CLUES TO CRAVING

A brain mechanism has been revealed that may drive the appetite for glucose-rich foods, developed when humans hunted for energy-producing nutrients. The enzyme glucokinase, which helps to sense glucose in the liver and pancreas and regulates food intake, was thought by the researchers to play a part. Dietary changes were considered for controlling cravings, and drugs acting on the mechanism were suggested for preventing obesity. Dr James Gardiner, who led the study at Imperial College London, observed: “This is the first time anyone has discovered a system in the brain that responds to a specific nutrient.”

ALLERGY CULPRITS

The discovery of genes causing allergies and asthma could produce new treatments and help to predict who will benefit from existing therapies. First, researchers pinpointed genes regulating IgE, the immunoglobulin E allergic response antibody. Then they observed 34 genes in asthmatic families and found methylation, in which methyl moderates the genes, was low. Without this moderation some of the genes overproduced IgE and inflammatory white blood cells. The researchers believe this knowledge may indicate patients suitable for treatment. Professor William Cookson, co-leader of an international team centred on London’s National Heart and Lung Institute, said: “It isn’t just the genetic code that can influence disease … Our study shows that modification on top of the DNA that control how genes are read may be even more important.”

PREMATURITY PREDICTOR

A blood test to predict which pregnant women will go into labour too early is being developed with funds from the Action Medical Research charity. Dr Joanna Cook, the project leader, said: “I have cared for many women who have gone into labour early and witnessed the distress, and sometimes tragedy, this can cause.” Women diagnosed as prone could be offered more regular antenatal sessions and interventions such as hormone treatment to prevent prematurity.

EASIER BREATHING

A breathing aid could help over-65 sleep apnoea sufferers, a group for whom it has not previously been tested, reports a multi-centre study. A motor-powered pump delivering pressurised air through a mask keeps the throat open in younger patients. It was found effective, too, among older patients in a project at 14 NHS units funded by the National Institute for Health Research. Apnoea causes accidents, heart disease and other conditions, and can damage grey matter.

HPV ‘MILESTONE’

A new human papillomavirus vaccine can prevent 90 per cent of conditions triggered by the infection, including various cancers, claim researchers in an international study in Vienna. The vaccine, which has nine components to counter the nine HPV sub-types, was given to 14,000 women aged between 16 and 26. The New England Journal of Medicine called it “a milestone in research” into HPV-derived cancer.

SELF-HARM TRIGGERS

Common illnesses, including diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, migraine, psoriasis and eczema, increase self-harm risks, studies at Oxford University have shown. A high suicide tendency was also seen in epilepsy, asthma, eczema and cancer. The researchers emphasised that doctors and health workers should concentrate on the risks and recommended greater integration of medical and psychiatric services.