Marian Wright Edelman: "The Worst Feeling"

?Being hungry is possibly the worst feeling anyone could ever experience, and honestly, when you?re hungry, you can?t be productive, and you can?t really do anything. And I just remember, sometimes in school I would definitely be hungry,? said 17-year-old New York City high school senior Ninaad Dave. During the recession, his father had to close the small business he?d successfully run for 25 years but found another job after nearly nine months of unemployment. ?Now, when I am able to have a nice meal or eat, I?m just always thankful that there is food on the table, there is food in my stomach. I?m just always considerate, and I always think back when I was hungry and how privileged all of us are to eat.?

So many American families, including my own, celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a traditional feast and an overabundance of food. In many homes, the sight of a table with enough food for everyone to eat and to get seconds and even thirds is actually nothing special. The tablecloths and menu might be a little fancier on Thanksgiving but every night there?s something in the house for dinner and everyone goes to bed full. For some families Thanksgiving may be the only meal of the year where they pause long enough before eating to truly give thanks for the food in front of them. But for millions of our neighbors -- including Ninaad Dave and children like him -- they cannot always count on the next meal.

Sixteen million U.S. households are food insecure -- struggling to afford food their family needs. With record numbers of families living in poverty and unemployed and food prices increasing, one in seven Americans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps. The overwhelming majority -- three quarters -- are families with children. The latest data showed that in August nearly 46 million Americans relied on food stamps to eat -- the 37th straight month the number has increased, and the highest number since food stamps began in 1939. These families do not take any meals for granted.

Like so many American children, Ninaad knows what it?s like to feel hungry. He recently told the Children?s Defense Fund, ?I?ve always tried to do what I could to help my family out and achieve the American dream.? For most of his childhood, that meant being helpful with his mother?s health problems at home and a good student at school. But when his father was struggling to keep his business afloat and it became harder for his family to make ends meet, Ninaad found a new way to help: ?It was very visible that the business wasn?t doing as well. So I would just try to help alleviate the problem by just making a note to eat at school, to take advantage of school meal programs, eat breakfast at school in the morning, eat school lunch, and then come home and have just, you know, a small meal... I just felt that there should be enough food to go around for everyone, and that my dad was just doing the best he could, so I shouldn?t have to be burdensome.? After his father became unemployed, Ninaad really learned what it was like to go hungry --- ?possibly the worst experience anybody could ever go through.?

On December 14th, Ninaad is being celebrated by the Children?s Defense Fund-New York City?s Beat the Odds? program as one of five exceptional high school students who have overcome tremendous challenges to excel academically and give back to their community. They will receive a scholarship, college counseling, a laptop computer, and an invitation to join CDF?s youth leadership training ladder to help pave the road to college and a successful adulthood.

Hunger and food insecurity are particularly devastating for children and Ninaad and millions of young people like him will never forget how it feels to be hungry. Proper nutrition is essential to a child?s health, development, and well-being. Hunger and poor nutrition are linked to low birthweight and birth defects, obesity, mental and dental health problems, and poor education outcomes. We know safety net programs like food stamps, WIC?the Women, Infants and Children -- nutrition program, summer feeding and school food programs work to combat child hunger. In the current recession they have proved to be indispensable lifelines for the millions of jobless families with no cash income in our rich nation.

During this Thanksgiving week, I hope those political leaders who refuse to invest in creating new jobs to help struggling families while protecting tax breaks for the richest Americans and corporations and refuse to ask the privileged to contribute their fair share in this difficult economic period will reflect on what their and America?s true values are. I believe it?s morally unconscionable that the rich should keep getting richer while the poor get poorer?and hungrier.

?

Follow Marian Wright Edelman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChildDefender

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marian-wright-edelman/the-worst-feeling_b_1112206.html

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Govt approves companies bill - minister (Reuters)

NEW DELHI (Reuters) ? The cabinet has approved a new companies bill, a minister who did not want to be identified said on Thursday, in a step towards improving transparency and regulation of business houses in Asia's third-largest economy.

The central government has been working on a new companies law for several years. The current law governing companies dates back to 1956.

