PAINKILLER FROM SNAIL

SUPER-STRONG PAINKILLER FROM SNAIL SPIT Scientists have developed a new pain-relief pill from a chemical in sea snails' saliva that they use to catch their prey. it was found to be as effective as morphine for relieving the most severe forms of pain but without the most severe forms of pain but without the added risk of addiction. Marine cone snails produce saliva that contains a deadly dose of peptide toxins to help the slow- moving creatures catch prey. They inject passing victims with needle- like teeth that shoot out of their mouths, the Daily Mail reports. Scientists have transformed one of the chemicals into a pain-reliever for humans.  However, it has to be injected directly into the spinal cord which limits how much of it can be used.

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CANCER CURE

SNAKE VENOM MAY OFFER CANCER CURE Japanese scientists have claimed that a number of toxins found in snake venom could help develop new therapies for chronic diseases like heart attack, stroke and cancer.  The scientists, who reported their findings in the journal of Biological Chemistry, said that inhibiting a protein found on the surface of blood platelets may combat both irregular blood clotting and the spread of certain cancers throughout the body. "The finding that platelets not only play a role in blood clotting but also in the development of vessels that allow tumours to flourish was quite unexpected and paves the way for new research on the role or roles of platelets," said Katsue Suzuki - Inoue, of the University of Yamanashi.

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HEART DEFECTS

EGGS CAN CUT HEART DEFECTS DURING PRENATAL DEVELOPMENT Various studies have revealed that choline, which is present in eggs in abundance, is associated with decreased rate of heart defects during prenatal development, Researchers choline - deficient diet during pregnancy compared to the offspring of mice that consumed a  diet containing the recommended amount of choline. They observed that heart defects were more prevalent among the offspring of mice consuming a choline - deficient diet.  The study also found low choline intake was linked with increased levels of homocysteine, an amino acid in the blood that, when elevated, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and declined cognitive function.

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