FDA Advisory Panel Unanimously Determines HPV Vaccine Gardasil To Be Safe, Effective, Recommends Approval May 22, 2006
An FDA advisory committee on Thursday voted 13-0 that Merck’s experimental human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil is safe and effective for girls and women ages nine to 26, which effectively recommends that the agency approve the vaccine for sale and marketing to the age group, the Wall Street Journal reports (Corbett Dooren, Wall Street Journal, 5/19). [click link for full article]
MIT ‘Seeing Machine’ Offers Hope To Blind
An MIT poet has developed a small, relatively inexpensive "seeing machine" that can allow people who are blind, or visually challenged like her, to access the Internet, view the face of a friend, "previsit" unfamiliar buildings and more.
Researchers Find Immune-activating Cells In Intestines
University of Minnesota researchers have found a group of cells in the intestinal system of mice that are proven to turn on T-cells, cells that help fight infection.
U.S. Ports Vulnerable To Devastating Earthquake Damage
U.S. ports serve as crucial gateways for international trade, but they’re particularly vulnerable to damage in an earthquake. A new project led by Georgia Tech aims to develop strategies to help safeguard critical U.S. ports from earthquake damage.
Early Treatment Favored For Multiple Sclerosis
An editorial accompanying a published debate on the pros and cons of starting treatment early in the course of multiple sclerosis comes down in favor of early treatment for this potentially devastating disease. This coincides with recommendations of the National MS Society, however, some clinicians disagree, choosing to defer treatment until the extent of disease activity is more clearly established. The April issue of the Archives of Neurology features both sides of this debate.
How Did Continents Split? Geology Study Shows New Picture
Like pieces in a giant jigsaw puzzle, continents have split, drifted and merged again many times throughout Earth’s history, but geologists haven’t understood the mechanism behind the moves.
Robotic Joystick Reveals How Brain Controls Movement
By training a group of human subjects to operate a robot-controlled joystick, Johns Hopkins researchers have shown that the slower the brain "learns" to control certain muscle movements, the more likely it is to remember the lesson over the long haul. The results, the investigators say, could alter rehabilitation approaches for people who have lost motor abilities to brain injuries like strokes.
How Ancient Whales Lost Their Legs, Got Sleek And Conquered The Oceans
When ancient whales finally parted company with the last remnants of their legs about 35 million years ago, a relatively sudden genetic event may have crowned an eons-long shrinking process. An international group of scientists led by Hans Thewissen, Ph.D., a professor of anatomy at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, has used developmental data from contemporary spotted dolphins and fossils of ancient whales to try to pinpoint the genetic changes that could have caused whales, dolphins and porpoises to lose their hind limbs.
New Compounds Fight Chronic Symptoms Of Bowel Disorders
Symptoms of bowel disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease can vary in function and severity. New studies presented at Digestive Disease Week 2006 are finding that long-term therapy with new compounds can sustain relief for these patients with symptoms ranging from constipation to inflammation.
MIT Revamps Energy System For More Fuel-efficient Cars
MIT researchers are trying to unleash the promise of an old idea by converting light into electricity more efficiently than ever before. The research, which could have important applications in vehicles, is applying new materials, new technologies and new ideas to radically improve an old concept — thermophotovoltaic conversion of light into electricity.
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