Allergy News and Research

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The term allergy encompasses a wide range of conditions; it is not a disease in itself. In 1906 Clemens von Pirquet was the first to describe allergies as a changed or altered reaction of the immune system in response to exposure to foreign proteins. These days the term allergy – medically termed hypersensitivity, signifies an exaggerated reaction to foreign substances.

Study results suggest that metronidazole and clindamycin differ in their effects on microbes in women with bacterial vaginosis

In the first study to directly compare the emergence of antibiotic resistance following topical treatment between two antibiotics routinely prescribed for a common vaginal infection, researchers from the Magee-Womens Research Institute have found antibiotic-resistant bacteria more likely to develop with the drug clindamycin than metronidazole.

1 Nov 2004

Cellular enzyme represents a potential new target for developing improved HIV drugs

Scientists have discovered that a cellular enzyme helps ferry HIV genetic instructions out of the cell nucleus where they can then be translated into proteins to begin their most destructive work.

1 Nov 2004

FDA warns of risks associated with using decorative contact lenses

This Halloween season, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is again warning consumers about the serious risks of using decorative contact lenses distributed without appropriate involvement by an eye care professional.

29 Oct 2004

New molecular tool to pinpoint DNA mutations among thousands of cells

Scientists have designed a new molecular tool, dubbed "LigAmp," to pinpoint DNA mutations among thousands of cells, the equivalent of searching for a single typo in an entire library of books.

28 Oct 2004

Umbilical cord blood may hold clue to childhood allergy and asthma

High levels of antibodies to allergens in a baby's umbilical cord blood might be more important in the development of childhood allergies and asthma than exposure to allergens, or lack of them, after birth, suggests research in Thorax.

28 Oct 2004

Radiotherapy with cetuximab significantly improves disease control and survival in head and neck cancer

Combination treatment using the monoclonal antibody cetuximab, along with high dose radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with loco-regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck results in significant improvements in both loco-regional control and overall survival, according to Dr Jordi Giralt of Val d'Hebron University Hospital.

26 Oct 2004

Who should and who should not get a flu shot?

This year's supply of flu vaccine is limited. It is important that people at highest risk of serious illness or death from the flu get a flu shot. Complete this CDC form to see if you or your child should or should not get a flu shot.

25 Oct 2004

New medication to prevent colon cancer

A Stony Brook University researcher is testing a new form of aspirin--one that is much more potent than its commercially available counterpart, but with almost none of the side effects--to determine whether it can be used to prevent colon cancer in patients who are prone to the disease.

21 Oct 2004

Researchers identify a protein that could banish allergies

The suffering of millions of people with allergies could one day be eased thanks to new research from UK investigators. Findings from the University College London branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR), published in the Oct 2004 issue of Nature, detail how inactivating a key signalling molecule called p110delta reduced the effect of allergies on mice.

21 Oct 2004

New study offers rare glimpse of how the smallpox virus attacks its victims

Results of a new study in monkeys offer scientists a rare glimpse of how, on a molecular level, the smallpox virus attacks its victims. The findings shed light on how the virus caused mass death and suffering, and will help point the way to new diagnostics, vaccines and drugs that would be needed in the event of a smallpox bioterror incident.

12 Oct 2004

Study finds new vaccine against pneumococcal has minor adverse effects but continued surveillance is warranted

Examination of reports from the first two years after licensure of a new vaccine against pneumococcal infections indicates that the majority of adverse effects are minor, but that continued surveillance is warranted, according to a study in the October 13 issue of JAMA.

12 Oct 2004

Health care providers need to work together to ensure that high-risk individuals get the flu shot

Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, Illinois state public health director, is encouraging health care providers to work together to ensure that high-risk individuals get the flu shot.

11 Oct 2004

Immune responses to airborne fungi could cause the stuffy noses and airway inflammation among sufferers of chronic rhinosinusitis

A team led by Mayo Clinic researchers has determined that over-reactive immune responses to airborne fungi could cause the stuffy noses and airway inflammation among sufferers of chronic rhinosinusitis.

10 Oct 2004

HHS awards contracts totaling more than $232 million to fund development of new vaccines against smallpox, plague and tularemia

United States Department of Health and Human Services has announced four new contracts totaling more than $232 million to fund development of new vaccines against three potential agents of bioterrorism: smallpox, plague and tularemia. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), will administer the contracts.

8 Oct 2004

Food allergies are a growing health and safety concern in the classroom

A new study, "Impact of Food Allergies on School Nursing Practice" released in the October issue of The Journal of School Nursing findings reverberated what many in the medical community and educators have believed for years.

8 Oct 2004

Researchers have found a starting point to establishing the genetic basis for sinus disease

In a three-year analysis of more than 10,500 genes, one-third of the human genome, researchers at Johns Hopkins have found a starting point to establishing the genetic basis for sinus disease and the growth of nasal polyps, illnesses not well understood despite their prevalence.

8 Oct 2004

Aspirin might well be considered the top utility player in the medicine cabinet

This cheap over-the-counter drug can be used not only for fever, pain and arthritis, but to prevent heart attack, stroke or angina. It also may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Yet aspirin also has side effects worth considering, and its very accessibility may hamper its use.

8 Oct 2004

Best approach for repairing breaks in bone separating brain from the nasal cavity is through the nasal cavity

The best approach for repairing breaks in the thin bone that separates the brain from the nasal cavity is through the nasal cavity, according to an analysis of 92 patients who had this increasingly common approach to treating a fortunately rare problem.

6 Oct 2004

Australian researchers hunt for eczema genes

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) is halfway through a major project examining possible genetic causes of atopic dermatitis which is the most common form of eczema.

6 Oct 2004

Influenza is a contagious disease caused by an RNA virus of the orthomyxoviridae family

Influenza (or as it is commonly known, the flu) is a contagious disease caused by an RNA virus of the orthomyxoviridae family (The orthomyxoviridae is a family of RNA viruses which infect vertebrate).

6 Oct 2004

Allergy News and Research

Further Reading

Study results suggest that metronidazole and clindamycin differ in their effects on microbes in women with bacterial vaginosis

Cellular enzyme represents a potential new target for developing improved HIV drugs

FDA warns of risks associated with using decorative contact lenses

New molecular tool to pinpoint DNA mutations among thousands of cells

Umbilical cord blood may hold clue to childhood allergy and asthma

Radiotherapy with cetuximab significantly improves disease control and survival in head and neck cancer

Who should and who should not get a flu shot?

New medication to prevent colon cancer

Researchers identify a protein that could banish allergies

New study offers rare glimpse of how the smallpox virus attacks its victims

Study finds new vaccine against pneumococcal has minor adverse effects but continued surveillance is warranted

Health care providers need to work together to ensure that high-risk individuals get the flu shot

Immune responses to airborne fungi could cause the stuffy noses and airway inflammation among sufferers of chronic rhinosinusitis

HHS awards contracts totaling more than $232 million to fund development of new vaccines against smallpox, plague and tularemia

Food allergies are a growing health and safety concern in the classroom

Researchers have found a starting point to establishing the genetic basis for sinus disease

Aspirin might well be considered the top utility player in the medicine cabinet

Best approach for repairing breaks in bone separating brain from the nasal cavity is through the nasal cavity

Australian researchers hunt for eczema genes

Influenza is a contagious disease caused by an RNA virus of the orthomyxoviridae family

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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