Drugs That Act On 'Fasting Signal' May Curb Insulin Resistance In Obese

A molecular switch found in the fat tissue of obese mice is a critical factor in the development of insulin resistance, report scientists. Previously found to increase glucose production by...

$100M needed for Cameron recommendations, Eastern Health says

It could take more than $100 million to fix the problems that led to breast cancer testing mistakes at a Newfoundland health authority, according to the body's chief executive officer.

Kidney disease increases the risk of stroke in patients

Chronic kidney disease increases the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of heart arrhythmia, according to a new study by Kaiser Permanente researchers...

Free Antibiotics May Contribute to Drug Resistance, Officials Say

Pharmacies around the country are offering free antibiotics to cash-strapped consumers, but public health officials say the incentives could worsen drug resistance.

Wine Consumption May Be Linked to Lower Risk of Esophageal Cancer, Studies Find

Three large studies find that wine drinkers have lower rates of esophageal damage that can lead to cancer.

Can stomach surgery cure diabetes?

Surgery to shrink the stomach can resolve the symptoms of diabetes in nearly eight out of ten patients who have it

New critical immune response origin found

DURHAM, N.C., March 3 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists say they've found a new origin for an immune system response that is critical during the first stages of...

Discovery provides hope for sufferers of disfiguring bone disease

Craniosynostosis develops in the womb and affects one in every 2500 live births. Bones in the skulls and face of sufferers fuse together prematurely causing a range of distressing developmental...

Shorter Wait Means Longer Life For Kidney Transplant Candidates

A combination of kidney transplant center-related factors could mean up to a four-year difference in life expectancy for candidates, according to a new study.

Vegetable-based drug could inhibit melanoma

Compounds extracted from green vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage could be a potent drug against melanoma, according to cancer researchers. Tests on mice suggest that these compounds, when combined...

Patients with GI bleeding admitted on the weekend have higher death rate

Bethesda, MD (March 1, 2009) - Previous studies have raised questions regarding differences in quality of care for patients hospitalized on a weekend compared to weekdays. In fact, a growing...

Skeleton Key May Defuse Flu

Antibodies bind a flu protein nook common to many viral strains

Vitamin A Signals Offer Clues To Treating Autoimmunity

Dendritic cells, the microbe-sensing alarms of the immune system, can send out a "red alert" to stimulate immunity, or a "calm down" message that tones down excessive immunity that might...

Stem Cell Breakthrough: New Method For Creating Stem Cells

Scientists have discovered a new method of creating stem cells that could lead to possible cures for devastating diseases including spinal cord injury, macular degeneration, diabetes and Parkinson's disease. The...

Dog bites a particular threat to young children, especially as temperatures rise

Young children are especially vulnerable to severe dog bites in the head and neck areas, and there is a correlation between cases of dog bites and rising temperatures, according to...

Old Cells Work Differently

The agglutination and accumulation of proteins in nerve cells are major hallmarks of age-related neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease. Cellular survival thus depends on a controlled removal of excessive...

Outdoor workers are burning

A study of New Zealand outdoor workers found that they were getting too much sun – raising their risk of eye disease and skin cancer.

Opinion: Tensions in the Bennett Report

There is a Jekyll and Hyde quality to the Bennett Report released by the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission.

High rates of gut infection in NZ

A recent study found that New Zealand had some of the highest rates of giardia and cryptosporidium infections, with children most at risk.

Energy drinks kill our buzz

Caffeine found in energy drinks can keep you alert, but the other main ingredient, taurine, actually blocks its effect over time, research has found.

Wiki health site aims to provide sound medical information

With four children under the age of 5, James Currier had lots of questions about sniffles, rashes and fevers. One late night, while holding a sick child in his lap,...

Many middle-aged and older Americans not getting adequate nutrition

Micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C play essential roles in maintaining health. As older adults tend to reduce their food intake as they age, there is concern...

School-based Intervention Is A Promising Model For Improving Adolescent Sleep Habits

School-based sleep intervention is a promising model for addressing adolescent sleep problems, given its high retention rate, cost-effectiveness and potential for promoting healthy sleep knowledge and practice.

Cold cures 'no use for children'

Only Exercise Effective In Preventing Low-back Problems, Review Suggests

Low-back pain continues to impose a huge burden on industrialized societies, in terms of symptoms, medical costs, productivity, and work absence. But a systematic review of the literature finds exercise...

New Surgical Implant Prevents Total Blindness

Ophthalmologists have tested and are now using a tiny surgical implant called Retisert to prevent complete vision loss and eliminate dependence on systemic, or whole-body, immunosuppression for people who have...

Stroke Patients Who Reach Hospitals Within 'Golden Hour' Twice As Likely To Get Clot-busting Drug

Stroke patients who reach the hospital within one hour of symptoms receive a clot-busting drug twice as often as those arriving later. Researchers call the first hour of symptom onset...

Screening For Vision Loss, Diabetic Retinopathy And Age-related Macular Degeneration, In The Blink Of An Eye

In the blink of an eye, people at risk of becoming blind can now be screened for eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.