Virus combats deadliest cancers
A common, otherwise harmless human virus not only kills virulent drug and radiation-resistant breast cancer cells but stimulates the body's anti-cancer immune system, say Canadian researchers who are now trying to devise 'a powerful virus-based anti-cancer therapy'. The reovirus is known to be effective against regular cancer cells, but the Dalhousie Medical School team has shown that it also kills the stem cells that continuously produce new cancer cells. The team tested the reovirus on fresh cancer tissue from a patient rather than cells developed for laboratory use, according to healthday.com.
Pollution linked to low birth weight
Regular exposure to air pollution, particularly traffic fumes, during pregnancy appears to be associated with lower birth weight, say US researchers, based on studies of almost 336,000 babies over four years matched with air-quality records. However, team leader David Rich, of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, says the results don't prove that pollution directly affects fetal growth. Further studies are planned, WebMD reports.
Marijuana, cigarette combo risky
Smokers who also use marijuana may be at high risk of a group of lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, say Canadian researchers, based on a study of more than 875 people aged 40 and over. However, there didn't appear to be any strong link between smoking only marijuana and higher risk of these diseases. Team leader Wan Tan, of the University of British Columbia, says the two may act 'synergistically' to heighten the risk, with marijuana smoke possibly sensitising the airways and making them more vulnerable to the ill effects of tobacco, Reuters reports.
Multivitamins don't live up to claims