January 8, 2007, 9:36 PM CT
How Body Fights To Control Spread Of Cancer
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have found how two molecules fight in the blood to control the spread of cancer cells.
Scientists discovered that a large protein, which forms a protective shield around cancer cells and prevents them from causing secondary tumours, is attacked by a small protein that exists in the blood.
In diseases such as breast, lung and colorectal cancer, infected cells lose growth control and eventually form tumours at these sites. If caught early these tumours can be effectively removed surgically. However, when the cancer cells have invaded the blood, the effectiveness of surgery is reduced.
Malignant cells that have entered the blood, however, are still prevented from causing further disease by the protective shield of a protein called MUC1 in which the malignant cells are eventually destroyed by our immune system. Researchers have now discovered how this protective shield is broken down, allowing cancer to spread throughout the body.
Dr Lu-Gang Yu, from the University's School of Clinical Sciences, explains: "MUC1 on the cell surface prevents the cancer cells from attaching to the blood vessel wall which causes secondary tumours. We have discovered that a small protein called galectin-3, attacks MUC1 and breaks up its protective shield, forcing large areas of the cancer cell to become exposed. The exposed areas of the cell allow the cancer to attach to the blood vessel wall. The cancer cells then eventually penetrate the blood wall to form tumours at secondary sites.........
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December 23, 2006, 8:50 AM CT
Asbestos Dangers Not Understood
Despite widespread knowledge about the dangers posed by asbestos there has been a steady rise in the number of complaints about the misuse and management of asbestos in South Australia. Asbestos Diseases Society in Adelaide monitors such complaints. They say that they have received about 20 complaints in the past month alone, all dealing with exposure to asbestos.
The society's chief executive Kay Tidswell says in one instance, homes were demolished in a southern Adelaide suburb without protective sheeting and materials containing asbestos were simply thrown onto a truck.
Asbestos Diseases Society says that a number of still do not understand the dangers posed by asbestos.
"Particularly on the work sites - in building and demolition of buildings that aren't using the protective sheeting or protective clothing," she said.
"We have bosses out there exposing their workers to asbestos".........
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December 19, 2006, 7:16 PM CT
Boost For Asbestos Victims
Daily record uk reports that a law to health asbestos victims is in the making. The online newspaper reports that this new law would help Scots asbestos victims starting from next week.
The Executive are bringing in legislation to allow relatives to claim, even if the deceased was given compensation while alive.
The Mesothelioma Damages Bill won't become law until next year but deputy justice minister Johann Lamont yesterday told MSPs that it will be amended to apply from December 20.
She said: "We must ensure families receive the support they need and are not worried about legal choices".........
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December 19, 2006, 7:03 PM CT
Asbestos Removal Moving Ahead
Removing asbestos from the older buildings are a health priority in a number of parts of the country and world. The same is true with Kinston City. The Free Press is reporting about the progress of asbestos removal of an old power plant on Manning Avenue.
Asbestos removal at the old power plant on Manning Avenue should be finished within the next couple of months, Kinston City Manager Ralph Clark said Thursday.
"Our primary goal has been to get it cleaned up at a price we can afford," Clark said. "Now it is at the point where you can actually (safely) get inside".
Eastern Environmental of Jacksonville began cleaning asbestos from the old brick and concrete building in October. The project is costing the city $342,500.
City Council awarded the cleanup contract in late August after reviewing 10 bids ranging from $342,500 to $1.66 million.
Scott Stevens, Kinston's assistant city manager, said that the project is moving along on schedule and should be completed by the end of February. No problems have developed during the removal process, he added.........
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December 19, 2006, 6:56 PM CT
Uganda Govt To Replace Asbestos Roofs
The use of asbestos is tightly regulated in the United States. This is not the case in a number of developing countries. A number of countries still have very relaxed rules when it comes asbestos control. In Uganda recently the law makers have recently demanded that government replaces all asbestos roofs of educational institutions countrywide so as to stem possible contraction of cancer by pupils and students.
Oyam North MP Okullo Epak sparked the debate about asbestos on Thursday. The UN banned use of asbestos in the 1980s after it was discovered that its residual fibers could cause lung cancer.
"We are very concerned about this matter eventhough we do not have statistics on who has been affected," said line Minister Gabriel Opio.
He said that during the next financial year, government would start re-roofing the said schools but that the exercise would be done in phases over years.........
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