Latest science news in Health & Medicine
FOR KIDS: Baby brain, adult disease
Scientists find signs of Alzheimer’s disease in the brains of infants
A Drug Shows Promise In Treating Pancreatic Cancer
Celgene’s drug Abraxane prolonged the lives of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer by almost two months in a clinical trial, but the gains were not as big as expected.
Bariatric surgery in extremely obese adolescents
Bariatric surgery in extremely obese adolescents was shown to be beneficial in helping to reverse previously undiagnosed cardiovascular abnormalities believed to be linked to severe obesity.
Enzyme replacement therapy shows promising results in X-linked myotubular myopathy
Pediatric neuropathologisst successfully mitigated some of the effects of a muscular disease by using a new targeted enzyme replacement therapy strategy.
New drug target for Her-2 related breast cancer
New research details exactly how the Her2 cancer gene promotes the progression and spread of breast cancer cells. The inactivation of a tumor suppression gene called Nischarin is among the...
Bioethics leader calls for bold approach to fighting obesity
Arguing that obesity "may be the most difficult and elusive public health problem the United States has ever encountered" and that anti-obesity efforts having made little discernible difference, one expert...
Immune cells engineered in lab to resist HIV infection, study shows
Researchers have found a novel way to engineer key cells of the immune system so they remain resistant to infection with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The new approach,...
Antibacterial agent used in common soaps found in increasing amounts in freshwater lakes
A new study determined that the common antibacterial agent, called triclosan, used in soaps and many other products is found in increasing amounts in several Minnesota freshwater lakes. The findings...
New drug protects against side effects of chemotherapy
A drug developed in Sweden protects against the side effects of cancer treatments while strengthening the effects on the tumor. An international drug evaluation is now starting up on a...
Controlling spine metastases with tumor 'separation surgery' and high-dose stereotactic radiosurgery
Researchers found that tumor "separation surgery" followed by high-dose hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or high-dose single-fraction SRS is safe and effective in controlling spinal metastases regardless of the radiosensitivity of...
Evidence mounts for role of mutated genes in development of schizophrenia
Researchers have identified a rare gene mutation in a single family with a high rate of schizophrenia, adding to evidence that abnormal genes play a role in the development of...
Concussion-related abnormal brain proteins in retired NFL players
For the first time, researchers have used a brain-imaging tool to identify the abnormal tau proteins associated with sports concussion in five retired National Football League players who are still...
Vitamin D holds promise in battling a deadly breast cancer
Researchers have discovered a molecular pathway that contributes to triple-negative breast cancer, an often deadly and treatment resistant form of cancer that tends to strike younger women. In addition, the...
Family Mealtime Not a Thing of the Past
Only 3 percent of family meals are eaten in a restaurant or fast-food chain.
Doctors urged to screen women for domestic abuse
Asking standard questions of female patients of childbearing age shows a 'moderate net benefit' and little risk, a federal advisory panel says.Women of childbearing age should undergo screening for domestic...
UN chief to press for climate deal by 2015
UN leader Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday he will press world leaders to agree a binding deal against climate warming by 2015.
Researchers debate oil-spill remedy
Oil industry maintains that dispersants should be part of routine response to deep-water blowouts.Nature 493 461 doi: 10.1038/493461a
Ensuring health in universal health coverage
Health systems must transcend clinical medicine and emphasize public-health approaches aimed at the drivers of disease, argues James D. Shelton.Nature 493 453 doi: 10.1038/493453a
Student investigates pigeon plumage trends
(Phys.org)—Many people view pigeons as pests, or even 'rats with wings' - but according to one student, they are 'super doves'.
Flu vaccine without the eggs approved
Flublok does not require flu virus or eggs for manufacture
Men charged over hare coursing
Police charge two men with hunting offences after reports of illegal hare coursing on farmland.
Expired infant formula found on B.C. store shelves
Potentially harmful expired baby formula has been found on some Vancouver-area supermarket shelves in violation of federal food safety guidelines, a CBC News investigation has found.
Aboriginal health program had billing issues, report says
A Saskatchewan optometrist's billings to the federal health program for aboriginal people raised red flags with Health Canada, a newly released document shows.
Observatory: Older Brain Is Willing, but Too Full for New Memories
Studies in modified mice suggest that it is harder to make new long-term memories as we age because the brain is full of old ones that are hard to erase.
Well: Berries Lower Heart Attack Risk in Women
Blueberries and strawberries have large concentrations of the flavonoid anthocyanin, which may help lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel function.
Global Update: Thinner Syringes May Reduce Risk of H.I.V. for Drug Abusers
Encouraging drug abusers who share needles to use thin syringes, which retain less fluid and the virus it may contain, could help slow the spread of H.I.V.
Well: Facing Cancer, a Stark Choice
Double mastectomies are on the rise, both among women with cancer in only one breast and those with a genetic risk.
Study shows surprising fetal alcohol disorder numbers
A new study gives Prince Edward Island health-care workers an indication of how many Island women may be drinking heavily during pregnancy.