Archives by Title - Volume 10, 2008 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A

ACPM concludes insufficient evidence to recommend routine prostate cancer screening

The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) has found there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against routine population prostate screening with digital rectal examination (DRE) or measurement of the serum tumor marker, prostatespecific antigen (PSA). ACPM advises that clinicians caring for men, especially African-American men and those with a family history, should provide information about the potential benefits and harms of screening and limits of current evidence to allow for them to make an informed decision about screening. more

AHRQ releases consumer financial incentives guide for employers and other health care purchasers

HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality today announced a new guide to help employers, private health plans, the federal government, and state Medicaid agencies as they consider consumer financial incentives as part of an overarching strategy to improve the quality of health care and get better value for what they spend on services. more  

ASGE encourages patients to see a physician if they experience symptoms suggestive of GERD

A recent study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality shows that hospitalizations for disorders caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD rose 103 percent between 1998 and 2005. Also, hospitalizations for patients who had milder forms of GERD (in addition to the condition for which they were admitted), rose by 216 percent during the same time period. The numbers underscore the importance of seeing a physician if symptoms suggestive of GERD are present. more

Abuse history affects pain regulation in women with irritable bowel syndrome  

UCLA and University of North Carolina researchers have found that women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who have experienced sexual and/or physical abuse may have a heightened brain response to pain that makes them more sensitive to abdominal discomfort. IBS is a condition that affects 10 to 15 percent of the population and causes gastrointestinal discomfort along with diarrhea, constipation or both. more

Achieving a US health care system 'second to none'  

All candidates running for office in 2008 should commit to an agenda to create a health care system for the United States that is second to none the American College of Physicians (ACP) said today in its annual report on The State of the Nation’s Health Care. In its report, ACP offers a five-point Candidate’s Pledge designed to gain candidate commitments to support a series of recommendations. more

Acid-seeking “warheads” promise safer, more effective cancer weapons

Researchers in California report development of an anti-cancer “warhead” that targets the acidic signature of tumor cells in much the same way that heat-seeking missiles seek and destroy military targets that emit heat. These acid-seeking substances are not toxic to healthy cells, and represent a new class of potentially safer, more effective anti-cancer drugs, they say. more

Actual use of asthma medications contradicts guidelines

A study has found only 16% of the 352,082 Australians who filled a prescription for asthma preventer medications for the first time during the period July 2004 to June 2005, went on to use them regularly. more

Acupuncture shows promise in improving rates of pregnancy following IVF

A review of seven clinical trials of acupuncture given with embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) suggests that acupuncture may improve rates of pregnancy. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of couples experience reproductive difficulty and seek specialist fertility treatments, such as IVF. IVF, which involves retrieving a woman's egg, fertilizing it in the laboratory, and then transferring the embryo back into the woman's womb is an expensive, lengthy, and stressful process. more  

Acute pesticide poisoning: A proposed classification tool 

Cases of acute pesticide poisoning (APP) account for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries.1,2 There are no reliable estimates as to how many people per year suffer from pesticide-related health effects. This is due to several reasons including a lack of standardized case definition. more

ADVANCE diabetes trial results confirm no evidence of safety risk 

Data from the ADVANCE Study, involving 11,140 high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes, provides no evidence of an increased risk of death among those patients receiving aggressive treatment to lower blood glucose. more

Adolescents with chronic insomnia report 'twofold to fivefold' increase in personal problems  

Documenting a “twofold to fivefold” increase in personal problems among adolescents with persistent sleeplessness, public health researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston say they have completed the first prospective study demonstrating the negative impact of chronic insomnia on 11 to 17 year olds. More than one fourth of the youths surveyed had one or more symptoms of insomnia and almost half of these youngsters had chronic conditions. Findings appear in the March issue of the “Journal of Adolescent Health” and are based on interviews with 3,134 adolescents in metropolitan Houston. more

Adult stem cell application effective in treatment of peripheric vascular disease  

Multipotent adult progenitor stem cells extracted from bone marrow, and known as MAPCs, have proved to be effective in the regeneration of blood vessel tissue and also in muscle tissue when treating peripheric vascular disease. This was the result of research undertaken with mouse models by two research groups, one by the University Hospital of Navarra jointly with the Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), also of the University of Navarra, and the other by the Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology atthe Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium). more

Age-related dementia on the decline

Rates of cognitive impairment among older Americans are on the decline, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) comparing the cognitive health of older people in 1993 and 2002. Higher levels of education were associated with better cognitive health. more  

Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure may reverse atherosclerosis in adults with diabetes

Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent — and possibly reverse — hardening of the arteries, according to new research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Hardening of the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, is the number one cause of heart disease and can lead to heart attack, stroke, and death. more  

ALS Aggregates are composed of only one protein

Researchers have provided a big new clue to help combat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), deciphering that the dense protein aggregates that contribute to the nerve decay of ALS are composed of just one protein: superoxide dismutase (SOD1). more

Alcohol and sleep

The average adult sleeps 7.5 to 8 hours every night. Although the function of sleep is unknown, abundant evidence demonstrates that lack of sleep can have serious consequences, including increased risk of depressive disorders, impaired breathing, and heart disease. In addition, excessive daytime sleepiness resulting from sleep disturbance is associated with memory deficits, impaired social and occupational function, and car crashes (1,2). Alcohol consumption can induce sleep disorders by disrupting the sequence and duration of sleep states and by altering total sleep time as well as the time required to fall asleep (i.e., sleep latency). more

Alcohol can benefit the hearts of new drinkers

A Medical University of South Carolina’s (MUSC) Department of Family Medicine study concluded that people who began moderately consuming alcohol in middle-age experience a quick benefit of lower rates of cardiovascular disease morbidity with no change in mortality after four years. more

All about Ménière's disease

Ménière's disease is an abnormality of the inner ear causing a host of symptoms, including vertigo or severe dizziness, tinnitus or a roaring sound in the ears, fluctuating hearing loss, and the sensation of pressure or pain in the affected ear. The disorder usually affects only one ear and is a common cause of hearing loss. Named after French physician Prosper Ménière who first described the syndrome in 1861. more  

Allergy testing guides avoidance, targets treatment 

Allergy testing is essential in the effective management of patients with allergic conditions. When combined with a detailed medical history, it can identify the causes of allergy symptoms and provide the basis for avoidance, environmental control and immunotherapy. more

