Key to avian flu in humansMIT scientists have uncovered a critical difference between flu viruses that infect birds and humans, a discovery that could help researchers monitor the evolution of avian flu strains and aid in the development of vaccines against a deadly flu pandemic.
The scientists observed that a virus's ability to infect humans depends on whether it can bind to one specific shape of receptor on the surface of human respiratory cells.
Now that we........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 1/6/2008 10:10:43 PM)
MRI techniques for better assessment of liver fibrosisMRI imagery is emerging as a non-invasive way to determine the existence and extent of hepatic fibrosis. It could eventually help the development of pharmacologic strategies to combat the condition. These findings are in the recent issue of Hepatology, a journal published by John Wiley & Sons on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD). The article is also available online at Wiley Interscience........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 1/2/2008 10:12:21 PM)
The Body Has a Mind of Its OwnBody maps are areas of the brain that represent all areas of your body inside and out. Most of us recall the goofy pictures of homunculi, the distorted figures that represent the relative space our body parts occupy in the somatosensory cortex. Because sensory schemata of the hands and face occupy relatively large areas of our cortex, they are overrepresented in the physical map.In The Body Has a Mind of Its Own mother-son science writing team........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/27/2007 10:06:51 AM)
The Hidden Workings of Our MindsHow do great artists create? How do brilliant scientists solve the hardest problems in their field? Listen to them try to explain and you''ll probably be disappointed. Artists say mysterious things like: "The picture just formed in my mind." Writers tell us that: "I don''t know where the words come from." Scientists say they: "Just had a hunch."Of course, not all scientists, artists and writers give such mysterious answers. Some talk about the........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/19/2007 11:06:40 PM)
Genetic Link to Spina BifidaScientists at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston have discovered an association between genes regulating glucose metabolism and spina bifida. The decade-long study looked at more than 1,500 DNA samples from parents and their children with that birth defect.
UT Medical School scientists tested variants in a dozen genes that take part in glucose metabolism to look for a link between genetic variation in affected children and........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/18/2007 8:17:30 PM)
Overexcited neurons not good for cell healthNeurotransmitters have consequences. They initiate events that are critical to a healthy life, giving us the ability to move, to talk, to breathe, to think. But thats if the neurotransmitters are getting it right and sending proper signals downstream to muscle cells, neurons or other cells.
Now a Northwestern University study reports that a mutation in a transcription factor that controls a neurotransmitter in the nematode C. elegans causes........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/17/2007 8:54:08 PM)
Sutent can have toxic effects on the heartAnother FDA-approved targeted cancer drug, sunitinib (SutentTM, Pfizer), may be linked to cardiac toxicity, report scientists at Childrens Hospital Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Boston), and Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia). Their collaborative study, led by Ming Hui Chen, MD, MMSc, a heart specialist at Childrens who specializes in the cardiac health of cancer patients, appears in the December 15 issue of The Lancet,........Go to the Cancer-blog (Added on 12/13/2007 9:04:51 PM)
Dramatically lowering costs of DNA sequencingUsing computer simulations, scientists at the University of Illinois have demonstrated a strategy for sequencing DNA by driving the molecule back and forth through a nanopore capacitor in a semiconductor chip. The technique could lead to a device that would read human genomes quickly and affordably.
Being able to sequence a human genome for $1,000 or less (which is the price most insurance companies are willing to pay) could open a new era........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/12/2007 9:54:56 PM)
Natural human hormone as the next antidepressant?Philadelphia, PA, December 11, 2007 Novel therapy strategies for major depression with broader therapy success or a more rapid onset of action would have immense impact on public health, a new study reported in the December 1st issue of Biological Psychiatry explains. This new study reports findings that support the evaluation of a potential new antidepressant agent.
As per the lead author on this study, Kamilla Miskowiak, MSc: Eventhough........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/11/2007 10:30:08 PM)
New computational technique can predict drug side effectsEarly identification of adverse effects of drugs before they are tested in humans is crucial in developing new therapeutics, as unexpected effects account for a third of all drug failures during the development process. Now scientists at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) have developed a novel technique using computer modeling to identify potential side effects of pharmaceuticals, and have used the technique to study a class of........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/11/2007 8:26:20 PM)
Vaccine shows promise in preventing monoA new study suggests that a vaccine targeting Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may prevent infectious mononucleosis, usually known as mono or glandular fever. The study is reported in the December 15 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, now available online.
