Latest science news in Health & Medicine
'Good' cholesterol may not always be good for health
Stephen FellerWASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- Elevated levels of "good" cholesterol may not be good for everyone, according to a large study conducted in the United States and Europe.
Drug overdoses in Pennsylvania increased 14-fold in past 4 decades
White women, younger people are increasingly the victims of overdose deaths, a first detailed analysis about drug overdoses in Pennsylvania reveals.
New studies of the 'natural history' of schizophrenia raise hope for new treatments
Emerging evidence on the development, 'prodromal' characteristics, and long-term course of schizophrenia provide reasons for optimism for developing new treatments and preventive approaches for this devastating disorder, according to new...
Revision rates, patient characteristics in those undergoing septorhinoplasty
The overall revision rate for septorhinoplasty (a surgical procedure to fix the nose and nasal septum) was low at 3.3 percent although certain patient characteristics were associated with an increased...
Negative cancer trials: Short-term whimper, long-term bang
Cancer clinical trials with negative results don't make an immediate splash in the scientific literature, but they do have a long-term impact on cancer research, according to a new study.
HIV-infected young males have higher rates of bone loss than females
Rates of low bone mass are greater in HIV-infected males than in females, accumulating evidence suggests. Researchers studied 11 biomarkers associated with inflammation, bone loss and/or bone formation in about...
New class of drugs specifically induces cell death in B cell blood cancers
New research shows how one protein found on the endoplasmic reticulum can serve as a target for stimulating the immune system and a more direct target for cellular death in...
Protein increases signals that protect cancer cells, study finds
Researchers have identified a link between the expression of a cancer-related gene and cell-surface molecules that protect tumors from the immune system.
Patterns of brain swelling may explain susceptibility of children to cerebral malaria
Brain swelling is a strong predictor of death in children with cerebral malaria (a severe form of the disease where parasites have accumulated in brain vessels), and also in mice...
New gene variants found in childhood body mass index
An international team of scientists has identified novel gene locations associated with childhood body mass index -- an important measurement related to childhood obesity. This largest-ever genetic study of childhood...
Probiotic pill to prevent cavities may be future of dental care
Stephen FellerGAINESVILLE, Fla., March 10 (UPI) -- A probiotic pill could one day be used to prevent dental cavities by regulating pH in the mouth, according to researchers at the...
Higher ozone, lower humidity levels associated with dry eye disease
The associations between outdoor air pollution and dry eye disease has been the focus of recent study. Researchers made a link in a study of the Korean population.
Final review of health problems that may be linked to Agent Orange exposure during Vietnam War
The latest and final in a series of congressionally mandated biennial reviews of the evidence of health problems that may be linked to exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides...
[Editorial] Tackling toxics
Most Americans believe that if a chemical is in their cosmetics, their coat, or their couch, someone is making sure it's safe for their health. In reality, little toxicity information...
Disproving hypothesis clears path for research for new treatment options for schizophrenia
Researchers reported negative results from the first repeated-dose study of a dopamine-1 receptor (D1R) agonist for treating cognitive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.Based on earlier preclinical research suggesting that reduced...
Drug combination shrank breast tumors in 11 days
Stephen FellerMANCHESTER, England, March 10 (UPI) -- Researchers in England report a two-drug combination given to patients ahead of surgery to remove breast cancer shrank tumors significantly in 11 days.
Elderly with colon cancer often get costly, dubious treatments
Don Rauf, HealthDay News Expensive drugs are being given far more often to elderly patients with advanced colon cancer, but they offer almost no benefit, a new study suggests.
Bacteria feast on plastic
Microbes that munch on polyethylene terephthalate could be used to biodegrade this popular polymer
Possible marker for lung cancer chemotherapy identified
The activity level -- expression -- of the SMARCA4/BRG1 gene in lung tumors might identify lung-cancer patients who will likely be helped by a particular chemotherapy regimen given to prevent...
New report recommends research to improve understanding of relationship between fatigue and crash risk
Insufficient sleep can decrease a commercial motor vehicle driver's level of alertness, which may increase the risk of a crash, yet little is known about effective ways to minimize that...
Gut microbes influence platelet function, risk of thrombosis, study shows
Gut microbes alter platelet function and risk of blood clot-related illnesses like heart attack and stroke, researchers have demonstrated -- for the first time -- through a combination of both...
Virility drug may boost skin cancer growth
A signaling pathway in melanoma cells is affected by erectile dysfunction drug Sildenafil, biochemists have discovered. Sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction and is the active ingredient in a...
Is hip arthroscopic surgery a sham? Researchers seek answer
Arthroscopic hip surgeries have replaced open surgeries as the go-to cure for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The number of such procedures increased 18-fold in the U.S. within a decade. However, the...
To prevent cancer in butterfly disease patients
Fragile skin that blisters easily: 90 percent of the patients that suffer from the skin condition recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) develop rapidly progressing cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas, a type...
Enzyme involved in glucose metabolism promotes wound healing, study finds
An enzyme involved in glucose metabolism in cells plays a major role in the early steps of wound healing, a finding that could lead to new therapeutic approaches for wound...
Pregnant women in favor of first maternal gene therapy trial
Stephen FellerLONDON, March 10 (UPI) -- Researchers found pregnant women are willing to participate in a trial for maternal gene therapy to treat early-onset fetal growth restriction, in a new...
Optimization in sport optimal fixture scheduling
Every day, thousands of sports organisations, associations, clubs and competition organisers have to schedule fixtures for leagues and tournaments all over the world. Who is playing who, and when? A...
Alabama football: Jake Coker tries to boost draft stock at Crimson Tide pro day
The Sports Xchange TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - While NFL front office personnel were busy spinning the free agent wheel Wednesday, scouts from around the country flocked to Alabama's pro day, where...