Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Key enzyme missing from aggressive form of breast cancer, groundbreaking study shows
A groundbreaking new study has found that triple-negative breast cancer cells are missing a key enzyme that other cancer cells contain — providing insight into potential therapeutic targets to treat...
Nearly 1 in 4 women with breast cancer report PTSD symptoms, study finds
Nearly one in four women (23 percent) newly diagnosed with breast cancer reported symptoms consistent with PTSD shortly after diagnosis, with increased risk among black and Asian women, according to...
Rapid, point-of-care tests for syphilis: The future of diagnosis
Scientists have demonstrated that rapid and point-of-care tests (POC) for syphilis are as accurate as conventional laboratory tests. The findings call for a major change in approach to syphilis testing...
Just a drop? Alcohol consumption much higher than reported in England
Alcohol consumption could be much higher than previously thought, with more than three quarters of people in England drinking in excess of the recommended daily alcohol limit, according to a...
Increased risk of sleep disorder narcolepsy in children who received swine flu vaccine
A study finds an increased risk of narcolepsy in children and adolescents who received the A/H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine (Pandemrix) during the pandemic in England.
Most first-time mothers wait until after 6 weeks before resuming sex following childbirth
Most first-time mothers wait until after 6 weeks postpartum to resume vaginal sex following childbirth and women who have an operative vaginal birth, caesarean section, perineal tear or episiotomy...
First lady's anti-obesity campaign prompts change
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Wal-Mart is putting special labels on some store-brand products to help shoppers quickly spot healthier items. Millions of schoolchildren are helping themselves to...
Simple method devised for determining atrial fibrillation risk in women
Researchers have devised and tested a simple atrial fibrillation risk prediction model, based on six easily obtained factors: A woman's age, height, weight, blood pressure, alcohol consumption and smoking history.
Muscle, skin and gastrointestinal problems cause a quarter of patients with heart disease and strokes to stop treatment in HPS2-THRIVE trial
The largest randomized study of the vitamin niacin in patients with occlusive arterial disease (narrowing of the arteries) has shown a significant increase in adverse side-effects when it is combined...
Obesity, physical inactivity linked with risk for certain molecular subtype of colorectal cancer
An increasing body mass index was associated with a higher risk for colorectal cancer with a specific molecular characteristic, and inversely, physical activity was linked to a decreased risk for...
Self help books and websites can benefit severely depressed patients
Patients with more severe depression show at least as good clinical benefit from 'low-intensity' interventions, such as self help books and websites, as less severely ill patients, suggests a new...
Could Sons Shorten Women's Lives?
Women in Finland who had more sons tended to live fewer years after the births than women who had daughters.
Genetic variation behind acute myeloid leukemia treatment success identified
Researchers are working to identify genetic variations that may help signal which acute myeloid leukemia patients will benefit or not benefit from one of the newest antileukemic agents.
Recipes for Health: Roasted Carrots and Scallions — Recipes for Health
Toasted hazelnuts add a crunchy texture and nutty finish to this dish.
4-year-old girl finally receives her new wheelchair
A four-year-old girl in Nova Scotia with spastic cerebral palsy has finally received her new wheelchair after a passionate plea from her dad triggered a landslide of support from around...
Novel combination therapy shuts down escape route, killing glioblastoma tumor cells
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected, but important molecular mechanism of mTOR inhibitor resistance and a novel drug combination that reverses this resistance using low dose arsenic in mice. The mTOR...
Linking insulin to learning
Recent work by Harvard researchers demonstrates how the signaling pathway of insulin and insulinlike peptides plays a critical role in helping to regulate learning and memory. The research, led by...
For some, surgical site infections are in the genes
An estimated 300,000 U.S. patients get surgical site infections every year, and while the causes are varied, a new study suggests that some who get an infection can blame it...
Texting Gloves Dangerous in Winter, Says expert
Fingers are one of the first body parts to suffer from the cold and popular fingerless texting gloves can lead to frostbite and in worst cases, amputation, says an expert.
Long-term use of medication does not improve symptoms for heart failure patients
Among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, long-term treatment with the medication spironolactone improved left ventricular diastolic function but did not affect maximal exercise capacity, patient symptoms, or...
News in Brief: Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Meeting
Highlights from the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, San Antonio, February 22-26, 2013
Cell 152:831-843 (2-14-13)
Cell 152:831-843 SMARCA3, a chromatin-remodeling factor, is required for p11-dependent antidepressant action Yong-Seok Oh, Pu Gao, Ko-Woon Lee, Ilaria Ceglia, Ji-Seon Seo, Xiaozhu Zhang, Jung-Hyuck Ahn, Brian T. Chait, Dinshaw...
A History of Balloon Crashes
Crashes have been a threat since the earliest days of ballooning. See our list of past balloon crashes.
FDA halts Amgen study after teen patient death
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal health regulators say they have halted Amgen's studies of its thyroid drug Sensipar after the death of a 14-year-old patient in a...
US science to be open to all
Government mandates that taxpayer-funded research be freely available within 12 months.Nature 494 414 doi: 10.1038/494414a
Cholesterol limits lose their lustre
Revised guidelines for heart health are set to move away from target-based approach.Nature 494 410 doi: 10.1038/494410a
Ailing pets getting hyperbaric chamber treatment
(AP)—Hyperbaric chambers have been used for decades to treat divers with the bends, burn victims and people with traumatic injuries, but in the U.S. they're increasingly being used on ailing...
Healthcare overhaul may threaten California's safety net
If public hospitals and clinics lose too much funding, county health leaders say, who will treat the uninsured? About 10% of Californians could still lack coverage after the law takes...