Exercise Helps Immune System Protect Against Future Cancers

After completing chemotherapy, cancer survivors who exercise for several weeks are helping their immune systems become more effective, which in turn, prevents cancer from developing in the future.

The finding, which came from a preliminary study that is being presented at The Integrative Biology of Exercise VI meeting from October 10th to 13th, may help scientists understand why exercise can greatly decrease the risk of secondary cancers in survivors, or in the case where individuals have never been diagnosed, why it can decrease the risk of cancer altogether.

A team of experts, led by Laura Bilek, from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, had a group of 16 cancer survivors participate in a twelve week exercise program for their study. The T cells in the volunteers' blood was examined before the exercise course, and after it was completed.

Analysis showed that a large portion of the immune cells changed from a senescent form to a naïve form. This means that they went from a form that is not as efficient in fighting against cancer to a form that is prepared to protect against disease and infections.

Exercise Benefits the Immune System

Prior studies have found many associations between exercise and cancer, including:

• that exercise can decrease the chance of developing several different cancers
• that it can improve prognosis in people with cancer
• that it can decrease the chance of recurrence and secondary cancers from developing

However, since the cause of these links has been unknown, and some reports have implied that exercise can improve the immune system's ability to protect against disease, the experts in the current study set out to determine how it specifically impacts the immune system of cancer patients.

T cells, a type of immune cell that protects against infectious agents and cancer cells, were the focal point in the investigation of the cancer survivors who had just finished chemotherapy.

Past trials have shown that T cells become senescent after chemotherapy, leaving the patient less able to fight disease and infections.

However, Bilek explained, reconstructing the population of naïve T cells is important for the immune system to function properly and be able to fight cancer.

In order to identify the number of senescent and naïve T cells each person had, blood samples were taken, and analyzed, from all participants.

They then took part in an exercise program at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute which lasted twelve weeks.

The programs were individually made for the subjects, consisting of strength and endurance training, cardiovascular exercise, and exercises for posture, flexibility and balance, with extra work in areas where they were weakest.

The experts took blood from the subjects after the 12 weeks, and performed another test to examine their T cells.

Working Out Increases "Cancer Surveillance"

The second analysis revealed that the proportion of senescent to naïve T cells changed for the better in most of the patients, showing more naïve forms.

Bilek explained, "What we're suggesting is that with exercise, you might be getting rid of T cells that aren't helpful and making room for T cells that might be helpful."

This research is important because it not only emphasizes the advantages of exercise for cancer patients and cancer survivors, but it also demonstrates how it can benefit healthy individuals.

However, the increased "cancer surveillance", or the power of the immune system to stop emerging cancers, is particularly beneficial for those struggling with cancer, or who have just survived it.

Bilek concluded:

"There's a litany of positive benefits from exercise. If exercise indeed strengthens the immune system and potentially improves cancer surveillance, it's one more thing we should educate patients about as a reason they should schedule regular activity throughout their day and make it a priority in their lives."

Is Chest Hair in Men Sexy?

For all those men who thought chest hair added to their sex appeal, this news may just come as a shock.

Apparently, close to 80 per cent women find a man with a smooth chest attractive.

During a study, when women were asked to rate the attractiveness of men with hairy and hairless chests - only 20 per cent of women found the hairy chest appealing.

Scientists’ reason out that woman from time immemorial preferred less hairy guys as a good way to keep lice and other dangerous parasite away.

Black mamba venom makes a great painkiller

ONE bite from a black mamba can kill a person within half an hour. Strangely though, venom from what's arguably the world's deadliest snake could actually be a painkiller on a par with morphine.

In search of a new analgesic, Anne Baron at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology in Valbonne, France, and her colleagues, hunted through hundreds of compounds for one that blocks acid-sensing ion channels in nerves. These are key in a common pain pathway. The successful compound turned out to be venom from a black mamba.

Baron's team then identified which proteins in the venom blocked the ion channels, before naming them mambalgins and purifying them to produce a drug.

Mice injected with the drug appeared to be significantly more resilient to pain compared with those given a sham treatment (Nature, DOI: 10.1038/nature11494).

The drug did not affect the opioid receptors that are targeted by morphine but was just as effective in relieving pain.

