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Saturday, 24 May 2014

Scientists are now developing a system that diagnose malaria microscopy faster


Diagnosing malaria with a microscope is not easy . Not only time consuming , but a lot of practice is needed . A German research team has created a machine that can help .
 
Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits has developed a prototype of an automated microscope system for diagnosing malaria . A white box containing a microscope connected to a computer , and all medical assistants have to do is to introduce the cartridge with ten slides .It is difficult to diagnose malaria by microscopyTo determine whether a patient has malaria , doctors apply a drop of blood to a microscope slide , color with chemicals and then took a close look through the microscope .The researchers developed a machine to help simplify malaria microscopyTo test the blood sample as a whole , the board is attached to a microscope slide moves to the side , and up and down . Automated microscope will focus on target areas . A camera takes a picture of what can be seen through the microscope and store them on the computer . Using the algorithm , the software will look for a picture for a typical feature for the malaria parasite .Diagnosis is based on the digital image can even be done by an expert in other countries .

 
A drop of blood on a microscope slide will reveal whether the child has contracted malariaThere is no malaria expert enough to diagnose malaria , especially in Europe and the United States ,Several companies are developing similar systems as Reimann and his team are working on ,
 
, The microscope has got some limitations when it comes to diagnosing malaria . There must be quite a lot of parasites in one milliliter of blood to be seen under a microscope . A machine is only going to read a blood sample slides will not automatically fix the method itself .Other malaria experts acknowledge that such a system would indeed be a good idea for use in clinical trials because the system will treat all blood samples in the same way . The results will not depend on the people who worked on that day .
 
Point-of - care tests detect substances that produce malaria parasiteCheap and easy to use alternativeIt is not likely that the automated microscope system will take in Africa because there is no alternative ,Small plastic lines , point-of - care testing , can also be used to diagnose malaria . They are similar to a home pregnancy test . With a drop of blood , the test can reveal whether a patient suffering from malaria in a few minutes . Tests detect substances that produce malaria parasite .Disposable point-of - care tests are reasonably priced . They only cost about 30 to 40 cents . And they are very easy to use .Doctors Without Borders is almost entirely dependent on the point-of - care testing for malaria . It almost never use the microscope ." The sensitivity of the test is somewhat lower than the microscope . You can get a negative result when malaria is still at the beginning and parasites in the blood concentration is not too high . Out of 100 patients suffering from malaria , an average of five will get a negative test result , "
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Cuts have threatened people with HIV in Lesotho


A underfinanced health care system means that people with HIV / AIDS Lesotho often do not get adequate treatment . Now , the lack of international funding could signal the end of the scheme ' expert patients ' success .Patients waiting for a hospital in Lesotho Mamahou

Patients wait a Mamahou hospital in LesothoPeeling , heart-shaped sticker on the frosted glass doors at the entrance to the hospital Mamohau bring a striking message : ' . AIDS kills ' is located some 2,200 meters ( 7,500 feet ) above sea level in the mountains of Lesotho Maloti , small hospitals and community clinics serving more than 70,000 people . Many of those who traveled from all over the highlands to the hospital with HIV .Reaching patients in the rough , inhospitable parts of South Africa is almost impossible - or , at least it was before the ' expert patient ' scheme began .AIDS epidemicApproximately half of the patients Lesotho experts directly funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS , Tuberculosis and Malaria . Now , due to lack of contributions from donor countries , the support of the Global Fund for expert patient program is being reduced . Compared to 2013 levels , spending on the program would be down 30 percent this year , and 20 percent in 2015 said Indira Govender , Deputy Medical Co - ordinator for Doctors Without Borders in South Africa and Lesotho .
A doctor administers treatment in LesothoDevelopment might lead to further problems for already struggling nation 's health care system . Lesotho has the third highest HIV rate in the world . 23 percent of people between the ages of 15 and 49 are infected , according to the state Ministry of Health and Social Welfare . Among those aged 30 to 34 , the rate increased to 40 percent . Often patients are not getting the care they need because of the lack of doctors and facilities .This situation is replicated in Lesotho . According to data from Doctors Without Borders , only six of 171 health centers in Lesotho comply with minimum staffing requirements . Only 89 doctors and nurses serving 1,123 population of about 2 million people in an area half the size of Ireland .aidePatients have helped to fill the gap between medical professionals and their patients . They often play a key role in getting patients to adhere to their treatment and ensure that patients maintain a healthy diet , without medication they are not effective . They also help basic administrative tasks and are expected to provide therapeutic counseling , facilitating support groups and help nurses .They also act as a cultural go -betweens . Most of the medical staff in Lesotho are from other African countries such as Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo , as the country has no medical training . In a country where most of the doctors and nurses do not speak the local language , patient experts provide the vital link between health services and the local community .
A group of expert patients at Mamahou hospital

 
patient experts have helped to overcome some of the stigma still attached to HIV and AIDS , but warned that they can not save the health care system ill Lesotho . Expert Patients do not have a lot of skill , and that is where professional counselors are required , Kasonga said spending money in a mobile clinic would be a better investment .But with new funding cuts this year and next , the future of expert patient program in doubt .Lesotho will be expected to provide financing or they will have to find another plan for these workers ,
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Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Ebola - a virus that has not found a cure




Most people who are infected by Ebola virus die - there is still no cure. The World Heath Organization has registered 15 outbreaks in Africa since 1976 when it was discovered . Guinea is currently experiencing an epidemic .

