Immune discovery opens up new line of attack against viruses

[mr blur]

They are mankind's greatest killer and rank among the hardest to treat of all diseases, claiming twice as many lives as cancer. But a discovery could give doctors a new weapon in the battle against viruses, including those that cause widespread illnesses such as the common cold and gastroenteritis.

In a report published today, scientists revealed a previously unknown way that the immune system attacks infections, a finding that offers a new approach to treating diseases caused by viruses.

"Doctors have plenty of antibiotics to fight bacterial infections but few antiviral drugs. Although these are early days, and we don't yet know whether all viruses are cleared by this mechanism, we are excited that our discoveries may open multiple avenues for developing new antiviral drugs," said Dr Leo James at the Laboratory for Molecular Biology in Cambridge, who led the study.

<snip>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/nov/01/viruses-immune-system-antibody

(How long before the whackjobs decide that ancient Chinese medical sages have known this for centuries? )

[Deep13]

1. Ancient Chinese medical sages have known this for centuries.

Wait, no, I'm thinking of a different ancient Chinese secret.

[TZ]

2. Only the those who worship at the altar of science believe in antibodies

All healing is done by the power of the brain, silly. Thats why you choose medicines based on strong placebo effects, duh! :sarcasm:---> for the scientifically "challenged" folks

[Deep13]

3. So, have you invented any new antibiotics for all these...

..drug-resistant germs that keep popping up? I figure someone is working on them.

[TZ]

4. yep. my company is doing research in this area

its kinda new to us though. We work mostly with antibodies more than antibiotics.....

[Orrex]

5. You're just sour because you haven't received your monthly shill stipend yet

Patience, O spokesperson for Big Pharma. Patience!