Upstream/Downstream

A Mitosis Mystery Solved: How Chromosomes Align Perfectly in a Dividing Cell

2012-02-13T10:55:00.000-06:00

To solve a mystery, sometimes a great detective need only study the clues in front of him.

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Cochlear Implants May Be Safe, Effective for Organ Transplant Patients

2012-02-13T10:51:00.000-06:00

Cochlear implants may be a safe, effective option for some organ transplant patients who've lost their hearing as an unfortunate consequence of their transplant-related drug regime, researchers report.

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Possible Cure for Leukemia Found in Fish Oil

2012-02-07T10:39:00.001-06:00

A compound produced from fish oil that appears to target leukemia stem cells could lead to a cure for the disease, according to Penn State researchers.

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Three 'Targeted' Cancer Drugs Raise Risk of Fatal Side Effects

2012-02-07T10:36:00.001-06:00

Treatment with three relatively new "targeted" cancer drugs has been linked to a slightly elevated chance of fatal side effects, according to a new analysis led by scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They added that the risk remains low, but should be taken into account by physicians and patients.

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New Indicator May Help Identify Patients With Increased Risk from Throat Cancer

2012-01-16T14:56:00.000-06:00

Independent of other factors, such as smoking history and HPV status, matted lymph nodes appear to signal increased chance of oropharyngeal cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

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Revolutionary Surgical Technique for Perforations of the Eardrum

2012-01-16T14:54:00.000-06:00

A revolutionary surgical technique for treating perforations of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) in children and adults has been developed at the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre, an affiliate of the Université de Montreal, by Dr. Issam Saliba.

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Old Drugs Find New Target for Treating Brain Tumor

2011-11-21T11:36:00.001-06:00

Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, in collaboration with colleagues in Boston and South Korea, say they have identified a novel gene mutation that causes at least one form of glioblastoma (GBM), the most common type of malignant brain tumor.

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Retinal Microvascular Changes Associated With Disability in Daily Activities Among Older Adults

2011-11-21T11:33:00.000-06:00

Retinal microvascular changes appear to be associated with development of disability in performing activities of daily living among older adults, and retinal signs may be useful in predicting outcomes among this population, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

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New study links excessive amounts of vitamin D to onset of atrial fibrillation

2011-11-17T15:35:00.000-06:00

While previous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, new research at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute shows that too much vitamin D can lead to the onset of a dangerous heart condition known as atrial fibrillation.

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Stop Signal Discovered for Skin Cancer

2011-11-17T15:17:00.000-06:00

An extraordinary breakthrough in understanding what stops a common form of skin cancer from developing could make new cancer treatments and prevention available to the public in five years.

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Osteoarthritis results from inflammatory processes, not just wear and tear, Stanford study suggests

2011-11-07T12:31:00.000-06:00

In a study to be published online Nov. 6 in Nature Medicine, investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that the development of osteoarthritis is in great part driven by low-grade inflammatory processes. This is at odds with the prevailing view attributing the condition to a lifetime of wear and tear on long-suffering joints.

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New 'Scarless' Surgery Takes out Tumors Through Natural Skull Opening

2011-10-28T11:24:00.000-05:00

A technique developed by Johns Hopkins surgeons is providing a new route to get to and remove tumors buried at the base of the skull: through the natural hole behind the molars, above the jawbone and beneath the cheekbone.

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New Oncolytic Virus Shows Improved Effectiveness in Preclinical Testing

2011-10-28T11:22:00.000-05:00

A new fourth-generation oncolytic virus designed to both kill cancer cells and inhibit blood-vessel growth has shown greater effectiveness than earlier versions when tested in animal models of human brain cancer.

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Testing Micro-Electronic Stimulators for Spinal Cord Injuries

2011-10-18T15:26:00.000-05:00

A new wireless device to help victims of spinal cord injury is receiving attention in the research community. Mesut Sahin, PhD, associate professor, in the department of biomedical engineering at NJIT, recently has published and presented news of his findings to develop micro-electrical stimulators for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids Shown to Prevent or Slow Progression of Osteoarthritis

2011-10-18T15:22:00.000-05:00

New research has shown for the first time that omega-3 in fish oil could "substantially and significantly" reduce the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis.

