How ‘Pharaoh's curse' may help fight CANCER after leukaemia-battling chemical found in fungus linked to King Tut deaths
The poisonous fungus found growing inside the ancient tombs is believed to have struck down a team of 10 archaeologists in a theory known as " Pharaoh's Curse".
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The fungus crop - known as Aspergillus flavus - is believed to have been ingested by the researchers who then developed lung infections and died.
But now, in a miraculous turn of events, scientists think the toxic fungus could contain elements needed to attack blood cancer.
The fungus contains a "promising" protein that, when purified, could help battle leukaemia cells, they said.
According to their research, when combined with human cells, the protein is potent enough to disrupt the division of cancer cells.
Cancer is when abnormal cells divide in an uncontrolled way.
It starts when gene changes make one cell or a few cells begin to grow and multiply too much.
Sherry Gao, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, enthused that this could be the start of "many more medicines derived from natural products".
She told The Times: "Fungi gave us penicillin. These results show that many more medicines derived from natural products remain to be found".
She added: "Nature has given us this incredible pharmacy. It's up to us to uncover its secrets.
"As engineers, we're excited to keep exploring, learning from nature and using that knowledge to design better solutions.'
Tourists gather around Tutankhamun's 'cursed' body
This comes as researchers at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic, both in the US, developed a new type of jab to fight pancreatic cancer.
The vaccine uses tiny particles called nanoparticles to train the body's immune system to find and kill 'bad' cancer cells.
In early tests with animals and lab models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common and aggressive type of pancreatic cancer, more than half of the treated patients were completely cancer-free months after getting the vaccine.
The vaccine also encourages the body to create its own T cells, immune fighters specially trained to attack cancer, while building up 'immune memory' for longer-term protection.
Meanwhile, researchers in South Korea said they were able to revert cancerous cells back to a healthier stage.
The team believe they can prevent the progression by exploiting the moment before normal cells irreversibly transform into diseased cells.
Current cancer treatments focus on removing or destroying cancer cells through surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.
But the groundbreaking discovery could let cancer patients regain their healthy cells.
The scientists published their findings in the journal Advanced Science.
Co-author of the new research Kwang-Hyun Cho is a professor of biology at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
He said: "This study has revealed in detail, at the genetic network level, what changes occur within cells behind the process of cancer development, which has been considered a mystery until now.
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Some countries have restrictions on the amount of medication that you are allowed to bring into the country, usually a maximum of a three-month supply. Travellers often overlook how strict customs regulations can be regarding medications. Even if prescribed for a valid medical reason, carrying a prohibited drug can lead to confiscation (leaving you without essential treatment), fines (especially in countries with tough drug laws) and detention or arrest in rare but serious cases. If you're travelling with certain controlled drugs – such as opioids, stimulants or psychotropic substances – you may need to apply for an export licence from the UK Home Office. This is typically required when carrying a supply of three months or more. Examples of controlled drugs include diazepam (for anxiety and muscle spasms), codeine and morphine (for pain), amphetamines (for ADHD) and temazepam (for insomnia). Before you travel, check whether your medicine is affected by any of these restrictions. Use the country's embassy website or the UK government's travel advice to check the rules of your destination country. This should provide guidance on whether you simply need a copy of your prescription, a doctor's letter or a special import certificate (some countries require official documentation even for personal use). The UK government advises carrying controlled drugs or any drugs that might be restricted in your hand luggage. You should take along a prescription or a signed letter from your doctor detailing your medication, dosage and travel dates. Ensure you take sufficient supplies for the duration of your trip and include extras for unexpected delays, damage or loss. Store your medication properly It might be tempting to save space by transferring pills or liquids into smaller containers or pill organisers. While this can be convenient, it's not always advisable. Customs officials may not recognise unlabelled containers, increasing the chance of delays or confiscation. 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Most countries require a copy of your prescription and a doctor's letter confirming the medication is for personal use. Your doctor is not legally obliged to issue this letter, but most will do so upon request. It's best to ask at least one to two weeks in advance, as some practices may charge a fee or require time to prepare the documentation. Travelling with medication doesn't have to be stressful, but it does require planning. With the right preparation, you can enjoy your holiday without compromising your health or running afoul of foreign laws.