(Reporting by Manoj Kumar and Nigam Prusty; Editing by Aradhana Aravindan)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/india/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111124/india_nm/india607148

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Pre-Warmed Vehicles Should Be a Right, Not a Privilege [Automotive]

It only takes a few minutes for a car to warm up on a chilly morning, but that's a few minutes when I'm uncomfortably shivering in the cold! So as extravagant as a car preheater sounds, I still want one. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/h3VdlUIFOXg/a-pre+warmed-vehicle-should-be-a-right-not-a-privelege

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Scores of elephants die in Zimbabwe heat

Scores of elephants have died in a three-month heat wave that has dried up watering holes in western Zimbabwe, wildlife authorities said Wednesday.

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Rangers in the Hwange National Park have counted 18 calves and 21 adolescent elephants among the dead animals, the state Parks and Wildlife Authority said in statement. Elephant carcasses were found mainly in large areas of bush surrounding three tourism and conservation camps in Zimbabwe's biggest nature preserve.

Since September, Hwange National Park has seen temperatures soar to above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 C), far higher than annual averages.

"Our information is that animals are dying of thirst right across the park," said Johnny Rodrigues, head of the independent Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force.

The Hwange National Park has no year-round rivers and little natural surface water, making it dependent on wells supplying artificial watering holes known as pans. An adult elephant needs nearly 50 gallons (200 liters) of water a day. But some watering holes have broken down because of scarce funding, the state wildlife authority said.

Rodrigues said voluntary animal welfare groups helped provide pumping equipment for some of the 60 watering holes in the preserve. Many now need replacement pumps and the underfunded state authority has failed to keep them maintained or buy spare parts and gasoline.

He said private conservation groups also installed solar pumps and windmills to draw water from the wells.

"There's very little wind at this time of year and the solar pumps can't provide the amount of water required by the number of animals reaching them" and overwhelming the pans, he said.

Park officials said more than 77 elephants have died. Some media reports said an estimated 100 elephants have died in the park.

An estimated 30,000 elephants live in the massive preserve, along with giraffes, lions and most other game animals.

Independent conservationists say the death toll of elephants, buffalo, zebra and antelope species could be larger in many inaccessible areas of the park. The reserve is 9,000 square miles (14,000 square kilometer) and adjacent to the western border with neighboring Botswana.

The state authority's statement said officials estimated that the death of the 77 elephants represents a loss of $1.5 million in "compensation value," the term used for animals lost to poaching or unforeseen deaths.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45418320/ns/world_news-world_environment/

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AUTOMOTIVE - DRIVEN: Audi A6 Proves Its Worth

The 2012 Audi A7 has been getting all the awards and accolades, mainly for its unique sports/luxury approach to hatchback practicality.

But I?ll tell you, I just got out of the redesigned 2012 A6 sedan built on the same platform, and I liked it a whole lot better. It has a quieter ride and better drivability, a more-usable back seat with actual headroom and space for three instead of two, and it costs nearly $10,000 less. That?s a lot for a rear hatch instead of a trunk.

The A6 sedan?s routine body styling leaves all the attention going to the expressive A7. (Photo: Audi) The A6 that I drove was set up essentially the same as the A7 test car, with 19-inch wheels, performance tires and sport suspension. A6 and A7 are built on the same platform, have essentially identical interiors and are powered by the same 3-liter turbocharged V6 that produces 310 horsepower.

Yet I found the sedan to be considerably more sophisticated than the hatchback. The A6 had that elegant and sporty character that I love about Audi products, while I found the A7 to be harsh and twitchy. The A7?s sleek hatchback styling is right on, but that?s about it.

So why the difference in drivability between the A6 and the A7? You got me there. When I mentioned it to an Audi PR guy, he looked at me like I was talking in tonques.

While reviewing the A7 last month, I started to doubt my sensibilities. Everybody seemed to be in love with this car, except for me. Happily, I was hanging out recently at the Los Angeles Auto Show with a good friend and fellow auto writer who expressed similar reservations about the A7 without any prompting on my part. So I feel somewhat vindicated.

