Number One:  Four-Fifths of all cancer caused by viruses and not environment or heredity?

In New Science of Health, Sept. 30, 2009 (Discovermagazine.com), it was reported that infections are the reason for four-fifths of all cancers, and possibly more.  This means cancer would be much more manageable, because we already have the medical technology to fight  infections.  There are viruses already shown as connected to cancer, such as human papilloma virus to cervical cancer.  Treating the infections associated with cancer would  decrease cancer cases and potentially save billions of healthcare dollars.

Number Two:  Half of the babies born in this decade may live to be 100

Health & Medicine, 10/5/09, reports that infants born in prosperous countries in this decade have a good chance of living to 100.  They analyzed current life expectancy and if it continues at a similar rate, according to  The Lancet, 100-year-old people will be commonplace. And they’ll be healthy in old age, not wasting away in homes. This doesn’t take into account deaths from diseases, however.

Number Three: One small genetic alteration makes mice healthier, increases longevity

Female mice can live a much longer and healthier life by having one gene disabled –the  S6K1, which effects metabolism, reports Discover Magazine October 2, 2009. In studies, disabling this gene had a similar effect as giving mice extremely low calorie diets. Humans could not survive such drastic calorie restriction, so researchers are working on a drug to produce a similar result working with S6K1.

Number Four: Pigs organs may save human lives

Using pig stem cells called iPS cells, human body tissue could be generated, according to Newscientist.com, June 2, 2009. It is indicated in studies that humans would be able to accept pig organs without recognizing and rejecting them. Similar research has been done in the past using pig embryos, but the iPS cells are easier to create. Therefore the needed genetic material to save lives could be readily available for human patients.

Number Five:  Ultra Small Equipment for medical use would increase success of medical diagnostics

Phillips Electronics in the Netherlands announced on October 8, 2009 a new technology, which provides greater ability to see details in medical diagnostic tests–PET scans, DNA tests. Diagnostics could become more accurate, shedding light photons on previously unaccessible areas.