Genetic 'barcode' to identify origin of malaria
Containing
malaria could be a lot more convenient as researchers have now designed a
genetic barcode of malaria parasite, which can be used to identify the
geographic origin of the parasite from a blood sample and monitor its spread.
"By taking finger-prick bloodspots from malaria patients, physicians could use this new barcode to quickly and accurately identify where a form of the parasite may have come from, and help in programmes of malaria elimination and resistance containment," explained Cally Roper from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
The researchers found a highly predictive barcode in the genetic sequence of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
"Our work represents a breakthrough in the genetic barcoding of P falciparum as it reveals very specific and accurate sequences for different geographic settings," Taane Clark from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said.
The researchers analysed DNA of over 700 P falciparum malaria parasites taken from patients in 14 countries in West Africa, East Africa, South East Asia, Oceania and South America.
According to the authors, this barcode is limited as the current study lacks representation of the Indian sub-continent, Central America, southern Africa and the Caribbean, owing to the scarcity of sequence data from these regions.
The study appeared in the journal Nature Communications.
Source: www.timesofindia.com
23.06.2014
No health risk from cell phone radiation
Radiations
emitted by mobile phones and towers do not cause any health hazard, experts
said here Thursday.
Myths without any reasonable scientific basis have been floated by people with vested business interests that electromagnetic field emissions (EMF) cause health hazard, they said.
Rigorous and independent scientific studies across the globe have been carried out to dispel the fear of health hazard from mobile tower antenna and phones.
Experts were speaking at a panel discussion on "Mobile network and public health" organised by the COAI, a leading mobile communications association.
They stressed that people, who believe that radiations are really harmful, are not fully aware and should understand this perception clearly.
"Ionising radiation causes damages to the molecules - they break the chemical bonds and can cause health hazards. But non-ionising radiation from mobile tower and antenna do not cause the breakage of bonds and do not cause damage to the molecules," said R.V. Hosur, senior professor, Chemical Science, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.
"A number research and studies have been conducted around the globe to ascertain if there is any relationship between the radiation emission from the mobile phone and cancer. However there is no enough evidence providing mobile phones causes cancer in humans," he added.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over six billion people use mobile phones to communicate with one another.
"The radiation waves used in the mobile phones technology are probably at the lowest end of the electromagnetic spectrum and do not cause any health hazard," said Rakesh Jalali, Radiation Oncologist at Tata Medical Centre.
Source: www.timesofindia.com
23.06.2014
To be successful, the first thing to do
is fall in love with your work
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