Science News for August 6, 2006

Deadly latex evading lax food labelling laws

A recent UK study found that one third of food packaging tested contained latex, with transferable amounts causing severe reactions. The lack of labelling poses a significant risk to individuals with natural rubber latex allergies, who can be exposed to deadly levels of the allergen.

SourceSociety of Chemical Industry·JournalJournal of the Science of Food and Agriculture·DateAug 6, 2006

Alleviating the burden of Multiple Sclerosis

A specific signal in cells in the nervous system aggravates MS symptoms, which could be alleviated by blocking related proteins. Blocking these proteins is promising as a strategy for new therapies against MS.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Immunology·DateAug 6, 2006

Loosen up, DNA: Leukemia gene changes genetic packaging

Researchers discovered that JAK/STAT signaling can change the genetic packaging of DNA, leading to the activation of previously silenced genes and contributing to cancer. This finding suggests a new mechanism for cancer development and has implications for cancer treatment.

SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateAug 6, 2006