Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Gastrin's role in stomach cancer defined
NEW YORK, June 29 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they've determined both an overabundance and a lack of the hormone gastrin play key rolls in bacterial-induced stomach cancer.
Nicotine Dependence Remains Prevalent Despite Recent Declines In Cigarette Use
Despite recent declines in cigarette use in the US, nicotine dependence has remained steady among adults and has actually increased among some groups. The finding suggests that public health initiatives...
H1N1 'swine' flu has infected an estimated 1 million in U.S.
The virus is also spreading rapidly through the Southern Hemisphere. A French company announces large-scale production of a vaccine. At least 1 million Americans have now contracted the novel H1N1 influenza, according to mathematical...
Large-scale analysis finds bariatric surgery relatively safe
Advances in weight-loss surgery have made it as safe as any routine surgical procedure, according to a Duke University Medical Centre researcher who reviewed data from nearly 60,000 patients and...
The difference in reflux oesophagitis between African-Americans and non-Hispanic whites
There is minimal data evaluating the prevalence of GERD complications in any United States general population, other than non-Hispanic whites. Presently, it is thought that such complications occur less frequently...
Jerri FitzGerald, Who Treated Herself at South Pole, Dies at 57
Breast cancer recurred in Dr. FitzGerald whose treatment was guided via computer for months in 1999 until a rescue plane was able to land.
Measuring Intellectual Disability
Researchers have developed a specific and quantitative means of measuring levels of the fragile X mental retardation 1 protein, which is mutated in fragile X syndrome.
Identifying The Potential For Tamoxifen Resistance In Patients
Tamoxifen is a widely used and highly successful drug in the treatment of breast cancer, though resistance to tamoxifen is still a concern in recurrent disease, since therapy resistant metastatic...
Ageing Brains Show Great Promise for Rejuvenation
(PhysOrg.com) -- UQ neuroscientists have, for the first time, been able to demonstrate that moderate exercise significantly increases the number of neural stem cells in the ageing brain.
Federal advisory panel: Just 4 rabies shots needed
(AP) -- A U.S. immunization advisory group has decided that people exposed to rabies need only four vaccinations, not the five currently recommended.
Index Insurance Has Potential To Help Manage Climate Risks And Reduce Poverty
A type of insurance called index insurance offers significant opportunities as a climate-risk management tool in developing countries, according to a new article.
Simple measures may prevent transmission of stomach ulcer bacteria
The stomach ulcer bacterium Helicobacter pylori is not transmitted through drinking water as previously thought, but rather through vomit and possibly faeces. This is shown in a thesis at the...
Good news for developing world science journalists
Science journalists in the developing world can help bring science news to a global public, says senior Harvard fellow Cristine Russell.
National Briefing | Southwest: Arizona: Camps Canceled by Flu Fears
The Muscular Dystrophy Association, based in Tucson, said it was canceling the remainder of its summer camps because swine flu had been reported in them.
Vitamin D Sufficiency Challenges and Opportunities for the Food Industry
Scientific evidence shows vitamin D may go beyond its traditionally known role in maintaining bone integrity, according to new research presented at the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting and...
Longer life linked to specific foods in Mediterranean diet
Some food groups in the Mediterranean diet are more important than others in promoting health and longer life according to new research published on bmj.com today...
Study: Baby Facial Defects Unnerve Women
Data Shows Women Have Harder Time Than Men Looking At Babies With Abnormal Faces
Monitoring bone density in older women is unnecessary and potentially misleading
Monitoring bone mineral density in postmenopausal women taking osteoporosis drugs (bisphosphonates) is unnecessary and potentially misleading, concludes a study published on bmj.com today...
Antibiotic prescribing should be standardised across Europe to help tackle resistance
Antibiotic prescribing for respiratory illnesses should be standardised across Europe to help reduce inappropriate prescribing and resistance, say experts in a study published on bmj.com today...
Stem cell treatment gives hope to Crohn's disease sufferers
Sufferers from the debilitating bowel condition Crohn's disease may be cured using a groundbreaking stem cell treatment, according to the British doctor leading the research.
Last-resort health coverage barely covers
With their preexisting conditions, the Perrys can't get private coverage. Now they're spending retirement funds on a state policy that caps at $75,000 a year. What if a catastrophe happens? The state's Major...
Early Infection And Protection Against Allergies?
Allergies have become more common in the last few decades. It is still not fully clear why certain people develop allergies, but a strong risk factor is if the mother...
Vaccine Maker Facing Possible Bankruptcy Wins Contract
Creditors recently filed a petition that said Protein Sciences Corporation owed more than $11 million and accused its executives of fraud.
Stomach stapling may lower cancer risk in women
(AP) -- Women who have their stomachs stapled not only lose weight, they also may reduce their cancer risk by up to 40 percent, new research says. In a...
Obesity May Offered Edge Over Tuberculosis, New Theory Says
A report met with some skepticism found that excess fat might have once revved up immune systems, providing a now-outdated survival tool.
Outsmarting swine flu pandemic
Mathematicians, biostaticians and public health officials from Canada, Mexico and the United States will gather at Arizona State University this week to focus on understanding, possibly mitigating the spread of...
Unfit Young Adults on Road to Diabetes in Middle Age
(PhysOrg.com) -- Most healthy 25 year olds don't stay up at night worrying whether they are going to develop diabetes in middle age. The disease is not on their radar,...
Treat swine flu the same way on reserves across Canada, Senate told
Canada's aboriginal communities have been hit hard by swine flu, but there is no consistent approach to the disease across the country, a Senate committee was told Tuesday.