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Federal Officers Raid Cocaine-Delivering Pizzeria in NYC
John's Pizzeria in The Bronx seemed to be surviving the economic downturn nicely, with a steady stream of customers for its popular pizzas and calzones. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) noticed just how well the neighborhood pizza joint was doing and suspected that manager Benigno Burgos had made some "additions" to the conventional pizza menu – additions that had some customers traveling from as far away as Connecticut for a take-out pizza.
Is Nanotechnology the Future of Addiction Treatment?
A stealthy army of nanorods cross the blood-brain barrier on a mission to silence the firing of a troublesome gene sequence. Penetrating brain cells, the nanorods dump their piggybacking short-interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules – molecules that alter gene expressions – and these RNA molecules turn off DARPP-32, a brain protein that triggers cravings for drugs or alcohol. With DARPP-32 shut down, drug cravings dissipate.
A One-Question Test to Spot Unhealthy Alcohol Use
As a medical term, unhealthy alcohol use can mean anything from risky alcohol consumption to alcohol abuse and dependence. A lot of people meet the criteria for unhealthy alcohol use, but doctors only sometimes screen for it, and more rarely still, accurately identify it in a primary care setting.
Modafinil May Be Riskier Than You Think
Modafinil has gained popularity as a no-consequence pep-up drug with a mind-boosting kick. Although originally developed as a medication for the sleep disorder narcolepsy, Modafinil has been used off-label in the treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) and recreationally by people seeking a quick mental boost.
Blocking a Hunger-Regulating Hormone in the Brain May Help Cocaine Addicts Quit
Researchers at UC Irvine believe they've found a way to reduce the cravings of cocaine addiction by blocking the activity of a hormone in the brain that works with dopamine to regulate hunger.
New Law to Help in the Fight against Cocaine-Filled Homemade Submarines
In Columbia, clandestine jungle-based shipyards churn out an unbelievable array of submarine-like vessels, each one destined to transport as much as 10 metric tons of cocaine north to Mexico.
