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Many youth think antibiotics treat a virus

ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 7 (UPI) -- Most U.S. children and teens ages 8 to 18 say they think antibiotics can protect them from catching a virus, a survey finds.

Most youth do not recognize the differences between viruses and other causal agents of illness, such as bacteria, and their beliefs regarding the efficacy of prevention options reflect this, according to a survey by Harris Interactive in collaboration with Southwest Institute for Research on Women at the University of Arizona.

A little under two in 10 youth say it is extremely or very likely that they or their friends could catch HIV/AIDS, bird flu, or Hepatitis C in their lifetime.

However, tweens were more likely than teens to report that it was extremely or very likely that they or their friends could catch a cold in the next year -- 80 percent vs. 73 percent.

To protect themselves from a virus most youth thought washing hands would be effective, but six in 10 say that antibiotics offer protection against catching a virus.

Antibiotics are not effective in treating viruses such as the common cold.

Arthritis drug may help treat age spots

BOSTON, July 7 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say glucosamine -- a compound best known for treating arthritis -- may help stop the formation of new age spots, and help fade existing ones.

"These findings on glucosamine may impact the way dermatologists treat ultra-violet-related skin damage in the future. Right now we have prescription and surgical options, which some people aren't willing to try," says lead researcher Dr. Alexa Kimball, of Harvard Medical School.

"It's exciting to see this level of research being done on topical cosmetic applications of glucosamine, and the promising results."

Three double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical studies involving more than 200 subjects, showed improvement in hyperpigmentation and skin tone and a decrease in the size of age spots, says Kimball.

The research is scheduled to be presented at the "Academy '06" meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Tamoxifen-resistance test licensed

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, July 7 (UPI) -- Dutch firm Agendia said Friday it has licensed a genetic profile that can predict resistance to breast-cancer drug Tamoxifen.

Agendia said it has signed an exclusive license agreement with Erasmus MC University Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, for the genetic test that helps identify which breast-cancer patients are likely to fail Tamoxifen therapy.

The company said it would validate the test in collaboration with the Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital (NKI/AVL) in Amsterdam.

After validation is complete, Agendia said it would market the genetic profile with the firm's branded product MammaPrint to expand its breast cancer-related product line.

"For Agendia, the tamoxifen-resistance profile is a valuable addition to its MammaPrint genetic profiling service that is used to assess the risk of metastasis in breast cancer patients," says Laura van't Veer, Agendia's chief operating officer. "Combining the tamoxifen-resistance profile with MammaPrint is a big step towards offering a more complete package to breast cancer patients that allows for reliable prognosis as well as specific advice on the most suitable adjuvant therapy."

Agendia added it would also collaborate with Erasmus MC and NKI/AVL on next-generation hormonal therapies for breast cancer.