Anyone taking the new drug might therefore avoid side effects associated with morphine, which include addiction and breathing problems, says Baron.

Netherlands Government

Netherlands Government Scholarship
MS/MA Degree

Deadline: 7 Feb/1 May/2 Oct 2012
Study in:  Netherlands
Course starts September 2012

Brief description:

Nuffic, through the Netherlands Fellowship Programme, provide scholarships for short courses in Netherlands for international students.  NFP fellowships can be used for a number of selected courses and are offered by education institutions in the Netherlands. The institutions provide professional training at post- secondary level in several fields of study. The courses lead to a Dutch certificate or a diploma and their duration varies from two weeks to twelve months.

Host Institution(s):

Dutch Universities and Institutions

Field(s) of study:

The list of short courses that are supported by the fellowships can be found at NFP brochure including the course list (PDF, 1.5 MB). Please note that this is a provisional list and that information is subject to change. Please regularly check the Nuffic website for the latest information.

Special Announcement: One can apply for NFP fellowships for one of the training courses – Local Service Delivery and MDG’s which will be held from 15 to 26 October 2012 in The Hague.

Target group:

Students from 61 developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.  Half of the available fellowships should be awarded to female candidates and the other half should be spent on candidates from sub-Saharan Africa. Apart from this, priority is given to candidates from priority groups and/or from marginalized regions to be defined by the embassies.

Scholarship value/inclusions:

The NFP allowance is considered to be a contribution towards the cost of living for the fellowship holder. A fellowship holder can therefore be faced with additional expenses (for instance extra costs for housing). Fellowship holders are adviced to check with the dutch institution if this can be the case for them. The allowances are not sufficient to support family members, either in the home country or in the Netherlands.

Eligibility:

A candidate applying for an NFP fellowship for a short course must:

•   be a mid-career professional with at least three years’ relevant work experience;
•   be a national of, and working and living in one of the developing countries on the NFP country list valid at the time of application (see annex 4);
•   be nominated by their employer, who pledges to continue paying their salary and guarantees that they will be able to return to the same or an equivalent position at the end of the fellowship period;
•   have been unconditionally admitted by a Dutch institution to one of the short courses on the course list 2012-2013. This means that candidates must meet all the requirements set by the Dutch institution;
•   not have received more than one NFP short course fellowships;
•   not have received an NFP short course fellowship in the year prior to the fellowship application;
•  not be employed by:  a multinational corporation (for instance Shell, Unilever etc.); a large national and/-or commercial organisation; a bilateral donor organisation (for instance USAID, DFID, Danida, Sida, FinAid, AusAid, ADC, SwissAid etc.); multilateral donor organisation, (for instance a UN organisation, the World Bank, the IMF, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, IADB, etc.); or an international NGO’s (for instance Oxfam, Plan, Care, etc.).
•   have completed and submitted an NFP short course fellowship application including all the
required documentation before the applicable NFP fellowship application deadline;
•  be employed in an area to which the study will make a relevant contribution;
•   have a clear-cut, functional relationship with a relevant organisation and be in a position to introduce the newly acquired skills and knowledge into that organisation;
•   be available for the entire period of the course and be physically and mentally able to take part in the entire course;
•   endorse the objective and the aim of the NFP. The aim of the NFP cannot be reached if the fellowship holder does not return to his or her own country. Nuffic would like to urge fellowship holders to return to their home country upon finishing the course or programme to meet the NFP aim in the most effective way.

Application instructions:

To be eligible for an NFP fellowship, candidates need to be admitted to the short course for which they would like an NFP fellowship. Candidates first apply for admission directly to the Dutch institution that offers the short course of their choice.  The Dutch institution assesses the application and decides whether or not to admit the candidate to the short course. Nuffic has no part in the academic admission process.

A candidate applying for an NFP fellowship must have been unconditionally admitted to a Dutch institution for the course or programme for which the candidate applies for an NFP fellowship. This means that the candidate must have met all the academic and administrative requirements set by the Dutch institution.

The deadline for academic applications is earlier, about 1-2 months earlier than the fellowship applications deadline.   Candidates are strongly advised to apply as early as possible for admission to a Dutch institution to allow these institutions enough time to process all the applications for admission in time.