The Sport Package provides 19-inch alloy wheels and performance tires, plus a sport-tuned suspension. (Photo: Audi) Whatever, I was totally pleased with the A6 and found it to be all that an Audi should be, although the styling could use a dose of passion. Other than the aggressive front-end treatment, A6 just fades into the crowd.

The look is where A7 gains the edge, sort of like the prettier but dumber sibling in a family. A7 has the flash, but A6 has the substance.

The 3-liter engine has plenty of guts, with power delivered in a smooth rush. For 2012, A6 sheds some weight, down about 78 pounds from last year?s model because of extensive use of aluminum in the body structure.

A6 can also be had with a turbocharged 2-liter inline four with 211 horsepower, which is cheaper and gets better fuel mileage. If you want more, go for the performance-enhanced S6 with its mighty 420-horsepower twin-turbo V8, which for 2012 replaces the previous model?s V10.

Both the A6 and the A7 have Audi?s slick eight-speed automatic transmission, which does such a fine job of seamlessly transferring power to all four wheels, essentially unnoticed aside from the notion that it?s shifting constantly. Paddle shifters on the steering column are pretty effective, though you feel as if you?re flapping away forever when downshifting through the many gear ratios.

Source: http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/autos-audi-a6-proves-its-worth/

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UnitedHealth switches drug unit CEO amid expansion (Reuters)

(Reuters) ? UnitedHealth Group Inc has changed the leadership of its pharmacy benefit unit as the business readies for a major expansion that positions it as a competitor to the largest companies in the field.

Dirk McMahon, who has been leading operations for the benefit plans under the health insurer's UnitedHealthcare banner, is taking over as chief executive officer of OptumRx, a company spokesman said on Wednesday.

McMahon replaces Jacqueline Kosecoff, who will become senior advisor to Larry Renfro, the CEO of UnitedHealth's Optum services businesses. The moves were effective last Friday, UnitedHealth spokesman Don Nathan said.

UnitedHealth is gearing up for a major expansion when it takes over the prescription benefits business it had previously outsourced to Medco Health Solutions Inc after the contract expires next year.

(Reporting by Lewis Krauskopf in New York, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/meds/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20111123/hl_nm/us_unitedhealth

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Nokia Siemens to lay off 17,000 worldwide

Nokia Siemens Networks is slashing 17,000 jobs worldwide by 2013 ? nearly 23 percent of its work force ? as it strives to cut costs by ?1 billion ($1.35 billion).

The world's No. 2 mobile infrastructure maker said Wednesday the measures are part of major restructuring to make the company more flexible and efficient as it struggles against new Asian rivals.

The Finnish-German joint venture, which makes mobile networks necessary for cellphone use and communication between other mobile devices, said it would outsource services and "significantly" reduce suppliers, but gave few details.

"We will continue to push network outsourcing, we will not focus so much on field maintenance deals," CEO Rajeev Suri said. "That will allow us to use our global delivery capabilities and do remote management from our centers in India and Portugal and transform those businesses to pick up and make money."

Since Nokia Corp., the world's largest cellphone maker, joined forces with Germany's giant industrial equipment maker Siemens AG in 2006, the 50-50 joint venture has seen dwindling profits, worsened by the global economic downturn.

Last year, Nokia Siemens acquired the majority of Motorola Corp.'s wireless operations for $1.2 billion in a major thrust to gain a stronger foothold worldwide and to gain access to top American wireless carriers and cable companies, including ATT, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp., which depend on technology provided by infrastructure suppliers.

Strategy Analytics analyst Phil Kendall says Nokia Siemens is now being challenged by Chinese rivals, such as Huawei Technologies Ltd. and ZTE Corp.

"It's a challenging environment where the Chinese have shaken up the operational environment by originally selling cheap hardware and won business that way, but have now built up a credible reputation and become quite competent technology providers," Kendall said. "All of the big traditional Western infrastructure vendors have really had to work hard to fight off the threat."

Nokia Siemens says it aims to focus on mobile broadband and services, streamlining the organization to improve long-term competitiveness and profitability.

"We believe that the future of our industry is in mobile broadband and services. We aim to be an undisputed leader in these areas," Suri said.

He described the planned layoffs as regrettable but necessary, but gave no details.