Alzheimer's disease: Tips for caregivers

Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at home is a difficult task and can become overwhelming at times. Each day brings new challenges as the caregiver copes with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior. Research has shown that caregivers themselves often are at increased risk for depression and illness, especially if they do not receive adequate support from family, friends, and the community. Read a guide published by the National Institutes of Health in today's issue of Vidyya. more

Alzheimer's vaccine clears plaques, but does nothing for learning and memory

A promising vaccine being tested for Alzheimer’s disease does what it is designed to do – clear beta-amyloid plaques from the brain – but it does not seem to help restore lost learning and memory abilities, according to a University of California, Irvine study. more  

Amalgam fillings don’t affect children’s brain development, says study in ADA Journal 

Dental amalgam tooth fillings do not adversely affect children's brain development and neurological status, researchers report in the February issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association. more

Americans: Cash cows who don't comply with medication advice

American dialysis patients have the highest out-of-pocket drug costs among international dialysis patients. However, even those who can afford their prescription drugs are far less likely to take them than patients in other countries. more

America's 50 best hospitals: Patient outcomes at US hospitals from 1999 to 2006 identifies top centers

HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings organization, today identified America’s 50 Best Hospitals, an elite class of top-performing facilities. The HealthGrades America’s 50 Best Hospital designation represents the healthcare industry’s only quality ranking based solely on objective clinical outcomes among U.S. hospitals. more  

Ankylosing spondylitis genes found  

Work supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases has led to the discovery of two genes responsible for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory and potentially disabling disease of the spine. more

Anti-cancer drug damages brain vessels

The cancer drug Avastin (bevacizumab) is used to treat advanced bowel cancer in combination with chemotherapy. This drug targets a protein called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) that stimulates blood vessel growth. Avastin inhibits the growth of tumors by cutting off their blood supply, which deprives them of oxygen and other nutrients. more

Anticipating a laugh reduces stress hormones

In 2006 researchers investigating the interaction between the brain, behavior, and the immune system found that simply anticipating a mirthful laughter experience boosted health-protecting hormones. Now, two years later, the same researchers have found that the anticipation of a positive humorous laughter experience also reduces potentially detrimental stress hormones. According to Dr. Lee Berk, the study team’s lead researcher of Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, “Our findings lead us to believe that by seeking out positive experiences that make us laugh we can do a lot with our physiology to stay well.” more

Antioxidants hope or hype? Mayo researchers look at effects of antioxidant supplements on cancer  

While some trials have suggested that antioxidants have beneficial effects, results from other trials have been negative. It has been unclear which antioxidant compounts are more beneficial (or more harmful), and how individual antioxidants affect target organs and specific patient populations. more

Antioxidants not a cure all - no help in development of children with Down's syndrome

Giving children with Down’s syndrome antioxidants and nutrients does not help their condition improve at all, according to a study published 21 February 2008. more  

Arcalyst is first treatment for extremely rare condition called Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome or CAPS 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a drug to help ease the suffering faced by those with certain chronic inflammatory diseases. Arcalyst (rilonacept, an Interleukin-1 blocker) is now approved for the long term treatment of two Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) disorders: Familial Cold Auto-Inflammatory Syndrome (FCAS) and Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS). more

Are you what you eat? New study of body weight change says maybe not

If identical twins eat and exercise equally, must they have the same body weight? By analyzing the fundamental equations of body weight change, NIH investigators Carson Chow and Kevin Hall find that identical twins with identical lifestyles can have different body weights and different amounts of body fat. more

Aromatherapy may make you feel good, but it won’t make you well  

One of the most comprehensive investigations done to date on aromatherapy failed to show any improvement in either immune status, wound healing or pain control among people exposed to two often-touted scents. more

Arsenic aids tumor imaging when joined to cancer-homing drug, UT Southwestern researchers find 

Arsenic linked to a drug that binds to the blood vessels of cancerous tumors provides a powerful imaging agent that could one day allow physicians to detect hard-to-find tumors and more closely monitor cancer’s response to therapy, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found. more

Artificial sweeteners linked to weight gain

Want to lose weight? It might help to pour that diet soda down the drain. Researchers have laboratory evidence that the widespread use of no-calorie sweeteners may actually make it harder for people to control their intake and body weight. The findings appear in the February issue of Behavioral Neuroscience, which is published by the American Psychological Association (APA). more  

Asthma medicines often not prescribed as national guidelines recommend  

More than a decade after national guidelines were issued for asthma treatment, some patients still don’t receive prescriptions for the inhalers that experts say offer the safest and most effective long-term control of the disease, a new study suggests. more

At last a machine with good taste — for espresso  

Can a machine taste coffee" The question has plagued scientists studying the caffeinated beverage for decades. Fortunately, researchers in Switzerland can now answer with a resounding “yes.” The study on their coffee-tasting machine is scheduled for the 1 March issue of ACS’ Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal. more

Attacks against medical researchers: Time to take a stand

Biological Psychiatry, in its upcoming April 15th issue, is publishing a critically important commentary written by its Editors, members of its Editorial Committee, and its Editorial Board. This commentary is an urgent public statement, highlighting the increasing problem of terrorist acts, by individuals affiliated with groups such as the Animal Liberation Front, against investigators conducting research in non-human primates in the United States. more  

Auditory neurons in humans far more sensitive to fine sound frequencies than most mammals

The human ear is exquisitely tuned to discern different sound frequencies, whether such tones are high or low, near or far. But the ability of our ears pales in comparison to the remarkable knack of single neurons in the brain to distinguish between the very subtlest of sound frequencies. more

Autism's origins: Mother's antibody production may affect fetal brain

The mothers of some autistic children may have made antibodies against their fetuses’ brain tissue during pregnancy that crossed the placenta and caused changes that led to autism, suggests research led by Johns Hopkins Children’s Center investigators and published in the February issue of the Journal of Neuroimmunology. more

Autism risk higher in people with gene variant

Scientists have found a variation in a gene that may raise the risk of developing autism, especially when the variant is inherited from mothers rather than fathers. The research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. more  

Automated external defibrillators and CPR are equally helpful for sudden cardiac arrest in the home

The first study to explore the use of automated external defibrillator (AEDs) in the home has found that although the safe and easy-to-use devices are effective for certain types of cardiac arrest, they were underused. The Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial (HAT), a randomized international clinical trial, was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. more  

Autopsy findings suggest end of decline in coronary disease rates  

Autopsies of individuals in one Minnesota County suggest that the decades-long decline in the rate of coronary artery disease may have ended and possibly reversed after 2000, according to a report in the February 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. more

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Bacon: It's what's for dinner?

