Peanuts envy: have researchers discovered a cure for peanut allergies?
Background: 
Peanut allergies--a hypersensitivity to dietary substances from peanuts causing an overreaction of the immune system--afflict millions of people. Until now, these allergies were treated with an exclusion diet and vigilant avoidance of foods that may be contaminated with whole peanuts or peanut particles and/or oils. However, due to the prevalence and ambiguous nature of such foods, maintaining such a diet can range from a major inconvenience to (rarely) a deadly danger.
Now, however, Duke University Medical Center, working with Arkansas Childrens' Hospital, has found a nearly foolproof way to desensitive children to peanuts by using the very thing to which those children are allergic: peanuts. Children in the study were given tiny, precise amounts of peanut flour daily and every few weeks the dosage was increased. (Medical staff was nearby to deal with any minor allergic reactions.) According to results of the study, every single participant built a tolerance to peanuts that entirely eliminated their allergy to them.
This question asks whether the desensitizing approach to peanut allergies will be announced as a definite cure for those allergies by the end of 2010.
Is There a Cure for Peanut Allergies? (ABC News)
Welcomed back soon?
Peanut allergies--a hypersensitivity to dietary substances from peanuts causing an overreaction of the immune system--afflict millions of people. Until now, these allergies were treated with an exclusion diet and vigilant avoidance of foods that may be contaminated with whole peanuts or peanut particles and/or oils. However, due to the prevalence and ambiguous nature of such foods, maintaining such a diet can range from a major inconvenience to (rarely) a deadly danger.
Now, however, Duke University Medical Center, working with Arkansas Childrens' Hospital, has found a nearly foolproof way to desensitive children to peanuts by using the very thing to which those children are allergic: peanuts. Children in the study were given tiny, precise amounts of peanut flour daily and every few weeks the dosage was increased. (Medical staff was nearby to deal with any minor allergic reactions.) According to results of the study, every single participant built a tolerance to peanuts that entirely eliminated their allergy to them.
This question asks whether the desensitizing approach to peanut allergies will be announced as a definite cure for those allergies by the end of 2010.
Is There a Cure for Peanut Allergies? (ABC News)
Settlement details: As reported by a major mainstream news source. NOTE: to settle as 'yes', a desensitizing program based on the results of the Duke University study discussed above must come into widespread use nation- or worldwide, and explicit credit for the development of that program must be given to that study.
Forecast history %
| Yes |
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| No |
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Question suspends in 40 weeks
- Activity: H$41,715 |
- Predictions: 66 |
Comments: 4
Suspend date: Fri 31st Dec 3:59pm PST (40 weeks to go)
Initial likelihoods: Yes: 40%
Action history:
Changed Description Mon 16th Mar 2009 4:47am PST by 
sqlman![[Admin]](http://www.hubdub.com/images/icon_admin.gif "This user is an admin")
: show details
sqlman: show details ... width: 269px; height: 301px; float: rightleft;"><img src="http://www.newleads ... to (rarely) a deadly danger. <.<br/> <br/> Now, however, Duke ... built a tolerance to peanuts. <.<br/> <br/> This question asks ... by the end of 2010. <.<br/> <br/> <a href="http:// ... GMA/OnCall/Story?id=7088457&page=2"><b>Is There ... for Peanut Allergies?</b></a> <><br/>
Changed Description Mon 16th Mar 2009 4:48am PST by sqlman: show details
sqlman: show details ... overreaction of the immune system--afflictsafflict milionsmillions of people. Until now, these ... Medical Center, working with Arkansas Children's Childrens' Hospital, has found a nearly
Changed Description Mon 16th Mar 2009 4:49am PST by sqlman: show details
sqlman: show details ... for Peanut Allergies?</b></a><> (ABC News)<br/>
Changed Settlement info Mon 16th Mar 2009 4:55am PST by sqlman: show details
sqlman: show details ... a major mainstream news source. NOTE: to settle as 'yes', the desensitizing regimen based on the results of the Duke University study must be named as a 'cure' by mainstream news sources.