For 2012-2013, the deadline for fellowship applications is 7 Februrary or 1 May or 2 October in 2012 depending on the course (see the NFP course list for 2012-2013 to know the specific deadline for your chosen course).  The deadlines  for  paper  fellowship applications are always  one month  before the online application deadline.  The paper fellowship application deadlines  are: 1 January  2012, 1 April  2012 and 1 September  2012.

Applications have to be submitted through Scholarships Online (SOL). Through SOL candidates can apply for fellowships online
and they can check the status of an application. Other parties such as the Dutch institutions, the embassies and consulates will use SOL to add information about an NFP fellowship application. The embassies and consulates will also use SOL to assess NFP
fellowship applications.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Website:

Official Scholarship Website:  http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students/scholarships/scholarships-administered-by-nuffic/netherlands-fellowships-programmes-nfp/netherlands-fellowship-programmes-nfp

DB/Japan Government

MS/PhD Degree

Deadline: varies
Study in:  Asia, Australia, USA
Course starts 2012

Brief description:

The Asian Development Bank-Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) was established in April 1988 with financing from the Government of Japan.   It aims to provide an opportunity for well-qualified citizens of ADB’s developing member countries to undertake postgraduate studies in economics, management, science and technology, and other development-related fields at participating academic institutions in the Asian and Pacific Region.

Upon completion of their study programs, scholars are expected to contribute to the economic and social development of their home countries.

Host Institution(s):

ADB-JSP provides scholarships only to participating academic institutions under the Program.

Field(s) of study:

Programs covered by the ADB-JSP are postgraduate studies in economics, management, health, education, agriculture,  environment, natural resource management, science and technology, and other development-related fields.

Only programs at the 20 participating academic institutions in the Asian and Pacific Regions are eligible for ADB-JSP funding.

Number of Scholarships:

About 300 scholarships are awarded annually.

Target group:

The scholarships are open to citizens of ADB’s developing member countries.

Scholarship value/inclusions:

The ADB-JSP provides full tuition fees, a monthly subsistence and housing allowance, an allowance for books and instructional materials, medical insurance, and travel expenses.

For scholars engaged in research, a special grant may be available for thesis preparation. In special circumstances computer literacy, preparatory language and other similar courses may be covered under the scholarship.

The scholarship is for one year with an extension to the second year of study, as appropriate, which shall be conditional on the scholar maintaining a satisfactory level of performance as determined by the institute.   The maximum duration of scholarship award is two years for masters and doctorate programs.

Eligibility:

1. A national of an ADB borrowing member country (applicants from countries that are no longer borrowing from ADB are not eligible for the ADB-JSP Scholarship).

2. Gained admission to an approved MA/PhD course at an academic institution .

3. A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent with superior academic record.

4. At least two (2) years of full-time professional working experience (acquired after a university degree) at the time of application. Proficiency in oral and written English communication skills to be able to pursue studies.

5. Not more than 35 years old at the time of application. In exceptional cases, for programs which are appropriate for senior officials and managers, the age limit is 45 years old.

6. In good health.

7. Should agree to return to his/her home country after completion of studies under the Program.

8. Executive Directors, Alternate Directors, management and staff of ADB, consultants, and relatives of the aforementioned are not eligible for the Scholarship.

9. Staff of academic institutions are not eligible for the Scholarship.

10. Applicants living or working in a country other than his/her home country are not eligible for scholarships.

11. ADB-JSP does not support applicants who are already enrolled in graduate degree programs.

12. ADB-JSP does not sponsor undergraduate studies, distance learning programs, short-term training, conferences, seminars, thesis writing, and research projects.

Application instructions:

The procedure in applying for ADB-JSP Scholarships is outlined below:

1. Applicants should request information and application forms from the chosen Academic Institution(s. Applicants are encouraged to access various resources, including the institutions’ websites and handbooks, and institution information sessions held in-country, to assist them in making an informed decision on the academic institution and course they wish to undertake.

2. Applicants should indicate to the academic institution that they are applying for admission and that they would like to be considered for the ADB-JSP Scholarship. The completed Institution application form and required documentation, including the ADB-JSP Information Sheet form, should be submitted to the academic institution. Applicants must ensure that they submit accurate and complete documentation. Failure to do so may result in an application not being processed or to an award being terminated if documentation or information provided is later determined to be false. Applicants are required to submit their latest Income Tax Return or Certification of their Annual Salary/Monthly Salary, whichever is available. They should also submit a Certification of Family Income (Parent’s Income).

