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Show 8 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2015 Science & Tech WSUSIGNPOST.COM SCIENCE WEEKLY by: KELLIE PLUMHOF Reversing milk allergies Milk allergies are becoming more common, and it’s likely that you either know someone who has a milk allergy or have one yourself. Alternative milks and dairy products now provide many options for those who can’t drink cow’s milk. However, a recent study is working to treat this issue in infants before it becomes a problem later on in life. The study was published in The ISME Journal in September and is being worked on by scientists from the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Naples Federico II in Italy. Researchers have developed an infant formula that contains a form of casein, a protein found in milk, supplemented with lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a probiotic bacteria. Early in the year the lab had published a study that identified a gut bacteria that is directly linked to regulating dietary allergens in the blood- stream. During the current study researchers studied bacteria samples from the stool of healthy infants, infants with an allergy who were given the LGG enriched probiotic formula and infants with an allergy who were not given the enriched formula. This was done to see if the consumption of this probiotic could increase tolerance to cow’s milk. The infants with a dairy milk allergy who received the enriched formula showed different microorganisms in the stomach than those infants who did not have the dairy milk allergy. Since those infants with an allergy had different structures of bacteria, this leads researchers to believe that there may be a link between those structures and the development of allergies. The infants given the probiotic enriched formula and developed a higher tolerance also showed higher levels of the bacteria that produces butyrate, which is SOURCE: TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES Research is being done to reverse the symptoms of milk allergies in infants. found in milk. The infants who were given the formula but still did not see an increase in tolerance did not have as much of the same bacteria, which leads researchers to think that there is a direct link between these strains of bacteria and tolerance. Jack Gilbert, who was involved with the study and a professor at the University of Chicago, believes that these bacterial strains could be useful in determining new treatments for food allergies. The next goal for the researchers is to turn these findings into a clinical treatment. Information compiled from sciencedaily.com @ KelliePlumhof It’s time for snow, sweaters and sneezing By EMILY FERGUSON photojournalist Ah, fall is in the air. The leaves are changing, the nights are getting colder and, unfortunately, illnesses are running amok. Each year, at the beginning of October, the Student Health Center at Weber State University offers free flu shots for students while supplies last. “We encourage students to get flu vaccines when we have them available for free every first of October until they are gone,” Colette Cooper, office specialist and CNA for the center, said. Influenza is a type of respiratory illness that occurs suddenly, bringing on symptoms of fever, chills, body aches and tiredness. Outbreaks can happen as early as October; however, most of the flu activity peaks between December and February. While shots are available for any student on campus, some students have decided to opt out of the shot. “I personally feel myself get sick with the flu after getting [the vaccine], so I try to stay away from it,” Megan Pollock, a criminal justice major, said. Contrary to popular belief, the center says that it is impossible to get the flu from the vaccine itself. However, if a person is infected with the flu before he or she receives the shot, the virus can still make that person ill. Other students at WSU are willing to bear the pain of a shot in order to prevent illness. “I just always get sick every year,” Megan Tingey, a senior at WSU, said. “And when I get the shot, I don’t get sick.” According to the center, flu activity is currently low in the United States, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received reports of early outbreaks across the country. CDC researchers indicate that the flu vaccine will protect against the influenza viruses that have been projected to occur this season. WSU has not seen a severe outbreak of the flu in a few years. “Looking at last year’s stats, we saw fifty-four student patients with influenza-like illnesses,” Cooper said. According to Cooper, all of those cases were reported to the State Health Department, but that still does not mean those students had the flu. “We do have to run a specific lab test to get a positive flu [sample] or not, which can be very expensive,” Cooper said. In the event an outbreak does occur, the center and the university have extra precautions in place to prevent a large, campus-wide outbreak. According to Cooper, a few years ago, WSU experienced an incident where a student tested positive for H1N1. The student lived on campus and was quarantined until he was no longer contagious. According to Cooper, it is easiest to catch the flu when in close proximity to large groups. For example, riding the shuttle and exchanging seats with numerous students can cause greater exposure and risk of becoming ill. To help protect students, the Student Health Center has some advice: “Use common sense: cover your cough, wash your hands, stay home when sick, especially when you have flu-like symptoms.” For more information about the flu or to schedule an appointment to get a flu vaccine, visit the Student Health Center in room 192 of the Student Services Center, or visit their website. Follow Emily on Twitter @emfergwsu |