A Virus and Chronic Fatigue? (broadcast Friday, October 16th, 2009)
Researchers have identified a link between the presence of a virus known =
as XMRV and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -- but what does the presence of =
such a link mean? Writing in the journal Science last week, researchers =
described their analysis of blood cells taken from people with Chronic =
Fatigue Syndrome. "We identified DNA from a human gammaretrovirus, =
xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV), in 68 of 101 =
patients (67%) compared to 8 of 218 (3.7%) healthy controls," they =
wrote. The same virus has also been linked to certain types of prostate =
cancer. But what can the presence of the virus tell health researchers =
about Chronic Fatigue and other difficult-to-study conditions? We'll =
find out more. Teachers, find more information about using Science =
Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.=20
Guests
John Coffin=20
Professor, Molecular Biology and Microbiology
Tufts University
Boston, Massachusetts
Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public =
radio stations nationwide from 2-4pm Eastern time as part of NPR's 'Talk =
of the Nation' programming. Each week, we focus on science topics that =
are in the news and try to bring an educated, balanced discussion to =
bear on the scientific issues at hand. Panels of expert guests join =
Science Friday's host, Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to =
discuss science - and to take questions from listeners during the =
call-in portion of the program.
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