They found a particular piece on the surface of the bacteria, which they have called SpyCEP, is responsible for blocking the action of IL-8.

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In these cases, treatments based on blocking the action of the hormone may be offered.

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Ajoene, the disulfide that naturally occurs in garlic, appears to work by blocking the action of glutathione.

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They then tested drugs to see which might be effective in blocking the action of this protein.

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The new drug, called a CETP inhibitor, works by blocking the action of a protein which lowers levels of "good" cholesterol in the body.

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They are also adept at direct action, sometimes even blocking the streets by dumping tons of produce or manure.

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The new class of drugs - DFSAs - permanently bind to the enzyme, blocking its action and stopping it from spreading further, the journal Science reported.

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Nor should Mr Putin's continued blocking of UN Security Council resolutions authorising intervention in Syria be treated as an insurmountable bar to action, any more than it was in Kosovo in 1999.

ECONOMIST: The West is getting tougher with Russia. So it should