Spice News and Research

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Curcumin and dye brilliant blue G may help block dangerous swelling in TBI

An old Indian spice and a dye whose cousin makes sports drinks blue are pointing scientists toward better treatment of traumatic brain injuries.

19 Jan 2011

Abuse of legal substances

The Internet, smart phones and teens' endless search for self-acceptance in their technology connected yet isolated world is driving a revival of substance abuse of salvia, an herb from flower seeds that induces psychedelic effects but is not detectable with usual drug tests, and synthetic cannabis, a psychoactive herbal and chemical concoction, also undetectable, popularly known around high schools as "spice".

13 Jan 2011

FDA warns against consumption of Tiny Greens brand Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts

The FDA is advising consumers not to eat Alfalfa Sprouts and Spicy Sprouts (which contain alfalfa sprouts mixed with radish and clover sprouts) from Tiny Greens Organic Farm of Urbana, Ill. The sprouts were distributed in 4 oz. and 5 lb. containers to various customers, including farmers' markets, restaurants and groceries, in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and possibly other Midwestern states.

28 Dec 2010

Simple ways to limit damage due to holiday drinks loaded with calories

But Loyola University Health System registered dietitian Brooke Schantz says there are simple ways to limit the damage. Here is her advice for how to enjoy five popular holiday drinks:

21 Dec 2010

Synthetic derivative of curry spice can be effective neuroprotective for stroke and TBI

A synthetic derivative of the curry spice turmeric, made by scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, dramatically improves the behavioral and molecular deficits seen in animal models of ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury.

16 Dec 2010

Scientists discover a new method to produce gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles, tiny pieces of gold so small that they can't be seen by the naked eye, are used in electronics, healthcare products and as pharmaceuticals to fight cancer. Despite their positive uses, the process to make the nanoparticles requires dangerous and extremely toxic chemicals. While the nanotechnology industry is expected to produce large quantities of nanoparticles in the near future, researchers have been worried about the environmental impact of the global nanotechnological revolution.

30 Nov 2010

Fake pot now illegal

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had to resort to its emergency powers this Wednesday to ban K2 and other “fake pot” products that mimic the effects of marijuana. As of now it is illegal to possess or sell the five chemicals used to make the products for at least one year. The agency and the Department of Health and Human Services will further debate whether the chemicals should be permanently added to the federal list of controlled substances considered unsafe, highly abused and without medical use.

24 Nov 2010

More salt in many holiday meals, cardiologist warns

There can be far more salt in many holiday meals than people realize, and the proof can be found at hospital emergency rooms. Heart problems aggravated or unmasked after ingestion of a significant amount of salt tend to make holidays such as Thanksgiving, Passover and Christmas very busy times for health providers like University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) cardiologist Marc Klapholz, M.D., F.A.C.C.

24 Nov 2010

Cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust and french fries increase risk of developing Alzheimer's disease

There is growing evidence that exposure to a group of chemicals known as type-2 alkenes -- which are found in the smoke inhaled from cigarettes, the exhaust of automobiles and even in French fries - can increase the chances of developing Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease.

18 Nov 2010

Sonova 2010/11 first half sales increases 17.2% to CHF 832 million

Sonova generated a new sales record of CHF 832 million in the first half of 2010/11, an increase of 17.2% in Swiss francs compared to the previous year.

16 Nov 2010

HHS unveils new bolder tobacco control strategy

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today unveiled a new comprehensive tobacco control strategy that includes proposed new bolder health warnings on cigarette packages and advertisements. Once final, these health warnings on cigarettes and in cigarette advertisements will be the most significant change in more than 25 years. These actions are part of a broader strategy that will help tobacco users quit and prevent children from starting.

11 Nov 2010

New solutions to make protein-deficient Indian schoolchildren eat soy products

University of Illinois scientists think they have solved an interesting problem: how to get protein-deficient Indian schoolchildren to consume soy, an inexpensive and complete vegetable protein. What's more, they've joined forces with an Indian foundation that can get the high-protein soy snack they've developed into the hands of 1.2 million hungry kids who need it.

20 Oct 2010

Turmeric component enhances chemotherapy's suppression of head and neck cancer

Curcumin, the major component in the spice turmeric, when combined with the drug Cisplatin enhances the chemotherapy's suppression of head and neck cancer cell growth, researchers with UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center have found.