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New Method Could Help Prevent Osteoarthritis

2011-09-12T16:14:00.001-05:00

A new method is set to help doctors diagnose osteoarthritis at such an early stage that it will be possible to delay the progression of the disease by many years, or maybe even stop it entirely.

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'Trojan Horse' Particle Sneaks Chemotherapy in to Kill Ovarian Cancer Cells

2011-09-12T16:10:00.000-05:00

A common chemotherapy drug has been successfully delivered to cancer cells inside tiny microparticles using a method inspired by our knowledge of how the human immune system works. The drug, delivered in this way, reduced ovarian cancer tumours in an animal model by 65 times more than using the standard method. This approach is now being developed for clinical use.

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Sensor Chip for Monitoring Tumors

2011-08-29T11:13:00.000-05:00

A chip implant may soon be capable of monitoring tumors that are difficult to operate on or growing slowly. Medical engineers at Technische Universitaet Muenchen (TUM) have developed an electronic sensor chip that can determine the oxygen content in a patient's tissue fluid. This data can then be wirelessly transmitted to the patient's doctor to support the choice of therapy. A drop in oxygen content in tissue surrounding a tumor indicates that the tumor might be growing faster and becoming aggressive.

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New Device Helps the Blind to Move Independently

2011-08-29T11:11:00.000-05:00

A team of engineers from the Research Center for Graphic Technologies (CITG) of the Universitat Politècnica de València, coordinated by Guillermo Peris Fajarnés, have developed a new device that helps the blind to move independently. This system, called EYE 21, has been awarded the Vodafone Prize for Innovation in Telecommunications.

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New Genetic Clue in Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis

2011-08-26T10:45:00.000-05:00

Scientists at Mount Sinai Hospital, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Toronto, University Health Network and McGill University have obtained significant new insights into the causes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune disorders including type 1 diabetes, lupus and Graves disease.

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Natural Alzheimer's-Fighting Compound Created Inexpensively in Lab

2011-08-26T10:43:00.000-05:00

Scientists at Yale University have developed the first practical method to create a compound called huperzine A in the lab. The compound, which occurs naturally in a species of moss found in China, is an enzyme inhibitor that has been used to treat Alzheimer's disease in China since the late 1990s and is sold in the U.S. as a dietary supplement to help maintain memory. Scientists believe it could also potentially combat the effects of chemical warfare agents.

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More evidence shows autism raises risk for later siblings

2011-08-16T10:32:00.000-05:00

It's already known that children with older siblings who have autism spectrum disorder or ASD, have a higher risk of developing the condition themselves, and a new study in Pediatrics finds that risk is even higher than previously expected.

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Will you have a heart attack? These tests might tell

2011-08-16T10:30:00.001-05:00

Most heart attacks strike with no warning, but doctors now have a clearer picture than ever before of who is most likely to have one, says Dr. Arthur Agatston, a Miami cardiologist and author of the best-selling South Beach diet books.

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Several Methods for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease Developed

2011-06-16T14:01:00.000-05:00

PredictAD is an EU-funded research project that develops objective and efficient methods for enabling earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Diagnosis requires a holistic view of the patient combining information from several sources, such as, clinical tests, imaging and blood samples.

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Life Expectancy in Most US Counties Falls Behind World's Healthiest Nations

2011-06-16T14:00:00.001-05:00

While people in Japan, Canada, and other nations are enjoying significant gains in life expectancy every year, most counties within the United States are falling behind, according to a new study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington.

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Fighting cancer with cancer: Mayo Clinic finds promising use for thyroid cancer gene

2011-06-06T13:44:00.001-05:00

A mutant gene long thought to accelerate tumor growth in thyroid cancer patients actually inhibits the spread of malignant cells, showing promise for novel cancer therapies, a Mayo Clinic study has found. The findings will be presented by Mayo Clinic researcher Honey Reddi, Ph.D., at the Endocrine Society meeting in Boston.