EBV is a member of the herpes virus family and one of the most common viruses in humans, with nearly all adults in developed countries such as the United States having been infected. ........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/10/2007 10:51:50 PM)
The Hidden Workings of Our MindsHow do great artists create? How do brilliant scientists solve the hardest problems in their field? Listen to them try to explain and you''ll probably be disappointed. Artists say mysterious things like: "The picture just formed in my mind." Writers tell us that: "I don''t know where the words come from." Scientists say they: "Just had a hunch."Of course, not all scientists, artists and writers give such mysterious answers. Some talk about the........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/9/2007 10:22:42 PM)
Zolinza In Combination With BortezomibResults from two investigational Phase I trials of ZOLINZA (vorinostat) in combination with bortezomib provide preliminary anti-tumor activity in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. Data from one study showed that 10 of 21 (48 percent) evaluable patients had a partial or minimal response from the ZOLINZA and bortezomib combination therapy. Data from a second study, sponsored by the United States National Cancer........Go to the Cancer-blog (Added on 12/9/2007 5:21:10 PM)
Nderstanding Chronic Myeloid LeukemiaATLANTA Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute researchers have opened a new window into the roots of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
We are looking under the surface of CML to understand better where the cancer is coming from. We have discovered abnormal cells in the early stem cell population in some CML patients, which dont belong to the CML clone. These are abnormal cells that are not part of the CML clone, said Thomas........Go to the Health-articles (Added on 12/9/2007 5:00:33 PM)
Discussions can help domestic violence victims speak upScientists at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and other sites have observed that doctors and other health care providers can better their chances of identifying and helping victims of domestic violence by changing the way they ask patients questions.
In a large study recently reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists found many communication pitfalls when emergency care providers discussed domestic violence with........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/6/2007 7:23:50 PM)
Making Emergency Artery Repair SaferCatheters outfitted with balloons, lasers, and miniature drills have made the therapy of blocked arteries virtually routine. These devices are used to clear plaque from a number of vessels including coronary, femoral, renal, and carotid arteries. Until recently, a misstep in the delicate procedure commonly mandatory risky emergency surgery. Now physicians are using the same technology used to open clogged arteries to repair ruptures and........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/6/2007 3:51:43 PM)
Physician style and HMO affiliationApart from a more complicated medical case, what makes different physicians spend different amounts of time with their patients" Scientists at UC Davis have identified several key doctor- and practice-specific characteristics that affect the length of a patients medical appointment, and ultimately with a patients satisfaction with the doctors visit.
In a new study, "Primary Care Visit Length, Quality, and Satisfaction for Standardized........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/5/2007 8:38:52 PM)
HIV-infected infants respond poorly to childhood vaccinationIt is known that HIV-infected children who do not receive appropriate antiretroviral drugs experience immune depression, and may become susceptible to infectious diseases that would otherwise be prevented by childhood immunization. It is therefore important to find out to what extent HIV-infected children are able to generate adequate levels of antibodies following routine childhood immunizations.
A paper published online this week in PLoS........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/4/2007 10:22:50 PM)
New marker to identify cancer stem cellsScientists at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center have found a marker that can be used to identify stem cells in breast tumors, suggesting a potential simple test that could help determine the best therapy for breast cancer.
The finding also provides strong support for the hypothesis that a small number of cells, called cancer stem cells, are responsible for fueling a tumors growth.
U-M scientists were the first to........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/3/2007 10:35:39 PM)
AIDS Day and a new Scifoo lives on sessionI’ve found some interesting news about Second Life. First, it’s my pleasure to announce that a new Scifoo lives on session will take place on the Second Nature island at 17:00 GMT on Monday. The idea is based on my 10 Reasons Why Nature is the Best in Science 2.0 post. Several members of the Nature group will attend and give slideshows about their projects (Nature Network, Connotea, etc.). Everbody is warmly invited
Wear a skin........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/3/2007 8:02:41 PM)
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High-energy ultrasound sharpens view of liver tumorsA high-energy form of ultrasound imaging developed by scientists at Duke University's Pratt School of Engineering produces pictures of liver tumors that are better than those made with traditional ultrasound, as per results of a clinical study.