Bacon, bacon, who has the bacon? Healthy exercisers aged 60-69 according to a new study from Texas A & M University. Exercisers with higher cholesterol intake and higher serum cholesterol levels gained muscle mass faster and more efficienty than their healthy eating, cholesterol-lowering pill-popping counterparts. So, who has the bacon? Well, maybe stick with peanut butter for now. more  

Battling potential disease outbreaks online: Public health surveillance in real time

Public health officials are constantly in battle mode against illness from food contaminants or a possible pandemic, but to fight these deadly foes they need more complete information and they need it faster. more

Before a CT scan or angiogram, many people should take inexpensive drug to protect kidneys

As more and more Americans undergo CT scans and other medical imaging scans involving intense X-rays, a new study suggests that many of them should take a pre-scan drug that could protect their kidneys from damage. more

Bejing researchers assemble the most comprehensive gene atlas underlying drug addiction

Using an integrative meta-analysis approach, researchers from the Center for Bioinformatics at Peking University in Beijing have assembled the most comprehensive gene atlas underlying drug addiction and identified five molecular pathways common to four different addictive drugs. This novel paper appears in PLoS Computational Biology on January 4, 2008. more

Benefits of Medicare-paid mammography lag for black women

When Medicare began paying for older women to undergo preventive mammograms in 1991, doctors expected breast cancer mortality rates to drop. Breast cancer deaths did decrease, but new research has unveiled a discrepancy: African-American women as a group do not benefit as much as white women. more

Best health advice? Be happy with your fat self. Desire to lose weight, not weight itself linked to unhealthy days

In a study to examine the impact of desired body weight on the number of unhealthy days subjects report over one month, researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that the desire to weigh less was a more accurate predictor of physically and mentally unhealthy days, than body mass index (BMI). In addition, the desire to lose weight was more predictive of unhealthy days among Whites than among African-Americans or Hispanics, and among women than among men. The paper, I Think Therefore I Am: Perceived Ideal Weight as a Determinant of Health, will be published in the March issue of the American Journal of Public Health. more  

Better and faster: Distinguishing non-TB pulmonary disease from TB

A diagnostic kit shows new promise for distinguishing between tuberculosis (TB) and its infections from disease caused by related mycobacteria family, which mimic TB and other lung disease in symptoms but require distinctly different clinical treatments. more

Biochemical signals associated with atherosclerosis may damage other organs  

Many scientists view atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, as a localized disease characterized by the build up of fatty plaques in the arteries, which can eventually cause heart attacks and strokes. Now, in a finding that challenges conventional knowledge, researchers in New York and North Carolina report that plaques formed in arteries are associated with certain harmful chemical reactions that can contribute to damage in the lungs, liver, and other organs. more

Bio-identicals: Sorting myths from facts

"BHRT" is a marketing term not recognized by FDA. Sellers of bio-identicals often claim that these "all-natural" pills, creams, lotions, and gels are without the risks of synthetic FDA-approved drugs for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). FDA-approved MHT drug products provide effective relief of the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. They also can prevent thinning of bones. more  

Biomarkers linked to DCIS outcomes

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), where abnormal cells are found in the lining of a breast duct, is usually treated with surgical lumpectomy, followed by radiation, chemotherapy, a combination of the two, or surveillance. Most women undergoing these treatments will not experience a recurrence, but in 15 to 30 percent of women, a new tumor will develop within 10 years, and about half of these will be invasive breast cancers. more

Biopsy techniques have made PSA test less predictive

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels typically have correlated with prostate biopsy results in the detection of prostate cancer, but that correlation no longer exists for men with a normal prostate exam, according to a new study published in the April 15, 2008 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study suggests that improved biopsy techniques make PSA less useful in prostate cancer screening. more

Black British women younger at breast cancer diagnosis

In the first published study of patterns of breast cancer in British black women, available online January 8 in the British Journal of Cancer, researchers found that black women were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at a significantly younger median age than white women and had a higher frequency of higher grade tumors, estrogen receptor (ER)-negative, and basal-like (triple negative) tumors, similar to African American women. more

Blacks awaiting lung transplants more likely to die or be denied than whites

Blacks with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were less likely to receive a lung transplant and more likely to die or be removed from the transplant list than whites, according to Columbia University Medical Center researchers. more  

Blacks twice as susceptible and more likely to die of severe sepsis than whites

Blacks have almost double the rate of severe sepsis—an overwhelming infection of the bloodstream accompanied by acute organ dysfunction—as whites, according to recent research. more

Blood pressure drug may have added benefit 

University of Kentucky researchers have discovered a possible added benefit of a novel new drug that lowers blood pressure. more

Blood pressure enzyme can have tumor-sensing role 

By increasing production of a blood pressure-regulating enzyme in mice, researchers have found they can enhance the mouse immune system's ability to sense tumor growth. more

Blueberry and green tea containing supplement protects against stroke damage  

A unique dietary supplement called NutraStem ® has been shown to have beneficial effects following experimental stroke. A nutritional supplement product, NutraStem also known as NT-020, is a proprietary formulation of blueberry, green tea, vitamin D3 and carnosine extracts- a combination of nutritional ingredients thought to be potent in protecting against brain damage. more

Body mass index higher among bariatric surgery patients with 2 genetic variations

The combination of two obesity-related genetic variations may be associated with an increased body mass index (BMI) among severely obese patients undergoing bariatric weight loss surgery. more

Boston University, WHO study reveals oral antibiotic treatment just as effective as hospital therapy for children with moderate to severe pneumonia

Treating children with severe pneumonia at home is just as effective as treating them in hospitals, a new study has found. The study results could significantly change the way the illness is managed in developing countries, saving a significant number of lives every year and taking pressure off health systems. more  

Botox for newborns

Botulinum toxin, also called Botox, is best known as one of the most commonly used molecules to reduce wrinkles. It is also known as one of the most poisonous naturally occurring substances. more

Brain-imaging study may explain why some continue to eat, despite full stomachs  

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have found new clues to why some people overeat and gain weight while others don't. Examining how the human brain responds to "satiety" messages delivered when the stomach is in various stages of fullness, the scientists have identified brain circuits that motivate the desire to overeat. Treatments that target these circuits may prove useful in controlling chronic overeating, according to the authors. The study is published online and will appear in the February 15, 2008 issue of NeuroImage. more

Brain network linked to contemplation in adults is less complex in children

A brain network linked to introspective tasks -- such as forming the self-image or understanding the motivations of others -- is less intricate and well-connected in children, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have learned. They also showed that the network establishes firmer connections between various brain regions as an individual matures. more