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Snoring and Sleep Disorders: A Dental Approach to a Major Public Health Issue

2011-06-06T13:40:00.001-05:00

Over seven million people in Spain are at risk of developing sleep apnoea (SA), a health problem caused by obstructed air intake during sleep. The disorder has become a common issue in public health, affecting patients' quality of life and potentially leading to hypertension, cardiovascular disease and neurological disorders, as well as increasing the likelihood of traffic, workplace and domestic accidents with personal, financial and healthcare repercussions. In children, SA is often associated with learning difficulties and behavioural and attention disorders.

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Vaccine May Help Treat Advanced Melanoma

2011-06-02T10:11:00.000-05:00

A vaccine that marshals the body's own defenses to recognize and kill cancer cells may shrink tumors and delay the progression of late-stage melanoma more effectively than conventional therapy alone, a new study shows.

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Low-Carb, Higher-Fat Diets Add No Arterial Health Risks to Obese People Seeking to Lose Weight, Studies Suggest

2011-06-02T10:10:00.001-05:00

Overweight and obese people looking to drop some pounds and considering one of the popular low-carbohydrate diets, along with moderate exercise, need not worry that the higher proportion of fat in such a program compared to a low-fat, high-carb diet may harm their arteries, suggests a pair of new studies by heart and vascular researchers at Johns Hopkins.

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Mobile app helps doctors diagnose strokes

2011-05-24T13:43:00.000-05:00

When a patient suffers an acute stroke, the outcome often rests on how quickly they receive expert care.

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FDA approves two new drugs to treat hepatitis C

2011-05-24T13:41:00.000-05:00

By the end of this week, adult hepatitis C patients will have access to two new drugs, to add to their arsenal in battling the viral disease that causes inflammation of the liver that can lead to liver failure.

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Following Cancer Prevention Guidelines Lowers Risk of Death from Cancer, Heart Disease, All Causes

2011-05-03T16:25:00.000-05:00

A study of more than 100,000 men and women over 14 years finds nonsmokers who followed recommendations for cancer prevention had a lower risk of death from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all-causes. The study appears early online in Cancer Biomarkers, Epidemiology, and Prevention, and was led by American Cancer Society epidemiologists.

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Brain Enlargement in Autism Due to Brain Changes Occurring Before Age 2

2011-05-03T16:24:00.001-05:00

In 2005, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that 2-year-old children with autism have brains up to 10 percent larger than children of the same age without autism.

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Gut Bacteria Falls Into Three Major Types

2011-04-25T14:04:00.000-05:00

Just like eye color or blood type, the bacteria that flourish in the gut can also be used to categorize humans, new research finds.

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Drug Effective in Treating Kidney Disease in Diabetic Patients, Study Suggests

2011-04-25T14:01:00.000-05:00

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Mayo Clinic have published promising results of a clinical study using an experimental anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory drug called pirfenidone to treat patients with diabetic nephropathy. Their study will be published in the April 21 issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN).

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Scientists develop compound that effectively halts progression of multiple sclerosis

2011-04-18T14:01:00.000-05:00

Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute have developed the first of a new class of highly selective compounds that effectively suppresses the severity of multiple sclerosis in animal models. The new compound could provide new and potentially more effective therapeutic approaches to multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases that affect patients worldwide.

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New Therapeutic Target for Asthma, COPD and Other Lung Disorders Identified

2011-04-18T13:52:00.001-05:00

Michael Croft, Ph.D., a researcher at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology, has discovered a molecule's previously unknown role as a major trigger for airway remodeling, which impairs lung function, making the molecule a promising therapeutic target for chronic asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and several other lung conditions. A scientific paper on Dr. Croft's finding was published online April 17 in the journal, Nature Medicine.

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Cholesterol Regulator Plays Key Role in Development of Liver Scarring, Cirrhosis

2011-04-04T10:18:00.000-05:00

UCLA researchers have demonstrated that a key regulator of cholesterol and fat metabolism in the liver also plays an important role in the development of liver fibrosis -- the build-up of collagen scar tissue that can develop into cirrhosis. Cirrhosis, in turn, is a major cause of premature death and is incurable without a liver transplant.

