Scorpion Venom Could Be An Alternative To Morphine, TAU Research Suggests
Scorpion venom is notoriously poisonous - but it might be used as an alternative to dangerous and addictive painkillers like morphine, a Tel Aviv University researcher claims. Prof. Michael Gurevitz of Tel Aviv University's Department of Plant Sciences is investigating new ways for developing a novel painkiller based on natural compounds found in the venom of scorpions. These compounds have gone through millions of years of evolution and some show high efficacy and specificity for certain components of the body with no side effects, he says. Peptide toxins found in scorpion venom interact with sodium channels in nervous and muscular systems - and some of these sodium channels communicate pain, says Prof.
Studies Show Marijuana Has Therapeutic Value
Researchers from the University of California's Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) have found "reasonable evidence that cannabis is a promising treatment" for some specific, pain-related medical conditions. "We focused on illnesses where current medical treatment does not provide adequate relief or coverage of symptoms, " explained CMCR director, Igor Grant, MD, Executive Vice-Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the UCSD School of Medicine. "These findings provide a strong, science-based context in which policy makers and the public can begin discussing the place of cannabis in medical care." Researchers have completed five scientific clinical trials, with more in progress.
Figures Highlight The Human Cost Of Alcohol Misuse, UK
Commenting on new figures published last thuesday which show a sharp increase in chronic liver disease (CLD) mortality rates in Scotland, Dr Brian Keighley, Chairman of the BMA in Scotland, said: "These figures highlight the true human cost of alcohol misuse in Scotland. Today's figures show a shocking rise in the death toll caused by a drinking culture that is out of control. "Scotland is awash with alcohol and the consequences are crippling the health service. The scale of the problem needs radical solutions. A wide ranging strategy is essential, but alongside public health education and awareness raising, a central part of this strategy is to introduce minimum price per unit of alcohol.
Black Adults' Alcohol Use And Binge Drinking Levels Are Below The National Average
The current alcohol use rate for blacks aged 18 and older is significantly lower than the national adult average (44.3 percent versus 55.2 percent) according to a new study based on a national survey. The study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) also reveals that black adults have a lower rate of current binge drinking than the national adult average (21.7 percent versus 24.5 percent). Young black adults (aged 18 -25) are markedly less likely to be currently engaged in binge drinking than young adults in the general population (25.3 percent versus 41.6 percent). One notable exception to the generally lower levels of alcohol use among black adults is the rate of current binge drinking among pregnant black women aged 18 to 44 which is higher than the national average for pregnant women in the age group (8.
Cannabis Science Moves Its FDA Clinical Trial Process Forward
Cannabis Science Inc. (NASD OTCBB: CBIS), a pharmaceutical cannabis company, is pleased to report to their shareholders that the choice of our initial cannabis-based pharmaceutical for FDA clinical trials has been made. The Company has reported several possible drugs for FDA clinical trials. Based on extensive studies, the Company has decided to contract with a group based in Colorado to handle the Company's FDA filings. Appropriate announcements will be made when the contracts are finalized. Dr. Robert Melamede, President & CEO Cannabis Science Inc., stated, "We have made great progress and this is just the beginning. We are in the final stages before Cannabis Science files with the FDA for clinical trials.
Anti-Drinking Ads Can Increase Alcohol Use
Public service advertising campaigns that use guilt or shame to warn against alcohol abuse can actually have the reverse effect, spurring increased drinking among target audiences, according to new research from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Instead of the intended outcome, researchers in this first-of-its-kind study showed that the ads triggered an innate coping mechanism that enables viewers to distance themselves from the serious consequences of reckless drinking. Anti- or "responsible" drinking campaigns have long been a mainstay of health departments, nonprofit organizations and even beverage companies. Yet alcohol abuse remains a persistent and growing problem linked to the deaths of approximately 79, 000 people in the United States each year.
More Than 1.1 Million In Grants Available For Community-Based Drug Prevention Coalitions
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing the availability of more than $1.1 million for new Drug Free Communities Support Mentoring program (DFC Mentoring) grants. An estimated 15 new Mentoring grants will be awarded (up to $75, 000 per grant, per year) to drug and alcohol prevention community coalitions from across the nation. The length of the project period is up to two years. "These grants will ensure that the most proven drug prevention strategies are spread across the country, " said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one of HHS' leading agencies dedicated to preventing drug abuse, will be working closely with ONDCP in an effort to make community-level mentoring programs available where they are most needed.
Wyoming Lawmaker Pushes For Reform, Mississippi Governor Bans Certain Over-The-Counter Drugs
Associated Press/CNBC : "A veteran Wyoming state senator for the third time is pushing a bill he says would offer health insurance to people who couldn't afford it on the open market and also serve as an example to the rest of the nation of how to tackle rising health care costs. Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, has proposed a pilot program that calls for allowing 500 participants to enroll in Medicaid beginning in July. It would be limited to people whose family income is below 250 percent of the federal poverty level - $55, 125 for a family of four. Enrollment could rise to 3, 000 participants by 2014. ... It would establish personal health accounts for each participant in which the state would match participant contributions.
Male College Students Also Victims Of Violence At Girlfriends' Hands
Thinking about a typical victim of college dating violence, you're probably imagining her, not him. Researchers often think the same way, according to a Kansas State University expert on intimate partner violence. Sandra Stith, a professor of family studies and human services, said most research has looked at men as offenders and women as victims. "In the research on college students in particular, we're finding both men and women can be perpetrators, " she said. "In our growing-up years, we teach boys not hit their sister, but we don't teach girls not to hit their brother." She and a K-State research team are looking at the impact that being a victim of violence has on male versus female college students in heterosexual relationships.
The Prevention Of Psychiatric Patient Suicides
Between 1997 and 2006, 38% of out-of-clinic suicides by mental health patients were carried out by people absent without leave from the hospital. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Psychiatry suggest that measures to improve the ward environment or prevent patients from leaving psychiatric wards without staff agreement could avoid up to 50 suicide deaths every year. Isabelle Hunt, from the University of Manchester, UK, worked with a team of researchers to investigate suicides in England and Wales over a ten-year period. There were 1, 851 cases of suicide by current psychiatric in-patients, and 70% occurred off the ward. Four hundred and sixty-nine of these patients died after going absent without leave.