Brain region that can be stimulated to reduce the cognitive deficits of sleep deprivation identified

A Columbia University Medical Center research team has uncovered how stimulation of a particular brain region can help stave off the deficits in working memory, associated with an extended sleep deprivation. more  

Brain scientist shedding light on learning, memory

Neurons spoke to Dr. Joe Z. Tsien when he was a sophomore college student searching for some meaningful extracurricular activity. more  

Brain stress system presents possible treatment target for alcohol dependence

A brain circuit that underlies feelings of stress and anxiety shows promise as a new therapeutic target for alcoholism, according to new studies by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). more

Breast cancer diagnosis comes late for women in gentrifying neighborhoods  

Women who live in Chicago's gentrifying neighborhoods are more apt to receive a late diagnosis of breast cancer than women who live in poverty-stricken neighborhoods, University of Illinois at Chicago researchers have found. more

Breakthrough in birth-defect research

Scientists have discovered how to prevent certain craniofacial disorders in what could ultimately lead to at-risk babies being treated in the womb. more

Breast cancer more aggressive among obese women  

Women with breast cancer have more aggressive disease and lower survival rates if they are overweight or obese, according to findings published in the March 15 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. more

Bright light therapy eases bipolar depression for some

Bright light therapy can ease bipolar depression in some patients, according to a study published in the journal Bipolar Disorders. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine’s Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic studied nine women with bipolar disorder to examine the effects of light therapy in the morning or at midday on mood symptoms. more

Bullying threatens nurses' health and careers 

In workplaces where nurses are bullied, the quality of patient care declines, the health of nurses suffers, and the retention of quality nurses becomes difficult. A new article published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing reviews the psychological and social issues related to bullying in the workplace and strategies for creating a respectful work environment. more

But, on the other hand, oatmeal does a body good

Who's right? Who's wrong? A new scientific review of the most current research shows the link between eating oatmeal and cholesterol reduction to be stronger than when the FDA initially approved the health claim's appearance on food labels in 1997. more

Buying fake ED products online

Men looking online for "dietary supplements" to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) or enhance their sexual performance should beware: these products may contain prescription drugs or other undisclosed ingredients that can be harmful. more  

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CDC study estimates 7,000 pediatric emergency departments visits linked to cough and cold medication  

An estimated 7,000 children ages 11 and younger are treated in hospital emergency departments each year because of cough and cold medications, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Approximately two-thirds of those incidents were due to unsupervised ingestion (i.e., children taking the medication without a parent's knowledge). The study was published online today by the American Academy of Pediatrics journal, Pediatrics. more

CDC study warns of deaths due to the “choking game”

At least 82 youth have died as a result of playing what has been called “the choking game,” according to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in today's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The choking game involves intentionally trying to choke oneself or another in an effort to obtain a brief euphoric state or “high.” Death or serious injury can result if strangulation is prolonged. more

California firm recalls beef products derived from non-ambulatory cattle without the benefit of proper inspection

Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co., a Chino, Calif., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 143,383,823 pounds of raw and frozen beef products that FSIS has determined to be unfit for human food because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection. Through evidence obtained by FSIS, the establishment did not consistently contact the FSIS public health veterinarian in situations in which cattle became non-ambulatory after passing ante-mortem inspection, which is not compliant with FSIS regulations. more  

Calling Dr. Frankenstein: Growing brain cells in the laboratory that may one day be used to treat Parkinson’s disease

Scientists in Sweden are developing new ways to grow brain cells in the laboratory that could one day be used to treat patients with Parkinson’s disease, an international conference of biologists organised by the European Science Foundation (ESF) was told last week. more

Camera in a pill offers cheaper, easier window on your insides

What if swallowing a pill with a camera could detect the earliest signs of cancer? The tiny camera is designed to take high-quality, color pictures in confined spaces. Such a device could find warning signs of esophageal cancer, the fastest growing cancer in the United States. more

Cancer doctors may need training on empathy skills

Cancer specialists (oncologists) may need additional training to encourage patients to express their concerns and negative emotions and to respond empathically to these concerns, researchers recommended in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. more  

Cancer-related protein may play key role in Alzheimer's disease  

The cancer-related protein Akt may profoundly influence the fate of the tau protein, which forms bundles of tangled nerve cell fibers in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, reports a new study led by researchers at the University of South Florida and the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. more

Cancer study finds adolescents don't get same access to latest treatments as younger patients

The overall survival rate from cancer now is lower in older adolescents and young adults with cancer than in younger children, in part because of a lack of access to clinical trials nationally for the older age group, according to a study by pediatric oncologists at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. more

Cardiac arrest safer in a casino or an airport than in a U.S. hospital

Whether your patient survives a life-threatening arrhythmia depends on whether or not such incident happens outside the hospital. A new study appearing in this week's New England Journal of Medicine found that those who experience ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia at the aiport fare better than those who experience these conditions in the hospital. more  

Carnegie Mellon study shows just listening to cell phones significantly impairs drivers

Carnegie Mellon University scientists have shown that just listening to a cell phone while driving is a significant distraction, and it causes drivers to commit some of the same types of driving errors that can occur under the influence of alcohol. more

Catheter chaos: Hospitals lag in preventing common infection

One in four Americans in the hospital right now has a urinary catheter. One percent of them will get a urinary tract infection from that catheter. All of those will require antibiotics. A few may suffer life-threatening complications. more

Catheter repair of mitral valve improves heart size, symptoms

A catheter-mounted device that acts like a clothespin to clip together the flaps of a leaky heart valve is not only reducing the abnormal backflow of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium, it is helping to shrink the enlarged, overworked heart and relieving symptoms of fluid overload—all without open-chest surgery. These are the one-year findings in a small group of patients enrolled in the Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair Study (EVEREST), which is evaluating the use of the MitraClip for the treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR). more

Caution advised when using hormone therapy for prostate cancer  

In men with localized but aggressive prostate cancer, the combination of testosterone-lowering therapy and radiation improves survival substantially more than radiation therapy alone. But testosterone-lowering therapy isn’t so hot for the heart, reports the April issue of the Harvard Heart Letter. Low testosterone can increase harmful LDL cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, and weight. It can also make arteries stiffer, promote formation of artery-clogging plaque, and allow blood clots to form more readily. more

Cervical vaccine hurts, but it's probably worth the sting 

The vaccine against cervical cancer, Gardasil, has been the subject of several complaints from women who have received it. According to stories appearing in the Associated Press, complaints such as: "It burns!" and "the burning is worse than with other kinds of vaccines I've had." There are also complaints about pain and discomfort in the arm for a day or two after getting the shot. There are also reports of women fainting after receiving Gardasil, but there's no clear information about whether this is a form of hysteria, whether the girls are fainting from nerves, fear, or pain. more

