Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Another blow for microbicide HIV prevention
Trials in Sub-Saharan Africa have shown that daily HIV prevention methods are highly unsuitable for young women at risk of HIV infection.
Omega-3s from fish vs. pills better at maintaining blood pressure
Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish may have diverse health-promoting effects, potentially protecting the immune, nervous, and cardiovascular systems. But how the health effects of one such fatty...
A billion deaths from tobacco are a key obstacle to global development
If the word's nations are going to prevent tobacco smoking from causing one projected billion deaths by the end of this century, they must classify tobacco marketing as a threat...
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling good for people with spinal cord injury
A new study by Kennedy Krieger Institute’s International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (Epub ahead of print) finds that long-term lower extremity functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling, as...
Mirabegron effective and well tolerated for overactive bladder
In a new phase III trial mirabegron, a β3-adrenoceptor agonist, given once daily for 12 weeks, reduced the frequency of incontinence episodes and number of daily urinations, and improved urgency...
How the brain loses and regains consciousness
Since the mid-1800s, doctors have used drugs to induce general anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery. Despite their widespread use, little is known about how these drugs create such a profound...
First ‘functional HIV cure’ in an infant
A team of researchers from Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the University of Massachusetts Medical School describe the first case of a...
Commission: End physician fee-for-service
The National Commission on Physician Payment Reform issued a report today detailing a series of sweeping recommendations aimed at reining in health spending and improving quality of care by...
Discovery opens door to new drug options for serious diseases
Researchers have discovered how oxidative stress can turn to the dark side a cellular protein that's usually benign, and make it become a powerful, unwanted accomplice in neuronal death. This...
Women and Science: A Celebration of International Women's Day at Perimeter Institute
Perimeter Institute celebrates International Women's Day 2013 by hosting two conferences
Studies advance knowledge of HIV impact on hepatitis C infection and genes that may thwart hepatitis C infection
Infectious disease experts have found that among people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), co-infection with HIV, speeds damage and scarring of liver tissue by almost a decade.
AIDS journal publishes findings of two important studies in March 2013 issue
The results of two important studies have been published in the March issue of AIDS, the official journal of the International AIDS Society. One study notes that screening for HIV...
'Very low' risk of infections in advanced brain procedures
Patients undergoing cerebral angiography and neurointerventional procedures on the brain are at very low risk of infection -- even without preventive antibiotics, reports a study in the March issue of...
First evidence that obesity gene is risk factor for melanoma
The gene most strongly linked to obesity and over eating may also increase the risk of malignant melanoma -- the most deadly skin cancer, according to scientists.
'OK' contact lenses work by flattening front of cornea, not the entire cornea
A contact lens technique called overnight orthokeratology (OK) brings rapid improvement in vision for nearsighted patients. Now a new study shows that OK treatment works mainly by flattening the front...
Devices aim to deliver on stem-cell therapies
Bendable needle increases reach of a single injection to the brain.Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2013.12532
Potential of large studies for building genetic risk prediction models
Scientists have developed a new paradigm to assess hereditary risk prediction in common diseases, such as prostate cancer.
Contraception in women over 40
Despite declining fertility, women over age 40 still require effective contraception if they wish to avoid pregnancy. A review article outlines the risks and benefits of various contraceptive options for...
Unhealthy drinking widespread around the world
A new study shows that alcohol is now the third leading cause of the global burden of disease and injury, despite the fact most adults worldwide abstain from drinking.
Getting patients to where they need to be
Calvin Woodard and his white van are a lifeline for those who are unable or unwilling to keep important medical appointments. 'He has a rapport sometimes that we can't have,'...
Scores that evaluate newborn intensive care units are inconsistent
Future tools should build on success of current scores to improve care for vulnerable infants, according to new research.
Anti-AIDS pill, vaginal gel unsuitable for Africa: study
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Trying to prevent HIV infection through vaginal gels or daily tablets has proven ineffective in the southern African region ravaged by the disease because people failed to...
IFT Issues Food Product Tracing Report to FDA
The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) today announced the public release of their report for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) focused on the outcomes of two pilot projects...
Grandmother's cigarette habit could be the cause of grandchild's asthma
Studies finding that grandmother's smoking habit may cause her grandchild to have asthma suggest environmental factors experienced today can affect families' health for generations to come.
Maternal diet important predictor of severity for infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
An important predictor of the severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants may be what their mothers ate during pregnancy, according to a new study.
Report urges Ontario ban on marketing junk food to kids
A new report is urging the Ontario government to ban the marketing of junk food to kids under the age of 12, in a bid to reduce childhood obesity rates.
Does increased exposure to a piece of art make us like it more?
When it comes to judging art, beauty may not just be in the eye of the beholder, according to a study from the University of Leeds.
Myriad languages, cultures challenge health reform
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Set on a gritty corner of Oakland's International Boulevard, the nonprofit Street Level Health Project offers free checkups to patients who speak...