Pandemic is a blink away

U of Maryland - A new study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that the potential for an avian influenza virus to cause a human flu pandemic is greater than previously thought. Results also illustrate how the current swine flu outbreak likely came about. Read more

Common herb has flavonoids that fight flu virus

CM NEWS - A commonly used Chinese herb for cold and fever contains ingredients that can fight influenza viruses, a study in China suggests. Read more

New tech licensed to combat deadly swine flu virus

CM NEWS - Just in time when scientists are racing to find methods to fight the rapidly spreading swine flu, a new technology invented by researchers in the University of Colorado in recent years has been licensed. The “FluChip” technology gives scientists a new tool to quickly determine the subtypes of swine flu virus in only 11 hours, compared to 4 days with conventional methods. Read more

Herbal soup fights flu A, perhaps useful to guard off swine flu too?

CM NEWS - Swine flu outbreak has scared the world recently, with death toll reaching 100 and counting. While scientists are racing to understand the flu and in full effort to formulate a new vaccine against it, the only things ordinary folks like us can do is to keep ourselves healthy and strong to guard off infection. In traditional Asian medicine, a decoction called Ma Huang Tang (麻黃湯) in Chinese or Mao-to in Japanese. Read more

Baby broccoli kills bacterial cause of ulcers, stomach cancer

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions - A small, pilot study in 50 people in Japan suggests that eating two and a half ounces of broccoli sprouts daily for two months may confer some protection against a rampant stomach bug that causes gastritis, ulcers and even stomach cancer. Read more