H E A L T H in the News
WhaT do superbugs and raTTlesnake venom have is your Wine safe To drink?
in Common?
Scientists from Kingston University analyzed data from multiple
Scientists have found that there are significant differences in the
studies regarding the presence of heavy metals in interna-
behavior of single bacteria that dwell in the body and colonies
tional wines. The heavy metals included vanadium, chromium,
that grow in hospitals. The colonies actually secrete poisons
manganese, nickel, copper, zinc and lead. The researchers then
similar to rattlesnake venom. “This is the first time that anyone
determined the THQ (target hazard quotient) of the wines where
has successfully proved that the way the bacteria grow — either
below one is considered safe. The THQ was developed by the
as a biofilm, or living as individuals — affects the type of proteins
EPA to assess the long-term exposure to environmental pollut-
they can secrete, and therefore how dangerous they can poten-
ants. In this study Italy, Brazil, and Argentina produced wines that
tially be to our health,” says Dr. Martin Welch from the University
had safe levels of heavy metals. “However, wines from Hungary
of Cambridge, UK. The significance is enormous because it was
and Slovakia each had a total THQ level above 350, while wine
once thought that colonies that inhabited, for example, the lungs
from the remaining 10 countries, including France, Austria, Spain,
of an individual with cystic fibrosis were not harmful until some
Germany, Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic, Jordan, Macedonia
bacteria escaped the colony as free-floating organisms. This
and Serbia, each had a total THQ value above 100.”
research indicates that the colony itself has tissue-destroying
Naughton, D., Petroczi, A. (2008). Heavy metal ions in wines: meta-
capacity similar to the proteins in rattlesnake venom.
analysis of target hazard quotients reveal health risks. Chemistry
Central Journal, 2(22).
Scientist Live. (2008). Superbugs use poisons against defences.
eLab Biotechnology. Retrieved January 13, 2009, from
laCk of sleep CorrelaTes WiTh inCreased
www.scientistlive.com/European-Science-News/Biotechnology/
Superbugs_use_poisons_against_defences/21021/.
risks of Colds
In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 153
healthy men and women were studied during a four-year period.
Each individual was interviewed about his or her sleeping
habits over a two-week period. They were next quarantined and
exposed to a cold virus in their nose. The participants who slept
the most had the least risk of getting sick. Professor Ron Eccles,
director of the Common Cold Centre at the University of Cardiff,
said that sleep and the immune system are closely linked. “The
immune system may control the sleep-wake pattern and lack of
sleep or sleep disturbance may depress the immune response to
infection.”
BBC News. (January 4, 2009). Lack of sleep ‘raises cold risk.’
Retrieved January 13, 2009 from news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/
health/7823599.stm.
ComPiLeD By margareT arTHur, m.D. 27
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