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Tag: Venom

Spider Venom May Prevent Damage Caused by Strokes

Loknath Das, , , , , , ,

The poison from one of the creepiest animals may actually turn out to be quite useful in preventing the damaging effects of a stroke. Researchers from the University of Queensland and Monash University, have discovered a protein found in the venom of Australia’s deadly funnel-web spider that may prevent the human brain from the devastating damage which may occur as a result of a stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood flow to a part of the brain is cut off. In such a situation, the brain cells do not receive the required…

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Cobra venom can help surgeons spot cancer tumours

Srijita, , , , , , ,

Cobra venom can help surgeons spot cancer tumours Nothing -till a team of Russian and Indian scientists put their heads to it and developed an innovative technique to take sharp images of cancergrowths. Researchers from Tezpur University , Assam working with the National University of Science and Technology MISIS (NUST MISIS), Moscow combined highly poisonous chemicals called alphaneurotoxins found in cobra venom with fluorescent nanoparticles of cadmium selenide known as quantum dots.The new substance was found to effectively mark the boundaries of cancer growths. Cancer surgeons need to see the…

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Sea-Snail Venom Holds Key to Diabetes Medication

Srijita, , , , , ,

The venom of a carnivorous sea snail could hold the key for artificial, fast-acting insulin for diabetes patients, an Australian study has found. Researchers from Melbourne’s Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) discovered the unusual three-dimensional structure of the insulin, a hormone that turns glucose ingested into liver and skeletal muscle cells, within the cone snail’s venom, Xinhua news agency reported. Mike Lawrence, leader of WEHI’s participation in the research, said the discovery was a significant step and would enable scientists to engineer an artificial version of the fast-acting insulin.…

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