March 27, 2013

Monash University trial to test if cough mixture ingredient could help Down syndrome

Source: Austrailian Broadcasting Co.

The Monash University trial hopes to improve memory, language and learning in people with Down syndrome, but if it's successful, it could be used to fight dementia.

The director of the Centre of Developmental Disability Health Victoria, Associate Professor Bob Davis, said preliminary overseas research found the ingredient known as BTD-001 showed promise in improving the efficiency of nerve conduction in the brain.

"This is the first human trial to see whether it is going to improve the quality of life of people with Down syndrome," he said.

Associate Prof Davis said the ingredient was commonly used from 1920-1980 as a respiratory stimulant to help take people with polio off respirators and to treat the symptoms of dementia.



Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-26/cough-syrup-could-help-people-with-down-syndrome/4595598

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This is just mesmerizing to me. Amazing to me if this can work to improve the quality of life. This could have such an impact on things like school inclusion if it improves the ability of individuals with down syndrome to communicate. I hope this works out!


ETA: I originally had a link to the Herald Sun but it requires a log on.

March 21, 2013

University of Tennessee pulls Sex Week funding

Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press

NASHVILLE — Hoping to quell a rising uproar among conservative legislators, UT Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek said Wednesday the campus no longer will use state tax or tuition funds for a controversial event called "Sex Week."
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Sex Week will keep $6,700 in student programming dollars but $11,145 from academic programs and departments no longer will be available.

The annual event seeks to highlight sexual health, sexual identity, preventing sexual assault and gender roles. This year, Sex Week features a lesbian bondage expert and a campuswide hunt for a "golden condom."

Social conservatives have been astir at the news. Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, threatened to haul DiPietro before the Senate Education Committee in a blog post over the weekend.

Read more: http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2013/mar/21/ut-pulls-sex-week-funding/?local

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Stacey Campfield is a RWNJ fwiw