Modern medicine has not yet responded to the worst calls of the XX century, like cancer, HIV, bacteria and adaptive hybrid viruses, but the horizons of the research offer hope that a cure is achievable.
Today, scientific research intersect with dreams of psychotherapy preparatnoy adjustment of human behavior, reach devices, pharmaceutical chemistry, replacement, and run into the treasury of the gene, which is encoded in DNA molecules recipes incurable ailments.
In the foreseeable future it will be possible to give injections without needles, drink tablets from racism, relieve headaches at the touch of a button and treat Down syndrome on fetal level. Next, a list of breakthroughs in modern medicine that promise to make our lives, if not better, definitely - quite different.
Birth control pills for men
Scientists from the Institute of Cancer Dana-Faber in Boston (USA) managed to develop a drug that is able to make a real revolution in the field of non-hormonal contraception for men. Its active ingredient is JQ1 - a chemical compound that selectively slows the testes-specific protein and blocks bromodomen spermogenez. At the same time there is no drug sedative and anxiolytic effect. JQ1 tested on mice and it has shown to be highly effective. In this case, the reproductive ability of the animals to recover quickly after the effect of the drug ended. Experts estimate that about ⅓ pairs in the world prefer to use condoms to avoid birth control pills and other contraceptives for women. It is believed that most cases of unplanned pregnancy is necessary on such unions.
Cure for bad memories
Scientists from the University of Montreal (Canada) managed to find a drug that reduces a person need to contact a heavy memories. It has not yet been "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", but a significant step towards adapting the work of human memory. A drug called metyrapone actually there for a long time: in the past it has been used for the treatment of adrenal insufficiency. However, experts have found that the effects of metyrapone on the stress level can be much more useful. The drug reduces the production of cortisol - a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands in stressful situations. Studies have shown that pharmacological reduction in cortisol levels in these situations reduces the painful memories and creates a positive view of events.
During the tests the participants told stories of the experiment, in which there were neutral and negative elements of the plot. People who before this took metyrapone, four days later could remember the first is much more than the latter, while the study participants who received a placebo instead of the drug, well remembered as neutral, and negative items.
Neurostimulator against migraines and cluster headaches
Specialists ATI's presented to the public neurostimulator, which helps to relieve cluster headaches and migraines. The device is about the size of almonds through a small incision in the gum is placed in core-palatine ganglion - limited cluster of neurons located in the course of one of the cranial nerves in the nose area. Neurostimulator is activated by an external remote control: If necessary, the patient simply brings it to her cheek. The unit turns on blocks-palatine ganglion basically, and the pain ceases or diminishes.
According to research in Europe, 68% of patients responded well to treatment: they reduce the intensity or frequency of pain, and sometimes, both. The use of a nerve stimulator against cluster headaches in the EU has already begun. In the US, the State Administration of Quality Supervision of food and medicines until allowed to use it only for research purposes.
Medicine for high blood pressure and racism
According to scientists from the University of Oxford (UK), a drug called propranolol, which doctors prescribe for coronary heart disease, hypertension and other diseases, is also able to reduce the level of racism. In a study conducted by specialists, involved 36 people. Half of them took propranolol, and the other half - placebo tablets. According to the results of a psychological test, which then held the scientists found that the first group showed a significantly lower level of subconscious aggression towards members of other nations and races. The reason - the fact that the active substance propranolol reduces the activity of neurons and, as a side effect, affect the intensity of the subconscious fears, including those associated with foreigners.
Study co-author, Professor, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Oxford, Julian Savulescu said: "These studies confirm that our unconscious attitude to anything can be modeled using the tablets. Such opportunities require careful ethical analysis. In biological research, which seeks to make people better, dark story. And propranolol - it is not a tablet from racism. But given the fact that a huge number of patients already taking medications that have a "moral" side effects, we at least need to understand what they are. "
Chromosomal therapy
Scientists from the University of Massachusetts (USA) managed to "turn off" an extra copy of chromosome 21, which is responsible for the development of a human Down syndrome. Despite the fact that the tests were conducted in vitro, this study has great practical importance. In the future it will help to develop a chromosomal therapy for unborn babies with trisomy (Down's syndrome, Patau syndrome, Edwards syndrome) or symptomatic treatment for those who are already born.
