Imagine If. . .

Dino Feathers, Phage Therapy, Cure Cancer With HIV


Dinosaurs had feathers.  Actually we don't need to imagine that any more.  We've had plenty of fossil evidence of feathers over the years, but for the first time I know of, dinosaur feathers have been found in amber.  In this Discover magazine article, they explain that amber collected years ago had finally been scheduled for examination, resulting in this cool find.  I doubt this discovery will end up creating dinosaurs for our zoos, but we can dream.


We use innards-bursting, Alien-like attackers on germs.  Viruses prey on single cells, and some viruses only attack bacteria.  Early research on using such viruses to fight infections was mostly abandoned when modern antibiotics became common.  Now that antibiotic resistant bacteria are becoming more widespread, interest in bio-warfare on germs or 'Phage Therapy' has returned.  By bonding viruses to polymers like nylon, the lifespan of these viruses increases from hours to weeks.  Bandages, sutures, tape, even cleaning materials will actively attack invading infections, speeding healing and reducing the chance of secondary infection.  Phage therapy isn't in common use in the US, however.  Hurry, already!


In a similar vein, we reprogram the body's own T-cells (pit bulls of the immune system) to destroy cancer - using HIV!  HIV infects T-cells, hiding inside the immune system.  In this NY Times article, University of Pennsylvania researchers use altered HIV to inject DNA into a patient's own T-cells, DNA that teaches the T-cells exactly what cancer cells to seek and destroy.  Only a few cancer victims have tried this experimental treatment but in a small research study, 2 of 3 leukemia patients had complete remission and the third partial remission.  This could be a cancer game-changer, though it may take years of further research before approval.


I sure love being alive today!