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"As we look towards the prospect of an independent future, we need to take action now to improve our profitability and cash generation," Suri said.

Nokia shares jumped more than 2 percent on the news but were unchanged at ?4.18 ($5.60) in late Helsinki trading.

Nokia Siemens Networks is based in Espoo, near Helsinki. It employs 74,000 employees in 150 countries.

____

Online:

www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45414635/ns/world_news-europe/

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First study to reveal how paracetamol works could lead to less harmful pain relief medicines

[ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 22-Nov-2011
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Katherine Barnes
katherine.barnes@kcl.ac.uk
44-020-784-83076
King's College London

Researchers at King's College London have discovered how one of the most common household painkillers works, which could pave the way for less harmful pain relief medications to be developed in the future

Researchers at King's College London have discovered how one of the most common household painkillers works, which could pave the way for less harmful pain relief medications to be developed in the future.

Paracetamol, often known in the US and Asia as acetaminophen, is a widely-used analgesic (painkiller) and the main ingredient in everyday medications such as cold and flu remedies. Although discovered in the 1890s and marketed as a painkiller since the 1950s, exactly how it relieves pain was unknown.

This study, funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and published online today in Nature Communications, shows for the first time the principal mechanism of action for one of the most-used drugs in the world.

The researchers from King's, with colleagues from Lund University in Sweden, have identified that a protein called TRPA1, found on the surface of nerve cells, is a key molecule needed for paracetamol to be an effective painkiller.

Dr David Andersson, from the Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases at King's, said: 'This is an extremely exciting finding, which unlocks the secrets of one of the most widely-used medicines, and one which could impact hugely on the development of new pain relief drugs.

'Paracetamol is the go-to medicine for treating common aches and pains, but if the recommended dose is significantly exceeded it can lead to fatal complications.

'So now we understand the underlying principal mechanism behind how this drug works, we can start to look for molecules that work in the same way to effectively relieve pain, but are less toxic and will not lead to serious complications following overdose.'

The team of researchers used a 'hot-plate' test to observe the effects of paracetamol in mice. This involved measuring the number of seconds it takes for a mouse to withdraw its paw from a slightly hot surface. They found that paracetamol increased the time it took for mice to withdraw their paw, showing that the drug reduced the heat-induced pain.

The scientists then carried out experiments to observe what happened when a protein called TRPA1 was not present at all in the mice. They found that when they removed the TRPA1 protein and repeated the hot-plate test, the paracetamol had no analgesic effect. This identifies the protein as a key molecule needed for paracetamol to be an effective painkiller.

However, paracetamol on its own does not activate the TRPA1 protein. The study showed that when paracetamol is administered, a break-down product called NAPQI is formed in the spinal cord (where 'painful' information is processed). This product is also formed in the liver and is responsible for the toxic side effects seen following overdoses.

Furthermore, they demonstrated that other compounds that, unlike NAPQI, are not toxic can activate TPRA1 in the spinal cord when injected into mice. Because these compounds are not reactive, they are less likely to be harmful.

Professor Stuart Bevan, co-author from King's, said: 'What we saw happening in the mice was that the break-down product formed from paracetamol in turn stimulates a protein found on the surface of nerve cells called TRPA1. When this protein was activated, it appeared to interfere with the transmission of information from that nerve cell to other nerve cells, which would normally send a signal up to the brain, signalling pain. So in this case the NAPQI product that was formed from paracetamol acted on the TRPA1 protein to reduce transmission of information from pain-sensing nerves to the brain.

'These results are surprising because previous studies have shown that TRPA1 can actually produce pain, coughs and hypersensitivities it is the receptor for many common irritants like onion, mustard and tear gas. So our discovery shows for the first time that the opposite is in fact true this protein is a novel mechanism of action for a painkiller.'

The researchers say that if they can identify other analgesic compounds similar to paracetamol that use the same TRPA1 pathway to prevent pain signals sent by nerve cells to the brain, it is possible that they can find a compound that does not have toxic effects and will reduce the risk of overdose.

Dr Andersson concludes: 'This study validates TRPA1 as a new target for pain relief drugs. Many targets have been identified in the past, but as paracetamol is a medicine that we know works well in humans, this gives us a head-start in looking for effective molecules that utilise the same pathways but are less harmful.'

