News Digest

Aspirin can be handy for Lynch Syndrome carriers often called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
NEW DELHI: Aspirin, the drug used by millions of people to protect their heart, has been found to drastically reduce colorectal cancer rates among those, who have an increased hereditary risk.

The first randomized controlled trial ( RCT) to assess aspirin's effect on cancer prevention has shown a reduction in colorectal cancer incidence of over 60% in patients at genetically increased risk who use aspirin for long.

The findings of the study, involving 43 centres in 16 countries that followed about 1,000 patients in some cases for over 10 years, have been published in "The Lancet" on Friday.


Off-the-mark health policies make killer diseases a ritual
The encephalitis dance of death in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar's bordering districts looks set to cross all previous records this year. With 2-3 weeks still left in the 'season', the country-wide death toll is nearing the 1,000-mark, of which UP itself has a staggering toll of nearly 500. More than 80% of those killed are children below 10 years belonging to poor families from the rural hinterland.

This is a tragedy in itself. But what will you call it if it was almost foretold, a scenario already predestined by past actions? Neglect? Indifference? Ignorance?

Q&A'The 1000 Genomes Project can`t become a basis for discrimination'
Eric Green , director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute, has played a key role in research aimed at decoding the human genome. He is now involved in the '1000 Genomes' research project which collects, studies and profiles the genetic maps of several diverse population groups, this complex data's destination being the public domain.


Misleading drug ads to come under scanner
New Delhi: Tall claims made by drug advertisements in India are under scrutiny.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has called all state drug controllers and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to address this "serious menace of misleading medical ads" in the next Drug Consultative Committee (DCC) meeting to be held on November 14.

The DCGI intends to discuss ways to curb ads that make unsubstantiated claims that take "the gullible public for a ride". Union health ministry officials said such ads could prove lethal, if patients take drugs being influenced by publicity campaig
Read more : TOI

British scientists create blood in the laboratory that could be used in transfusions in just two years

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2053829/Artificial-blood-stem-cells-used-transfusions-just-years.html#ixzz1c3pJF1sJ