Researchers create vaccine against heroin high

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have created a vaccine that stops the high one gets from from heroin. Designed as a therapeutic option for those trying to break their addiction, the vaccine produces antibodies that stop heroin as well as other psychoactive compounds metabolized from heroin from reaching the brain to produce euphoric effects.

Previous efforts to create a clinically viable heroin vaccine have struggled because heroin is metabolized into multiple substances that each produce psychoactive effects. To overcome this problem the researchers, led by the study's principal investigator, Kim D. Janda, targeted not just the heroin itself, but also the chemical it quickly degrades into, 6-acetylmorphine (6AM), and morphine.

Cancer deaths more in men than women

A recent study shows that men are more likely to die from certain cancers than women. The study consisted of collected data from 1977 to 2006 of 36 kinds of cancers by age and by sex.

According to the Cancer Society, 1 in 2 men in the United States have will develop caner during their lifetime. The chances of women developing cancer during their lifetime are 1 in 3.

The study showed that more men died from mouth cancer, cancer of the larynx and esophageal cancer than women did. Lung cancer which is the leading cause of death for men and women also showed that men were more likely to die from it than women were.

Women had a higher death rate than men in the some of 36 cancers studied which included anus and gall bladder cancer.

Scientists have not come up with any reasons or explanations as to why more men will die from cancer than women will, but they do say that they believe it is not due to any gender differences. It is more likely caused by lifestyles men lead and the choices they make in life.

Men tend to go to the doctor less than women do and are not diagnosed as often which could be a factor. Another possibility is that men are more exposed to environmental factors such alcohol, tobacco, toxic materials.

Source: www.smartabouthealth.net