The study suggests that the imaging method known as Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) ultrasound might offer a new tool for screening patients at increased risk for liver cancers, as per the........Go to the Cancer-blog (Added on 1/7/2008 10:48:37 PM)
Hospitals lag in preventing common infectionOne 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.
And with every new case, UTIs will retain their title of most common hospital-acquired infection, responsible for 40 percent of infections correlation to hospitalization.
But despite all this, a new study........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 1/3/2008 9:50:34 PM)
Older surgical patients at greater riskPatients over the age of 60 who have elective surgeries such as joint replacements, hysterectomies and other non-emergency, inpatient procedures, are at an increased risk for long-term cognitive problems, as per a new study led by Duke University Medical Center researchers.
The study also observed that elderly patients who developed these postoperative cognitive problems were more likely to die in the first year after surgery.
We have........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 1/2/2008 9:49:03 PM)
New Way To Sort Stem CellsUC Irvine researchers have found a new way to sort stem cells that should be quicker, easier and more cost-effective than current methods. The technique could in the future expedite therapies for people with conditions ranging from brain and spinal cord damage to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
The method uses electrodes on a tiny, inch-long glass slide to sort cells by their electric charges and has been used in cancer research. The........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/20/2007 9:17:52 PM)
New online tool in fight against spread of HIV A new Web-based software program is the latest tool University of Minnesota scientists are using to help fight the spread of HIV. A multidisciplinary team of scientists led by Joseph Konstan, a professor in computer science and engineering, and B. R. Simon Rosser, a professor in the School of Public Health, are embarking on a clinical trial this month to test a software program that aims to reduce risk-taking behavior linked to the spread of........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/18/2007 8:42:22 PM)
Pain treatment in the fieldNoncombat-related acute and recurrent chronic pain are the leading causes of soldier attrition in modern war, with the return-to-duty rate as low as 2 percent when these soldiers are treated outside the theaters of operation. However, that rate jumps to 95 percent when troops and officers are treated and managed for pain in the field of instead of being sent elsewhere for treatment, as per a new study from a Johns Hopkins anesthesiologist.
........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/17/2007 9:28:30 PM)
Biocapture Surfaces for Studying Brain ChemistryA research team at Penn State has developed a novel method for attaching small molecules, such as neurotransmitters, to surfaces, which then are used to capture large biomolecules. By varying the identity and spacing of the tethered molecules, scientists can make the technique applicable to a wide range of bait molecules including drugs, chemical warfare agents, and environmental pollutants. Ultimately, the scientists also hope to identify........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/13/2007 9:43:51 PM)
Bosutinib safe, effective for CMLA new drug for chronic myelogenous leukemia works for patients who have developed resistance to frontline treatment and causes fewer side effects than other medications in its class, a research team led by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reports at the 49th annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology.
"Bosutinib has shown good efficacy and very little toxicity in comparison to other tyrosine........Go to the Cancer-blog (Added on 12/11/2007 10:41:34 PM)
Gene linked to aggressive prostate cancerResults from two genome-wide association studies have identified a genetic variant of the DAB2IP gene that is linked to the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Research teams from the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, and Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions made the discovery jointly.
Scientists suspect that the DAB2IP gene is involved in........Go to the Cancer-blog (Added on 12/11/2007 10:37:27 PM)
Neurotransmitters in biopolymersResearch reported December 11 in the journal Advanced Materials describes a potentially promising strategy for encouraging the regeneration of damaged central nervous system cells known as neurons.
The technique would use a biodegradable polymer containing a chemical group that mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to spur the growth of neurites, which are projections that form the connections among neurons and between neurons and other........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/11/2007 10:08:59 PM)
Depression screening for cancer patientsDepression is known to be linked to cancer yet too a number of cancer patients are not screened for this mental disorder, as per scientists from the Indiana University School of Medicine, the Regenstrief Institute and the Roudebush VA Medical Center.
