More on episode 5: Striving for global health
8.4 mb mp3 (17:27 ) | Subscribe through iTunes
Eric Chivian discusses the connection between biodiversity and human disease
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Eric Chivian is the director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School. He is a founding member of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985.
In addition to being a practicing psychiatrist, Chivian has long been an environmental advocate, educating both lawmakers and the general public on the intricate relationship between human health and the ecosystem. Recently, he was named one of the top 100 most influential people by TIME magazine.
Chivian is the senior editor and author, with Dr. Aaron Bernstein, of “Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity,” published in June, 2008 by Oxford University Press.
Chivian explains how he became involved in global health and environmental advocacy and discusses the formation and history of Physicians for Social Responsibility and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War in this extended version of the interview: 4.6 mb mp3 (10:00)
Tackling drug-resistant tuberculosis
Yvonna Reekie examines the emerging problem of drug-resistant tuberculosis, which is plaguing countries worldwide. She defines the scope of the problem and speaks with an epidemiologist, a clinician, and a basic scientist about solutions.
Comprehensive treatment of extensively drug-resistant TB works, study finds
Researchers halt spread of HIV with RNAi
Using a novel method to deliver small molecules called short interfering RNAs—or siRNAs—into T cells, researchers dramatically suppressed HIV in the first-ever animal model that mirrors progression of the disease in humans. The siRNAs knocked down three key genes and kept the infection from spreading in mice containing human immune cells infected with the virus.
This study demonstrates that siRNAs can control the spread of HIV among cells in an animal model. Although labs must verify the findings in other animal models before attempting clinical trials, siRNAs may eventually supplement or replace the harsh drug cocktails currently prescribed to patients with HIV, reducing the side effects of treatment.