###

CONTACT
Katherine Barnes
International Press Officer
King's College London
Tel: 44-207-848-3076
Email: Katherine.barnes@kcl.ac.uk

About King's College London (http://www.kcl.ac.uk)

King's College London is one of the top 30 universities in the world (2011/12 QS World University Rankings), and the fourth oldest in England. A research-led university based in the heart of London, King's has nearly 23,500 students (of whom more than 9,000 are graduate students) from nearly 140 countries, and some 6,000 employees. King's is in the second phase of a 1 billion redevelopment programme which is transforming its estate.

King's has an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for British universities, 23 departments were ranked in the top quartile of British universities; over half of our academic staff work in departments that are in the top 10 per cent in the UK in their field and can thus be classed as world leading. The College is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of nearly 450 million.

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry) and social sciences including international affairs. It has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar. It is the largest centre for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe; no university has more Medical Research Council Centres.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services. For more information, visit: http://www.kingshealthpartners.org.

King's College London is one of the top 30 universities in the world (2011/12 QS international world rankings), and was The Sunday Times 'University of the Year 2010/11', and the fourth oldest in England. A research-led university based in the heart of London, King's has nearly 23,500 students (of whom more than 9,000 are graduate students) from nearly 140 countries, and some 6,000 employees. King's is in the second phase of a 1 billion redevelopment programme which is transforming its estate.

King's has an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for British universities, 23 departments were ranked in the top quartile of British universities; over half of our academic staff work in departments that are in the top 10 per cent in the UK in their field and can thus be classed as world leading. The College is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of nearly 450 million.

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry) and social sciences including international affairs. It has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar. It is the largest centre for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe; no university has more Medical Research Council Centres.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services. For more information, visit: http://www.kingshealthpartners.org.

The College is in the midst of a five-year, 500 million fundraising campaign World questions|King's answers created to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity as quickly as feasible. The campaign's three priority areas are neuroscience and mental health, leadership and society, and cancer. More information about the campaign is available at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/kingsanswers.



[ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

?


AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


[ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 22-Nov-2011
[ | E-mail | Share Share ]

Contact: Katherine Barnes
katherine.barnes@kcl.ac.uk
44-020-784-83076
King's College London

Researchers at King's College London have discovered how one of the most common household painkillers works, which could pave the way for less harmful pain relief medications to be developed in the future

Researchers at King's College London have discovered how one of the most common household painkillers works, which could pave the way for less harmful pain relief medications to be developed in the future.

Paracetamol, often known in the US and Asia as acetaminophen, is a widely-used analgesic (painkiller) and the main ingredient in everyday medications such as cold and flu remedies. Although discovered in the 1890s and marketed as a painkiller since the 1950s, exactly how it relieves pain was unknown.

This study, funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and published online today in Nature Communications, shows for the first time the principal mechanism of action for one of the most-used drugs in the world.

The researchers from King's, with colleagues from Lund University in Sweden, have identified that a protein called TRPA1, found on the surface of nerve cells, is a key molecule needed for paracetamol to be an effective painkiller.

Dr David Andersson, from the Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases at King's, said: 'This is an extremely exciting finding, which unlocks the secrets of one of the most widely-used medicines, and one which could impact hugely on the development of new pain relief drugs.

'Paracetamol is the go-to medicine for treating common aches and pains, but if the recommended dose is significantly exceeded it can lead to fatal complications.

'So now we understand the underlying principal mechanism behind how this drug works, we can start to look for molecules that work in the same way to effectively relieve pain, but are less toxic and will not lead to serious complications following overdose.'

The team of researchers used a 'hot-plate' test to observe the effects of paracetamol in mice. This involved measuring the number of seconds it takes for a mouse to withdraw its paw from a slightly hot surface. They found that paracetamol increased the time it took for mice to withdraw their paw, showing that the drug reduced the heat-induced pain.

The scientists then carried out experiments to observe what happened when a protein called TRPA1 was not present at all in the mice. They found that when they removed the TRPA1 protein and repeated the hot-plate test, the paracetamol had no analgesic effect. This identifies the protein as a key molecule needed for paracetamol to be an effective painkiller.