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Four New Genes for Alzheimer's Disease Risk Identified

2011-04-04T10:17:00.000-05:00

In the largest study of its kind, researchers from a consortium of 44 universities and research institutions in the United States, including Rush University Medical Center, identified four new genes linked to Alzheimer's disease. Each gene individually adds to the risk of having this common form of dementia later in life.

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People at Risk of Alzheimer's May Now Be Able to Delay the Onset of Their First Symptoms

2011-03-28T10:48:00.000-05:00

The human brain loses 5 to 10% of its weight between the ages of 20 and 90 years old. While some cells are lost, the brain is equipped with two compensatory mechanisms: plasticity and redundancy. Based on the results of her most recent clinical study published March 23 in the online version of Brain: A Journal of Neurology, Dr. Sylvie Belleville, PhD in neuropsychology, the principal author of this study and Director of Research at the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (IUGM), which is affiliated with the Université de Montréal, has found that for elderly subjects at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, hope may lie in brain plasticity.

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How Ovarian Cancer Resists Chemotherapy

2011-03-03T10:53:00.000-06:00

York University researchers have zeroed in on a genetic process that may allow ovarian cancer to resist chemotherapy. Researchers in the university's Faculty of Science & Engineering studied a tiny strand of our genetic makeup known as a MicroRNA, involved in the regulation of gene expression. Cancer occurs when gene regulation goes haywire.

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New Hope for Lowering Cholesterol

2011-03-03T10:51:00.000-06:00

A promising new way to inhibit cholesterol production in the body has been discovered, one that may yield treatments as effective as existing medications but with fewer side-effects.

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Increasing Triglyceride Levels Linked to Greater Stroke Risk; Study Finds Higher Cholesterol Levels Only Increase Risk of Stroke in Men

2011-02-21T10:32:00.001-06:00

A study by researchers in Denmark revealed that increasing levels of non-fasting triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in men and women. Higher cholesterol levels were associated with greater stroke risk in men only. Details of this novel, 33-year study are now available online in Annals of Neurology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Neurological Association.

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Statins May Prevent Diabetic-Related Blindness, Study Suggests

2011-02-21T10:29:00.001-06:00

New University of Georgia research has found that a statin drug that is often known by the brand-name Lipitor may help prevent blindness in people with diabetes.

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Discovery May Lead to Turning Back the Clock on Ovarian Cancer

2011-02-11T13:59:00.000-06:00

Cancer researchers have discovered that a type of regulatory RNA may be effective in fighting ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer isn't typically discovered until it's in the advanced stages, where it is already spreading to other organs and is very difficult to fight with chemotherapy. This new discovery may allow physicians to turn back the clock of the tumor's life cycle to a phase where traditional chemotherapy can better do its job.

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New Hybrid Drug, Derived from Common Spice, May Protect, Rebuild Brain Cells After Stroke

2011-02-11T13:57:00.001-06:00

Whether or not you're fond of Indian, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern food, stroke researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center think you may become a fan of one of their key spices.

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Healthy Gums, Healthy Lungs: Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums May Reduce Risk for Pneumonia, Chronic Obstructive Pumonary Disease

2011-01-20T12:55:00.001-06:00

Maintaining periodontal health may contribute to a healthy respiratory system, according to research published in the Journal of Periodontology. A new study suggests that periodontal disease may increase the risk for respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. These infections, which are caused when bacteria from the upper throat are inhaled into the lower respiratory tract, can be severely debilitating and are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.

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Statins: Benefits Questionable in Low-Risk Patients, Review Finds

2011-01-20T12:52:00.000-06:00

There is not enough evidence to recommend the widespread use of statins in people with no previous history of heart disease, according to a new Cochrane Systematic Review. Researchers say statins should be prescribed with caution in those at low risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

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Surprising Heartburn Triggers

2011-01-04T10:34:00.001-06:00

Heartburn is as American as apple pie—more than 60 million people experience it at least once a month. For some people—those with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD—heartburn can be a constant companion.

