Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Whole-parasite malaria vaccine shows promise in clinical trial; Vaccine is first of its kind to earn FDA approval to test in humans
For the first time, a malaria vaccine that uses the entire parasite has proven safe and shown promise to produce a strong immune response in a clinical trial, according to...
When Do Babies Start to Feel Pain?
Babies begin to tell the difference between pain and basic touch at around 35 to 37 weeks gestation, a new study shows.
World Briefing | EUROPE: Britain: Gay Men Allowed to Give Blood
British health officials said Thursday that they would lift a ban on gay men donating blood, as long as their last sexual contact with another man was more than a...
White House's Childhood Obesity Task Force must focus on providing treatment for minority children, experts argue
To achieve the goals laid out by the White House's Childhood Obesity Task Force, researchers concluded that a shared emphasis on both obesity prevention and treatment strategies is required. Prevention...
Process that clears cholesterol could reverse major cause of heart attack
Researchers have discovered that an ancient pathway called autophagy also mobilizes and exports cholesterol from cells.
Mutation links inherited narcolepsy with multiple neuropsychiatric disorders
Narcolepsy is a rare disorder characterized by an excessive urge to sleep at inappropriate times and places. Narcoleptics are also often subject to "cataplexy," a sudden muscle weakness that is...
Gene that controls chronic pain identified
A gene responsible for regulating chronic pain, called HCN2, has been identified. Chronic pain comes in two main varieties. The first, inflammatory pain, occurs when a persistent injury (e.g. a...
Evolving role of clinical microbiology laboratories
With the increasing availability of sophisticated technologies to rapidly diagnose and treat infectious diseases, the duties and the role of clinical laboratory microbiologists, who traditionally perform these tests, could see...
Scientists overcome major obstacle for stem cell therapies and research
Stem cells show great potential to enable treatments for conditions such as spinal injuries or Lou Gehrig's disease, and also as research tools. Scientists in the United States and Japan...
Chronic pain: Watch out before accepting diagnosis and treatment
Experts argue that patients should be diligent in demanding proof of safety and benefit before beginning chronic pain treatment, as some medications have little evidence that they alleviate conditions for...
Is estrogen going to your head? Growing deposits of bone in the skull means your hormones are out of whack, say researchers
Researchers in Israel have found that HFI, a hormonal condition that leads to the growth of bone masses in the inner skull, is far more likely to be found in...
Cancer Research Institute to Honor Dr. Stephen C. Jameson at 25th Annual Awards Dinner
Former CRI Postdoctoral Fellow Stephen C. Jameson will receive the 2011 Frederick W. Alt Award for New Discoveries in Immunology from the Cancer Research Institute at the 25th Annual CRI...
For 9/11 Responders, Cancer Cause Remains Unclear
The task of finding if an event caused cancer is one that has vexed researchers in numerous cases.
Zombie Caterpillars Rain Death From Treetops
Virally infected caterpillars die on treetops and rain down virus particles on their brothers and sisters as they liquefy after death.
David Servan-Schreiber obituary
French-born author of a bestselling guide to the treatment of cancerDavid Servan-Schreiber, who has died of brain cancer aged 50, was a psychiatrist and best-selling author. As a rising star of American psychiatry in the...
Infant 'Water on the Brain' Linked to Fat Molecule
A fat molecule found in blood may trigger a type of brain swelling in babies.
New report: US investment in health research remains stagnant
The U.S. public and private sectors invested $140.5 billion in 2010 on research to find new ways to treat, cure and prevent disease and disability, according to Research!America's latest annual...
Physicians in varying specialties endure similar levels of mental effort, stress
Researchers have used work intensity measurement tools to determine that the level of mental effort and stress within various specialty groups tends to be similar, a finding that may lead...
Macy Foundation report calls for sweeping graduate medical education reforms
A broad panel of leaders representing health care, academic medicine, and physician education today called for sweeping reforms in the content and format of U.S. graduate medical education (GME) to...
Autism breakthrough could lead to new treatments
US researchers say they have identified at least two distinct types of autism, paving the way for new and more targeted treatments.
Can Herbs and Supplements Treat Hypertension?
Over the counter supplements have a place in treating high blood pressure.
Genetic link to cattle diseases uncovered
The origin of three costly cattle diseases is genetically linked, according to new findings. Scientists have discovered a location on bovine chromosome 20 that is associated with the incidence of...
Judith Palfrey to lead Let’s Move! initiative
First lady Michelle Obama announced Sept. 2 that pediatrician Judith S. Palfrey, the T. Berry Brazelton Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, will lead her Let’s Move! childhood obesity...
Genomic analysis of superbug provides clues to antibiotic resistance
An analysis of the genome of a superbug has yielded crucial, novel information that could aid efforts to counteract the bacterium's resistance to an antibiotic of last resort. The results...
Heart scan could replace angiogram for some patients
A study published today in the journal Circulation showed that a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scan is as accurate as an angiogram in diagnosing the causes of heart failure in...
News in Brief: Body & Brain
Vaccine knocks down diarrhea cases, a flag for mortality risk and more in this week’s news
HSPH awarded $12 million grant
A new three-year, $12 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will support a Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) effort to significantly improve maternal health in developing...
Improving the resistance of maize by using bacteria
Maize plants that have been inoculated with bacteria naturally present in the soil show improved resistance against a pathogenic fungus and a considerable reduction in the number of attacks by...