Science News Archive

Contraceptive Skin Patches to Go on Sale

Americans got their first taste of a new kind of contraceptive device this week with the launch of Ortho Evra, the first contracptive skin patch. It works by continuously releasing artificial forms of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone through the skin and into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. You can find out more at www.fda.gov
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS CAN PREVENT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Alzheimers disease, a form of senile dementia, currently affects about 1 person in 5 over the age of 80. However, researchers have recently found that long term use of anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, and especially ibuprofen, can greatly reduce your chances of developing the disease, and the longer you take it for, the greater the benefit. The researchers followed nearly 7000 Dutch people aged over 55 for 8 years to see how many of them developed Alzheimers disease. They were staggered to find an 80% reduction in the chances of developing dementia amongst those who used anti-inflammatories for more than 2 years.
Article about the anti-Alzheimer's Vaccine

2nd Dec 2001