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Increased Consumption of Folic Acid Can Reduce Birth Defects but May Also Be Associated With Colorectal Cancer

2011-01-04T10:28:00.000-06:00

Folic acid can reduce birth defects including neural tube defects, congenital heart disease and oral clefts but some speculate high intakes of folic acid may be associated with adverse events such as colorectal cancer, states an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

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High Red Blood Cell Folate Levels Linked to Silenced Tumor-Suppressors

2010-12-28T10:35:00.002-06:00

People with higher levels of folate in their red blood cells were more likely to have two tumor-suppressing genes shut down by methylation, a chemical off switch for genes, researchers report in the December issue of Cancer Prevention Research.

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Newborns With Low Vitamin D Levels at Increased Risk for Respiratory Infections

2010-12-28T10:29:00.001-06:00

The vitamin D levels of newborn babies appear to predict their risk of respiratory infections during infancy and the occurrence of wheezing during early childhood, but not the risk of developing asthma. Results of a study in the January 2011 issue of Pediatrics support the theory that widespread vitamin D deficiency contributes to risk of infections.

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Influenza Virus Strains Show Increasing Drug Resistance and Ability to Spread

2010-12-09T15:54:00.000-06:00

Two new studies raise public health concerns about increasing antiviral resistance among certain influenza viruses, their ability to spread, and a lack of alternative antiviral treatment options.

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Weightlifting Slashes Lymphedema Risk After Breast Cancer Treatment, Study Suggests

2010-12-09T15:51:00.000-06:00

Weightlifting may play a key role in the prevention of the painful limb-swelling condition lymphedema following breast cancer treatment, according to new research from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

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Season of Birth May Have Long-Term Effects on Personality, Study Suggests

2010-12-06T10:28:00.000-06:00

The season in which babies are born can have a dramatic and persistent effect on how their biological clocks function.

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Lap-Band for lower BMI safe, FDA panel says

2010-12-06T10:27:00.000-06:00

A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Friday
voted that the new proposed Body Mass Index requirements for Lap-Band weight
loss surgery are safe, effective, and that benefits associated with the surgery
outweigh the risks.

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Stress Takes Its Toll in Parkinson's Disease

2010-11-16T16:11:00.000-06:00

We all know that living a stressful lifestyle can take its toll, making us age faster and making us more susceptible to the cold going around the office.

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Artificial Retina More Capable of Restoring Normal Vision; Animal Study Shows Including Retina’s Neural 'Code' Improved Prosthetic

2010-11-16T16:07:00.000-06:00

Researchers have developed an artificial retina that has the capacity to reproduce normal vision in mice. While other prosthetic strategies mainly increase the number of electrodes in an eye to capture more information, this study concentrated on incorporating the eye's neural "code" that converts pictures into signals the brain can understand.

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Hepatitis C Study Shows Superior Viral Cure Rate

2010-11-03T13:12:00.000-05:00

For patients with the most common form of hepatitis C being treated for the first time, the addition of an investigational hepatitis C-specific protease inhibitor called telaprevir to the current standard therapy markedly improved their sustained viral response (SVR or viral cure) rate.

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Mediterranean Diet Helps Control Cholesterol: Adding Monounsaturated Fats to a Low-Cholesterol Diet Can Further Improve Levels

2010-11-03T13:08:00.001-05:00

The addition of monounsaturated fat (MUFA) to a cholesterol-lowering dietary portfolio in patients with mild to moderate elevated cholesterol levels increased HDL by 12.5% and lowered LDL levels by 35%, found a study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

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Fish oil ingredient doesn't slow Alzheimer's

2010-11-03T13:06:00.000-05:00

An essential nutrient found in fish oil does not appear to slow the mental decline associated with Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Body's Bacteria Affect Atherosclerosis

2010-10-20T14:42:00.000-05:00

New findings suggesting that bacteria in the mouth and/or intestine can affect the the outcome pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and lead to new treatment strategies, reveals research from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

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First Direct Evidence That Response to Alcohol Depends on Genes

2010-10-20T14:39:00.001-05:00

Many studies have suggested that genetic differences make some individuals more susceptible to the addictive effects of alcohol and other drugs. Now scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory provide the first experimental evidence to directly support this idea in a study in mice reported in the Oct. 19, 2010, issue of Alcoholism: Clinical Experimental Research.

