Prof Luke ONeill of Trinity College Dublin is leading the research project involving 10 universities which has potential for use in blood poisoning and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. Photograph: Cyril Byrne An international research effort led by Ireland has discovered a way to halt the damage and risk of death caused by blood poisoning. Already tested in mice, the method holds promise for use in humans given it is based on the use of a drug already prescribed for epilepsy. This drug protects mice from dying, said Prof Luke ONeill of Trinity College Dublin who is leading the project. It has potential for use in blood poisoning but also in conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, said Prof ONeill of the school of Biochemistry and Immunology in the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute. The project involves 10 universities including MIT and Harvard in the US, Sheffield and Glasgow in Britain and also University College Dublin. The research aim was to understand the biochemical processes involved when the bodys immune system runs out of control, but yielded much more, Prof ONeill said. When bacteria infect a wound and get into the bloodstream they cause a massive response from the immune … Continue reading →

The Lehigh Valley skyline will take on a blue hue Tuesday as part of an annual worldwide initiative to fight autism. Many local businesses and professional offices will bathe their buildings in cerulean tones to honor Light It Up Blue, held globally each April 2 by Autism Speaks to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day and kick-off Autism Awareness Month. Across the globe, iconic structures such as the Empire State Building in New York City and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil are illuminated blue to illustrate the importance of research into prevention and a cure for the brain development disorder, which now affects 1 in 88 children worldwide. "I would love to see our tallest buildings blue," said Nancy Miltenberger, who serves as sponsorship chair for the Lehigh Valley Walk Now for Autism Speaks, to be held at Dorney Park April 20. Now in its seventh year, the walk attracted nearly 9,000 participants last year and raised more than $500,000 for Autism Speaks to go toward research and treatment for autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For now, though, she is focused on her first goal as of Friday, nearly 40 structures across the Valley were committed to participate … Continue reading →

Brian Calley, R-Ionia, was elected Michigans lieutenant governor in 2010. LANSING, MI -- As we approach April, which is Autism Awareness Month, I have been reflecting on the state of autism in Michigan. We are on our way to improved care and outcomes for persons with autism and their families. In the past year, we have seen the passage of autism insurance legislation, the creation of a new Autism Council, adoption and release of the MI Autism State Plan, and we are racing toward implemention of a Medicaid benefit that will cover early, evidence-based treatment for young children. I am proud of these accomplishments, but our work has just begun. I continue to be concerned about many areas that families with autism are facing. The first is access to treatment. We are experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals who have proper training and qualifications to diagnose and treat this complex disorder. However, progress is being made as more specialists come back to our state and graduate from our exceptional universities. Second, we need more teachers trained to work with children on the spectrum. With proper interventions now covered by insurance, children will have their best shot at entering regular education … Continue reading →