Anti-cocaine vaccines show promise against addiction

A recent study demonstrated that conjugation of cocaine analogs to adenoviral protein particles resulted in the successful induction of an immune response that was able to successfully sequester the cocaine in the bloodstream, preventing it from affecting the brain. Similar approaches are underway to develop anti-nicotine and anti-alcohol vaccines.

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Hansen: paleoclimate shows 2 degrees climate target leads to multiple meters of SLR

Comparing previous interglacial periods, like the Eemian, to the present geological epoch, the Holocene, shows slight average temperature rises are strongly magnified around the poles. Even under the 450 Scenario 21st century sea level rise could reach multiple meters. “Current climate goals are prescriptions for disaster.”

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Publication of the human genome turns 10

Ten years ago this month, the first complete human genome sequence was published. While many have questioned why this has not translated into more relevant clinical applications, it has increased the molecular understanding of disease. Increasingly, the relationship between genome sequence and drug response are being understood. Continue.

Hormone Replacement Therapy still troublesome

Findings published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (volume 103:296-305) indicate that taking HRT at the time of or shortly after onset of menopause significantly increases the risk of developing breast cancer compared with those who took a greater than 5 year break before starting therapy. This data validates previous studies by the Women’s Health Initiative. Go to www.n3science.blogspot.com for more.

Geoengineering La Niña

According to the WMO the current La Niña episode will continue to exist for at least another 2-4 months. Other sources state it may last until 2012. This La Niña could be the strongest in decades and is likely to become the costliest ever, with especially in Australia unprecedented damage to infrastructure, private property and for instance the mining industry.

So can we somehow control this notoriously irregular climate phenomenon – and can we prevent catastrophic La Niña and El Niño events? Well, in theory: yes.

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