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Hot Coffee and Cancer

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hot coffee

Very hot coffee can lead to throat injuries that make the tissue vulnerable.

After reviewing almost 1,000 case studies, scientists reached the conclusion that there is not enough evidence that hot coffee causes cancer.

The team of 23 scientists from different countries worked under a project sustained by the International Agency for Research on Cancer to review the results of a previous 1991 study.

Is Coffee Good or Bad?

The old theory was that coffee should be considered as a possible carcinogen. In reaction to this decision, other studies emerged showing that, in fact, coffee can bring a number of positive effects on the organism that strengthens a person against the risk of cancer.

Experts say that such an association between hot coffee and disease is difficult to prove because both of them have an extensive palette of effects and determinant factors. Having to connect much too many elements, scientists cannot draw a firm conclusion in affirming the general outcome of drinking coffee.

Some evidence shows that coffee can prevent pancreatic, colon and liver cancer. However, data is limited.

Hot Coffee and the Esophagi

Other studies affirm that hot coffee can cause esophageal cancer because the high temperature. This conclusion too can be easily contradicted by the fact that any other drink can be consumed hot and thus increase the risks of esophagi irritations.

In this particular case, scientists agree that the most probable causes for esophageal cancer are drinking alcohol and smoking.

The researchers tried then to connect the disease occurrence with its predominant locations, Asia, East Africa and South America, which led them to believe that the hot coffee consumption that is highly valued there might be the cause for the high cancer incidence.

Experts say that indeed, all hot beverages can cause injuries to the throat. Repeated injuries can lead to a more sensitive tissue which is in turn more vulnerable to processes involved in cancer development.

Conclusion

With all this contradictory evidence, scientists still agree that drinking hot fluids can lead to health risks.

As for the temperature that can lead to throat injuries, experts set a limit of 149 to 158 degrees. In the US, the average temperature is less than 140 degrees, which hopefully will help Americans in staying away from any discomfort and accidents.

From having a sour throat to cancer is a long way. Scientists prefer to stay with a more balanced recommendation, advising the general population to avoid the well-known bad habits and abuses that can account cause for certainty health problems.

Image Source: Pixabay

Death Surviving Genes

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mRNA vizualization surviving genes

Scientists use special visualization techniques to identify active mRNA and surviving genes.

Scientists from the University of Washington discovered death surviving genes that remain active even after the physical shutdown of the organism.

Hundreds of genes were still found to be functioning despite the lack of brain activity, breathing and heart beating in the body.

The study involved zebrafish and mice. The researchers measured the presence of messenger RNA, which is used by cells to produce proteins. The monitoring took place four days after the animal’s death.

The After-Death Genetics

In the livers and brain samples taken from the small animals, the general mRNA levels would continuously decrease. What came as a surprise was the fact that the mRNA linked to 515 mouse genes and 548 zebrafish genes revealed peaks of activity. In order to function, the genes would have needed sufficient energy and activity support from cells.

While other genetic materials appeared to decay, the series of 1,036 genes seemed to be even more active in the three days following death. Moreover, in comparison with the rest of the genes in the organism, their activity was not chaotic.

The Role of Surviving Genes

The surviving genes were involved in processes like stress regulation, immunity, or inflammation. Another interesting fact is the return to activity of a gene that is usually connected with the life of the fetus, and it turns off after birth.

The positive functions revealed by the existence of these genes may indicate the organism’s effort to heal itself. However, scientists believe that the opposite scenario may be also plausible: the activity of the genes is a sign that the organism is undergoing full shutdown.

Supporting this idea is the fact that another kind of gene that became active was one commonly associated with cancer.

As many people that have liver transplants experience a type of cancer, the scientists believe that the activity of these genes is responsible for risks to the health of humans that receive the transplants.

Researchers point out that people who receive transplants have to take special medication that suppresses the immune system and thus makes them more vulnerable to cancer. However, the importance of cancer gene activation in an organ after death must be further analyzed.

