Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Not faster, but longer -- new drug changes beat in treating heart failure
A new drug which offers a radically different approach to treating certain types of heart failure has been shown to improve cardiac function in heart failure patients in its first...
Breast cancer tumor suppressor gene silenced by low O2
Low oxygen can silence the BRCA1 tumor suppressor gene and contribute to the progression of cancer, according to a paper in the August 2011 issue of the journal Molecular and...
Teilhardina Brandti - Oldest Known Nails In Modern Primates
When nails appeared on all fingers and toes in modern primates about 55 million years ago, they led to the development of critical functions, including finger pads that allow for...
Heavy drinkers have poor dietary habits
Excessive drinking and an unbalanced diet are two preventable contributors to health problems. A new study of adults in Spain has found that heavy drinking, binge drinking, a preference for...
Immunogene therapy combined with standard treatment is safe for patients with brain tumors
An early phase clinical trial has shown that a form of gene therapy is safe even when combined with radiation therapy for treating brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme, the...
Linking brain-derived neurotrophic factor to alcohol dependence
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulates neuronal plasticity. Researchers have found high serum BDNF levels among alcohol-dependent (AD) but abstinent individuals that do not correlate with either chronic drinking or associated...
Study: Pathogens in produce resist washing
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Aug. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say a study showing E. coli and salmonella can live inside plant tissues means washing the outside of produce may...
Selective use of drug-eluting stents saving millions of U.S. health care dollars, study finds
Limiting the use of drug-eluting stents did not increase the risk of death or heart attack, and only slightly raised the need for repeat angioplasty procedures, according to a new...
Study evaluates tactical response guidelines for reducing battlefield deaths
Implementing a command-directed casualty response system appears to be associated with reducing battlefield casualties, including killed-in-action deaths, casualties who died of wounds, and preventable combat deaths, according to a new...
Vitamin D levels appear to be associated with risk of skin cancer, although relationship is complex
As an individual's level of vitamin D increases, the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer seems to increase as well, although factors such as ultraviolet radiation exposure may complicate the relationship,...
Beta-blocker associated with better outcomes in treatment of infantile vascular tumors
Compared with oral corticosteroids, use of the beta-blocker propranolol for treatment of infantile hemangiomas was associated with higher rates of lesion clearance, fewer adverse effects, fewer surgical interventions after treatment,...
Assessment tool appears to effectively evaluate quality of life in patients with sinus inflammation
The Sinonasal Outcome Test-16 appears to be effective in assessing how well treatments improve the disease specific quality of life of adult patients with acute rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses),...
Nerve identification technique during thyroid removal associated with fewer complications
During thyroidectomy (surgery to remove the thyroid gland), the technique surgeons use to identify an important nerve appears to make a difference in terms of complications such as impairment of...
Study evaluates pressure device worn on the ear at night as treatment for scar tissue
A study of seven patients examined use of a pressure device worn overnight to supplement other therapy for auricular keloids (scar tissue buildup of the ear), as reported in a...
Triple therapy regime puts patients with leukemic form of cutaneous lymphoma in remission
A three-pronged immunotherapy approach nearly doubles five-year survival among patients with rare leukemic form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, reports a new study.
Caffeine lowers risk of skin cancer: Coffee-based sunscreen might work best
Researchers strengthen their theory that caffeine guards against skin cancer. Based on research on mice, scientists believe that caffeine applied directly to the skin may ultimately be effective as a...
Well Blog: Cross-Training by Lifting Weights
Resistance training improved endurance among runners and cyclists.
Well Blog: Hot Weather Takes Toll on Medication
even common medicines can break down with potentially harmful effects if stored at the wrong temperature.
Do-it-yourself battlefield medicine saves lives
When Army Ranger Leroy Petry's hand was blown off by a grenade as he was saving his comrades in battle, he knew just what to do. He used his remaining...
New anti-inflammatory agents silence overactive immune response
A new way to fight inflammation uses molecules called polymers to mop up the debris of damaged cells before the immune system becomes abnormally active, researchers report.
Inhibiting key enzymes kills difficult tumor cells in mice
Tumors that do not respond to chemotherapy are the target of a cancer therapy that prevents the function of two enzymes in mouse tumor cells, according to medical researchers.
Well Blog: Swapping Meat for Nuts to Lower Diabetes Risk
Eating red meat, and in particular processed red meat like bacon and hot dogs, raises the risk of Type 2 diabetes. But replacing just one serving a day with nuts...
Vital Signs: Regimens: Soothing Melodies for Cancer Patients
Listening to music may reduce anxiety and pain in cancer patients, new research suggests.
Vital Statistics: Watch Your Step While Washing Up
More than a third of the injuries happen while bathing or showering. More than 14 percent occur while using the toilet.
Vibrating Glove May Give Helping Hand to Astronauts & Surgeons
A new vibrating glove boosts fingertip sensitivity so that people can work better with their hands.
Really?: The Claim: To Prevent Migraines, Drink More Water
Dehydration causes blood volume to drop, researchers say, resulting in less blood and oxygen flow to the brain.
Molecular delivery truck serves gene therapy cocktail
In a kind of molecular gymnastics, scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine have devised a gene therapy cocktail that has the potential to...
Contact lenses cleaner with rub and rinse steps
The best way for soft contact lens wearers to kill germs on their lenses is to "rub and rinse," even when using "no-rub" solutions, a new study suggests.