Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Early heart muscle cells identified
Mouse studies could one day aid human heart transplants.
Deaths linked to swine flu hit 108 worldwide
(AP) -- A fourth person in Arizona and six more in Mexico have died from complications of swine flu - pushing the world's death toll to 108.
Study: Stockings for stroke patients don't work
(AP) -- Special stockings commonly given to stroke patients to prevent blood clots don't work, a new study reported Wednesday.
Genetic factors that influence the age at which menopause occurs identified
For the first time, scientists have been able to identify genetic factors that influence the age at which natural menopause occurs in women. Ms Lisette Stolk, a researcher from Erasmus...
Scientists find shared genetic link between periodontitis and heart attack
The relationship between the dental disease periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD) has been known for several years. Although a genetic link seemed likely, until now its existence was uncertain....
Australian team reveals world-first discovery in a 'floppy baby' syndrome
In a world first, West Australian scientists have cured mice of a devastating muscle disease that causes a Floppy Baby Syndrome - a breakthrough that could ultimately help thousands of...
Memphis hospital educating via Web casts
MEMPHIS, May 25 (UPI) -- A Methodist University Hospital official says the Memphis medical facility is offering Web casts of live surgeries to help educate the general public.
Mystery Of Potentially Fatal Reaction To Smallpox Vaccine Solved
Researchers have pinpointed the cellular defect that increases the likelihood, among eczema sufferers, of developing eczema vaccinatum, a severe and potentially fatal reaction to the smallpox vaccine. The research was...
Siblings Of Children With Cancer Feel Left Out
Siblings of cancer victims often feel left out and have nobody to share their grief with. However, the illness may help strengthen the bond between a healthy and a cancer-stricken...
Function Of Key Protein In Cancer Spread Described
New research may help lay the groundwork for the development of a compound to prevent the spread of cancer.
Blood donor clinics without bilingual nurses pose risk: Acadian society
The Acadian Society of New Brunswick says a lack of bilingual nurses at Canadian Blood Services could increase the risk of contamination of the blood supply.
An advance in solving the mysterious machine-workers' disease
Scientists in Ohio are reporting a long-awaited advance toward making the workplace safer for more than one million machinists in the United States who may be exposed to disease-causing bacteria...
How superbugs control their lethal weapons
It appears that some superbugs have evolved to develop the ability to manipulate the immune system to everyone's advantage...
Middle age spread link to frailty
People who are overweight or obese in middle-age run the risk of being frail in later life, say Finnish researchers.
Award for pioneering stem cell research to mend broken bones
Funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) could lead to the development of new and better treatments for broken bones and other orthopaedic problems associated with ageing...
Webcast Your Brain Surgery? Hospitals See Marketing Tool
Hospitals are using Twitter from operating rooms, showing surgery on YouTube and having patients blog about their procedures, but ethics and privacy questions linger.
The Caucus: Testing the Resolve of Obama on Energy
With climate talks in Copenhagen looming in six months, the president’s challenge of overhauling energy appears even greater than health care.
Strong Immune Response To New SiRNA Drugs In Development May Cause Toxic Side Effects
Small synthetic fragments of genetic material called small interfering RNA (siRNA) can block production of abnormal proteins; however, these exciting new drug candidates can also induce a strong immune response,...
Abusive Relationships Increase Women’s Risk Of HIV Infection
A new study of nearly 14,000 U.S. women reveals that those who are in physically abusive relationships are at higher risk for HIV infection.
Novel Mechanism Of Action Of Corticosteroids In Allergic Diseases
New research may explain the effectiveness of common treatments for allergic inflammation and may point the way to targets for new treatments for allergic diseases.
Immunomagnetic Beads Can Attract Plague Bacteria
Scientists have used antibody-coated immunomagnetic beads (IMBs) to detect the bacterium that causes bubonic plague.
In pandemics of the past, caution for the future
A novel flu circulated in some American cities in April and May of 1918, causing mild illness and going largely unnoticed. It returned in September, and again in January, eventually...
Wash. state woman 1st death under new suicide law
(AP) -- Linda Fleming was diagnosed with terminal cancer and feared her last days would be filled with pain and ever-stronger doses of medication that would erode her mind.
Gender issues worsen Iraq's medical woes
SAQLAWIYAH, Iraq (AP) -- This part of Iraq, says Dr. Ayad al-Hadithy, is so conservative that a man would rather have his pregnant wife die in...
Yeast missing sex genes undergo unexpected sexual reproduction
DURHAM, N.C. ?An emerging form of the pathogenic yeast Candida is able to complete a full sexual cycle in a test tube, even though it's missing the genes for reproduction....
Cholera 'needs to be stopped'
A mass cholera vaccination is needed in Africa to stop the spread of the deadly disease, regardless of cost, according to a group of health experts.
Pedometers get kids active
Pedometers are an effective way of getting young people active and could be used to tackle obesity, a review has found.
Feature: Moving closer to cancer treatment breakthrough
Two Australian researchers have made a world-first discovery that could lead to the treatment of several cancers, reports Laura Glitsos.