Alternative Energy, Pee Power Technology...

Not what you might expect from the world of biochemistry but here we are. Basically a wearable device has been developed containing MFCs or microbial fuel cells. The bacteria convert the biochemical energy from microbial growth to electricity without the need for any fossil fuels. Thankfully, devices that do not need to be worn are also feasible. Uses have already been found with Oxfam using pee-power to light up refugee camps.

Credit: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151211130103.htm

By the way, please share and comment anything you want to say/ask!

USA Gay Blood Ban Lifted

Well would you look at that...

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fda-overturns-30-year-ban-on-blood-donations-by-gay-men/

Nanoparticles to Provide Possible Treatment for Parkinson's

I read recently about the blood-brain barrier being crossed and the article expressed hope that the discovery would help many people suffering from all kinds of neurological disorders. After having read this article, it seems that there is a possibility for curing these seemingly incurable diseases.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/292848.php?trendmd-shared=0

Multiple Sclerosis Summary (with link)

In A2 Biology we study the structure and functions of neurones but not much focus is placed on illness or how the problems associated with neurones affect real people.

Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a neurological disorder which affects about 100,000 people in the UK. About three times more women are affected than men, the reasons behind this are not clear. Nerve cells are surrounded by a protein called myelin, if someone has MS this becomes damaged when the immune system mistakes the self-myelin as foreign and attacks it.This affects the transmission of impulses along the nerve cells.

The symptoms caused by MS are highly varied, some people for example can become blind, others find that their speech is impaired. Unfortunately almost all people suffering with MS experience ranging magnitudes and types of pain.

There are also several different recognised types of MS, these include: relapsing remitting MS, secondary progressive MS, primary progressive MS, benign MS and occasinally MS in children. PPMS is said to be the worst type with symptoms becoming progressively worse with little relief as time goes on.

There is currently no cure for MS although Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) are used to reduce the amount of relapses a person with MS experience, most of these are only suitable for SPMS.

https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-is-ms/treatments-and-therapies/licensed-disease-modifying-drugs

image - http://medlicker.com/pictures/article_editor/2014/02/24/multiple-sclerosis-diagram-1393224523-8f6ff986.jpg

NHS Finances - The Guardian Article Link

We've all heard about NHS cuts, but who is suffering as as result of this financial stress?

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/oct/05/nhs-finances-crisis-rising-demand-budget-cuts-30-billion-pound-deficit-2020

NHS Struggling During Winter Months

With many targets being missed in our NHS hospitals, is community based care the way forward?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35028372

Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine 2015 - Link

Interesting progress has been made in the treatment of river blindness, elephantiasis and malaria through the discovery of drugs from nature that eradicate roundworm parasites.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidkroll/2015/10/05/2015-nobel-prize-in-medicine-awarded-for-life-saving-malaria-and-roundworm-treatments/

Northern Ireland Gay Blood Ban Hindering Healthcare?

The NHS is a patient-centered care service. It seems sensible then we should take every opportunity to help those in need. The rest of the UK has lifted the bans and in my opinion anyone who wants to should be allowed to give blood, therefore NI should follow suit. As it says at the start of the report it is a "vital act of kindness". Blood supplies are low as it is and this could save many lives. I understand that there are many different views on homosexuality and everyone has a right to their own opinion. However, hopefully even the most fundamental Christians will see the advantages of lifting this ban, despite their own feelings about homosexuals. If  it can be deemed safe in other countries, surely the same can happen in Northern Ireland.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-35074039

Could IVF Puppies Aid Human Medicine?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35053391

Junior Doctor Dispute

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34591056

Interesting article for both medical school applicants and the rest of the public. Changes could be coming to the current "unfair" contracts as described by the  UK government.

Cerebral Palsy - A Summary

This might sound awful but despite having a cousin with this disorder I have never properly researched it! Therefore I thought this was a good topic to start on.

Cerebral palsy is caused by the incorrect development of the parts of the brain which control things like movement, balance and coordination. Quite often the symptoms will be evident at birth but they can develop slightly later on in life. There are different classifications including spastic, ataxic and athetoid which affect muscles, coordination and writing movements respectively. Speech and language development can also be major issues for people with CP.

There is no cure for this disorder although symptoms can be eased through therapy and medication. It is mainly brought on by premature births. It is very rarely inherited genetically, both parents must be carriers of glutamate decarboxylase-1 for the child to have CP.

Although many children with CP live fulfilled lives this does not come easily. Some people undergo dozens of operations over the course of their lives and may live with constant pain. They may also have severe learning disabilities but this can be managed with extra help at school. However, my cousin attends a mainstream school and although she was very fortunate to survive birth and still suffers now she makes progress and her life was well worth saving. She is an example of how a positive thing can come from a sometimes terrible condition.

A brief summary of CP but hopefully an enlightening one. Surprisingly got views on my last post even though it was just an introduction, feel free to comment your views or ask questions.