of a long term, worldwide trend of some boys falling behind at school. Now, researchers have identified two possible major causes and a potential solution. This work was conducted by gleaning evidence directly from children rather than the traditional source of seeking the opinions of teachers or parents.

Do newborns delivered by C-section face higher risk of chronic health problems later in life? The evidence as to whether newborns delivered by C-section are more likely to develop chronic diseases later in life has been examined by investigators. The authors of a new study find that their evidence warrants concerns that C-section may lead to worse long-term child health.

Study finds inadequate hydration among US children More than half of all children and adolescents in the US are not getting enough hydration -- probably because they're not drinking enough water -- a situation that could have significant repercussions for their physical health and their cognitive and emotional functioning.

Health Research: New class of insecticides offers safer ♦ Ebola virus diagnostic tool developed ♦ Possible progress against Parkinson's

New class of insecticides offers safer, more targeted mosquito control

A new class of chemical insecticides has been identified that could provide a safer, more selective means of controlling mosquitoes that transmit key infectious diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and elephantiasis

Ebola virus diagnostic tool developed by physician who worked in Liberia

An emergency medicine physician who treated Ebola-infected patients in Liberia last year used his field experience to create a tool to determine the likelihood that patients presenting with Ebola symptoms will actually carry the virus. Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has affected 24,000 persons during the current epidemic, which is the largest recorded outbreak of EVD in history.

Possible progress against Parkinson's and good news for stem cell therapies

Researchers have taken an important step toward using the implantation of stem cell-generated neurons as a treatment for Parkinson's disease. Using an FDA approved substance for treating cancer, they were able to grow dopamine-producing neurons derived from embryonic stem cells that remained healthy and functional for as long as 15 months after implantation into mice, restoring motor function without forming tumors

Antibacterial enzymes to combat drug-resistant bacterial pathogens developed

By engineering antibacterial enzymes, investigators are using novel strategies to target the prevalent drug-resistant bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. "Antibacterial enzymes, which kill via catalytic mechanisms, represent promising candidates in the fight against drug-resistant microbes," explained the lead researcher. "Staph infections in hospital settings are a serious problem that has gained widespread public attention, and there's an urgent need to address the threat of antibiotic resistance. Using molecular engineering, we are expanding the pool of antibacterial drug candidates and improving their performance."

2/20/15 Health News: Floridians Object to Gmo Mosquitos--Mystery Disease Triggers Resurgence--Parents experience post-traumatic stress disorder--Stroke survivors higher risk of having cancer

Messing With Mosquito DNA Creates Angry Buzz in Florida  In the bite-size community of Key Haven, like so many other mosquito-plagued spots up and down the Florida Keys, residents long ago made peace with insecticides dropped into town by planes or rumbling by on trucks. Continue Reading

Middle East Mystery Disease Triggers Early Resurgence  International health experts head to Saudi Arabia to help determine why MERS cases are soaring again.Infectious disease watchers are again wondering what is going on in Saudi Arabia. Since the beginning of February the Saudis have reported 52 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome 40 have come to light in the past week Continue Reading

Parents experience post-traumatic stress disorder after child's stroke Parents of children who had suffered a stroke showed signs of PTSD while children showed signs of anxiety. Parents' PTSD and children's anxiety could have a negative effect on the children's stroke recovery Continue Reading

Stroke survivors may be at higher risk of having cancer  A study of stroke survivors showed that having a stroke was linked with an increased risk of having an underlying cancer. Continue Reading

New weapon in war against flu pandemics and pneumonia  Scientists have developed an antibody which boosts the survival chances for patients suffering from influenza and pneumonia. Proven effective in lab tests, the antibody is now being made suitable for use in humans. The scientists are also using the new antibody to develop a diagnostic kit which can help doctors accurately track the recovery progress of flu and pneumonia patients Continue Reading

Indian Supreme Court Ruled Food Without Chemical Residue is a Human Right

The Indian Supreme Court ruled the right to life and human dignity encompasses within its scope the availability of articles of food, without insecticides or pesticides residues, veterinary drugs residues, antibiotic residues, solvent residues, etc," the bench, in its 26-page judgement, said.

"We may emphasize that any food article which is hazardous or injurious to public health is a potential danger to the fundamental right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. A paramount duty is cast on the States and its authorities to achieve an appropriate level of protection to human life and health...," it said.

The United States signed the Helsinki Accords which guaranteed human rights. The most important human right is the right to light. Hopefully our Supreme  Court will protect ucas well as the Indian Supreme Court.

The European Union has banned 1400 chemicals from its foods. The United States is nowhere near that number.