Most parents (including this one) would give a child Tylenol right after a routine vaccination. But that may not be such a good idea, according to a new study published in Lancet. Giving infants Tylenol (generic – paracetamol) to prevent fever after a vaccination may reduce the vaccine’s effectiveness, a new research has found. Parents usually give Tylenol before or immediately after a routine shot so the child does not get a fever. However, this may not be a good idea since fever is usually the body’s natural immune response to the vaccine. In a Czech study published in Lancet (online October 16), 459 infants were followed after routine vaccination against polio, pneumonia, meningitis, whopping cough, tetanus and other childhood... [Read more]

Dr. Hsien Lei of the DNA Network informed us about a new blog launch, HUGO MATTERS from the International Human Genome Organization (HUGO). The HUGO is a group of scientists involved in genetic and genomic research whose aims are to assist coordination of research and foster collaboration of scientists. HUGO Matters will be a central hub for HUGO’s HUGO’s social networking efforts. Readers can discuss relevant topics in genomics including research, ethics, social issues and even education, according to HUGO president Prof. Edison T Liu. As part of the blog launch, HUGO is offering a free meeting registration at the HUGO Genomics and Ethics, Law and Society Symposium in Switzerland on November 1- 3. Check out this page for details. And... [Read more]

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a potentially fatal genetic disorder caused by a deficient or abnormal blood protein called C1 inhibitor. It causes swelling of the extremities, face, trunk, abdomen or airways. Abdominal attacks can result in severe pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea. The attacks can be spontaneous but may also be triggered by stress, surgery or infection. Death may result when the airways close because of the swelling. Only 1 in 50,00 to 150,000 people worldwide/ 1 in 10,000 to 50,000 in the US is affected by this rare dominant mutation, but the mortality is quite high (30%) so it’s really good that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a treatment Hereditary angioedema. The FDA announced that Berinert... [Read more]

The Scientist is my source of interesting leads and news in the science world, but yesterday, it has posted what I think is the coolest article ever - iPhone apps every biologist (or scientist, teacher, science geek, aficionado) needs. I’m not sure if you have access to The Scientist, so summed up, here are the Ten iPhone Apps that will benefit scientists like us: oh, and if you’re not a scientist (or anyone from above) I’d still check them out as they are supercool! Molecules – for viewing protein structures. Solutions – nifty calculator for buffers and stock solutions. iCut DNA – The Restriction Enzyme Database at your fingertip, for all the restriction sites and recognition sequences you just can’t remember PubSearch Plus... [Read more]

Couples at high risk for genetic disorders would prefer to have pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) rather than risk terminating a pregnancy later, a study from Fertility and Sterility Journal showed. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is performed after in-vitro fertilization where an embryo is tested for mutations that can lead to genetic defects, before being implanted into the uterus. Obviously, PGD reduces the need for prenatal genetic testing in the middle of a pregnancy, and avoid having to choose between terminating or continuing on with the pregnancy. The study showed that among 210 Dutch couples with genetic disorders, 60% would prefer diagnostic testing and, of these 74% preferred PGD over prenatal testing. Couples who... [Read more]