Swollen Neck could indicate cancer
Recent findings suggested that patients with unexplained swollen neck glands should be referred for specialist investigations. “Our research has revealed the importance of persistent swollen lymph glands, particularly in the neck, as part of cancer,” said professor Willie Hamilton from University of Exeter Medical School in Britain. “Of course swollen glands are common with throat infections, but in cancer, they are usually larger and painless. It has been known for a long time that this could represent cancer — this study shows that the risk is higher than previously thought,” Hamilton noted. Each year, more than 14,500 people in Britain are diagnosed with a form of lymphoma, and nearly 5,000 die from the disease, according to the researchers. The researchers from University of Exeter Medical School worked with colleagues in Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Bangor in two associated studies. The study was published in the British Journal of General Practice.
First malaria vaccine likely by October
The first malaria vaccine candidate to reach phase-3 of clinical testing was found to partially protect children against the disease up to four years after vaccination and may be available by as early as October this year, scientists reported. The results suggest that the vaccine candidate RTS,S/AS01 could prevent a substantial number of cases of clinical malaria, especially in areas of high transmission. “The European Medicines Agency (EMA) will assess the quality, safety, and efficacy of the vaccine based on these final data,” said corresponding author Brian Greenwood, professor at the london School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in Britain. The findings were published in the journal, The lancet.
Indian origin scientist honoured
Sangeeta Bhatia, an Indian-origin scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been named the recipient of the 2015 Heinz Award for Technology, the Economy, and Employment. Bhatia who has developed artificial human microlivers for drug testing, won a prestigious $2,50,000 Heinz award for her work in tissue engineering and disease detection. The Heinz Awards annually recognise individuals for their extraordinary contributions to arts and humanities; environment; human condition; public policy; and technology, the economy, and employment. Bhatia’s team has pioneered the fabrication of artificial human microlivers, which are being used by many biopharmaceutical companies to test the toxicity of drug candidates. Bhatia will receive her award on May 13 at a ceremony in Pittsburgh.