Human growth hormone (HGH): Does it slow aging?

Human growth hormone is available via injection. When the people prescribed HGH have a deficiency in the hormone, the injection can be very beneficial. Some people and doctors believe that HGH can reduce the effects of aging or slow the process. Is there sufficient evidence to support this claim/belief? Do the potential benefits outweigh the potential side effects?

Heart Lab at UMN

An article about a heart research lab at the U of MN.  The lab, which has been around for 14 years, “is the only lab in the world that routinely animates hearts.”  They’re able to ‘animate’ hearts and re-start the beating of a heart.  The hearts are from organ donors, but weren’t ‘deemed viable’ for transplant. 

CBS News Video on Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough

Very exciting news broadcast from CBS about a new breakthrough drug treating the underlying cause of Cystic Fibrosis.  Kalydeco has shown promising results in a study of just less than 100 people with a specific Cystic Fibrosis genetic mutation.  The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is very excited about this drug as they believe the data from this study will lead to benefits for all those with CF.  

Gene therapy shows promise as hemophilia treatment in animal studies

          Scientists have successfully found a way to dramatically lessen the severity of hemophilia A in large animals.  The process involves inserting a specific gene for clotting factor VIII into engineered adult stem cells, and then injecting these cells into the abdominal cavity of the animal.  Studies showed that the cells migrated to the animals' joints and reversed the bleeding and damage, restoring proper posture and walking ability.  All other spontaneous bleeding was also stopped.  However, the subjects somehow developed an immune response to clotting factor VIII, suggesting that the treatment's effects may be shorter-lived than hoped.  If this problem can be solved, this procedure would be a milestone in treating and effectively curing the disease in humans.

Antibiotics in Meat Factories

Basically, meat factories have found that the use of antiobiotics on animals creates cheaper, more plentiful meat for consumers as it promotes growth and prevents diseases. However, health experts claim that these antibacteria create "monster bugs" for both animals and humans. Farmers are upset because they argue that there is not enough substantial scientific evidence to induce action at this point. Scientists have also claimed that these strands are hard to study, as "antibody A, used in Cow A, caused Infection Z in Human Z," is difficult to follow. The article seems extremely unbiased, presenting both sides logically and providing direct quotations fairly and in an objective manner. For now, FDA has simply promoted guidelines, not regulations, in relation to this concern.

Of Mice and Aging

Discovered by researchers through experimentation with lab mice, the existence and overgrowth of senescent cells may increase the rate of aging. In lab mice, riding the body of these cells has shown promise in halting development of many age-linked diseases,

Medicine's Cutting Edge: Re-Growing Organs

Science regenerates a man's finger using extracellular matrix from pigs. This could also be used to grow organs in the laboratory that would not be rejected by the body. The ECM (extracellular matrix) is key by telling the body/cells what to do.

Scientists find a way to "disarm" AIDS virus

A study conducted in London discovered that Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is unable to damage the immune system if cholesterol is removed from the membrane. The scientists next goal is to learn more about inactivating the virus and hopefully develop and AIDS vaccine. 

Old Teeth, New Discovery

In 1989, scientists discovered 2 sets of fossilized teeth in England and Italy. Using new technology, they reevaluated the fossils and discovered that there was a human presence in Europe more than 7,000 years before we originally thought - around 44,200 years ago. These are the oldest modern human fossils from northwestern Europe.

Paul Zak: Trust, morality -- and oxytocin

http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_zak_trust_morality_and_oxytocin.html

This is actually a 15 minute video of a neuroeconomist speaking about Oxytosin and the relationship that it has with trust and morality. He and a group of people conducted experiments which measured oxytosin levels. The first experiment had to do with money , and if people were generous and would be willing to share ten dollars with others.

Wine and Chocolate? Think again

We have all been accustomed to hearing “Drinking wine moderately is good for your health”. In her article “Raising the Chance of Some Cancers With Two Drinks a Day”, Melinda Beck states that there are strong correlations between “moderate” alcohol consumption and various types of cancer. People who haven’t smoked in their life could develop lung cancer just by drinking couple drinks a day. Although only 3.5% of cancer related death comes from alcohol, 90% of the deceased would be alive today if they didn’t drink more than two drinks per day. Beck admits that the study followed people who were regular drinkers, but there is a strong correlation between the number of alcohol consumed and cancer risk. The harm the author argues is that people have the misconception that drinking moderate amount alcohol, like wine, is good for your heart. The problem occurs when people assume that more of a substance is good for their health. Drinking 1-2 glasses of wine might be good for your heart, but, according to data, any more than the suggested amount equates to cancer.  

Cannibalism Makes Evolutionary Sense

The act of cannibalism makes no sense from an observatory position. Researchers from the University of Sydney wanted to know who was responsible for the depletion of toad eggs. To their surprise, the researchers found out that tadpoles were the culprits. According to the article, the act of cannibalism makes “evolutionary sense”. As for the example of the tadpoles eating the eggs of a toad, the eggs are deemed as a potential rival for the tadpoles. The more toads habituating an area result in competition for male toads. In the case for the missing toad eggs, the tadpoles worked together to successfully eliminate competition. Another example for cannibalism for evolutionary purposes would be that of the redback spider. Similarly to the black widow, the female eats the male spider after it is done with the mating process. The chances for a male redback spider ever finding female spider to mate with in its lifetime is slim to none. The male redback willingly offers itself as a sacrifice because his mission is over; there is no more purpose for being in existence.      

Population Growth Concern

The topic of population control has been mum in America for numerous reasons. Until recently, organizations, such as the Center For Biological Diversity (CBD), have been advocating for population growth control. As the world welcomed the 7 billionth new member to society yesterday (Monday), advocacy groups are trying to bring light to the issue with hard data. According to the CBD, more people habiting Earth equates to higher amounts of carbon emissions. Although many Americans agree that the population growth here in America is stable compared to that of Asia or Africa, America is one of the worst offenders of carbon emissions. On a macro scale, more people on Earth equates to the higher use of natural resources and land. Animals once protected from extermination might actually go extinct without the proper regulation of population control. Although early in its stage, advocacy groups are working hard to send their critical message across the globe.