The study used experts stem cells derived from skin tissue of a patient with Down syndrome. They have put in extra copy of chromosome 21 genetic "switch" - gene XIST. This gene has all mammalian beings female and is responsible for the inactivation of one of the two X chromosomes. When expressing XIST RNA molecule, which covers the surface of the chromosomes, like a blanket, and blocks the expression of its genes. Adjust work XIST scientists managed with antibiotics doxycycline. As a result, problem copy of chromosome 21 has stopped working, and the patient stem cell into a healthy one.
A new tool for a hangover and alcohol
Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (USA) succeeded in isolating a substance that is capable to reduce the negative effects of intoxication, prevent hangovers and reduce cravings to drink. They found digidromiritsetin or DHM, which is obtained from the fruit of the Chinese subspecies candy tree (Hovenia dulcis). In Chinese medicine, extracts of them used against a hangover is already about five centuries.
In the study, researchers introduced the experimental rats dose of alcohol, equivalent to 20 cans of beer, drunk adult. Then the "drunken" rodents rolled onto his back, so they lost orientation in space. The rats that did not receive digidromiritsetin could not restore coordination about 70 minutes, while the animals, which together with alcohol introduced the "antidote" could come down in five minutes. The researchers also noted that DHM markedly reduced in animals craving for alcohol: rats that received it, even after three months of regular admission "alcohol" was chosen instead of drinking sugar water.Skeptics, however, doubt that digidromiritsetin really help people suffering from alcoholism. After all, if the medicine saves from a hangover, dizziness and nausea, the temptation to drink more, not less.
Determining the level of sugar in the blood tests and injections without needles
Recently developed by the American company Echo Therapeutics device Prelude SkinPrep System and Symphony CGM System allow you to do the injection, take tests, as well as control the level of sugar in the blood of patients with diabetes without injections. Apparatus painlessly remove the horny layer of the skin (the thickness - about 0.01 mm) and increases its permeability to fluids and electrical conductivity. As a result, you can access the interstitial fluid without disturbing the integrity of the skin.
Apparatus for determining the blood sugar level and are equipped with wireless transmitter attached to the patient's skin as a patch. Every minute the device sends data to a monitor that records the changes in the level of sugar in the blood of a patient and sends a visual and audible alarm if the figures are too low or too high. The device is designed primarily for hospitals.
"Sighting" cure for multiple sclerosis
Scientists from Northwestern University (USA) have been able to find a cure for multiple sclerosis without drugs which depress the immune system as a whole. This discovery was preceded by 30 years of work. Experts managed to "teach" the body of patients with atherosclerosis aiming to suppress autoreactive T cells that attack myelin - a substance that forms the electrically insulating sheath of neurons in the optic nerve, spinal cord and brain. To do this, doctors have introduced their own white blood cells in patients, in which genetically engineered antigens were added billions of myelin. As a result, the level of immune system activity against neuronal membranes decreased by 50-75%, while that does not affect its operation as a whole. Scientists admit that their first experimental group was too small to be able to draw final conclusions. But they hope will soon receive funds for new, larger studies.
3D-mammography for the early diagnosis of cancer
At Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore (USA) have begun to use the device Hologic, which, along with the usual 2D-images, allows you to make 3D-mammography breast. During one session unit creates 15 shots at an angle of 15 degrees, and then outputs the image slice thickness of 1 mm. This gives physicians the opportunity to see the distortion in the breast tissue is much more than a conventional 2D-mammography and diagnose breast cancer much earlier. "If the disease is possible to quickly detect and begin treatment before the appearance of metastases, the survival rate in the next five years is more than 98% - said the director of the department of radiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital Breast Susan K. Harvey. - Furthermore, at the early stage requires minimal surgery and chemotherapy are often needed. " However, the researchers note that the 3D-mammography center there is a risk of calcification. Preinvasive cancer tumors (so-called "carcinoma in situ", when the tumor does not grow into the underlying tissue, and its cells are killed with the same speed as the fall) represented kalitsifikatami better amenable to diagnosis using 2D-studies.
A revolutionary drug for the treatment of prostate cancer
In the UK in 2011 appeared the drug, developed by specialists called a true revolution in oncology.Abiraterone A drug called 80% reduces tumor size or stabilizing it even at the final stage of cancer, when there is metastasis and significantly eases pain.
Abiraterone blocks androgen synthesis by inhibiting the enzyme CYP17. This leads to a significant decrease in testosterone levels, which is the main "fuel" for prostate cancer. Medicine, unfortunately, is not universal: patients with an aggressive form of cancer, he can not help. However, it is able to increase the life expectancy of patients with at least two times, and improve its quality.
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