In 90 percent of cases , the Ebola virus is fatal . Drug or vaccine against the virus does not exist .
So far , the disease has occurred mainly in remote villages in Central and West Africa , particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Republic of Congo and Sudan and Gabon , Ivory Coast and Uganda , and more recently , Guinea . About 60 people have died there from a viral infection since mid-February .
How Ebola spreadsEbola Virus Hamburg
The Ebola virus is spread from person to person through the exchange of bodily fluids - can not be transmitted through airborne particles . There should be a direct physical contact . Patients infected with the virus often they take care of them , explain why viruses are often spread in hospitals . Transmission can also occur when mourners came to say goodbye to the family of the deceased who are infected or friends and touched the corpse .
Animals can also be carriers of the virus , which is able to breed in almost all cells of the host . Fruit bats are specifically known as transmitters of the virus.
Ebola virus comes from the tropical rain forests of central Africa and Southeast Asia . It belongs to a class Filoviridae , which looks like a long , thin thread when viewed under a microscope . There are several sub - types of Ebola virus , which only affects a few people . But , when the virus is not , the infection is more often than not fatal .
Signs and symptoms
Between two and 21 days after infection , the patient began to feel weak and experience headaches , muscle aches and chills . They lose their appetite and feel lethargic , suffer from abdominal cramps , diarrhea and nausea . A so-called dengue fever sets in, accompanied by severe internal bleeding . This condition affects the gastrointestinal tract , spleen and lungs , eventually leading to death .
There is no cure
Vaccine against Ebola virus does not exist , and once the virus has entered the body , there are no drugs that can eradicate it . The only way to limit the possibility of infection and the epidemic of this deadly disease is to take preventive measures . This includes setting up practice in hospital hygiene , wearing protective rubber gloves and have adequate quarantine measures in place .
The Ebola virus was found in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo . Since then , the World Heath Organization has registered 15 outbreaks across Africa , including Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012 . More than 1,300 people have died from the virus . At this time , experiencing an epidemic of Guinea .

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Monday, 5 May 2014

12 tips on how to prevent cancer

Cancer doesn't have to be an inevitable destiny. Scientists know exactly what triggers the disease. And everyone can do something against the biggest threats.

Destiny is in your hands 



 
nearly half of all cancer cases can be prevented. Smoking is only triggered every fifth tumor. Cigarette smoke is toxic not only cause lung cancer but many other types of tumors as well. Smoking is the cause of self-imposed most often for cancer, but not the only one.


Being overweight increases the risk of cancer  
 

The second cause of cancer: obesity. Why cause cancer? Increased insulin levels increase the risk of almost all kinds of cancer, especially when it comes to the kidneys, gall bladder, and esophageal cancers. Overweight women resulted in an increase in the number of female sex hormones in their fat tissue and therefore have a higher risk for cancer of the uterus or breast.

Do not move a lot!
People who do not move enough, especially the possibility of getting cancer. Long-term studies show that exercise can prevent. After all, work lowering insulin levels while preventing you from gaining weight. And not to be a high performance sport. Even just going for a walk or bike ride makes a big difference.

Do not drink too much alcohol! 



 Alcohol promotes tumors in the oral cavity, throat and esophagus. The combination of smoking and drinking is dangerous and increases the risk of cancer by up to a hundredfold. While dinking one glass of wine a day is healthy and supports the cardiovascular system, you do not have to drink more than that.

Do not eat too much red meat !



Red meat can cause colon cancer . The exact cause has not been determined , but the long-term study showed a significant correlation between red meat consumption and colon cancer . The beef was very dangerous , but even pork can cause cancer to a small degree . Meat consumption increases the risk of cancer and a half times . Fish , however , prevent cancer .No more BBQ ?

When grilling meat , carcinogenic substances are released , such as aromatic hydrocarbons polycyclical . It has been proven in animal studies that these chemicals can cause tumors . However , long-term studies with humans have not been clearly proved to be the same . It is possible that eating meat causes cancer , not the way it is prepared .Avoid fast food



A good diet consisting of vegetables , fruits and fiber foods can prevent cancer . However , when doing long-term studies the researchers found that a healthy diet has little impact on cancer prevention than previously assumed . It only reduces the risk of cancer by up to 10 percent .Too many harmful sun rays


UV radiation can penetrate the genome and change it . The result : skin cancer black or white . While sunscreen protects the skin from sunburn , skin already absorbed too much radiation as soon as it starts to get brown .Cancer is triggered by modern medicine


Genome X - ray harm . With only minor exposure ordinary radiogram . But it's a different story for computed tomography , which you only have to undergo when needed . Magnetic resonance imaging is not dangerous . But did you know that you are exposed to radiation causes cancer even when you 're on an airplane ?

Cancer is triggered by infection


Human papillomaviruses can cause cervical cancer . Hepatitis B and C can cause degenerate hepatocytes . The bacterium Helicobacter pylori ( pictured above ) settles in your stomach and can cause stomach cancer . But not all hope is lost . You can get vaccinated against many of these pathogens and antibiotic against Helicobacter pylori help .Better than its reputation


Oral contraceptive pills slightly increase the risk of breast cancer , but at the same time greatly reduces the risk of ovarian cancer . All in all the pills that are more protective than harmful , at least when it comes to cancer .Stroke true fate


But even if you do everything right , you never really immune from cancer . Half of all cancer cases are caused by a faulty gene or just age . Brain cancer may be inherited .





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