Seoul virus outbreak associated with home-based rat-breeding facilities.

Seoul virus outbreak associated with home-based rat-breeding facilities.Experts from CDC are working with the Illinois Department of Health and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to investigate cases of Seoul virus infections among eight people who worked at several rat-breeding facilities in the two states. Seoul virus is not commonly found in the United States, though there have been several reported outbreaks in wild rats. This is the first known outbreak associated with pet rats in the United States. A home-based rodent breeder in Wisconsin was hospitalized in December 2016 with fever, headache, and other symptoms. CDC tested a blood specimen and confirmed that the infection was caused by Seoul virus, a member of the Hantavirus family of rodent-borne viruses. A close family member who also worked with rodents also tested positive for Seoul virus. Both people have recovered. A follow-up investigation at several rat breeders that supplied the initial patient's rats revealed an additional six cases of Seoul virus at two Illinois rat breeding facilities. Seoul virus is carried by wild Norway rats worldwide. People usually become infected when they come in contact with infectious body fluids (blood, saliva, urine) from infected rats or are bitten by them. Most cases in people are reported in Asia. The virus is not spread between people and cannot be transmitted to or from other types of pets. Rats infected with Seoul virus typically do not appear sick. Human and animal health officials are working together to make sure infected rats are not distributed further. Seoul virus in the Hantavirus family, produces a milder illness than some other Hantaviruses. The symptoms may include fever, severe headache, back and abdominal pain, chills, blurred vision, redness of the eyes, or rash. In rare cases, infection can also lead to acute renal disease. However, not all people infected with the virus experience symptoms. Most people infected with Seoul virus recover. To prevent infections from Seoul virus and other diseases carried by rats, people should: 1)Wash your hands with soap and running water after touching, feeding, or caring for rodents, or cleaning their habitats. Be sure to assist children with handwashing. 2) Be aware that pet rodents can shed germs that can contaminate surfaces in areas where they live and roam. Make sure rodent enclosures are properly secured and safe, so your pet doesn't get hurt or contaminate surfaces. 3) Clean and disinfect rodent habitats and supplies outside your home when possible. Never clean rodent habitats or their supplies in the kitchen sink, other food preparation areas, or the bathroom sink. 4)Avoid bites and scratches from rodents. Be cautious with unfamiliar animals, even if they seem friendly. Take precautions when cleaning out rodent cages or areas with rodent urine or droppings. 5)Visit your veterinarian for routine evaluation and care to keep your rodents healthy and to prevent infectious diseases. If bitten by a rodent: Wash the wound with warm soapy water immediately. Even healthy pets can carry germs. Seek medical attention if: 1) Pet appears sick. 2) Your wound is serious. 3) Your wound becomes red, painful, warm, or swollen. 4) Your last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago. 5)You develop sudden fever or flu-like illness in 1-2 weeks after being bitten. source

Malaria drug successfully treats 26-year-old brain cancer patient.

Malaria drug successfully treats 26-year-old brain cancer patient.The anti-authophagy drug chloroquine may be a unique way to resensitize some cancer patients to treatment. 26-year-old Lisa Rosendahl's doctors gave her only a few months to live,when her brain cancer became resistant to chemotherapy and then to targeted treatments. A paper published in the journal eLife describes a new drug combination that has stabilized Rosendahl's disease and increased both the quantity and quality of her life: Adding the anti-malaria drug chloroquine to her treatment stopped an essential process that Rosendahl's cancer cells had been using to resist therapy, re-sensitizing her cancer to the targeted treatment that had previously stopped working. Along with Rosendahl, two other brain cancer patients were treated with the combination and both showed similar, dramatic improvement.

Study of round worm that returns to life after freezing.

The first molecular study of an organism able to survive intracellular freezing i.e freezing within its cells is published in a new paper that represents a milestone in scientists’ understanding of an extraordinary adaptation. The tiny Antarctic nematode, more commonly known as a round worm, (Panagrolaimus sp. DAW1) was cultured from a coastal Antarctic penguin rookery at McMurdo Sound, and is the best-documented organism able to survive the disruptions brought about by total freezing. The nematode is also able to undergo a form of freeze avoidance by eliminating all of its water content, called cryoprotective dehydration. However, it is the ability to survive intracellular freezing which makes this organism really stand out.continue

Smartphone microscope offers cost-effective DNA sequencing and genetic mutation analysis.

Smartphone microscope offers cost-effective DNA sequencing and genetic mutation analysis.Just like an alphabet is made up of individual letters, DNA is composed of chemical bases. And in the same way that letters must be placed in a specific order to form words and sentences, the sequence of chemical bases is incredibly important in how DNA functions and codes our lives. One reason scientists pay close attention to DNA sequence is that it can help them identify a gene or a mutation that may cause a disease. But the analysis typically requires sending patients' cell and tissue samples to well-equipped labs, which in many cases are located far away. This is a particular challenge in settings with limited resources—in developing countries and underdeveloped communities, for example—where health care workers do not always have the tools or the expertise to conduct DNA sequencing analysis.continue

Trading on Wall street with the president.

Trading on Wall street with the president. Traders are using algorithms that capture Trump's remarks and then buy or sell affected stocks.The jaw-dropping speed at which certain stocks have moved in response to Donald Trump's tweets about corporate America makes it seem as if Wall Street already was waiting for the president words. Some sophisticated traders with automated programs are using computer algorithms that instantly capture Trump's Twitter remarks and then immediately buy or sell the affected stocks, analysts said. "It's in the algorithms. They've done it," said Joe Gits, chief executive of Social Market Analytics Inc. Gits' firm isn't among those traders, he said. Instead, the company culls the 500 million tweets issued daily on Twitter to find comments from influential people such as Trump that could affect stocks and then immediately relays that "sentiment" data to traders. continue

The magic pill.

The magic pill. There is a new drug trending now,although it has been around for centuries recent research has shown its efficacy. The drug aptly referred to as the magic pill because when you pop it,all depression,anxiety,tiredness jumps off you immediately. The great thing about this drug is the fact that its cheap,readily available and wait for it,its not a prescription drug. The magic pill is not only beneficial to health but can make you very rich if you know how to make it yourself and sell to others who cannot produce it. Scientific research shows that if everybody in the world has access to this drug,then the world will be a better place with great innovations and inventions. The magic pill has the capacity to employ millions of people,provide basic necessities and even traveling opportunities ,you get to see the world in a new light and experience new possibilities. The world is beautiful,take a good look at it and experience the beauty,splendor and vibrations calling out to you. The magic pill is laughter,yes laughter. You can make the pill right now and change your perspective,see the rainbow,listen to the rustling trees,fast flowing streams...welcome to the world of magic pill. If you are thinking of making your pill,and dont know how? look at this and start laughing

Laughter is medicine.#Laugh out loud.

Laughter is medicine. Animals are not only our pets or farm animals,most are considered as family and treated as member of the house. Animals bring joy to a lot of families, helping the sick,the depressed , traumatized and nowadays fighting wars and battling crime on our behalf. Animals and man do have a bond, that probably explains why we share more than our homes with them, as diseases and therapy are also common points. Fun and laughter cuts across borders,see how these animals make us reel with laughter.