THE HEALTH CENTRAL SHOW -MONDAY 21st JULY

A genetic tool for cleaner water

In a series of proof-of-concept experiments, Duke University engineers demonstrated that short strands of genetic material could successfully target a matching portion of a gene in a common fungus found in water and make it stop working. If this new approach can be perfected, the researchers believe that it could serve as the basis for a device to help solve the problem of safe drinking water in Third World countries without water treatment facilities.

Culturally tailored education can improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes

This conclusion was reached by a team of Cochrane Researchers after they considered the data in 11 trials that involved 1,603 people. Type 2 diabetes is a particular problem for minority ethnic groups who originate from developing countries, but live in upper-middle income or high income countries. These people tend to have low socio-economic status and find that they are faced with many physical, communication and cultural barriers that make it difficult to access healthcare effectively.

Risky drinking in over 55s becomes the focus of new research

Traditionally, risky drinking in young men and women receives most attention but the ageing process means that older people experience alcohol-related problems at lower consumption levels. It is now estimated that 60% of older people coming into hospital because of repeated falls, confusion, chest infections and heart failure have undiagnosed alcohol problems.

Suckling infants trigger surges of trust hormone in mothers’ brains

The study, published on 18th July in the journal PLoS Computational Biology, focuses on the role of oxytocin, a very important hormone recently found be involved in the enhancement of “trust” and love in humans and animals. Oxytocin has long been known to be the trigger that, when released into the blood, causes milk to be let down from the mammary gland. When oxytocin is released within the brain, it also helps to strengthen the bond between mother and child, but to have these effects, a very large amount must be released abruptly to cause a wave of the hormone that can spread through the brain.

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