3. The academic institution will screen and rank the applicants, based on its own selection criteria, keeping in view the eligibility requirements and selection criteria of the ADB. In the evaluation process, the academic institution may contact the candidates for further information. The academic institution will then submit its ranked list of applicants to ADB, including a description of the score/grading system which is the basis for the ranking.

4. ADB will review the submission from the academic institutions and recommend awardees based on the selection criteria of ADB to the Executive Director of Japan for formal approval.

5. Upon approval by the Executive Director of Japan, ADB will advise academic institutions on the successful candidates.

6. The academic institution will inform all applicants of the outcome of the selection process and begin to make arrangements for the awardees take up their scholarships.

7. The academic institutions will arrange for the signing of the Acceptance of Scholarship Award by awardee wherein the scholars agree that after completion of their study, they will return to their home country.

8. ADB will send an appropriate congratulatory letter to each scholar.

No separate application to ADB is necessary.  Send applications for scholarships at least six months prior to the planned time that you wish to commence studies.   Please refer to the normal month of intake and deadline of application in the participating academic institutions.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Website:

Official Scholarship Website:  http://www.adb.org/site/careers/japan-scholarship-program/main

Islamic Development Bank

Bachelors (BS) Degree

Deadline: Rolling
Study in:  any Country
Course starts 2012/2013

Brief description:

The Scholarship Programme for Muslim Communities in Non-Member Countries was launched in 1404H (1983G) with the objective to provide educational opportunities for the academically meritorious and financially needy young Muslim students from Muslim communities in non-member countries to pursue undergraduate or first-degree study in a university and to train them in specific fields in order to improve their socio-economic conditions, preserve their cultural and religious identities and make a meaningful contribution to the development of their communities and countries.

Host Institution(s):

The Scholarship is tenable at recognized government or private universities in the students’ own countries. Students may also be sent to IDB member countries which provide places for IDB students in their universities.

Fields of study:

At present, the Programme focuses on medicine, engineering, agriculture and other related fields such as dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary science, nursing, nutrition study, computer science, forestry and fishery. Only for the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries with their special needs has the IDB approved the inclusion of additional areas of study such as administration, management, marketing, finance, banking and accountancy.

Number of Awards:

Not specified

Target group:

The scholarships are for Muslims from the following countries:

Argentina, Australia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Cote d Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia. D R of Congo (Zaire), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, India, Kenya, Kosovo, Kibris (Northern Cyprus), Liberia, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vanuatu (The Pacific), Vietnam, Zambia, Zanzibar (Tanzania), and Zimbabwe.

Scholarship value/inclusions:

The IDB Scholarship Programme covers the following items:

•  tuition-fee(*) and other related academic expenses, such as examination fees, laboratory fees, etc., payable to the universities directly;
•  monthly stipend commensurate with the cost of living in the country of study;
•  books/clothing allowance, the equivalent of three months monthly stipends, once a year;
•  cost of medical treatment (either at the university or local state hospital); and
•  cost of one pair of eye-glasses, once during the entire period of study(if needed).

(*) Not applicable to all benefiting students.

For the students who are selected to study outside of their own countries, the IDB also provides them with economy class tickets to and from the countries of study (once at the beginning and at the end of study.

Important Note: The scholarship is given as an interest-free-loan (qard hasana) to the students and as a grant to the Muslim communities to which they belong.  Under the Programme, the students are required to repay the loan after graduation and gainful employment, in easy installments, to a Waqf (Trust) set up by the IDB in each non-member country benefiting from the Programme.

Eligibility:

The Scholarship Programme is intended to be for academically meritorious but financially needy Muslim students with strong desire to engage in social services and community development. They must also be able to meet the following eligibility criteria:

•  Maximum age of 24 years;
•  Completed senior secondary education (or the equivalent of approximately 12 years of education) with good grades in major science subjects
•  Secured admission in one of the disciplines covered under the Programme at a recognized college or university in their own countries; and
•  Not in receipt of any other scholarship at the time of application and during studies.
•  Recommended by the local community leaders or Muslim Organizations through the IDB Selection Procedures.

