Progress against malaria
There is new hope in the fight against malaria. Tests done on mice by an international team led by scientists from the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation and The Scripps Research Institute have resulted in a family of chemical compounds that could lead to drugs that are more effective against the Plasmodium parasite, both in the blood and liver. When a malaria-infected mosquito feeds on a person, the parasite enters the body and infects liver cells within 30 minutes. There it develops for about eight days without causing noticeable symptoms. Then it enters red blood cells, which it eventually bursts releasing toxins into the bloodstream, making the person sick. If the sufferer is bitten again, the parasite will enter the mosquito and the cycle continues. Most anti-malarial drugs work only during the blood stage, and those that do work have notable side effects.
Don't take pills; drink juice
It's widely thought that cranberries prevent urinary tract infections, so many people pop pills of cranberry extracts in an attempt to stay healthy. But a recent study published in the journal Food Science and Biotechnology shows that cranberry juice itself is far more effective at preventing biofilm formation, the precursor of infection. Researchers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts tested proanthocyanidins (PACs), a group of flavonoids found in cranberries thought to give the juice its infection-fighting properties. Incubating bacteria strains in juice cultures and PACs, they found that juice cultures prevented biofilm formation, but PACs showed only limited ability.
Meet the stars' yogi
What do Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz have in common with you? If you go for The Oriental Spa's special Zenciel yoga sessions this week, you'll have the same yoga teacher. Celebrity yogi Leo Zen will conduct four classes (HK$300 each) on Friday and Saturday on his Zenciel style, a blend of Kripalu, Ananda, Ashtanga and Hatha yoga. To book a slot, call The Oriental Spa at 21320011.