Changes in adult stem cells may underlie rare genetic disease associated with accelerated aging

Adult stem cells may provide an explanation for the cause of Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a rare disease that causes premature aging in children, according to researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). more

Changes in folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine associated with incident dementia  

Folate deficiency is associated with a tripling in the risk of developing dementia among elderly people, suggests research published ahead of print in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. more

Chart for professionals: Commonly abused drugs 

Schedule I and II drugs have a high potential for abuse. They require greater storage security and have a quota on manufacturing, among other restrictions. Schedule I drugs are available for research only and have no approved medical use; Schedule II drugs are available only by prescription (unrefillable) and require a form for ordering. Schedule III and IV drugs are available by prescription, may have five refills in 6 months, and may be ordered orally. Some Schedule V drugs are available over the counter. Download a chart in today's issue. more

Chart for professionals: Prescription drug abuse chart  

Medications can be effective when they are used properly, but some can be addictive and dangerous when misused. This chart provides a brief look at some prescribed medications that—when used in ways other than they are prescribed—have the potential for abuse and even addiction. more

Childhood maltreatment linked to adult inflammation, depression

A history of neglect or abuse in childhood appears to be associated with depression and inflammation in adulthood, a combination that may increase cardiovascular risk, according to a report in the April issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. more

Childhood personality can predict important outcomes in emerging adulthood 

A new study in the Journal of Personality reveals the extent to which children’s personality types can predict the timing of key transitional moments between childhood and adulthood. more

Children with autism may learn from 'virtual peers' 

Using “virtual peers” -- animated life-sized children that simulate the behaviors and conversation of typically developing children -- Northwestern University researchers are developing interventions designed to prepare children with autism for interactions with real-life children. more

Children with healthier diets do better in school

A new study in the Journal of School Health reveals that children with healthy diets perform better in school than children with unhealthy diets. more

Cholesterol drug makes staph more vulnerable

An experimental cholesterol-fighting drug can also strip staph bacteria of their golden color and make the microbes more susceptible to killing by the immune system. The finding may lead to new options for battling Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which are increasingly resistant to antibiotics. more  

Cholesterol-lowering drugs may not prevent Alzheimer's disease 

Contrary to some reports, taking statins, which are cholesterol-lowering drugs, offers no protection against Alzheimer’s disease, according to research published in the January 16, 2008, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. more

Cigarette smoking and cancer: Questions and answers  

Cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Smoking is also responsible for most cancers of the larynx, oral cavity and pharynx, esophagus, and bladder. more

Clinical outcomes in colon cancer linked to microRNA gene

Colon tumors that produced high expression levels of a microRNA gene called miR-21 were associated with poor survival and therapeutic outcome in two patient populations, one in the U.S. and the other in China, according to a study in the January 30 Journal of the American Medical Association. more

Clinical trial watch: Inhibiting tumor angiogenesis in children  

Great progress has been made in the treatment of childhood cancers over the past 30 years, thanks primarily to advances in chemotherapy and a high level of participation in clinical trials by pediatric patients. This progress, however, is in danger of stalling without new treatment advances. more

Clinical trial will test new HIV/AIDS vaccine: Phase 1 trial begins in Boston  

A phase 1 clinical trial to test a novel HIV/AIDS vaccine has begun at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH). This new vaccine aims to overcome the problem of preexisting immunity to common vaccine vectors, which is thought to be a major problem in the developing world. more

Cognitive tests are the best way to select medical students  

Cognitive ability tests are the best way for medical schools to select their entrants, rather than interviews and psychological tests, says an editorial in this week’s BMJ. more

Combined radiation seed, chemotherapy wafer implants show promise in treating cancerous brain tumors  

In the battle against malignant brain tumors, dual implantation of radioactive seeds and chemotherapy wafers following surgery showed promising results in a study led by specialists at the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and University Hospital. more

Combined stenting and photodynamic therapy improves survival in late stage liver cancer patients

A combined therapeutic approach of stenting and photodynamic therapy may improve survival rates for patients suffering from advanced liver bile duct cancer, according to a study published this month in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute. more

Coming soon: Cell therapies for diabetes, cancer? 

Therapies using stem cell transplants are advancing promising treatments for such conditions as Alzheimer’s Disease, neurological diseases and spinal cord injury, and heart disease. Now, scientists think that stem cell transplants may ultimately benefit those who suffer from diabetes or cancer. more<

Common human viruses threaten endangered great apes  

Common human viruses are responsible for outbreaks of respiratory disease that have led to the decline of endangered chimpanzees in the wild, according to a study reported online on January 24th in Current Biology, a publication of Cell Press. The findings—which are the first to provide direct evidence of virus transmission from humans to wild great apes—illustrate the challenge of maximizing the benefit of research and tourism to great apes while minimizing the negative side effects that come with human contact, the researchers say. more

Comorbidities may limit benefits of combination prostate therapy

The addition of androgen suppression therapy (AST) to radiation therapy (RT) improved overall survival in men with localized prostate cancer and risk factors for disease recurrence, but the survival benefit may apply only to men who do not have moderate to high levels of other illnesses, researchers report in the January 23 Journal of the American Medical Association. more  

Comparison of venlafaxine and SSRIs in the treatment of depression

There are numerous antidepressant medications currently on the market, but sadly, many patients still experience the debilitating symptoms of depression even with treatment. A new study published in the February 15th issue of Biological Psychiatry set out to compare two popular classes of antidepressants, the newer serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), like venlafaxine (Effexor), and the older selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like fluoxetine (Prozac) and citalopram (Celexa), to determine if one provides an overall greater benefit. more  

Computers detect Alzheimer's disease in brain scans

Computers can be trained to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in MRI brain scans, according to a new report. The finding could help doctors diagnose the disease earlier and more accurately than they can now, so treatment can begin earlier. more  

Consumer financial incentives: A decision guide for purchasers

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) commissioned a multidisciplinary group of experts to develop Consumer Financial Incentives: A Guide for Purchasers. It is a tool for employers, health plans, and State Medicaid agencies considering or poised to design and implement a consumer financial incentive strategy. more

Contact lenses purchased over Internet may place individuals at risk for harmful eyecare practices

Purchasing contact lenses online may save consumers time, but the process could cause more problems in the long run, according to a new study reported in the January issue of Optometry: Journal of the American Optometric Association. The research, conducted by Joshua Fogel, Ph.D., and Chaya Zidile of Brooklyn College, found that individuals who did not purchase their contact lenses from an eye doctor, but from an online site or store, are potentially placing themselves at greater risk. The findings indicated that online and store purchasers (consumers who get their contacts at a wholesale club or optical chain outlet) are less likely to adhere to healthy eye care practices, as recommended by their eye doctor. more  

Controversial shoulder surgery for first-time dislocation proven effective long-term  

Young, athletic, first-time shoulder dislocation patients benefit from arthroscopic surgery long term, according to a study released today at the 2008 American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Specialty Day at The Moscone Center. The study found that for highly active patients, surgery, rather than conservative methods, yielded excellent results. more

Converting sewage into drinking water: Wave of the future?