Changed Description Mon 16th Mar 2009 4:55am PST by sqlman: show details
sqlman: show details ... .jpg" height="301" width="269"><"> <br/> <div style="padding: 3px; ... back soon?</i></div></div><> <br/> <br/> Peanut allergies--a ... to (rarely) a deadly danger.<. <br/> <br/> Now, however, Duke ... built a tolerance to peanuts.<. <br/> <br/> This question asks ... by the end of 2010.<. <br/> <br/> <a href="http:// ... GMA/OnCall/Story?id=7088457&page=2"><b>Is There ... Allergies?</b></a> (ABC News)<) <br/>
Changed Description Mon 16th Mar 2009 4:56am PST by sqlman: show details
sqlman: show details ... .jpg" height="301" width="269"> <"><br/> <div style="padding: 3px; ... 255, 255, 255); color: rgb(255, 0, 0, 255); font-weight: 900; text-align ... back soon?</i></div></div> <><br/> <br/> Peanut allergies--a ... to (rarely) a deadly danger. <.<br/> <br/> Now, however, Duke ... built a tolerance to peanuts. <.<br/> <br/> This question asks ... by the end of 2010. <.<br/> <br/> <a href="http:// ... GMA/OnCall/Story?id=7088457&page=2"><b>Is There ... Allergies?</b></a> (ABC News) <)<br/>
Changed Description Mon 16th Mar 2009 4:56am PST by sqlman: show details
sqlman: show details ... built a tolerance to peanuts that entirely eliminated their allergy to them.<br/> <br/> This question asks
Changed Description Mon 16th Mar 2009 2:07pm PST by sqlman: show details
sqlman: show details ... .jpg" height="301" width="269"><"> <br/> <div style="padding: 3px; ... back soon?</i></div></div><> <br/> <br/> Peanut allergies--a ... to (rarely) a deadly danger.<. <br/> <br/> Now, however, Duke ... eliminated their allergy to them.<. <br/> <br/> This question asks ... by the end of 2010.<. <br/> <br/> <a href="http:// ... GMA/OnCall/Story?id=7088457&page=2"><b>Is There ... Allergies?</b></a> (ABC News)<) <br/>
Changed Settlement info Mon 16th Mar 2009 2:07pm PST by sqlman: show details
sqlman: show details ... As reported by a major ... NOTE: to settle as 'yes', thea desensitizing regimenprogram based on the results of the Duke University study discussed above must become namedinto aswidespread a 'cure' byuse mainstreamnation- or newsworldwide, and sourcesexplicit credit for the development of that program <i>must</i> be given to that study.
Changed Description Mon 16th Mar 2009 2:10pm PST by sqlman: show details
sqlman: show details ... .jpg" height="301" width="269"> <"><br/> <div style="padding: 3px; ... back soon?</i></div></div> <><br/> <br/> Peanut allergies--a ... maintaining such a diet can be anythingrange from a major inconvenience to (rarely) a deadly danger. <.<br/> <br/> Now, however, Duke ... eliminated their allergy to them. <.<br/> <br/> This question asks ... by the end of 2010. <.<br/> <br/> <a href="http:// ... GMA/OnCall/Story?id=7088457&page=2"><b>Is There ... Allergies?</b></a> (ABC News) <)<br/>
Suspend date: Fri 31st Dec 3:59pm PST (40 weeks to go) details 
Get widget!Predictions (66)
wyrm
predicted No (H$50 at 91%)
jbrianhart
predicted Yes (H$100 at 8%)
predicted No (H$200 at 64%)
bobyn42
predicted No (H$100 at 63%)Comments (4)
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Related News 
This news is selected automatically based on the question, its background, options and tags
This news is selected automatically based on the question, its background, options and tags
score: 10
Houston Chronicle 44 weeks ago
committee comprises 16 leading parent advocates nationwide who confront the daily dangers of raising children with severe food allergies. 'FAI is tremendously honored and grateful to have such an esteemed group of parents who are willing to join our
score: 10
Philadelphia Inquirer 44 weeks ago
At Campbell's Field, where fans rise to sing of 'peanuts and Cracker Jack' as they do at baseball stadiums across the country, peanuts are no longer welcome - at least not in Suite 319. The 25 seats in that upper
score: 10
San Francisco Chronicle 44 weeks ago
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack ... except for fans sitting in suite 319. The minor-league Camden Riversharks have designated a peanut-free section at Campbell's Field to accommodate fans with food allergies. The
score: 10
Philadelphia Inquirer 44 weeks ago
At Campbell's Field, where fans rise to sing of 'peanuts and Cracker Jack' as they do at baseball stadiums across the country, peanuts are no longer welcome - at least not in Suite 319. The 25 seats in that upper
score: 10
CBS Sports 44 weeks ago
CAMDEN, N.J. -- Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack ... except for fans sitting in suite 319. The minor league Camden Riversharks have designated a peanut-free section at Campbell's Field to accommodate fans with food allergies
Related Tags
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Peanut-Allergy-Cure-Nut-Breakthrough-Heralded-By-British-Scientists/Article/200902315226184?lpos=UK_News_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15226184_Peanut_Allergy_Cure%3A_Nut_Breakthrough_Heralded_By_British_Scientists
I'm surprised that it's taken so long for doctors to have started using desensitization as a treatment for this allergy - I've got a cousin who's allergic and it seems to be becoming more and more common.
I've a nephew with the peanut allergy. Knowing my sister-in-law as I do, however, there is absolutely no way she'd go along with this. I can hear her shrieking now: "NO!!! It'll kill my child!!!"
:-)
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