Latest science news in Health & Medicine
FDA revokes approval of Avastin for breast cancer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government delivered a blow to some desperate patients Friday as it ruled the blockbuster drug Avastin should no longer be used to...
Potential Malaria Drug Stops Parasite Early
The concoction killed malaria in the livers of mice.
Preliminary report on radiation levels in Fukushima reveals relative safety of residents
Researchers have released a preliminary report on the effects of the Fukushima nuclear disaster on the surrounding areas, following radiation levels for approximately three months following the event and surveying...
Gene impedes recovery from alcoholism, Swedish research finds
People who are alcohol-dependent and who also carry a particular variant of a gene run an increased risk of premature death, according to research from Sweden.
Prenatal quality initiative improves patient safety
A new study reveals that a multifaceted quality initiative can significantly reduce adverse obstetric outcomes, thereby improving patient safety and enhancing staff and patient experiences.
Surgery on toy animals lessens anxiety of veterinary students
Training basic surgical techniques on toy animals before having to perform operations on living animals makes veterinary students much less anxious. At the same time, the use of laboratory animals...
‘Magnets’ help stroke patients speak
Stroke survivors have been found to speak better after undergoing a treatment of magnetic stimulation of the brain.
Milk thistle extract stops lung cancer in mice, study shows
A new study shows that the milk thistle extract, silibinin, interferes with cell signaling that otherwise leads to the production of tumor-causing enzymes COX2 and iNOS.
Adolescent sex linked to adult body, mood troubles, in animal study
A new study suggests that sex during adolescence can have lasting negative effects on the body and mood well into adulthood, most likely because the activity occurs when the nervous...
Niacin does not reduce heart attack, stroke risk in stable CV patients
In patients whose bad cholesterol is very well-controlled by statins for a long time period, the addition of high-dose, extended release niacin did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events,...
Breast cancer charity T-shirts dumped after race
A Red Deer man says he is appalled after finding a dumpster full of unused "Run for the Cure" T-shirts from an annual race in support of breast cancer research.
Research findings could help combat dangerous superbug infections
A new study involving University of Iowa researchers suggests that blocking the action of a toxin produced by almost all strains of the superbug MRSA could lead to better treatments...
If consumers are close to fitness goals, do they prefer a larger or limited variety of products?
Consumers who believe they are making progress toward their goals are motivated by limited product variety, unlike people who think they are further from their goals, according to a new...
Depression drug disappoints
Depression drug disappointsNature 479, 278 15112011 doi: 10.1038/479278aHeidi LedfordFailure of a promising compound casts a shadow on others.
Evidence Supports Ban on Growth Promotion Use of Antibiotics in Farming
In a recent review, Tufts researchers zero in on the controversial, non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in food animals and fish farming as a cause of antibiotic resistance in people. There...
Healthier Diets Include (Surprise!) Frequent Snacks
Nutrition researchers have recently shifted their focus from single nutrients and foods to overall diet quality.
NSF Slated for a 2.5% Boost in 2012 Budget
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is due to receive a surprising 2.5% increase in...
Avoiding nasty germs and flaming turkeys on Thanksgiving
People like to gripe about overly dry turkey on Thanksgiving. But nothings worse than a bird that goes up in flames.
Pharmaceutical sciences researchers to publish paper
Erxi Wu, assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences, and Shuang Zhou, doctoral student of pharmaceutical sciences in Wus lab, co-wrote the article, "High glucose promotes pancreatic cancer cell proliferation via the...
Cigarette clampdown
Cigarette clampdownNature News , 11112011 doi: 10.1038/nature.2011.9349Marian TurnerAustralia passes law to make packets off-putting.
New treatment for Multiple Sclerosis: Cambridge University translates research at the bench into a drug at the bedside
The culmination of three decades of research in Cambridge has resulted in the exciting prospect of a new transformational treatment for multiple sclerosis.
Putting stroke patients in charge improves quality of life
Community rehabilitation interventions for stroke patients have not had a great track record of delivering measurable improvements. But new research from New Zealand focused on Maori and Pacific populations shows...
EHJ paper underlines need for improved links between cardiologists and psychiatrists
People taking anti-psychotic drugs and anti-depressant drugs have a much higher risk of dying during an acute coronary event of a fatal arrhythmia than the rest of the population, finds...
Population-specific community-based cancer screening may discourage smoking
Large, population specific community-based screening may increase awareness of the dangers of smoking and reduce at-risk behaviors, according to a new study in the November 2011 issue of Otolaryngology-Head and...
First combination ARV vaginal ring for HIV prevention being tested in Phase I safety trial
In the first clinical trial of a vaginal ring combining two antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, researchers from the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) are collaborating with the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM)...
Yannatos memorial on Dec. 10
A memorial service for composer and conductor James Yannatos will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 10 in Harvard’s Sanders Theatre. All are welcome to attend. Yannatos, the leader of...
Two statin drugs similarly effective in reversing coronary heart disease
Maximum doses of Crestor (rosuvastatin) or Lipitor (atorvastatin) are similarly effective in reversing the buildup of cholesterol plaques in the coronary artery walls (atherosclerosis) after 24 months of treatment, according...
Molecular link between diabetes and cancer described
Developing type 2 diabetes is a lengthy process. An early sign that it has begun is high levels of insulin in the blood. As long as the insulin-producing beta cells...