HEALTH TIP: So What’s Biting You?…

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but there have been some news
reports saying that ‘bed bugs are back’ and they are invading
our hotels and our homes.

Others warn us about outbreaks of Lyme and West Nile disease.

But could you recognize what is actually biting you? Could you
tell a bed bug from a black-legged or deer tick, a black widow
from a brown recluse, or a head lice from a flea?

And would you recognize the bite?

Here’s a very graphic and creepy slideshow that features all
the bugs and bug bites that you could run across. And alongside
all the slides is information on the bug, the bite, and what to
do about it all.

By the way, did you know that there is actually a poisonous
caterpillar lurking in the Southern states, feeding off shade
trees such as the elm, the oak, and the sycamore. It’s called
the Puss Caterpillar and it’s poison hids amongst the hairs.
So beware… here’s the link:
http://www.evtv1.com/player.aspx?itemnum=13217

Study Could Aid Bird Flu Drugs…

AUSTIN, Texas,– University of Texas and Rutgers researchers
have reported a discovery that could help scientists develop]
drugs to fight bird flu and other influenza strains. The
scientists identified the three-dimensional structure of an
influenza A virus protein that plays a central role in sup-
pressing a person’s natural defenses to infection and paves
the way for the virus to spread. This so-called NS1 virus
protein is shared by all influenza A viruses including avian
influenza, or bird flu, as well as the 1918 pandemic influ-
enza virus. A full description of the breakthrough appears
in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early
Edition and will be published in an upcoming issue of the
PNAS print edition. “Our work uncovers an Achilles’ heel of
influenza A viruses that cause human epidemics and high mor-
tality pandemics,” said Rutgers Professor Gaetano T. -
Montelione in a news release. “We have identified the struc-
ture of a key target site for drugs that could be developed
to effectively combat this disease.” The research at the two
schools was supported by two institutes at the National Ins-
titutes of Health.

AUTO HAND GRIPS
Never Struggle To Get Out Of The Car Again…

Retail Price: $12.99
DEAL PRICE: $7.99

This innovative handle is perfect for the millions of people
who have trouble getting in and out of the backseat of a car.
Hooks onto the back of the car headrest post allowing you to
hold onto something with both hands when entering and exiting
your car, truck or van.

Features:
- Soft cushioned grips fits comfortably in your hand
- No Installation needed
- Works on any car, truck or van
- Adds extra stability for passengers
- Can easily be moved from car to car

Made of super-strong PVC, each is 13″ long. Remember you get a
set of two in each package for $7.99. To get more info or order,
visit: http://pd.gophercentral.com/r/120/a/100119/l/7a6bu3

FDA OKs Post Surgery Transplant Test…
WASHINGTON, — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has
approved a non-invasive molecular test to aid doctors in
managing heart transplant patients after surgery. The newly
approved molecular expression test, called “AlloMap,” “can
help contribute to an appropriate treatment plan by identi-
fying those patients not experiencing post-operative heart
transplant rejection,” said Dr. Daniel Schultz, director of
the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “It is
an example of how advancements in science and technology are
leading to new medical care diagnostics.” The FDA said
AlloMap measures genetic information contained in a heart
transplant patient’s white blood cells and then generates a
score that indicates whether that patient is likely to re-
ject the new organ. Clinicians currently rely on a heart
biopsy to gauge whether a patient is rejecting the trans-
planted heart, the federal agency said. However, biopsies
are difficult to perform and can be risky for the patient.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,
half of all possible rejections occur during the first six
weeks after surgery and 25 percent of patients have signs of
possible rejection at least once during the first year fol-
lowing a transplant. The test was developed by XDx Inc. of
Brisbane, Calif.

Scientists Grow Cochlea Hair Cells…    
PORTLAND, Ore., — U.S. scientists say they have grown tiny
hair cells that are necessary for hearing, suggesting a new
therapy to regain hearing might be possible. The Oregon
Health & Science University researchers said they produced
functional auditory hair cells in the cochlea of a mouse
inner ear. “One approach to restore auditory function is to
replace defective cells with healthy new cells,” Assistant
Professor John Brigande said. “Our work shows that it is
possible to produce functional auditory hair cells in the
mammalian cochlea.” Brigande and his colleagues said they
grew hair cells by transferring a key gene, called Atoh1,
into the developing inner ears of mice. The scientists said
the gene transfer technique resulted in Atoh1 expression in
the organ of Corti, where the sensory hair cells form. “It
remains to be determined whether gene transfer into a deaf
mouse will lead to the production of healthy cells that en-
able hearing,” said Brigande. “However, we have made an
important step toward defining an approach that may lead to
therapeutic intervention for hearing loss.” The study app-
ears in the online edition of the journal Nature.

Stunning Regenerative Medicine Study Cited…
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.,– U.S. scientists, in what’s called a
stunning achievement, have transformed one type of adult
mouse cell directly into another type inside a living ani-
mal. “In a feat of biological prestidigitation likely to
turn the field of regenerative medicine on its head, Harvard
Stem Cell Institute co-director Doug Melton (and post doct-
oral fellow Qiao Zhou) report having achieved what has long
been a dream and ultimate goal of developmental biologists”
the institute said in a statement. Using a technique they
call “direct reprogramming,” the team transformed mouse exo-
crine cells, which make up about 95 percent of the pancreas,
into insulin-producing beta cells. “We’re intrigued by the
possibility that this approach, which has worked for pancre-
atic insulin-producing cells, could be more widely applied
to many kind of cells, especially those that are lost in
disease or following injury,” Melton, who led the study,
said. “And at the same time, we are exploring the possibil-
ity of using this general approach in a clinical context to
make new beta cells for patients.” The work is reported in
the online edition of the journal Nature.

Health Tips and Info From EVTV1.com:
http://www.evtv1.com/Health.aspx