Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Stopping cane toads
Removing artificial waterbodies is an affective way of stopping cane toads from spreading into new areas of Australia, researchers found.
Zinc may help treat box jellyfish stings
Cubozoan’s lethal venom strikes red blood cells, new study finds
Research may have important implications for combating diabetes
Biochemists are providing new insights that could have important implications for understanding and treating diabetes.
Pre-transplant umbilical cord blood expansion in lab speeds establishment of new blood supply in patients, reducing high-risk time to recovery
Donated umbilical cord blood establishes a new blood supply in patients more quickly after transplantation when it is first expanded in the lab on a bed of cells that mimics...
Brain damage triggered by mini-strokes detailed
A new study details for the first time how "mini-strokes" cause prolonged periods of brain damage and result in cognitive impairment. These strokes, which are often imperceptible, are common in...
No strong evidence to back use of cannabis extract in multiple sclerosis
There is no strong evidence to back the use of cannabis extract in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, concludes a review of the available evidence on the first licensed preparation.
Unhealthy behaviors could slow progress in reducing heart disease, stroke
Poor eating and exercise habits could be the game-changer in the fight against heart disease and stroke deaths, according to new research.
In search of better antidepressants
A new study from researchers at MIT and Stanford University pinpoints brain cells that appear to be critically involved in depression, offering a possible target for new, more effective antidepressants.By stimulating these cells...
Retinoblastoma Proteins Strongest Just Before Death
Retinoblastoma tumor suppressor proteins is, shall we say, untraditional. But it could mean new ways to treat cancer. As an organism grows, proteins essential for fueling its prosperity typically toe a...
Banff hospital to stop delivering babies
A doctor in Banff says closing obstetrics at Mineral Springs Hospital is the first step to the community losing the entire hospital.
My Story: Taking on Cancer Again, This Time With the Wisdom of Age
My first encounter with testicular cancer in my 20s turned me into someone I did not wish to revisit.
Eli Lilly to Conduct Additional Study of Alzheimer’s Drug
Eli Lilly officials said they remained hopeful that the experimental drug, which failed to stop progress of the disease in previous studies, could help patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease.
Frogs in milk could lead to new drugs
MOSCOW, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- An old Russian way of keeping milk from going sour by putting a frog in the bucket of milk has led to the finding...
Scientists Take First Step Toward a Science of Slums
A new research project at the Santa Fe Institute, in collaboration with Slum Dwellers International and backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, seeks to initiate a scientific study...
Light shed on workings of the body's immune response
Researchers have discovered that two proteins which are believed to play a key role in controlling the body's immune response are found in lower levels in T lymphocytes from patients...
Fragile X protein linked to nearly 100 genes involved in autism
Doctors have known for many years that patients with fragile X syndrome, the most common form of inherited intellectual disability, are often also diagnosed with autism. But little has been...
Targeted micro-bubbles detect artery inflammation: Procedure done in pigs could potentially detect heart disease early in humans
Researchers have found that targeted micro-bubbles can help detect heart disease before it progresses too far as well as identify patients who are at risk for strokes.
Video: New device may detect side effect to cancer surgery
A new device may help diagnose a common condition after breast cancer surgery before it becomes a major problem. Wendy Gillette reports.
Very Important Science Finding: Put Your Boxed Wine In The Fridge
Boxed Wine Wikimedia CommonsYou wouldn't want to bring out sherry or dried fruit tones in your giant box of chardonnay, would you? Today in Very Important Science: if you're drinking bagged or...
Q&A: Roseanne Diab on science academies and climate risk
SciDev.Net talks to ASSAf's Roseanne Diab about the role of science academies in climate change awareness and risk reduction
Robotic scarless gallbladder surgery
Surgeons have performed a gallbladder surgery using just one incision, leaving patients without a noticeable scar.
Biocompatible patch developed to heal infants with birth defects
Researchers have created a new type of biodegradable scaffold to repair the hearts of infants with birth defects.
Treat obesity as physiology, not physics
The energy in–energy out hypothesis is not set in stone, argues Gary Taubes. It is time to test hormonal theories about why we get fat.Nature 492 155 doi: 10.1038/492155a
Opiates already in body may encourage cancer growth, certain medications could slow it
A new study has shown that, even without the addition of further opioids such as morphine, opioids already in the body can enhance the malignant tendencies of human cancer cells.
'Smart stethoscope' advance in monitoring treatment of kidney stones
A new listening device is being used to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment of kidney stones -- saving patients unnecessary repeat therapy and x-ray monitoring. The new 'Smart stethoscope'...
Hair-Straightening Products Dangerous, US Reps Say
The FDA should do more to protect the public from the health consequences of hair straightening products, representatives of congress said today.
Well: Why Afternoon May Be the Best Time to Exercise
A study in mice suggests that exercise affects our circadian rhythms, and in turn our health, and the impact may be most beneficial if the exercise is undertaken mid-day.
Is organic food more nutritious than non-organic food?
Organic foods do not seem to be better than conventional foods with regard to intake and absorption of selected minerals, say scientists