GOOD NEWS

Molecular condoms

University of Utah scientists have designed a “molecular condom” that women could use daily to prevent AIDS by vaginally inserting a liquid that would turn into a gel-like coating and then, when exposed to semen, return to liquid form and release an antiviral drug. The molecular condom is part of a worldwide research effort to develop “microbicides” — drug-delivery systems such as gels, sponges or creams to prevent infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, according to an online report published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Microbicides will give women greater power to protect themselves from HIV, particularly in impoverished nations where AIDS is widespread or where conventional condoms are taboo.

Protein fingerprints

Scientists at Cornell University and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, have identified a panel of 23 protein biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid that acts as a neurochemical “fingerprint”, which doctors might use someday to identify patients living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the journal Annals of Neurology. Right now, physicians rely on their clinical judgement to decide whether a particular patient is suffering from Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. In many cases, the diagnosis remains uncertain until brain tissue is examined by an autopsy.

BAD NEWS

Knee cartilage

A study by Mayo Clinic researchers indicate that men with knee osteoarthritis who smoke experience greater cartilage loss than men who do not smoke. The results were published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Researchers say that this may be because smoking inhibits cell proliferation in the knee cartilage or smoking may increase oxidant stress, which contributes to cartilage loss. Another reason may be that smoking raises carbon monoxide levels in arterial blood, which could impair cartilage.

Kidney stones

Topiramate (Topamax), a drug commonly prescribed to treat seizures and migraine headaches, can increase the propensity of kidney stones, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center report in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases. Researchers found that taking topiramate on a long-term basis caused a build-up of excessive acid in the blood and also lowered urine citrate, an important inhibitor of kidney-stone formation.