Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Alligators’ ‘ferocious’ immune system could help people

3479354.jpg... In the bayous of Louisiana, researchers have discovered that alligators have a ferocious immune system that can take down a vast range of viruses, bacteria and other infectious microbes, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

... As a first step, Merchant and other scientists have begun studying the proteins at the heart of the alligator's powerful immune system. They're short chains of amino acids, called peptides, which attack invading microbes. - more

Despite strong defenses, this same article points out that both gators and humans are suffering from human chemicals. In fact, researchers found a troubling increase in the number of human "malformed penises" and other developmental problems in the last few decades.

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