JOHANNESBURG , 19 August 2010 (IRIN) – A cheap and effective filtering device developed by a South African university could provide safe drinking water to millions of people, drastically reducing the incidence of waterborne illnesses such as cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases. The device resembles a teabag in both size and shape, and was invented by microbiologists, scientists and polymer researchers at the University of Stellenbosch in Western Cape Province. It is being patented and commercial production could start as soon as the end of 2010. The biodegradable teabag is filled with active carbon granules, while the sachet – made... Continue Reading
In an effort to encourage breast-feeding and improve the health of babies around the globe, The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action and nursing advocates in more than 170 countries are celebrating World Breastfeeding Week. In its 19th year, this year’s theme is “Breastfeeding: Just 10 Steps. The Baby-Friendly Way,” created to draw attention to steps hospitals can take to encourage mothers to nurse. The steps include helping moms hold their babies skin-to-skin immediately after birth, providing breast-feeding training for staff and connecting mothers to support in the community upon discharge from the hospital, said Mary O’Connor, lactation services leader at... Continue Reading
A new study looking at the role probiotics may play in increasing CD4 cell count in people with HIV infection is underway at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). Today, researchers began a 3-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to demonstrate safety and efficacy of taking capsules with 2 billion cells of a strain of Bacillus coagulans probiotics known as GanedenBC30 to increase critical CD4 cell count, a measure of immune status used to gauge progression of HIV infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that more than 1.1 million people are living in the United States (U.S.) with... Continue Reading
(IRIN) VIENNA, 2 August 2010 (PlusNews) – Most of the estimated 5.2 million people worldwide on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment are taking generic versions manufactured primarily in India, but tighter global intellectual property rights and trade rules could shut down “the pharmacy of the developing world”. While the patents on many older, first-line ARVs have expired, leaving generic manufacturers free to produce them, newer, less toxic and more effective drugs are patented and priced out of reach of less developed nations. The main way generics manufacturers can produce newer drugs is to obtain a “voluntary licence” from the patent holder. This... Continue Reading
By Nosimilo Ramela – The discovery of immune system proteins that can protect against different HIV/Aids strains may lead to the design of a much needed vaccine. HIV/Aids organisations in Africa are hopeful that the latest discovery of a protein that can protect against all HIV strains will lead to a vaccine against the epidemic plaguing the continent. Researchers have discovered certain antibodies that are highly effective against the HIV-1 strain of the disease. “I am more optimistic about an Aids vaccine at this point than I have been probably in the last 10 years,” said Dr Gary Nabel of... Continue Reading