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Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Robotic-Assisted Surgery Can Expect Low Recurrence of Cancer

2010-10-20T14:37:00.000-05:00

A first-ever, long-term study of patients who underwent robot-assisted surgery to remove their cancerous prostates found that nearly 87 percent of them had no recurrence of the disease after five years.

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Drugs Used to Treat Osteoporosis Not Linked With Higher Risk of Esophageal Cancer

2010-10-04T15:48:00.001-05:00

Although some reports have suggested a link between the use of oral bisphosphonates (drugs that prevent the loss of bone mass) and esophageal cancer, analysis of medical data from more than 80,000 patients in the United Kingdom found that use of these drugs was not significantly associated with new cases of esophageal or gastric cancer, according to a study in the August 11 issue of JAMA.

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Parkinson's: Excess of Protein Suggests New Target for Treatment With Widely Used Anti-Cancer Drug Imatinib

2010-10-04T15:44:00.000-05:00

Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered that the over-activation of a single protein may shut down the brain-protecting effects of a molecule and facilitate the most common form of Parkinson's disease. The finding of this mechanism could lead to important new targets for drugs already known to inhibit it, thus controlling symptoms of the disorder, which affects about 1 million older Americans.

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B Vitamins Slow Brain Atrophy in People With Memory Problems

2010-09-14T10:51:00.001-05:00

Daily tablets of certain B vitamins can halve the rate of brain shrinkage in elderly people who suffer from mild memory problems, an Oxford University study has shown.

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Stress and the Sensitive Gut

2010-09-14T10:48:00.000-05:00

Functional gastrointestinal disorders affect 35 to 70 percent of people at some point in life, women more often than men. These disorders have no apparent physical cause — such as infection or cancer — yet result in pain, bloating, and other discomfort.

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New Compound Safely Reduces Plaques in Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

2010-09-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

A team of scientists, led by University of California, San Diego School of Medicine researchers, has synthesized hundreds of new compounds with the potential of reducing the production of the A-beta 42 peptide, a primary component of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

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Self-Administered Vaccine Patch May Protect Against Potentially Pandemic Flu Viruses

2010-09-09T14:26:00.001-05:00

A self-administered patch containing tiny microneedles may effectively deliver influenza virus-like particles through the skin and protect against potentially pandemic flu viruses such as H5N1.

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Stem cell funding ban suspended during appeal

2010-09-09T14:23:00.000-05:00

Federal judges Thursday temporarily stayed a human embryonic stem cell research funding cut-off, allowing experiments to continue for now.

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Seeing the World With New Eyes: Biosynthetic Corneas Restore Vision in Humans

2010-08-30T13:05:00.001-05:00

A new study from researchers in Canada and Sweden has shown that biosynthetic corneas can help regenerate and repair damaged eye tissue and improve vision in humans. The results, from an early phase clinical trial with 10 patients, are published in the August 25th, 2010 issue of Science Translational Medicine.

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Omega-3 margarines fail to help in heart study

2010-08-30T13:01:00.001-05:00

Giving patients with a history of heart attacks a margarine enriched with omega-3 oils in addition to standard drugs appears to make no difference to their chances of having a repeat attack.

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Attention, Couch Potatoes! Walking Boosts Brain Connectivity, Function

2010-08-30T12:57:00.000-05:00

Research shows that regular walking can combat declines in brain function associated with aging.

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Promising Target for Developing Treatments Against Parkinson's Disease

2010-08-24T11:27:00.001-05:00

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have shown that using specific drugs can protect nerve cells in mice from the lethal effects of Parkinson's disease.

