POTENT ENZYMES
Scientists want mandatory tests to be carried out on artificial enzymes used to create certain smells and boost the power of various household products after a study deemed them "potent allergens".
The finding was based on a study of 800 industrial workers in Germany, many of whom were immediately sensitised when exposed to genetically modified enzymes used to create flavours and fragrances in foods, drinks, detergents, perfumes and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers from the University Medical Centre in Hamburg-Eppendorf said genetically engineering the enzyme protein may change its allergenic properties.
They took blood samples from the workers to measure specific antibodies to genetically-modified enzymes they were exposed to.
More than a fifth had specific antibodies to the enzymes, according to the study published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
"Our findings indicate that new sources of enzymes, as well as genetically engineered enzymes, are posing potential health risks," they said.
"The assessment of allergenicity should be mandatory for all new products.Enzymes should be tested like any other potentially hazardous chemical."
RHEUMATIC FEVER
The chances of indigenous children living in the Northern Territory developing rheumatic fever is more than double that of non-indigenous youngsters.
Professor Bart Currie, secretary of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, told a conference in Brisbane that the autoimmune disease is responsible for the highest gap in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, more so than diabetes or kidney failure.
"Rheumatic fever is a disease of poverty and neglect, normally associated with developing countries. However, the highest rates of rheumatic fever in the world are actually found here, in Australia's indigenous children," he said.
Rheumatic fever is caused by a bacterial infection which if left untreated can cause widespread inflammation in the joints, heart, skin and brain.
FIGHTING FAT
People wanting to lose weight are better off tracking their progress themselves rather than relying on electronic trackers, US researchers have discovered.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh found that overweight and obese young adults aged 18 to 35 who wore devices monitoring physical activity and diet lost less weight over a two-year period than those who didn't.
Those who used fitness trackers lost an average 3.5kg compared to 5.9 kg for those who tracked their progress using a website.
KIDNEY DISEASE
Most people with mild kidney disease are unlikely to get any worse.
A team of British scientists came up with the finding after following more than 1700 patients for five years.
By the end of the five years, a third of the patients were without any change in their condition.
Fourteen per cent had died and just four patients had progressed to the end-stage of the disease.
About 300 patients showed signs of the disease having progressed slightly, according to the study by researchers from the Royal Derby Hospital in England.
DEMENTIA INSIGHT
Carers of people living with dementia can now get a glimpse of what it is like to live with the condition.
Alzheimer's Victoria has launched an educational app, dubbed EDIE, that explores the difficulties of undertaking the simple activities of daily life through the eyes of someone with dementia.
The app is available free on iTunes and Google Play.
'EAR 'EAR
A crowdfunding campaign to help fast track the development of 3D printed prosthetic ears for children born without ears has been launched by the Queensland University of Technology and the Hear and Say charity.
"No one in the world is researching 3D printing of life-like materials to create external ears," QUT associated professor Mia Woodruff said.
"Crowdfunding is common nowadays for start-ups and arts projects but it is not the usual route to gaining financial support for biomedical research.
"We thought this research is new - we need funds for the next phase - let's try a different way and ask the public to help us quickly raise money for this project that will produce tangible benefits for thousands of children."
Donations can be made at www.pozible.com/project/futurehear