However, paracetamol on its own does not activate the TRPA1 protein. The study showed that when paracetamol is administered, a break-down product called NAPQI is formed in the spinal cord (where 'painful' information is processed). This product is also formed in the liver and is responsible for the toxic side effects seen following overdoses.

Furthermore, they demonstrated that other compounds that, unlike NAPQI, are not toxic can activate TPRA1 in the spinal cord when injected into mice. Because these compounds are not reactive, they are less likely to be harmful.

Professor Stuart Bevan, co-author from King's, said: 'What we saw happening in the mice was that the break-down product formed from paracetamol in turn stimulates a protein found on the surface of nerve cells called TRPA1. When this protein was activated, it appeared to interfere with the transmission of information from that nerve cell to other nerve cells, which would normally send a signal up to the brain, signalling pain. So in this case the NAPQI product that was formed from paracetamol acted on the TRPA1 protein to reduce transmission of information from pain-sensing nerves to the brain.

'These results are surprising because previous studies have shown that TRPA1 can actually produce pain, coughs and hypersensitivities it is the receptor for many common irritants like onion, mustard and tear gas. So our discovery shows for the first time that the opposite is in fact true this protein is a novel mechanism of action for a painkiller.'

The researchers say that if they can identify other analgesic compounds similar to paracetamol that use the same TRPA1 pathway to prevent pain signals sent by nerve cells to the brain, it is possible that they can find a compound that does not have toxic effects and will reduce the risk of overdose.

Dr Andersson concludes: 'This study validates TRPA1 as a new target for pain relief drugs. Many targets have been identified in the past, but as paracetamol is a medicine that we know works well in humans, this gives us a head-start in looking for effective molecules that utilise the same pathways but are less harmful.'

###

CONTACT
Katherine Barnes
International Press Officer
King's College London
Tel: 44-207-848-3076
Email: Katherine.barnes@kcl.ac.uk

About King's College London (http://www.kcl.ac.uk)

King's College London is one of the top 30 universities in the world (2011/12 QS World University Rankings), and the fourth oldest in England. A research-led university based in the heart of London, King's has nearly 23,500 students (of whom more than 9,000 are graduate students) from nearly 140 countries, and some 6,000 employees. King's is in the second phase of a 1 billion redevelopment programme which is transforming its estate.

King's has an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for British universities, 23 departments were ranked in the top quartile of British universities; over half of our academic staff work in departments that are in the top 10 per cent in the UK in their field and can thus be classed as world leading. The College is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of nearly 450 million.

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry) and social sciences including international affairs. It has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar. It is the largest centre for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe; no university has more Medical Research Council Centres.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services. For more information, visit: http://www.kingshealthpartners.org.

King's College London is one of the top 30 universities in the world (2011/12 QS international world rankings), and was The Sunday Times 'University of the Year 2010/11', and the fourth oldest in England. A research-led university based in the heart of London, King's has nearly 23,500 students (of whom more than 9,000 are graduate students) from nearly 140 countries, and some 6,000 employees. King's is in the second phase of a 1 billion redevelopment programme which is transforming its estate.

King's has an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise for British universities, 23 departments were ranked in the top quartile of British universities; over half of our academic staff work in departments that are in the top 10 per cent in the UK in their field and can thus be classed as world leading. The College is in the top seven UK universities for research earnings and has an overall annual income of nearly 450 million.

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry) and social sciences including international affairs. It has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA and research that led to the development of radio, television, mobile phones and radar. It is the largest centre for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe; no university has more Medical Research Council Centres.

King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are part of King's Health Partners. King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC) is a pioneering global collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts, including leading teaching hospitals and comprehensive mental health services. For more information, visit: http://www.kingshealthpartners.org.

The College is in the midst of a five-year, 500 million fundraising campaign World questions|King's answers created to address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity as quickly as feasible. The campaign's three priority areas are neuroscience and mental health, leadership and society, and cancer. More information about the campaign is available at http://www.kcl.ac.uk/kingsanswers.



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Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-11/kcl-fst112211.php

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