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Radiologists Call for National Strategy to Address Medical Imaging Overuse

2010-08-24T11:25:00.000-05:00

Overutilization of medical imaging services exposes patients to unnecessary radiation and adds to healthcare costs, according to a report appearing online and in the October issue of the journal Radiology that calls on radiologists to spearhead a collaborative effort to curb imaging overutilization.

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Eating Berries May Activate the Brain's Natural Housekeeper for Healthy Aging

2010-08-24T11:23:00.000-05:00

Scientists have reported the first evidence that eating blueberries, strawberries, and acai berries may help the aging brain stay healthy in a crucial but previously unrecognized way.

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Even Modest Weight Gain Can Harm Blood Vessels, Researchers Find

2010-08-19T10:47:00.001-05:00

Mayo Clinic researchers found that healthy young people who put on as little as 9 pounds of fat, specifically in the abdomen, are at risk for developing endothelial cell dysfunction. Endothelial cells line the blood vessels and control the ability of the vessels to expand and contract.

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Gender Bender: Do Gender Knee Implants Provide Better Outcomes?

2010-08-19T10:45:00.000-05:00

A gender-specific total knee prosthesis was developed to more closely match the anatomy of the female knee, aiming to be a better fit resulting in better outcomes for women. However, a recent study in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) found that 85 women who received a gender-specific implant in one knee and a standard prosthesis in the other knee found no clinical benefits of the gender-specific knee.

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Lethal Brain Tumor's Strength May Be a Weakness as Well

2010-08-16T15:10:00.000-05:00

Malignant gliomas are the most common subtype of primary brain tumor -- and one of the deadliest. Even as doctors make steady progress treating other types of solid tumor cancers, from breast to prostate, the most aggressive form of malignant glioma, called a glioblastoma multiforme or GBM, has steadfastly defied advances in neurosurgery, radiation therapy and various conventional or novel drugs.

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When does early memory loss signal dementia?

2010-08-10T10:16:00.000-05:00

Doctors can't tell if Leif Utoft Bollesen's mild memory loss will remain an annoyance or worsen, but experimental checks of the Minnesota man's aging brain may offer clues.

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Low-fibre western diets deter 'good bacteria'

2010-08-09T13:59:00.000-05:00

WE ARE what we eat. If this applies to gut bacteria too, it could explain higher rates of allergies and other inflammatory diseases in rich nations.

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Scientists Target Possible Cause of One Form of Bowel Disease

2010-08-02T13:30:00.000-05:00

A possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome has been traced to a small piece of RNA that blocks a substance protecting the colon membrane, leading to hostile conditions that can produce diarrhea, bloating and chronic abdominal pain.

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Sleep Disorder May Signal Dementia, Parkinson's Disease Up to 50 Years Early

2010-07-29T10:41:00.001-05:00

A new study shows that a sleep disorder may be a sign of dementia or Parkinson's disease up to 50 years before the disorders are diagnosed.

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Parkinson's: New Clues to Alleviating Gait Disorders and Falls

2010-07-26T10:56:00.000-05:00

Many of the symptoms of Parkinson disease can be alleviated with drugs that target dompamine, a chemical in the brain that is involved in nerve cell communication and therefore known as a neurotransmitter. However, such drugs do not improve the gait disorders and falls that commonly affect individuals with severe and advanced forms of Parkinson disease.

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Why More Education Lowers Dementia Risk

2010-07-26T10:55:00.000-05:00

A team of researchers from the UK and Finland has discovered why people who stay in education longer have a lower risk of developing dementia -- a question that has puzzled scientists for the past decade.

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Should healthy folks take cholesterol drugs?

2010-07-19T11:27:00.000-05:00

Should healthy people with low cholesterol take a pill to lower their cholesterol even more in hopes of preventing heart problems? The question is dividing heart doctors and confusing patients.

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Anti-clotting drug Coumadin recalled

2010-07-19T11:26:00.000-05:00

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said Monday it is recalling eight production lots of its anti-clotting drug Coumadin because the amount of the active ingredient in the drug could change.