Forensics also benefit from this discovery. The presence of activity in these surviving genes will be used to obtain a more precise indication of the time of death.

The results of the research show that the current concept of death may need to be revised, as the scientists wonder if mRNA activity could demonstrate that the organism is still struggling to regain balance.

Image Source: Wikipedia

Sunscreen Saves You From Cancer

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Sunscreen Saves You From Cancer

Sunscreen Saves You From Cancer

 

It is a known fact that sunscreen saves you from cancer and skin cancer is one of the most dangerous cancer types out there and the most commonly met. The number of affected people are rapidly growing, and in the time span of a year almost 3.5 million new cases get diagnosed.

The American Cancer Society informs us that exposure to sun without wearing any sunscreen is still the biggest cause for the contraction of this disease, and even though a lot of campaign were made with regard to fighting off skin cancer, people are still not taking this issue as seriously as they should.

Apart from the appearance of a melanoma, people encounter other risks as well, such as the early aging of skin, the appearance of dark blemishes, low levels of vitamins, such as vitamin D and some other subtle chemical imbalances whose effect will become obvious later in life.

People don’t always know what is right for them, and most of the time they choose a SPF factor that does not suit them, a much too lower one, especially people with fair skin. Scientists believe that not even a high SPF number is sufficient to go to the beach with no worries. What people need to find on the label is that the product will also protect them against UV A and UV B rays.

However, dermatologists have agreed that a product ranging in between 30-50 SPF is usually the best one and doctor Walt Sims from Skin Solutions Columbia underlined the fact the the product must necessarily contain zinc and titanium in order to be efficient. As a consequence, sun oil and similar products are quite inefficient at all. Moreover, the doctor suggests wearing sunscreen not only when going to the beach, but also when one is about to spend a lot of hours out in the sun.

Although people have been instructed so many times regarding the dangers of sun exposure, more and more people reach the hospitals each summer with serious cases of sunburn.

Image source: thestandardaily.com

40% Of 600,000 Cancer Victims Could Have Evaded Cancer With Healthy Lifestyle, Researchers Say

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 cancer-could-be-avoided-by-healthy-lifestyle

As per a recent research conducted by the Cancer Research UK (CRUK), 40% of the cancer victims could have evaded cancer by opting a better way of life. As indicated by the study the researchers have found that about 600,000 cancer victims could have evaded cancer by opting enhanced standard of living and proceeding with that way of life. As per the study around 587,000 individuals living in UK have developed cancer within 5 years period after they started expending alcohol or tobacco. The scientists are recommending that by picking a poor way of life, these people have developed cancer. One of the scientists and cancer prevention experts for the Cancer Research UK said, “There are more than 200 cancer types; each caused by a complex set of components, including both our lifestyle and genes.”

By opting distinctive way of life like exercise, consuming healthy food, eating less processed meat, keeping their weight checked, consuming less fast food, consuming less alcohol or tobacco; a lot of people can abstain from having different types of cancers. Scientists found that tobacco is one of the major causes behind cancer. Most of the participants in the study have cancer by consuming tobacco. The specialists likewise found that, among the members 144,800 individuals diagnosed with cancer, have poor food habits like consuming less green vegetables or red meet frequently. Obesity was the reason behind 88,100 members having cancer.

As indicated by Prof Max Parkin, a Cancer Research UK statistician based at Queen Mary University of London,  “At present, there’s little qualm that certain way of life patterns can have a huge effect on cancer peril, with research all over the globe indicating the same key risk factors”. He also said that, “obviously everybody appreciates some additional treats amid the holiday season so we would prefer not to forbid mince pies and wine yet it’s a good time to consider taking up some healthy habits for 2015. A healthy way of life can play a significant part in lessening cancer hazard. “In ads, for example, Smoke free, Dry January and Change4life Sugar Swaps all aspire to raise public awareness,” Public Health England said. However, the analysts are stating that these are not the only reasons behind cancer but there are choices which can evade this.

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