HEALTH ISSUE: SHORT CUTS

SHORT CUTS:
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Pig virus DNA found in
rotavirus vaccine


   Pieces of DNA from a pig virus were found in Merck & Co inc's vaccine against a diarrhea causing infection, but US health officials said there was no evidence of a risk to people. DNA.from the same virus was found in a rival GlaxoSmithkline Pic vaccine. Glaxo and the Food and Drug Administration in March urged doctors to suspend use of that vaccine, but there was no similar recommendation for Merck[s product. The FDA will seek input on both vaccines, which fight rotavirus infection, at an advisory panel meeting on Friday, Merck said the company's preliminary testing found "very low levels" of DNA from porcine circovirus, or PCV, in its Rotateq vaccine. Rotavirus vaccines have a troubled history, Wyeth's Rotashield was pulled off the market in 1999 after it was linked with a rare but deadly bowel obstruction.
 Now, a talking pillow for students: 

 Here's some good news for students - now, a "talking pillow" which would help you in revision of lessons during examination, even in sleep. According to its designers, the pillow allows the students to hear pre-recorded lectures or class notes as they sleep, and they will remember at least some of the information when they wake, the Daily Mail reported, In fact, the Euro 20 "Sound Asleep" pillow has a speaker buried in its fibres which can be linked to an MP3 or CD player, say its designers. The technology appears to be supported by a US study which found that revision reminders received during sleep can be recalled.

Liver cirrhosis tied to memory loss:

A study led by a Loyola University researcher has revealed that more than half of patients who have cirrhosis of the liver also display neurocognitive impairments such as short-term memory loss. Christopher Randolph and colleagues found that 54% of 301 cirrhosis patients who were tested scored below the 10th percentile for their age and education on a test that measures neurocognitive abilities. Neurocognitive impairment in liver patients is called hepatic encephalopathy. It is believed to be caused by toxins such as ammonia that diseased livers do nto clear from the body.