Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Dwarfs Hold Clues to Cancer Cure

boo7382

By boo7382,
in Huddle Lounge

Recommended Posts

boo7382 Newbie

boo7382

Posted
Posted

I was reading it in Spanish on BBCMundo but found an article translated. This is very cool.

A GROUP of dwarfs in Ecuador - who live in a remote village in the Andes - could hold the clues to curing cancer.

Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles closely monitored around 100 members of the group and found almost no cases of cancer or diabetes, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

The group, who live in the Loja province of southern Ecuador, had mutated genes that lowered their growth hormone activity and stunted growth, according to scientists.

The study suggested that blocking growth hormone activity in full grown adults through prescription drugs or a special diet could unlock the mystery of cancer.

If the process worked and only had minor side effects, societies in the future could live without major illnesses, said cell biologist Valter Longo, who led the USC research team. "It's the dream of every administration, anywhere in the world," Longo said. "You live a long healthy life, and then you drop dead."

The group was monitored for about 23 years. Many had Laron syndrome - a disorder characterised by insensitivity to growth hormone - and were no bigger than 1.1n metres tall.

During that time, there were no documented cases of diabetes and only one non-lethal case of cancer, according to the study. However, the group's lifespan was no higher than normal, researchers said.

While it was still unclear whether the mutated gene, IGF-1, was the reason they were almost cancer and diabetes-free, similar observations were made in genetic work done in yeast, worms and mice with a similar type of mutated gene.

Longo and his team were trying to seek approval for a clinical trial with people undergoing chemotherapy which would administer drugs that block growth hormone. A similar-type drug to treat gigantism was already approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

But diet restrictions may also have the same effect, Longo said. Studies were underway to determine whether fasting altered growth factors that could have the same effect as the Laron mutation.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • carpanfan96
      Canes vs Caps Rd 2 Gm 5 7pm

      By carpanfan96 · Posted

      I see they blamed Slavin for the goal like I did. 
    • tukafan21
      Panthers schedule is out

      By tukafan21 · Posted

      See this is the problem, you say "can't get off the line quick" and "can't separate quick" but in reality it's "he can get off the line better and create more separation" which are two completely different things. If he couldn't get off the line or separate, he wouldn't have put up the numbers he did and end up a Top 10 pick. But he can get better, and maybe more accurately, consistent with them both, and that will take his game to the next level.  These are things that are also much easier to improve once you get to the NFL than things like being a poor route runner or having bad hands, two of his strengths. Thinking he can't get open in the short passing game also shows you haven't watched enough tape on him, as he was used in that role so much in college with little issue getting open and making plays. And him not using his physicality as much isn't even something that hurts his game because he's so much more agile than a player of his size should be, which he used to his advantage.  Instead of throwing passes where he'd go up and box out a player like a TE or Mike Evans does, they use his athleticism and put the ball in places that only he can get to it, and he usually does (and yes, he'll still be able to do that against NFL DB's with his catch radius). But now that he's in the NFL, I'd like to see him get stronger and add that to his game because it also will help him take his game to another level. As I've said before, if he doesn't improve on those things at all, I think he's a Top 25 WR in this league, he's already that good.  But I think he'll improve on those things and be a perennial Top 10 WR and in his prime is considered and perform like Top 5 guy in some years. My expectations for him this year at 800 yards and 8 TDs (although I do think he'll get to 10 TDs) with a real chance at getting to 1,000.  But those expectations are because I think Thielen will lead the team in yards with close to 1k and XL/Coker each end up in the 500-600 range themselves, just too many mouths to feed this year for a rookie to dominate yardage, especially if we're running the ball well again. But if Thielen can't stay healthy or puts up sub 750 yards, then yea, my expectations for T-Mac likely shift to getting to 1k as a rookie.
    • Stumpy
      ECF winner Pie

      By Stumpy · Posted

      Svech only 1 goal behind the guy they've pretty much already given the Conn Smythe to...
×
×
  • Create New...