Bee venom could fight breast cancer

Fox News: Bee Venom Killed Breast Cancer Cells: Study

Bee venom quickly destroyed triple-negative breast cancer, a type of cancer that has limited treatment options, and HER2-enriched breast cancer cells, according to a study published in the journal npj Precision Oncology. Using venom from more than 300 bees and bumblebees in England, Ireland, and Perth, Western Australia, Dr. Ciara Duffy of the Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and the University of Western Australia, tested the effect of venom on clinical breast subtypes. . cancer, according to the press release. (McGorry, September 2)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Study: Bee Venom Kills Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells

The European bee has been the source of honey and poison used medicinally for thousands of years. A new study from Australia suggests that venom from honey bees and bumblebees may also fight breast cancer and win. Ciara Duffy, from the Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and the University of Western Australia, used venom from 312 bees and bumblebees in Western Australia, Ireland, and England to test the effect of venom on clinical subtypes of breast cancer, including triple . – negative breast cancer, which has limited treatment options. (Clanton, September 1)

Read the full study in Nature –

Bee Venom and Melittin Suppress Growth Factor Receptor Activation in HER2-Enriched Triple Negative Breast Cancer

In other science and research news:

GMA: Just Wearing Face Shields Or Face Masks With Valves Doesn’t Stop The Spread Of COVID-19, Study Finds

With the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States reaching 6 million, a new study from Florida Atlantic University reveals the ineffectiveness of face shields in protecting against the spread of the disease. In one video, the researchers used a mixture of water and glycerin to simulate a cough or sneeze from the mouth and nose of a mannequin. The simulation was performed under two different conditions: one when the manikin was wearing a face shield and the other, when the manikin was wearing a mask with an exhalation valve, to examine the effectiveness of each in stopping the spread of droplets. (Barnabas, 2/9)

Statistics: Could millions of people with sickle cell trait be at risk for severe COVID-19?

Sickle cell anemia, which causes Covid-like symptoms – clotting, strokes, and severe oxygen deprivation – is one of the medical conditions that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, puts people in increased risk of serious illness from coronavirus. Now a research team is trying to determine if the several million people who simply carry one copy of the sickle cell mutation, but do not have the disease itself, could be more vulnerable to Covid-19, and if that could be one of the reasons the virus disproportionately sickens and kills African Americans. (McFarling, September 3)

The Washington Post: Coronavirus Reminds Us of Our Deep Need for Medicinal Plants

In laboratories around the world, dozens of vaccines are being prepared in an attempt to protect us against the new coronavirus. Some are using tobacco, from all plants, as part of the process of developing ways to fight infections, although potential antivirals rely much more extensively on manipulating DNA and RNA. These efforts employ cutting-edge molecular science, but our instinct to fight nature with nature is deeply ingrained in the human mind, dating back thousands of years. Our permanent partner in this search for well-being is the plant, in all its forms and components. (Higgins, 2/9)

ABC News: As COVID-19 Continues, Experts Warn of Next Pandemic Likely to Come from Animals

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, experts warn that the next pandemic could come at any moment and, again, it could come from animals. To prevent history repeating itself, experts say governments need to start investing heavily in pandemic prevention efforts. (Salzman and Chan, September 3)