Here's some hair-raising news! New hope for baldness cure after scientists find way to trigger growth using white blood cells

• Method discovered by accident at Spain's main cancer research centre
• Researcher found mice given anti-inflammatory drugs grew extra hair
• Study now claims link was due to complex cells called macrophages
• Infection-fighters activated nearby stem cells responsible for hair growth
• Author: Method could allow regeneration without need for a transplant

A researcher's accidental discovery could pave the way for a baldness cure by harnessing the power of white blood cells.

The cancer expert was testing anti-inflammatory drugs on mice when she was surprised to discover they were growing extra fur, so investigated what was causing the phenomenon. She discovered it was due to macrophages, which are derived from white blood cells called monocytes and are produced by the immune system to fight infections and clear up dead tissue. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2885921/Here-s-hair-raising-news-New-hope-baldness-cure-scientists-way-trigger-growth-using-white-blood-cells.html

Got a sore throat? Take paracetamol but NOT ibuprofen: Drug dampens the body's natural immune defence, leading doctor advises

• Dr Mike Smith is a former GP and co-chair of the Patients Association
• Says paracetamol should be used for a sore throat but not ibuprofen
• Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory so dampens the body's immune defense
• Inflammation such as a red throat is the body's way of fighting a virus
• Paracetamol kills pain without affecting the body's immune system 
• Research has shown that ibuprofen may prolong symptoms of colds 

When you have a sore throat, it’s natural to reach for all the painkillers you can get your hands on.

But taking ibuprofen could actually impede recovery, a leading doctor warns. Ibuprofen will dampen the body’s natural response to a virus causing a sore throat, Dr Mike Smith, a former GP and co-chair of the Patients Association, argues.

He advises taking paracetamol and a local anaesthetic spray instead. Read more: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4329180868192790291#editor/target=post;postID=3415208019451079099

Major breakthrough for paralysed people after drug that restores movement shows 'extraordinary promise'

• New drug, known as intracellular sigma peptide, or ISP, helps damaged nerve cells regenerate, allowing vital messages to be passed to muscles
• Normally, when they try to grow across a scarred and damaged spinal cord, their path is blocked by glue-like chemicals
• ISP, which is given as a daily injection, sticks to the chemicals instead
• This allows the nerves to grow and grow, say scientists in Ohio, U.S. 
• Rats with badly damaged spinal cords given drug daily for seven weeks
• Their ability walk, balance and control their bladder muscles monitored
• Vast majority of rats got something back in terms of function 
• Some went from barely moving to being able to walk like healthy creatures 

A drug could restore the gift of movement to millions of people paralysed in car crashes, sporting accidents and falls, doctors believe. The chemical has shown ‘extraordinary promise’ when given to rats with severely damaged spinal cords. Some animals went from being barely able to take a step to being able to walk almost as well as healthy creatures. They also became more nimble and regained control of their bladder muscles. Overall, 21 of the 26 animals improved on the drug – an unparalleled success rate. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2859274/Major-breakthrough-paralysed-people-drug-restores-movement-shows-extraordinary-promise.html