Amid growing water shortages in parts of the United States, more communities are considering tapping their sewage treatment plants as a new source of drinking water. The conversion of wastewater into tap water could help meet increased demand for one of life’s most essential resources, according to an article in the 28 January 2008 issue of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS’s weekly newsmagazine. more

Copper may inhibit the transmission of HIV through breast milk and blood

Researchers from the U.S. and abroad have developed an inexpensive copper-based filter that may prevent HIV from being passed through breast milk and blood. They report their findings in the February 2008 issue of the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. more

Cortisol could alleviate chronic fatigue & fibromyalgia

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are two serious and debilitating diseases with no confirmed cause and limited treatment options. However, results of a new comprehensive literature study propose a simplified treatment process that could help alleviate symptoms for patients suffering from these diseases. more

Countering tobacco use among young adults: new approaches needed  

For the tobacco industry, a 22-year-old who isn't a smoker represents a challenge but also an opportunity. The reason: While most - but by no means all - smokers start as teenagers, only about one-third are fully addicted smokers by age 18. Young adulthood, typically defined as ages 18 to 25, is when many transition from light smokers to heavy smokers - or quit. If smoking hasn't taken root by age 25, studies show, chances are good it's not going to. more

Craniosynostosis minimally invasive surgery holds more promise than old procedure  

Craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of the skull, is estimated to affect one out of every 2,000 babies. For the past several years, physicians have used two procedures to correct the problems. One procedure was to make an incision from ear to ear, strip back the scalp of the infant and reshape the skull by breaking the bones that had fused. The other procedure required a small incision near the point of the fused skull plates. Now, the first long-term study by a researcher at the University of Missouri School of Medicine found that the minimally invasive technique is just as effective and results in a quicker recovery time than the old technique. more

CSI fact catching up with fiction as chemists develop new technology  

Real-life crime scene analysis of bloodstains, fingerprints, and other evidence does not match the speed and certainty on television shows such as CSI. But thanks to advances in chemistry, fact is catching up with fiction as researchers develop faster, more sensitive forensics tools, according to an article scheduled for the March 24 issue of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS’ weekly newsmagazine. more

Curing addiction with cannabis medicines

Smokers trying to quit in the future could do it with the help of cannabis based medicines, according to research from The University of Nottingham. more

Cutting caffeine may help control diabetes

Daily consumption of caffeine in coffee, tea or soft drinks increases blood sugar levels for people with type 2 diabetes and may undermine efforts to control their disease, say scientists at Duke University Medical Center. more

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announces positive early results for phase 2 clinical trial of VX-770

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced today that VX-770, an oral drug in development that targets a basic defect in CF, showed promising results in an ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial for patients who carry the G551D mutation of CF. The drug is being developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. more

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The danger of blindness after ophthalmic surgery 

The injection of gas into the eye, as is performed in various ophthalmic surgical procedures, can cause blindness by expanding the eye. This rare but serious problem is described by a team of anesthesiologists and ophthalmologists from the Essen (Germany) University Clinic in the current issue of Deutsches Ärzteblatt International more

Delayed Letrozole therapy after tamoxifen reduces breast cancer recurrence

An analysis of data from a phase III clinical trial that was unblinded 5 years ago indicates that in some breast cancer patients, use of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole (Femara) after 5 years of adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen has survival benefits even if begun several years after completing tamoxifen. more

Depression does increase in early Alzheimer’s disease

Although individuals with depression may be more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, symptoms of depression do not appear to increase in the years before a diagnosis is made, according to a report in the April issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. This suggests that depression is not a consequence of developing Alzheimer’s disease but may instead be a risk factor for dementia. more  

Despite no gender difference in adverse drug reactions, women are treated less frequently than men with statins, aspirin and beta- blockers 

Women and men experience a similar prevalence of adverse drug reactions in the treatment of coronary artery disease; however, women are significantly less likely than their male counterparts to be treated with statins, aspirin, and beta-blockers according to a new study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center. The study is published in the March issue of the journal Gender Medicine. more

Detecting Alzheimer’s disease: Research aims for earlier diagnosis

Do you ever forget where you put your car keys or what you were supposed to pick up at the grocery store? You might worry that these memory lapses, or “senior moments,” could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), an irreversible brain illness. AD is the most common cause of dementia, which involves memory loss, loss of the ability to solve problems, personality changes and behavioral problems severe enough to interfere with normal activities and relationships. more

A device that measures metabolic stress could help eye doctors diagnose disease before symptoms appear

Scientists at the University of Michigan have shown that their new metabolic imaging instrument can accurately detect eye disease at a very early stage. Such a device would be vision-saving because many severe eye diseases do not exhibit early warning signals before they begin to diminish vision. The testing is noninvasive and takes less than 6 minutes to administer to a patient. more

Diabetes may be disorder of upper intestine, therefore amenable to surgical treatment  

Growing evidence shows that surgery may effectively cure Type 2 diabetes — an approach that not only may change the way the disease is treated, but that introduces a new way of thinking about diabetes. more

Diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence

Diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence have evolved over time. As new data become available, researchers revise the criteria to improve their reliability, validity, and precision. more  

Dietary oil may need help in avoiding any side effects of weight loss  

An oil made of natural fatty acids that is sometimes used as a weight-loss supplement may need to be paired with hormones or other substances to prevent health problems that can follow rapid weight loss, a new study suggests. more

Diets high in lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin E associated with decreased risk of cataracts 

Women who have higher dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin—compounds found in yellow or dark, leafy vegetables—as well as more vitamin E from food and supplements appear to have a lower risk for developing cataracts, according to a report in the January issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. more

The difference in eating habits between men and women

When it comes to what we eat, men and women really are different according to scientific research presented today (March 19) at the 2008 International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Atlanta, Georgia. In general, men are more likely to report eating meat and poultry items and women are more likely to report eating fruits and vegetables. more

