Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Preventative Treatment Against Malaria May be Less Effective in Malnourished Children
The effectiveness of an intermittent preventative treatment against malaria in infants across Africa may be inhibited by high incidences of malnutrition say researchers.
Genetic Factors May Predict Depression In Heart Disease Patients
There's a greater prevalence of depression among patients with heart disease, although researchers don't know why. In this first large-scale genetic study of depression in heart disease patients, researchers discovered...
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...
Limiting work hours of medical residents could cost 1.6 billion annually
New recommendations to limit the work hours of medical residents could cost the nation's teaching hospitals about $1.6 billion annually to hire substitute workers, according to a new report from...
Patients expect computers to play major role in health care
As President Obama calls for streamlining heath care by fully converting to electronic medical records, and as Congress prepares to debate issues of patient privacy, one question has largely gone...
Gene signature helps predict breast cancer prognosis
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre researchers have uncovered a gene signature that may help predict clinical outcomes in certain types of breast cancer...
Walk Test Can Predict Course Of Heart Failure For Black Patients
The six-minute walk test, a simple, inexpensive diagnostic test, can reliably predict risk of death or re-hospitalization in African-American patients with heart failure, according to a study by a cardiologist.
Research points to a new way to protect kidneys threatened by insufficient blood or toxins
Better treatments for acute renal failure may be possible by blocking the mitochondrial fragmentation that occurs when kidneys don't get enough blood or are exposed to toxins, researchers at the...
Mock CPR drills in kids show many residents fail in key skills
Research from the Johns Hopkins Children's Centre exposes alarming gaps in training hospital residents in 'first response' emergency treatment of staged cardiorespiratory arrests in children, while at the same time...
New tool for next-generation cancer treatments using nanodiamonds
A research team at Northwestern University has demonstrated a tool that can precisely deliver tiny doses of drug-carrying nanomaterials to individual cells...
Turmeric extract suppresses fat tissue growth in rodent models
Curcumin, the major polyphenol found in turmeric, appears to reduce weight gain in mice and suppress the growth of fat tissue in mice and cell models. Researchers at the Jean...
Officials urge WHO to change swine flu alert criteria
Some say raising the level should be based on the virus' severity, not just transmission. The agency is nearing decisions on raising the alert to its highest stage, and manufacturing...
A Long Search for a Universal Flu Vaccine
One shot to protect against all strains of flu won’t be here anytime soon, but it is the holy grail for some researchers.
WHO Stays the Course as Japan Grapples With Swine Flu
Agency says global pandemic is not under way yet
Review of Occurence of Anti-infectives in Water
Anti-infectives have become environmental contaminants of growing concern, as they are transported from landfills, agriculture and urban centers into waterways and drinking water, according to a review article published in...
New back pain therapy guidelines issued
PORTLAND, Ore., May 18 (UPI) -- The American Pain Society has issued new clinical guidelines for low back pain, emphasizing the use of non-invasive therapy vs. interventional procedures.
Environment can improve wound healing
BOSTON, May 18 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists say they've found environmental improvements can strengthen the physiological process of wound healing.
Computer Simulation Captures Immune Response To Flu
Researchers have successfully tested first the first time a computer simulation of major portions of the body's immune reaction to influenza type A, with implications for treatment design and preparation...
Implanted Cardioverter Defribillators (ICDs) Extend Lives Of Heart Attack Survivors By An Entire Year: Study
A landmark follow-up study found that heart attack survivors who receive implanted cardioverter defribillators (ICDs) live longer the longer they have them, according to the results of late-breaking clinical trial.
Influenza Pandemic Planning Needed To Assure Adequate Care For Pregnant Women And Newborns
Pregnant women and newborns are at greatest risk in a flu epidemic, but more planning must be done to ensure that they receive priority treatment should an outbreak occur, according...
Early Alzheimer's Diagnosis Offers Large Social, Fiscal Benefits
Early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease could save millions or even billions of dollars while simultaneously improving care, according to new work.
Voyages of discovery or necessity?
Ciguatera poisoning, the food-borne disease that can come from eating large, carnivorous reef fish, causes vomiting, headaches, and a burning sensation upon contact with cold surfaces. An early morning walk...
The John, 2.0
Look out, Ashton, there's a new Twitter sensation: the can. That's right, the toilet, the head, the commode. Shardy, a hacker over at Aculei has modded his toilet to tweet...
Scott Walker's wife has cervical cancer
Hurricanes' Scott Walker confirmed to the Charlotte News & Observer Friday that his wife, Julie, was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Study links cigarette changes to rising lung risk
(AP) -- It may be riskier on the lungs to smoke cigarettes today than it was a few decades ago - at least in the U.S., says new research...
Blue Shield health insurance rescission case to go to trial
For the first time, an Orange County jury will weigh whether the insurer wrongfully rescinded a California man's coverage. ...
Immune Exhaustion Driven By Antigen In Chronic Viral Infection
During a chronic viral infection, exhaustion depletes the ability of immune cells to respond to the infecting virus. Exhaustion occurs when large amounts of virus, or pieces of the virus...
Prosecutors Block Access to DNA Testing for Inmates
Prosecutors’ resistance to reopening old cases is causing years of delay and, in some cases, eliminating the chance to try others.