Fatty acids fight cancer spread

Tiny agents found in omega-3 could potentially be used to block the path of primary cancer tumours, preventing the advance to secondary stage cancers according to pharmacy researchers at the University of Sydney.

Investigators in the Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development Group of the Faculty of Pharmacy are using breast cancer tissue cells to gauge the blocking capacity of the omega-3 agents called epoxides on cancer cell movement.

Dr Michael Murray, Professor of Pharmogenetics at the University, says a major life-threatening consequence of malignant breast tumours is metastasis where the disease has spread to distant sites (or tissues) and at present there are no treatments.

He led his team to the discovery of the anti-metastatic actions of epoxides which are produced within the body from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The groundbreaking work has led Murray and his Drug Development Group deeper into the molecular structure of the omega-3 agents.

Professor Murray says: "These agents are a bit like frontline soldiers blocking the assault of an invading army and now we want to advance our research which was published late last year and apply it to breast cancer cells.

"We know that epidemiological studies have reported that dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, decrease the risk of certain cancers. And many of us are including sources of omega-3 such as tuna and salmon in our diet as a precaution.

"The major objective of our new project is to speed the development of anti-metastatic agents based on omega-3 epoxides and trial their effectiveness in vivo on breast cancer tissue.

"Longer term we are aiming to develop a completely new class of anti-metastatic drugs designed to inhibit the spread of primary cancers," Murray says.

Although not all experts agree, women who eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids over many years may be less likely to develop breast cancer. More research is needed to understand the effect that omega-3 fatty acids may have on the prevention of breast cancer says Murray.

Research has also shown that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis.

Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here.

12 Coolest Facts About Dreams

Some of the most interesting facts about dreams in the trailing paragraphs are sure to take one by surprise.

While dreaming we become temporarily paralyzed

Not many of us are aware that we become temporarily paralyzed in the dream state. This can be attributed to the fact that sometimes we may be so moved with certain dramatic dreams as to fall and hurt ourselves, thus, as a natural response the body goes into a temporary inactive state physically.

Eisriesenwelt–The World’s Largest Ice Cave

The Eisriesenwelt (German for "World of the Ice Giants") is a natural limestone ice cave located in Werfen, Austria, about 40 km south of Salzburg. It is the largest ice cave in the world extending more than 42km.

Eisriesenwelt Cave was created by the Salzach river as it flowed through the mountain eroding passageways nearly 100 million years ago. Over the course of thousands of years cracks and crevices in the limestone became more developed as water eroded the rocks away. In winter, when the air inside the mountain is warmer than outside, cold air streams into the mountain and reduces the temperature of the lower areas of the caves to below freezing point. In spring the water from melting snow seeps through the cracks in the rock and when it reaches the colder lower areas of the caves it freezes and turns slowly into the wonderful ice formations visible inside the caves.

Although the cave has a length of 42 km, only the first kilometer, the area that tourists are allowed to visit, is covered in ice. The rest of the cave is formed of limestone. Since the entrance to the caves is open year-round, chilly winter winds blow into the cave and freeze the snow inside. In summer, a cold wind from inside the cave blows toward the entrance and prevents the formations from melting.

A Rare Scene In The Animal Kingdom !!!

Don't touch my baby!

The incredible moment three lionesses killed a crocodile after it tried to attack a cub

The protective females instinctively leapt into action to fend off the aggressive predator.

With organised precision, the lionesses surrounded the croc and launched a ferocious volley of blows.

The extraordinary encounter took place in Botswana and was captured on camera by a touring cardiologist

A lioness stared down the crocodile after it tried to snap at a cub

The lionesses circled around the crocodile

During the encounter the crocodile managed to bite one of the big cats but was soon killed by the pride.

The rare scenes were captured by Tony Goldman while on a safari trip to the Duba Plains, in Botswana, with his son.

Tony, 58, a cardiologist, said: 'The lionesses had just killed a buffalo and suddenly a crocodile ventured about 100 yards out of the water towards them to snack on the meat.

'One of the smaller cubs was in the path of the crocodile and it started to advance towards the cub in a menacing fashion before trying to attack it.

One lioness let out a roar inches from the croc's face

Three lionesses then pounced on the aggressive beast

The crocodile reared in pain as the lioness struck a blow

'This resulted in an eruption from the three nearby lionesses who went for the croc in an organised fashion.

'I expected the croc to back off but it didn't and there was a tremendous fight with the croc biting one of the lionesses.

'There was a commotion and dust flying everywhere before the lionesses finally overpowered the invader.

The crocodile only managed to get in one bite before it was killed by the protective pride

'The whole thing lasted about 15 minutes and was only witnessed by my son, our driver and myself.

'We were really lucky because the driver had driven like a maniac to get there in time after we heard about the buffalo kill.'  Father of two,Tony, from Benoni, near Johannesburg, South Africa, added: 'On my subsequent safaris I've mentioned this experience to rangers with more than 20 years in the bush and no one has ever seen lions take down a crocodile.

'It is most certainly a very rare wildlife occurrence that we were lucky enough to see and photograph.'

The cubs were brought in for a snack after the crocodile was killed

source

"Strawberry" Leopard Discovered

A leopard can't change its spots, but apparently it can change its color.

African leopards normally have tawny coats with black spots. But a male leopard with a strawberry-colored coat has been spotted in South Africa's Madikwe Game Reserve (map), conservationists announced this week.

5 Bizarre But True Drugs And Their Effects

5. DDT

Yes, this pesticide – which has now been made illegal in many countries, can produce feelings somewhat like Ecstasy (Hear that environmentalists?? You inadvertently banned a great hallucinogenic-drug!) A popular cocktail was made during the ’50s (called the Mickey Slim) was made by adding a small amount of DDT to gin! In the image above we see two women getting utterly stoned on DDT.

Mike Spent 18 Months Without a Head

"Headless Rooster continues to live after the attack with an ax." It is therefore in the Journal of the LIFE October 22, 1945 was the headline on an article about ... headless rooster, of course. "Since September 10," - wrote the magazine to its readers, - "cock rock Wyandotte Mike lives without a head. Mike lost his head for the traditional chicken by - Mrs. Olson, the wife of a farmer from Fruit, Colorado, decided to cook dinner, and cut off Mike's head. Mike got up and walked around as if nothing had happened. Mrs. Olson cut off most of the skull, but one ear, jugular Vienna and the lower part of the brain that controls motor function remained intact. "