Science News for January 29, 2006

Source of crucial immune cell in the skin discovered

Scientists identify Langerhans cell precursor cells and protein Csf-1 essential for their transformation. This discovery may lead to new therapies for patients with Langerhans histocytosis, a rare disease affecting approximately 200,000 children annually.

SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Immunology·DateJan 29, 2006

Regular use of selective COX-2 inhibitors decreases risk of breast cancer

The study found that regular use of selective COX-2 inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of breast cancer. Daily doses of celecoxib (83% reduction) and rofecoxib (64% reduction) had a more significant impact on reducing the risk.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Cancer·DateJan 29, 2006