Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Boron neutron capture therapy is effective in advanced head and neck cancer, study suggests
The years of work done on developing and clinically testing of BNCT -- or Boron Neutron Capture Therapy -- are now paying off. BNCT-based treatment has been successfully used to...
Life-saving blood test for fungal meningitis, a leading cause of AIDS-related deaths in developing countries
A new, rapid blood test that could lead to early diagnosis and potentially save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people stricken with fungal meningitis, a leading cause of...
Loss of key protein boosts neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a notorious neurodegenerative condition characterized by the progressive deterioration of brain and spinal cord neurons, resulting in the gradual...
Vaccinated children not at higher risk of infections or allergic diseases, study suggests
Do vaccinations put too much strain on or weaken children's immune systems? A recent evaluation showed that unvaccinated children and adolescents differ from their vaccinated peers merely in terms of...
Obese adults risk dementia
Being overweight or obese can increase an individual’s risk of gaining dementia, researcher warns.
Cadmium in children’s jewelry: 100 times recommended maximum exposure if mouthed or swallowed
Young children who mouth or swallow jewelry containing cadmium may be exposed to as much as 100 times the recommended maximum exposure limit for the toxic metal, according to new...
Nature Reviews Cancer article traces possible role of damaged DNA in tumour development
DNA provides the instruction manual for all life forms. Occasionally, instructions are not carried out properly, and bad messages are sent leading to the creation of mutant proteins and possible...
Novel mechanism for control of gene expression revealed
Dr David Levin, Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine and Professor of Microbiology at Boston University School of Medicine discovered...
Obesity: 'Like the new smoking'
Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese and, according to a growing body of evidence, at greater risk of getting, and dying of, cancer. 'Obesity is almost like the new...
Epilepsy drug Topamax risks birth defects
Women of child-bearing age taking epilepsy drug Topamax warned it can increase the risk of birth defects like cleft palate.
Some overweight adolescents may be at risk for weak bones
Overweight adolescents already struggling with risk factors such as insulin resistance may need to add weak bones to their list of health concerns, researchers report. A study of 143 overweight...
Trend reversal: Big drop in kids' ear infections
(AP) -- Ear infections, a scourge that has left countless tots screaming through the night, have fallen dramatically, and some researchers suggest a decline in smoking by parents might...
6th annual World Kidney Day, 10th March 2011
Thursday the 10th of March will be World Kidney Day. This celebration, taking place on the second Thursday of every March since 2006, was established by two organizations, the International...
New healthcare portal offers increased patient safety, empowerment
Today IBM announced the next evolution of the patient portal, significantly expanding the types of information, alerts, recommendations and interactive coaching healthcare providers can offer to their patients online.
Tissue Engineer Prints Replacement Kidney Onstage at TED 2011
Anthony Atala wows the crowd One of PopSci's favorite regenerative medicine specialists, Anthony Atala, printed a real kidney on stage at the 2011 TED conference Thursday, in a technique that could be used...
Well: Much Ado About Dust Mites
Before you wage war on dust mites by buying new pillows, mattresses and protective covers, read the latest Patient Money column. As Lesley Alderman reports, dust mites may seem disgusting,...
Patients die awaiting heart surgery
A dozen people people have died waiting for cardiac surgery in Winnipeg in the past three years, health officials say.
Resveratrol may be useful tool for reducing body fat
Scientists have studied the fat-reducing effect of CLA and resveratrol. Resveratrol reduces the accumulation of triglycerides, in part by activation of lipolysis, in both the adipocytes of mice and of...
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center launches online genetic research tool
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) has launched the nation's first personalized cancer decision support tool, "My Cancer Genome," to help physicians and researchers track the latest developments in personalized cancer medicine...
New Health Care Act Reframes Nation's Commitment to Public Health, But Are We "Swimming Upstream?"
The current issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, provides a definitive analysis of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which is now under fire...
Zooming in on the weapons of Salmonella
Some of the most dreaded diseases in the world such as plague, typhoid and cholera are caused by bacteria that have one thing in common: they possess an infection apparatus...
Surgeons Implant University of Utah Hospital's 1st New-Generation LVAD
Surgeons at University of Utah Hospital have performed the hospital's first implant of a new-generation left ventricular assist device (LVAD) using the HeartWare HVAD.
Laser treatment for late-stage cancer
Light therapy could be used to treat cancer after it has spread to other areas in the body
Health districts sign group-buy deal
Nova Scotia's health districts are counting on a group-buying plan to save them money on prescription drugs and medical supplies.
Edwin D. Kilbourne dies at 90; virologist developed flu vaccine
Kilbourne used strains of influenza that grew readily in eggs and combined them with viruses that researchers wished to use in a vaccine. His techniques are used to create the...
National Briefing | NEW ENGLAND: Massachusetts: Two Charged in Overdose Deaths
A former doctor and nurse practitioner were charged Thursday with the overdose deaths of six patients and overprescribing powerful prescription painkillers for financial gain.
Women farmers in Brazil protest chemicals
RIO DE JANEIRO, March 3 (UPI) -- Thousands of women farmers in Brazil protested the use of toxic weed killers and pesticides on crops, saying they favor farming practices...
Pharmacists Fight the Rise of Mail Order
Drug chains and mom-and-pop pharmacies argue they are better able to manage a patient’s medications and contend that health plans should allow the option of buying medicine at their stores.