Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Targeted Immune Cells Shrink Tumors In Mice
Researchers have generated altered immune cells that are able to shrink, and in some cases eradicate, large tumors in mice. The immune cells target mesothelin, a protein that is highly...
New Surgical Technique Shows Promise For Improving Function Of Artificial Arms
A surgical technique known as targeted muscle reinnervation appears to enable patients with arm amputations to have improved control of functions with an artificial arm, according to a new study.
IL-2 immunotherapy fails to benefit HIV-infected individuals already taking antiretrovirals
Providing a synthetic form of the immune system protein interleukin-2 (IL-2) to HIV-infected individuals already taking combination antiretroviral therapy boosts their numbers of CD4+ T cells, the key white blood...
Researchers determine how mosquitoes survive dengue virus infection
Colorado State University researchers have discovered that mosquitoes that transmit deadly viruses such as dengue avoid becoming ill by mounting an immediate, potent immune response. Because their immune system does...
Sexual health promotion is low among people with serious mental illnesses, despite higher risk
Policy makers and mental health services need to take urgent action to ensure that people with serious mental illnesses receive greater guidance about sexual health, including the risk of HIV,...
Can People Safely Eat Cat Food?
Let's take a look at the ingredients in a typical can of cat food: meat by-products, chicken by-product meal, turkey by-product meal, ash, taurine. Nothing too horrible, but in general,...
Study finds race and ethnicity affect use of hospice services among patients with advanced cancer
Race and ethnicity appear to have an effect on whether a patient with terminal cancer uses hospice care services, according to a study led by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess...
Rituximab maintenance therapy improves survival in patients with relapsed follicular lymphoma
Patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who continue on maintenance rituximab therapy after chemotherapy have better overall survival than patients who do not receive this treatment, according to a...
Most coordinated care programs for Medicare beneficiaries do not show benefit
Only 2 of 15 Medicare programs designed to improve care and costs for patients with chronic illnesses resulted in reduced hospital admissions, and none of the programs generated net savings,...
Fluid buildup in lungs is part of the damage done by the flu
In a fight against respiratory infections, the body typically produces a little fluid to help the lungs generate a productive cough. But new research suggests that the influenza virus can...
New obesity staging system may help doctors measure up
A new system proposed by Canadian and US obesity researchers may provide another weapon in the battle against obesity. University of Alberta obesity expert Dr Arya Sharma, along with a...
Diseased heart valve replaced through small chest incision
When 91-year-old Irvin Lafferty was diagnosed with severe blockage of his heart valve - hardening that is formally known as aortic valve stenosis - open-heart surgery was out of the...
Program for kidney disease patients effective for reducing serum phosphorus levels
Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who participated in an education program to limit their intake of phosphorus-containing food additives lowered their blood levels of the chemical, according to a...
Most seniors have drug coverage, study shows
More than 90 percent of Americans age 65 and older have prescription drug coverage today, compared to 76 percent who were covered in 2004, according to a University of Michigan...
Sobering results for cost-cutting Medicare project
(AP) -- An ambitious effort to cut costs and keep aging, sick Medicare patients out of the hospital mostly didn't work, a government-contracted study found. The disappointing results show...
Brown expert offers guide to end-of-life care
Years ago, dying patients in most communities often had a single option if they needed hospice care. Now they have many more; competition reigns.
Study shows microRNA-based diagnostic identifies squamous lung cancer with 96 percent sensitivity
Dr. Harvey Pass of the NYU Cancer Institute at NYU Langone Medical Center is one of the authors of a research study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology which...
Older Adults Say Cash Might Motivate Them to Walk
(PhysOrg.com) -- In 2006, a team of researchers set out to examine what sorts of walking programs and incentives might induce sedentary people over age 50 to put on their...
Study: Genetic risk for substance use can be neutralized by good parenting
A genetic risk factor that increases the likelihood that youth will engage in substance use can be neutralized by high levels of involved and supportive parenting, according to a new...
Doctors override most electronic medication safety alerts
Computer-based systems that allow clinicians to prescribe drugs electronically are designed to automatically warn of potential medication errors, but a new study reveals clinicians often override the alerts and rely...
Statins associated with lower death risk
TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- An Israeli study suggests patients with high cholesterol levels who continually take statins have a lower risk of death over four...
Higher cervical cancer rates in provinces restricting HPV vaccine: report
Some provinces with the tightest restrictions on HPV vaccination also have the highest rates of cervical cancer, according to a report released Tuesday by the Cancer Advocacy Coalition of Canada....
Hepatitis C sufferers haven't received promised federal money
Thousands of Canadians afflicted with hepatitis C who were promised compensation by the Harper government in 2006 have yet to see a dime.
System peers under skin to reveal muscle actions
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch researchers have developed a system they say could help people learn to walk and balance sooner after an injury or stroke by displaying a virtual image...
Nanoemulsion Potent Against Superbugs That Kill Cystic Fibrosis Patients, Study Suggests
Scientists report early evidence that a super-fine oil-and-water emulsion, already shown to kill many other microbes, may be able to quell the ravaging, often drug-resistant infections that cause nearly all...
Extra Virgin Olive Oil May Help To Combat Breast Cancer
Researchers have verified the bioactivity of the polyphenols present in extra virgin olive oil in breast cancer cell lines. This study confirms the potentiality of polyphenols to inhibit HER2 activity...
Canada-wide study on slow progressors to investigate new treatments for HIV
Why do some HIV patients manage to control the progression of their infection naturally over long periods of time? As part of a nation-wide investigation, a team of researchers will...
Effects of smoking linked to accelerated aging protein
A University of Iowa study is apparently the first to make a connection between a rare, hereditary premature aging disease and cell damage that comes from smoking. The study results...