As per a research findings reported in the November-recent issue of General Hospital Psychiatry, Caroline Carney Doebbeling, M.D., M.Sc. and Laura Jones, Ph.D., looked at data from the........Go to the Cancer-blog (Added on 12/10/2007 10:49:11 PM)
MIT corrects sickle-cell anemia in miceMIT scientists have successfully treated mice with sickle-cell anemia in a process that begins by directly reprogramming the mice's own cells to an embryonic-stem-cell-like state, without the use of eggs.
This is the first proof-of-principle of therapeutic application in mice of directly reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem (IPS) cells, which recently have been derived in mice as well as humans.
"This demonstrates that IPS cells have the........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/10/2007 10:32:49 PM)
Research finds link between depressionDepression nearly triples the risk of death following a heart attack, even when accounting for other heart attack risk factors, as per research presented today at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP) annual meeting, which showed that among 360 depressed, post myocardial infarction patients followed for more than six years, those who did not recover from their depression in the first six months were more than twice as likely........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/9/2007 5:26:10 PM)
Secrets of Alcohol's Effect on Brain CellsAlcohol triggers the activation of a variety of genes that can influence the health and activity of brain cells, and new research from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City sheds light on how that process occurs.
The findings, reported in the Nov. 21 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, may also edge researchers closer to understanding alcohol-linked disorders such as the brain damage linked to chronic alcoholism, and the abnormal........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/7/2007 9:20:33 PM)
Study of African traditional medicineDescribed as a hotspot of botanical diversity, there are more than 20,000 indigenous plant species in South Africa. Several thousand of them are used by traditional healers every day in that country for treating a range of problems from the common cold to serious diseases such as AIDS. How safe and effective these therapys are will be the focus of The International Center for Indigenous Phytotherapy Studies (TICIPS), a collaborative research........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/6/2007 7:42:08 PM)
Every Baby Has a StoryAn aspiring director of feature films and commercials captured the hearts of the public with an inspiring video that has won top prize in the March of Dimes "Every Baby Has a Story'' public service ad contest.
"This was a great way for people to see my work unfiltered," David Pestka, 32, of Stamford, CT, said this week. Pestka said he learned a lot, not only about filmmaking, but also about the health of mothers and babies. "This couldn't be........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/6/2007 3:37:51 PM)
Transfusion-free medicine for Jehovah's WitnessesJehovahs Witness patients no longer have to die for want of blood, says Patricia Ford, MD, a hematologist/oncologist and Medical Director of the Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital, part of the PENN Medicine hospital network. Dr. Ford is one of the pioneers of bloodless surgery and has been teaching its technique to doctors around the world.
One technique a bloodless surgery can employ is called cell salvage in........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/5/2007 8:27:20 PM)
Bone marrow cell transplants help nerve regenerationA study carried out by scientists at the Kyoto University School of Medicine and reported in the current issue of CELL TRANSPLANTATION (Vol.16 No. 8) has shown that when transplanted bone marrow cells (BMCs) containing adult stem cells are protected by a 15mm silicon tube and nourished with bio-engineered materials, they successfully help regenerate damaged nerves. The research may provide an important step in developing artificial nerves.
........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/4/2007 9:52:00 PM)
Kids of depressed momsYoung children whose mothers are depressed are more prone to behavioural problems and injury, suggests US research published in Injury Prevention.
The scientists looked at the impact of maternal depression on childrens behaviour and injury rates among 1106 mother and child pairs between 1992 and 1994.
The mothers and their children were all taking part in the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, which has been tracking the health of........Go to the Health-blog (Added on 12/3/2007 10:33:20 PM)
Head injuries among snowboarders and skiersSerious head injuries among alpine skiers and snowboarders have risen over the past 15 years, reveals research in Injury Prevention.
The increase has coincided with faster speed and the inclusion of more jumping and acrobatics as the norm in these sports, say the authors.
The authors base their findings on a comprehensive international trawl of published research on injuries sustained by mountain skiers and snowboarders between 1990 and........Go to the Health-articles (Added on 12/3/2007 10:32:14 PM)
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