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Obesity Harms Women's Memory and Brain Function, Study Finds

2010-07-15T11:13:00.000-05:00

The more an older woman weighs, the worse her memory, according to new research from Northwestern Medicine. The effect is more pronounced in women who carry excess weight around their hips, known as pear shapes, than women who carry it around their waists, called apple shapes.

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Engineering Could Give Reconstructive Surgery a Facelift

2010-07-13T10:08:00.000-05:00

Facial reconstruction patients may soon have the option of custom-made bone replacements optimized for both form and function, thanks to researchers at the University of Illinois and the Ohio State University Medical Center.

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Low Vitamin D Levels Associated With Cognitive Decline

2010-07-13T10:07:00.000-05:00

Older adults with low levels of vitamin D appear more likely to experience declines in thinking, learning and memory over a six-year period, according to a report in the July 12 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

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Revolutionary Therapy Slows Tumor Growth in Advanced Breast Cancer, Research Reports

2010-07-06T11:11:00.000-05:00

A novel therapy designed to attack tumors in patients with a genetic mutation in either BRCA1 or BRCA2, slowed tumor growth in 85 percent of advanced breast cancer patients treated in a small study, researchers report in the July 6 issue of the Lancet.

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Low Vitamin D Linked to the Metabolic Syndrome in Elderly People

2010-07-06T11:10:00.001-05:00

A new study adds to the mounting evidence that older adults commonly have low vitamin D levels and that vitamin D inadequacy may be a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects one in four adults. The results were presented at The Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego.

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Caffeine May Slow Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, Restore Cognitive Function, According to New Evidence

2010-06-28T13:14:00.001-05:00

Although caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug worldwide, its potential beneficial effect for maintenance of proper brain functioning has only recently begun to be adequately appreciated. Substantial evidence from epidemiological studies and fundamental research in animal models suggests that caffeine may be protective against the cognitive decline seen in dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD).

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Subchondral Bone Changes: Cartilage Loss Plays a Role in Development of Osteoarthritis

2010-06-28T13:12:00.000-05:00

A recent study determined that bone area predicted the development of medial (inner side) and lateral (outer side) knee cartilage damage and loss of medial cartilage volume. Subchondral bone mineral density (BMD) was associated with medial defect development but not cartilage loss. Researchers believe subchondral bone changes and loss of cartilage contribute to the development of osteoarthritis (OA).

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Can START Stop Cholesterol Build-Up?

2010-06-24T12:41:00.000-05:00

A newly discovered group of proteins could help treat cholesterol build-up in arteries.

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Obesity, Weight Gain in Middle Age Associated With Increased Risk of Diabetes Among Older Adults

2010-06-24T12:39:00.000-05:00

For individuals 65 years of age and older, obesity, excess body fat around the waist and gaining weight after the age of 50 are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, according to a study in the June 23/30 issue of JAMA.

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Vitamin D supplements could fight Crohn's disease

2010-06-21T16:04:00.000-05:00

A new study has found that Vitamin D, readily available in supplements or cod liver oil, can counter the effects of Crohn’s disease. John White, an endocrinologist at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, led a team of scientists from McGill University and the Université de Montréal who present their findings about the inflammatory bowel disease in the latest Journal of Biological Chemistry.

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Molecular Imaging Detects First Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

2010-06-14T15:40:00.001-05:00

Research revealed at the Society of Nuclear Medicine's 57th Annual Meeting is furthering efforts to use molecular imaging as a means of early detection of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are striving to detect the disease as early as possible by imaging the formation of a naturally-occurring protein in the brain called beta-amyloid, which is thought to be closely linked to disease onset.

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Molecular Imaging Allows Individualized 'Dose Painting' for Head and Neck Cancers

2010-06-14T15:38:00.001-05:00

According to research revealed at the Society of Nuclear Medicine's 57th Annual Meeting, a multi-tracer molecular imaging technique using positron emission tomography (PET) provides detailed information about the physiological processes of cancerous tumors -- and could one day help radiation oncologists treat head and neck cancers with precision external-beam radiation therapy and improve the outcomes of therapy.

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