Application instructions:

The Application Form must be properly completed and submitted to the Counterpart Organizations in the country, accompanied by all the required documents, as follows: attested copies of birth certificate, diploma, transcript, and proof of admission.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Contact information:

In countries where the IDB Scholarship Programme is being implemented, please contact the Counterpart Organizations in your country and NOT the IDB directly.  In countries where the Programme is not being implemented, inquiries may be directed to the IDB directly.

The Head, Office of the Scholarship Programme
Islamic Development Bank
P.O. Box 5925, Jeddah 21432
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966-2) 636-1400; 646-6835 (direct)
Fax: (966-2) 636-6871; 646-6887 (direct)
E-mail: scholar@isdb.org

Website:

Official Scholarship Website: http://www.isdb.org/irj/portal/anonymous?NavigationTarget=navurl://2e7def656656ac9aede982bd2995a417&

DAAD

Masters (MS) Degree

Deadline: 31 July (annual)
Study in:  Germany
Course starts September 2012

Brief description:

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides scholarships in Germany for international students for a range of postgraduate courses at German Universities which aim at providing academically educated young professionals from developing countries with further specialized studies.

These degree courses, which consist of one to two years of concentrated study, provide academically-trained young professionals in leading positions from developing countries with the opportunity to engage in postgraduate education and training in their particular field or profession.

Host Institution(s):

German Universities offering postgraduate courses with relevance to developing countries.

Field(s) of Study:

Postgraduate courses are offered in the following fields:

• Economic Sciences / Business Administration / Political Economics
• Development Co-operation
• Engineering and Related Sciences
• Mathematics
• Regional Planning
• Agriculture and Forest Sciences
• Environmental Sciences
• Medicine and Public Health
• Veterinary Medicine
• Sociology and Education

View the list of selected programmes for 2012/2013.

Number of Scholarships:

Not specified.

Target group:

The DAAD Germany Scholarships are for international students and young professionals from developing countries in Africa, Asia, Pacific Islands, Central and South America and Central and Eastern Europe.
Scholarship value/inclusions:

DAAD scholarship supports selected programmes with a variety of full or partial scholarships.

Eligibility:

• Will come either from a public authority or a state or private company in a developing country and, as such, be engaged in the planning and execution of directives and projects with emphasis on development policies having a bearing on technological, economic or social areas.
• Holds a Bachelor’s degree (4 years) in related subject.
• Will have completed an academic degree far beyond average and at least two years of related professional experience.
• Is not older than 36 (for some courses the age limit is 32), and his/her respective academic degrees should normally not be older than 3 years. Concerning a possible age limit, please refer to the course details on the following pages.
• For courses in German: DSH 2 or TestDaF 4; at time of application German skills at completed level A2 are required. In addition, German language courses at level A3 or B1 are highly recommended.
• For courses in English: TOEFL (minimum score: 550 paper based, 213 computer based, 80 internet based) or IELTS (band 6) certificate.

Please also see if you meet the eligibility requirements of the programme you are applying to.

Application instructions:

Scholarship applicants can apply at the German embassy or DAAD regional office, directly at the DAAD in Bonn or directly to the university.  For Cameroon, Myanmar, Nigeria it is highly recommended to submit the applications only via the German Embassy.

The applicant should submit the complete requirements as found in this link.  The applicant also needs to follow separate specific application requirements and instructions (if any) set by a course.

Application deadlines for DAAD-scholarships are as follows:

•At German embassies and/or at the DAAD regional offices: 31 July
• At the DAAD section 431 in Bonn/Germany: 30 August
• At the respective universities in Germany: 30 September or 15 October

Important Note: Applicants should make sure to check information regarding university-specific application closing dates directly with the individual universities  because they may vary from the general deadlines listed above.

It is important to visit the official website to access the application form and for complete information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Website:

Official Scholarship Website: http://www.daad.de/entwicklung/studierende_und_alumni/bildung_postgradual/ast/08492.en.html

Scholarship Booklet 2012-2013:  http://www.daad.de/imperia/md/content/entwicklung/hochschulen/ast/postgraduate_courses_2012_2013.pdf