Discovery may bring special treatment for male babies

Hunter researchers have discovered that male babies born prematurely are more vulnerable to cardiovascular complications than female babies. more

Disparities in awareness of heart attack warning signs among adults in 14 states revealed

An alarming number of adults fail to recognize heart attack warning signs and symptoms that could, if heeded, save their lives, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study conducted in 14 states. more

Diuretics most effective blood pressure medication for people with metabolic syndrome: Evidence strongly supports diuretics as initial therapy, especially in black patients

New research shows that in people with high blood pressure as part of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that increases the risk for heart disease, diuretics offer greater protection against cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, and are at least as effective for lowering blood pressure as newer, more expensive medications. The findings run counter to current medical practices that favor ACE-inhibitors, alpha-blockers, and calcium channel blockers for treatment of high blood pressure in those with metabolic syndrome. In addition, the results provide important new evidence supporting the use of diuretics for initial blood pressure-lowering therapy in black patients with metabolic syndrome. more

Do we really know about antidepressants? Statins? Or any other drug?

Following last week’s study suggesting that new generation antidepressants aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, a special report in this week’s BMJ asks do we really know the truth about antidepressants? Or statins? Or any other drug on the market? more  

Dr. Mom was right -- and wrong -- about washing fruits and vegetables

Washing fresh fruits and vegetables before eating may reduce the risk of food poisoning and those awful episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. But according to new research, described today at the 235th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, washing alone — even with chlorine disinfectants — may not be enough. more

Doctor "pay-for-performance" improves patient care

A new study examines whether patients seeing physicians participating in a “pay-for-performance” incentive program receive better care than those who saw non-participating physicians. The health plan that was examined reimburses physicians based on the quality of care they provide. more

Doctor who? Are patients making clinical decisions?

Doctors are adjusting their bedside manner as better informed patients make ever-increasing demands and expect to be listened to, and fully involved, in clinical decisions that directly affect their care. In a study just published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, Dr. J. Bohannon Mason of the Orthocarolina Hip and Knee Center in Charlotte, NC, USA, looks at the changes in society, the population and technology that are influencing the way patients view their orthopaedic surgeons. As patients gain knowledge, their attitude to medicine changes: They no longer show their doctors absolute and unquestionable respect. more

Doctors may be giving the wrong dosage of adrenaline in an emergency because of labelling 

A new study by Cambridge University reveals that doctors treating life-threatening emergencies such as allergy attacks may give the wrong dosage of adrenaline (epinephrine) because of confusing labelling. more

Does ADHD look the same in youth of different races?

The research in the article looked at childhood ADHD in underrepresented minorities, reviewing controversy around evaluation, diagnosis, and obstacles faced by families, ending with recommendations for assessment and treatment. more  

Does less education mean less ability to recognize Alzheimer's disease onset?

Does less education mean a patient might not recognize the onset of Alzheimer's disease symptoms? A review of epidemiological data has found evidence that people who spend fewer years in school may experience a slight but statistically significant delay in the realization that they're having cognitive problems that could be Alzheimer's disease. more  

Does the desire for drugs begin outside awareness? NIDA research reveals subconscious signals can trigger drug craving circuits

Using a brain imaging technology called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have discovered that cocaine-related images trigger the emotional centers of the brains of patients addicted to drugs — even when the subjects are unaware they've seen anything. The study, published Jan. 30 in the journal PLoS One, was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). more  

Does gingko biloba affect memory?

Taking the supplement ginkgo biloba had no clear-cut benefit on the risk of developing memory problems, according to a study published in the February 27, 2008, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. more

Don't worry, be (moderately) happy, research suggests

Could the pursuit of happiness go too far? Most self-help books on the subject offer tips on how to maximize one’s bliss, but a new study suggests that moderate happiness may be preferable to full-fledged elation. more  

The dopamine transporter gene influences alcohol withdrawal seizures 

The physiological component of alcoholism is defined by tolerance and/or withdrawal: the more severe the dependency on alcohol, the more severe the clinical complications, such as greater intensity and/or complications of alcohol withdrawal. A new study of polymorphisms – two or more mutually exclusive forms or alleles – within the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene has shown that four of them are associated with withdrawal seizures. more

Driving proves potentially hazardous for people with early Alzheimer's

A new study by researchers at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University finds that people with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) experienced more accidents and performed more poorly on road tests compared to drivers without cognitive impairment. The study is published in the January 23 edition of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. more

Drug-eluting stents -- More good than harm for heart patients?

The incidence of type 2 diabetes in Western society is on the rise, due largely to an increasing prevalence of obesity. Dysfunction of skeletal muscle mitochondria, the powerhouses of a cell, is associated with type 2 diabetes; however, whether this association is causal or consequential has not been understood. A new study by Jennifer Rieusset and her colleagues at INSERM U870, France, has shed light on this question and has provided evidence that alterations in mitochondrial function are the result, and not the cause, of insulin resistance (which usually precedes full-blown clinical type 2 diabetes) in mice. more

Drugs like aspirin could reduce breast cancer and help existing sufferers

Anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin may reduce breast cancer by up to 20 per cent, according to an extensive review carried out by experts at London’s Guy’s Hospital and published in the March issue of IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice. more  

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Early detection critical in treating pediatric thyroid cancer

Efforts to treat pediatric papillary thyroid cancer are greatly improved by detecting the disease as early as possible, making the patient’s age the most important factor in determining a prognosis, according to new research published in the February 2008 issue of the journal Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. more  

Early living together, marriage and parenting benefits some young adults

Young people are always encouraged to complete their education and postpone marriage and children to achieve more rewarding lifestyles. However, a Penn State study found that for some young adults, getting married or living together and having children have provided positive benefits. more

Early promising results in malaria vaccine trial in Mali

A small clinical trial conducted by an international team of researchers in Mali has found that a candidate malaria vaccine was safe and elicited strong immune responses in the 40 Malian adults who received it. The trial was the first to test this vaccine candidate, which is designed to block the malaria parasite from entering human blood cells, in a malaria-endemic country. Based on these promising results, the research team is now conducting trials of this vaccine in 400 Malian children aged 1 to 6 years. Malaria is a leading killer in Africa and other developing countries, claiming more than 1 million lives each year, most of them children. more

Elderly Medicaid patients less likely to receive chemotherapy for colorectal cancer 

