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Published online 13 July 2006 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news060710-12
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Seaweed extract protects against cervical cancer
Algae compound surprisingly effective at preventing cancer-causing viral infection.
Just a tiny amount of a common food additive has been found, in lab tests, to guard against the virus linked to cervical cancer.
Scientists have discovered that carrageenan, a compound extracted from red algae and used as a thickening agent in everyday products such as toothpaste and yoghurt, is highly effective at preventing the spread of the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV).
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