(October 8, 2009 - Insidermedicine)

From France - Low CD4 counts in HIV patients predicts an increased risk of seven types of cancer, according to a report published in The Lancet Oncology. Researchers examined the records of over 50, 000 HIV patients, looking specifically for the occurrence of three AIDS defining cancers as well as four non-AIDS defining cancers . Results showed that patients with immunodeficiency were more likely to get cancers such as Karposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, cervical cancer and lung cancer, with a falling CD4 count being the best indicator of this susceptibility.

From the UK - Convertibles may harm hearing, according to a report published in Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery. Researchers studied roadways in the UK, measuring the noise levels in convertibles at various speeds. They found that noise in convertibles regularly exceeded 85 decibels--widely believed to be the threshold for hearing loss.

And finally, from Connecticut - According to a report published in the journal Stem Cells, scientists have made progress with an experimental stem cell vaccine against cancer. Researchers found that mice injected with human stem cells consistently develop an immune response to colon cancer cells. Since cancer cells and stem cells share several characteristics, the injection of human stem cells into the body tricks the immune system into fighting what it believes are cancer cells--thus preparing the body to better combat actual cancer cells.