A study using data from the Michigan Tumor Registry and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services showed that elderly Medicaid-insured patients in the state are less likely to initiate or complete chemotherapy for colorectal cancer compared with Medicare-insured patients. The results were published in the March 10 Archives of Internal Medicine. Previous studies have shown that Medicaid-insured patients have worse survival rates for colorectal cancer, but it had not been known if they receive less treatment than patients with other forms of insurance. more

Embryonic stem cells could help to overcome immune rejection problems

Tissues derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells could help to pacify the immune system and so prevent recipients from rejecting them, according to information presented on 11 April at the UK National Stem Cell Network Science Meeting. Speaking at the conference in Edinburgh, Dr Paul Fairchild from the University of Oxford will tell delegates that although tissues derived from ES cells succumb to rejection, they have an inherent immune-privilege which, if exploited, could have far reaching implications for the treatment of conditions such as diabetes, heart attacks and Parkinson’s. more

End of life: Helping with comfort and care

End of Life: Helping With Comfort and Care offers advice and information to help family members and others during the difficult time when a loved one is nearing death. Its goals include to help make the end of a person’s life more comfortable and address readers’ own emotional and practical needs. more  

Enzyme structure reveals new drug targets for cancer and other diseases 

If the genome is the parts list of the human cell, certain proteins are the production managers, activating and deactivating genes as needed. Scientists funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), part of the National Institutes of Health, now have a clearer understanding of how a key protein controls gene activity and how mutations in the protein may cause disease. The work could provide new avenues to design drugs aimed at cancer, diabetes, HIV, and heart disease. more

The epidemiology of fractures in England: Twice the number of broken bones than previously believed 

The annual bone fracture rate in England is just short of 4% of the population, which is more than double previous estimates, suggests a study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. more

Epilepsy advocates propose strategies to heighten treatment expectations

On the heels of the nation’s largest event dedicated to the epilepsy community, the National Walk for Epilepsy, advocates today announced their recommendations in response to a new national survey uncovering key challenges facing the epilepsy community. Challenges include gaps in patient-physician communication around medication-related side effects and low public awareness of epilepsy. more

Epilepsy marked by neural 'hub' network  

An increased number of neuron “hubs” in the epileptic brain may be the root cause for the seizures that characterize the disorder, according to a UC Irvine study. more

Essential nutrient found in eggs reduces risk of breast cancer by 24 percent

Choline, an essential nutrient found in foods such as eggs, is associated with a 24 percent reduced risk of breast cancer, according to a study supported by a grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), to be published in The FASEB Journal’s print issue in June. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that links egg consumption to a decreased risk of breast cancer. more

Everolimus extends progression-free survival in advanced kidney cancer

A 400-patient, international phase III trial testing the drug everolimus in patients with advanced kidney cancer has been stopped after meeting its primary endpoint, the drug's manufacturer, Novartis, reported February 28. more  

Evidence-based recommendations on neck pain 

The long-awaited report by a special international Task Force underscores the need for a systematic, evidence-based approach to the common, costly, and underestimated problem of neck pain. The report will appear in print as a supplement to the Feb. 15 issue of Spine more

Evidence found for genes that affect risk of developing Alzheimer's disease  

Through one of the largest studies yet of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and their brothers, sisters, and children, researchers at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville have found strong evidence that genes other than the well-known susceptibility risk factor APOE4 influence who is at risk for developing the neurodegenerative disease later in life. more

Exactly how much housework does a husband create?  

Having a husband creates an extra seven hours a week of housework for women, according to a University of Michigan study of a nationally representative sample of U.S. families. more

Excessive overtriage in US trauma centers overwhelming system resources, delaying patient care

Research in the January issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS) shows that many patients with minimal injuries are being transferred from community hospitals to Level I and II trauma centers, despite the ability of the community hospitals to treat such injuries. The study concludes that overuse of trauma centers threatens to limit the availability of resources to injured patients truly in need; increase overall system costs; and burden higher-level trauma centers with the routine care of minor injuries. more

Exercise program improves symptoms in arthritis patients

Patients with arthritis, the country’s leading cause of disability, tend to be less fit than their peers who don’t have this condition. Studies have shown, however, that they can safely participate in exercise programs to increase their fitness, strength and psychosocial status and that health providers recommend that arthritis patients participate in exercise. more  

Experimental drug dampens alcohol craving

Blocking stress-related circuits in the brain can reduce the desire for alcohol in people who are trying to stop drinking, a small clinical study has found. The discovery may provide a new approach for developing alcoholism treatments. more  

Experimental drug for osteosarcoma improves overall survival

Patients with osteosarcoma who received the experimental drug mifamurtide (L-MTP-PE) along with chemotherapy fared better than patients who received chemotherapy alone, researchers are reporting. Osteosarcoma is a rare but often fatal cancer of the bone. The disease typically affects children and young adults, and no new therapies have been introduced in two decades. more  

Experimental helmet that reverses Alzheimer's disease symptoms headed for human trials by summer

Using a brain imaging technology called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), scientists have discovered that cocaine-related images trigger the emotional centers of the brains of patients addicted to drugs — even when the subjects are unaware they've seen anything. The study, published Jan. 30 in the journal PLoS One, was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). more  

Experimental weight-loss drug cuts appetite, burns more energy

The first clinical studies of an experimental drug have revealed that obese people who take it for 12 weeks lose weight, even at very low doses. Short-term studies also suggest that the drug, called taranabant—the second drug designed to fight obesity by blocking cannabinoid receptors in the brain—causes people to consume fewer calories and burn more, researchers report in the January issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press. Cannabinoid receptors are responsible for the psychological effects of marijuana (Cannabis sativa), and natural “endocannabinoids” are important regulators of energy balance. more

Extra-hepatic manifestation of hepatitis C virus infection

In 1994, the team of Tchernev and Petrova from Alexandrovska Hospital in Sofia examined a female patient with liver cirrhosis caused by chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV). They were intrigued by the patient's many extra-hepatic manifestations -- vascular lesions on the lower limbs, acute pain in the joints, intense tingling of the fingers, and extreme labor-impairing fatigue. They were also intrigued by the presence of cryoglobulins in the patient's blood. Two years later, the patient developed enlarged lymph nodes on the neck. When one of the nodes was histologically tested, the patient was found to have lymphoma. more

Eye blinks may help to identify children prenatally exposed to alcohol  

Not all children prenatally exposed to alcohol show distinctive facial anomalies usually associated with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). more

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FDA advisory committee recommends further limits on use of ESAs

On March 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) recommended substantially limiting the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to treat anemia in cancer patients. The panel made the recommendation after hearing additional evidence