Too much or too little sleep increases diabetes risk

Men who sleep too much or too little are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a study by the New England Research Institutes in collaboration with Yale School of Medicine researchers. more  

Wasabi's kick linked to single pain receptor

A single pain receptor is responsible for the kick delivered by garlic and mustard oil, which is the active ingredient in mustard and in the pungent green sushi condiment known as wasabi, according to a Yale School of Medicine study published this week in Cell. more

New study establishes criteria to detect ovarian cancer in asymptomatic postmenopausal women

Reporting on the largest study of its kind yesterday at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists 37th Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer, researchers presented new criteria for detecting ovarian cancer malignancy in postmenopausal asymptomatic women, 55 to 74 years old. Utilizing the new criteria, researchers determined that they could accurately predict 93 percent of the advanced ovarian cancers and 87 percent of the early ovarian cancers in asymptomatic women enrolled in an annual screening program and found to have an abnormal screen. more  

First human implant of HeartWare's HVAD

On 22 March 2006, a 48 year old male patient suffering NYHA Class IV Heart Failure became the first recipient of HeartWare's HVAD mechanical circulatory assist device. The implant was conducted at the Vienna General Hospital and the surgical team was led by Dr Georg Wieselthaler, Clinical Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support at the University of Vienna. more

Two new studies reveal benefits of laparoscopic surgery for uterine cancer 

In a pair of studies presented yesterday at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists 37th Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer, researchers have found in a large randomized trial of laparoscopy versus laparotomy for surgical treatment of uterine (endometrial) cancer that laparoscopy is safe, and when successfully completed reduces hospital stay by 50 percent, and contributes to a better quality of life from the patient's perspective. Additionally, the study provided the best guidelines to date for predicting the likelihood of successful laparoscopic surgery, based on weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). more

Purdue project could help pets serve as disease watchdogs  

A national surveillance network that uses the medical records of companion animals could help prepare for a wide variety of emerging disease threats to humans and animals, including avian influenza, according to veterinary scientists at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine. more

Increased response to therapy with no added toxicity in treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer

In a study released yesterday at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists 37th Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer, researchers found the addition of thalidomide to topotecan for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer significantly increases the response to therapy and the duration of progression free survival without additional toxicity. more