Universal Medicine

Keeping blood glucose concentration constant in the body relies in the interaction between glucagon and insulin. Sadly for over 300 million people in the world this system of control fails to work properly. Diabetes Mellitus is caused by bodies inability to metabolise carbohydrates; in particularly glucose.  Types of diabetes  Hyperglycemia(abnormally raised blood glucose concentration) is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes. It is caused by the bodies inability to produce insulin or respond effectively to the insulin produced. Over long periods of time, high blood glucose concentrations can lead to serious damage of body systems; including nerves and blood vessels. Type 1 diabetes, previously known as "Insulin Dependent diabetes" or "Childhood onset diabetes", is caused by our bodies inability to produce insulin. Within our pancreas, inside the exocrine glandular tissue is a small region of endocrine glandular tissue known as Islets of Lang...

Since being established in 1948 the NHS has always incurred the problem of the length of time which patients have to wait for treatment, but in recent years there has been a tremendous increase. Delays are currently occurring for check-ups, consultations and even operations for patients. Figures from several sources suggest on average there are 4 million people waiting for surgery on the NHS and this is still growing. There are many possible reasons to why the waiting times are so long. One being the over subscription of the NHS. The UK’s population is only growing and with it being an aging population, there is likely to be an increase in the number of people needing healthcare. However, with the growing number of people needing treatment there has not been a sufficient increase in funding to accommodate for this. Resulting in some treatment being postponed or even refused. The funding of the NHS is a fundamental problem, as overspending has risen over the years. Moreover, disag...

Some of you may have wondered in the past as to what the strongest fibre in the world is, and the short answer is 'carbon nanotube' fibres. However when I had the same query I was amazed not only by the pure display of strength of these nanotubes, but at the sheer versatility of what the fibres could do and, in turn, what this spells for the future. For instance, researchers at the University of Texas have woven artificial muscles from CNT's and filled the structures with paraffin wax; these muscles have been shown to lift 100,000 times their weight and weights 200 times heavier than any natural muscle of the same size. That in and of itself is amazing, but couple that with the fact that it is also extremely light, and you have a winning combination. Let's delve into the technical side of it all. What you see with CNT's is essentially what you get. They are phenomenally small tubes made from carbon atoms that are arranged in a hexagonal mesh that ar...

Heart Attack Breakthrough   A myocardial infarction, or otherwise known as a heart attack, occurs when the supply of blood to the heart is blocked, the main cause of this usually being blood clots. Coronary heart disease is the prominent cause of heart attacks each year, with approximately 73,000 losing their lives due to the disease. Heart and circulatory diseases are life threatening, but research from US scientists regarding unchecked inflammation has uncovered new information which is being hailed as the ‘biggest breakthrough since statins’.   Individuals who had suffered from a heart attack were injected with an anti-inflammatory  drug known as canakinumab, and follow up research found that not only did they experience fewer heart attacks in the future but also the risk of cancer was reduced by 50%. Why was there a need for further research into heart diseases? Statins are currently integral to the treatment of people who have heart diseases. Statins ...

Guardian of Our Genome - P53 To understand the brilliantly engineered strategies of the gene P53, we first need to consider the cell cycle in which the cell prepares checks and divides itself, to allow cell growth and repair. Interphase consisting of: G1, S Phase, and G2 (in addition to G1 and G2 checkpoints), followed by Mitosis which includes Prophase Metaphase Anaphase and Telophase, enables the cell to successfully divide and replicate. Between the start of G1 and G1 checkpoint, S-Phase-and-G2 checkpoint, G2 checkpoint and Metaphase is a mechanism that enables the cell to move along the cell cycle. Consisting of CDK’s (Cyclin Dependent Kinase) and Cyclin (cyclin partners), CDK's are protein molecules – dependent on cyclin. When cyclin bonds to CDK forming a "cyclin -CDK complex", phosphorylation of the complex takes place allowing the cell to continual move throughout cycle. P53; also referred to as the guardian of the genome is by far on the most import...