What to expect from an office visit for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

If you think you might have CFS, begin your medical evaluation with a visit to your primary doctor. Your doctor may start with a routine physical examination, including asking you certain questions to help him or her rule out other causes of your symptoms. Because there is not a single definitive test, it can be difficult to make the diagnosis of CFS and taking a good medical history is very important. Other medical conditions must be excluded before the diagnosis of CFS can be made. more  

Mayo Clinic study shows acupuncture and myofascial trigger therapy treat same pain areas

Ancient acupuncture and modern myofascial pain therapy each focus on hundreds of similar points on the body to treat pain, although they do it differently, says a physician at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville who analyzed the two techniques. more

Chronic disease management: Does it improve health and save money?

A study published in the May/June issue of Health Affairs reports on the first randomized trial providing a scientifically valid look at what one might expect from chronic disease management programs that serve low-income individuals. The study result provides good news for state Medicaid leaders struggling to meet the needs of individuals with chronic conditions and also suggests that some disease management efforts, even among relatively low-risk patients, may be an effective strategy. more  

Study uses music to explore the autistic brain's emotion processing

Music has a universal ability to tap into our deepest emotions. Unfortunately, for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), understanding emotions is a very difficult task. Can music help them? more

Vitamin D protects cells from stress that can lead to cancer  

By inducing a specific gene to increase expression of a key enzyme, vitamin D protects healthy prostate cells from the damage and injuries that can lead to cancer, University of Rochester Medical Center researchers report. more

Genetic links to impaired social behavior in autism 

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) show profound deficits in social interactions and communications, and display repetitive behaviors and abnormal responses to sensory experiences. One aspect of an autistic child’s impaired social abilities is their lack of affiliative behaviors, i.e., behaviors such as touching and hugging that strengthen social bonds. On May 15th, Biological Psychiatry is publishing an article that reports new findings on genetic bases of these behaviors. more

Something different: ASU researchers synthesize molecule with self-control

Plants have an ambivalent relationship with light. They need it to live, but too much light leads to the increased production of high-energy chemical intermediates that can injure or kill the plant. more

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