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(University of California - Los Angeles) Immune cells lose the ability to divide as they age because a part of their chromosomes known as a telomere becomes progressively shorter with cell division. As a result, its disease fighting ability is compromised. A new study finds that a chemical from the Astragalus root, frequently used used in Chinese herbal therapy, can prevent or slow this progressive telomere shortening, which could make it a key weapon in the fight against HIV.

(Rockefeller University Press) In HIV-infected patients, the body's immune system is unable to fight off the virus. A new study to be published online on Nov. 10 in the Journal of Experimental medicine shows that T cells in HIV-infected individuals express a protein called TIM-3, which inactivates their virus killing capacity. Blocking this protein, the study suggests, might one day help patients to eliminate HIV as well as other chronic infections.

Man & Machine introduces a line of cleanable waterproof keyboards and mice suitable for the Food Manufacturing and Processing Industry. (PRWeb Nov 10, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/waterproof/keyboards/prweb1582844.htm

The San Francisco SPCA today warned that its Veterinary hospital has seen a dramatic increase in the number of young and adolescent dogs it has diagnosed with Canine Parvovirus - seven cases this month compared to one case per month in past years. All of the infected dogs have spent time in Golden Gate Park and in the Haight District. "We urge all dog guardians who frequent these areas to make sure their dogs' inoculations are current," said Jan McHugh-Smith, President of The SF/SPCA. (PRWeb Nov 10, 2008) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1587364.htm

(Rice University) Can scientists create a designer drug that forces viruses to mutate themselves out of existence? A new study by Rice University bioengineers could help make it happen. The study, which will appear in Physical review E, offers the most comprehensive mathematical analysis to date of the mechanisms that drive evolution in viruses and bacteria, and it could help scientists who are looking to add "lethal mutagenesis" to medicine's disease-fighting arsenal.

(University of California - San Francisco) The team lead by Drs. Mario Ostrowski, of the University of Toronto's Faculty of medicine, and Douglas Nixon, of the Division of Experimental medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, has discovered that a molecule called Tim-3 is present at high levels on poorly functional immune system cells which are 'exhausted' from fighting HIV infection. the researchers found that blocking the activity of Tim-3 on these cells improved their function and allowed them to rejoin the battle against HIV.

A medical trial involving 16,000 children across Africa will be a challenge to human, scientific and communications resources on the world's poorest continent, three researchers hoping to develop the first malaria vaccine said Monday.

Use of antibiotics at U.S. hospitals is rising despite concerns about fueling bacterial resistance, with drugs Zosyn and vancomycin driving the trend, researchers said.

(University of Michigan health System) It's a leading cause of death, but no one knows for sure how and why it happens. It's a major source of health care costs, adding days or weeks to the hospital stays of millions of people. But no one fully understands how best to fight it. Now, new research is tackling the problem at its most basic level, in hopes of finding new and more effective ways to treat bacteremia and sepsis.