Antibiotic linked to two cases of liver failure and implicated in a third case of hepatitis

Three case reports of liver problems after taking the antibiotic telithromycin (Ketek®) are reported in Annals of Internal Medicine today. more  

Low-level heat wrap therapy safely reduces low back pain and improves mobility in the workplace

The use of continuous low-level heat wrap therapy (CLHT) significantly reduces acute low back pain and related disability and improves occupational performance of employees in physically demanding jobs suffering from acute low back pain, according to a Johns Hopkins study published in the December 2005 issue of The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. more

Stopping the clock: Genetics of tumor latency in skin cancer

Dr. Anthony E. Oro and colleagues (Stanford University) have identified two key Gli protein degradation signals that directly affect tumor latency in a mouse model of human skin cancer. more  

Obesity lawsuits – lessons learned from tobacco litigation

Obesity is a serious health issue in the United States, with costs likely to significantly exceed those resulting from tobacco-related illnesses. What are the prospects for using the strategies and tactics from tobacco litigation to drive the food industry to change its practices? How will the food industry respond to the lawsuits now being filed? How will the public health be protected? more

Wine drinkers have healthier diets than beer drinkers 

People who buy wine also buy healthier food and therefore have healthier diets than people who buy beer, finds a study published online by the BMJ today. more

Work stress leads to heart disease and diabetes  

Stress at work is an important risk factor for the development of heart disease and diabetes, finds a study published online by the BMJ today. more

Mobile phone use not linked to increased risk of glioma brain tumors

Mobile phones are not associated with an increased risk of the most common type of brain tumor, finds the first UK study of the relationship between mobile phone use and risk of glioma. The results are published online by the BMJ today. more