20 Oct 2010

Researchers explore impact of various factors on increasing rates of Clostridium difficile infection

In five different studies presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 75th Annual Scientific meeting in San Antonio, researchers explored the impact of various factors on increasing rates of Clostridium difficile infection (C. difficile), such as the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and the substantial increase in antibiotic use due to new National Hospital Quality Measures; strategies to combat high rates of C. difficile infections; and cutting‐edge treatments for this potentially deadly-and quite common-infection.

19 Oct 2010

Dominion validates clinical urine drug monitoring assay to detect metabolites of 'herbal incense' product compounds

Dominion Diagnostics has recently developed and validated one of the first clinical urine drug monitoring assays to detect the metabolites of JWH-018 and JWH-073, two compounds typically found in synthetic cannabinoids, also referred to as "herbal incense" products.

20 Sep 2010

NMS Labs launches method for K2 drug metabolites detection in urine

Of growing concern to public health officials and law enforcement is that routine drug testing cannot detect the use of the popular and highly intoxicating new drugs K2 and Spice. NMS Labs now has a full menu of tests that can detect the use of the designer chemicals present in these products, sold as incense or legal highs. A few weeks ago, NMS Labs launched a blood test to detect a range of these laboratory-designed synthetic drugs.

16 Sep 2010

Cinnamon found beneficial for regulating glucose, lowering blood sugar

A more significant use was recently discovered at the United States Department of Agriculture. Dr. John Andersonis found cinnamon beneficial for regulating glucose. In the body, sugars and starches are broken down into glucose, which then circulates in the blood.

16 Sep 2010

New clinical trial supports benefits of turmeric extract to people with osteoarthritis

A new clinical trial supports the benefits to people with osteoarthritis who used a unique extract of turmeric. Scientists in Italy have studied the pain-relief, increased flexibility, and other effects of a special, patented extract of the roots of turmeric, the flavorful spice that has been used for centuries as a traditional remedy. Turmeric formulations have shown a wide range of safety and significant scientific and clinical benefits in recent animal research and human clinical trials.

16 Sep 2010

Lack of data on best way to treat nausea and vomiting in children undergoing chemotherapy

Although nausea and vomiting are common in children undergoing chemotherapy, few quality studies identify absolutely the best way to prevent and treat this problem in kids, said Robert Phillips, M.D., lead author of a new Cochrane review. Phillips, a pediatric oncologist at St. James's Hospital in Leeds, England, said the main finding is the paucity of data that he and his colleagues uncovered.

8 Sep 2010

Forensic Fluids Laboratories ranked #167th on Inc. 500 fastest growing companies list

Forensic Fluids Laboratories Inc., a leading provider of oral fluid drug testing, today announced that the company was named to the prestigious Inc. 500 list, a list of the most entrepreneurial and fastest growing companies in the United States. Forensic Fluids Lab was number 167 on the general list, number 10 in health care, number 2 in Michigan, and number 20 for women-owned.

31 Aug 2010

Spice News and Research

Curcumin and dye brilliant blue G may help block dangerous swelling in TBI

Abuse of legal substances

FDA warns against consumption of Tiny Greens brand Alfalfa Sprouts or Spicy Sprouts

Simple ways to limit damage due to holiday drinks loaded with calories

Synthetic derivative of curry spice can be effective neuroprotective for stroke and TBI

Scientists discover a new method to produce gold nanoparticles

Fake pot now illegal

More salt in many holiday meals, cardiologist warns

Cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust and french fries increase risk of developing Alzheimer's disease

Sonova 2010/11 first half sales increases 17.2% to CHF 832 million

HHS unveils new bolder tobacco control strategy

New solutions to make protein-deficient Indian schoolchildren eat soy products

Turmeric component enhances chemotherapy's suppression of head and neck cancer

Researchers explore impact of various factors on increasing rates of Clostridium difficile infection

Dominion validates clinical urine drug monitoring assay to detect metabolites of 'herbal incense' product compounds

NMS Labs launches method for K2 drug metabolites detection in urine

Cinnamon found beneficial for regulating glucose, lowering blood sugar

New clinical trial supports benefits of turmeric extract to people with osteoarthritis

Lack of data on best way to treat nausea and vomiting in children undergoing chemotherapy

Forensic Fluids Laboratories ranked #167th on Inc. 500 fastest growing companies list

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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