04/02/2008
GM Mouse Key To Common Cold Cure?
British Scientists have discovered a new way of treating serious respiratory conditions by creating a mouse that can catch the common cold.
It is hoped that the genetically modified animals will help provide a major boost to research efforts to develop new treatments for the common cold, as well as for more potentially fatal illnesses such as acute attacks of asthma.
The study, led by London's Imperial College, appears in Nature Medicine.
Rhinoviruses are known to cause three-quarters of common cold cases in people, however, the virus is also known to be a major cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which can be fatal.
Of the 100 known strains of the rhinovirus, 90% attack by latching on to a particular receptor molecule found on the surface of human cells.
Previously, the viruses were unable to bind to the mouse version of the same receptor, but latest research has succeeded in modifying the mouse receptor were it can be affected by the viral infection.
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council which funded the study, said: "This important and fundamental discovery will enable us to understand the effects rhinoviruses and common colds have on our health.
"It will open up new paths to finding treatments which have been delayed for many years and provides us with the opportunities for further breakthroughs in the future," he said.
(GC)
It is hoped that the genetically modified animals will help provide a major boost to research efforts to develop new treatments for the common cold, as well as for more potentially fatal illnesses such as acute attacks of asthma.
The study, led by London's Imperial College, appears in Nature Medicine.
Rhinoviruses are known to cause three-quarters of common cold cases in people, however, the virus is also known to be a major cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which can be fatal.
Of the 100 known strains of the rhinovirus, 90% attack by latching on to a particular receptor molecule found on the surface of human cells.
Previously, the viruses were unable to bind to the mouse version of the same receptor, but latest research has succeeded in modifying the mouse receptor were it can be affected by the viral infection.
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council which funded the study, said: "This important and fundamental discovery will enable us to understand the effects rhinoviruses and common colds have on our health.
"It will open up new paths to finding treatments which have been delayed for many years and provides us with the opportunities for further breakthroughs in the future," he said.
(GC)
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27 January 2004
Cold shoulder for ‘Cold Mountain’ in Oscar nominations
One of the front-runners in this year’s Academy Award race has been dramatically snubbed in the nominations list. ‘Cold Mountain’, the lavish American Civil War epic, directed by Anthony Minghella, only picked up two major nominations – ‘Best Actor’ for Jude Law and ‘Best Supporting Actress’ nomination for Renee Zellweger.
Cold shoulder for ‘Cold Mountain’ in Oscar nominations
One of the front-runners in this year’s Academy Award race has been dramatically snubbed in the nominations list. ‘Cold Mountain’, the lavish American Civil War epic, directed by Anthony Minghella, only picked up two major nominations – ‘Best Actor’ for Jude Law and ‘Best Supporting Actress’ nomination for Renee Zellweger.
11 December 2013
Energy Costs 'Hit Family Budgets'
Newly released figures have revealed that housing expenses now account for the most expensive part of a family's budget. The statistics, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said the increased cost of energy helped to push housing costs up. As a result, it has overtaken transport as the largest part of household spending in 2012.
Energy Costs 'Hit Family Budgets'
Newly released figures have revealed that housing expenses now account for the most expensive part of a family's budget. The statistics, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said the increased cost of energy helped to push housing costs up. As a result, it has overtaken transport as the largest part of household spending in 2012.
03 February 2012
Temperatures At -10 As Cold Takes Hold
This weekend will see a marked change in the weather as the dry spell makes way for snow and ice in many parts, according to the Met Office. A spokesman for the meteorological service said that over the past few days the UK has seen the coldest spell of winter so far, as very cold air has flooded across the UK from the continent.
Temperatures At -10 As Cold Takes Hold
This weekend will see a marked change in the weather as the dry spell makes way for snow and ice in many parts, according to the Met Office. A spokesman for the meteorological service said that over the past few days the UK has seen the coldest spell of winter so far, as very cold air has flooded across the UK from the continent.
02 February 2012
Warning Over New Bank Card Scam
Police are reissuing their warning about a scam in which fraudsters are obtaining people’s bank cards, after numerous attempts to perpetrate the scam in the last month. The scam works by the victim initially receiving a phone call, or number of phone calls, from someone claiming to be from their bank or credit card supplier.
Warning Over New Bank Card Scam
Police are reissuing their warning about a scam in which fraudsters are obtaining people’s bank cards, after numerous attempts to perpetrate the scam in the last month. The scam works by the victim initially receiving a phone call, or number of phone calls, from someone claiming to be from their bank or credit card supplier.
26 November 2010
Snow And Ice Sweeps The UK
Large parts of the UK have been affected by snow and ice as the current cold weather snap continues. The Met Office has issued warnings of heavy snow for northern Scotland, Wales and east England, while there are warnings of widespread icy conditions across Northern Ireland, west Wales and south-west England.
Snow And Ice Sweeps The UK
Large parts of the UK have been affected by snow and ice as the current cold weather snap continues. The Met Office has issued warnings of heavy snow for northern Scotland, Wales and east England, while there are warnings of widespread icy conditions across Northern Ireland, west Wales and south-west England.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.