Heart, Gene & Nerves Top Health News

Topping your health news, a second look at gene proteins may be the key to stopping AIDS. 
Heart health may be found between the bottom of your wine glass and your sneakers. Plus, we have more for you about how what's on top of your head may be great for your nerves.

A new study from Harvard Medical School shows promise in aids research. Using a kind of genetic screening,  researchers have pinpointed 273 proteins that they believe are necessary for HIV to set up permanent residence inside the human body.

The process scientists used is called RNA interference,  which involves screening thousands of genes.  Now that researchers have identified proteins they think are necessary for HIV infection, they plan to investigate each one.

Someday -- experts say this discovery could be used to develop new treatments for the virus that causes AIDS.  The problem with current antiviral drugs according to doctors, is that HIV can become resistant to them. The theory on using human proteins in treatments is that they may not create resistance.

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A little wine combined with a lot of walking could be the key to keeping your heart healthy! A Danish study of almost 12,000 adults finds people who are physically active and drink alcohol moderately could be half as likely to die from heart disease than those who don't exercise and don't drink.

The study shows that on their own -- exercise and moderate alcohol intake both lower the risk of heart disease.   But when people incorporate --both-- into their every day lives - experts say they're protected even more.

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Your lovely locks may actually hold the key to regenerating damaged nerves and nerve tissue!

Wake Forest University researchers took hair they found in a barber shop and processed it in a lab to isolate a protein called "keratin."   In animal studies -- keratin was able to speed up nerve regeneration and improve function.

Researchers are counting on this find to help develop new treatment options when nerves are cut or crushed from trauma.