Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Quitting Smoking Lengthens Women's Lives
Women who stop smoking by middle age gain about 10 extra years of life, a study suggests.
Dietary supplements can cause liver injury, says hepatologist
Niacin, comfrey, Kava and even green tea in high doses can cause liver injury, according to an expert.
Genetic predictors of fatigue for prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy
Researchers have found that men with prostate cancer who receive androgen deprivation therapy may predictably suffer from fatigue if they have single nucleotide polymorphisms in three pro-inflammatory genes. The discovery...
Why People Who Drink Silver Turn Blue
The same chemical reaction that develops black-and-white prints causes the skin to turn bluish-gray from a "health" tonic.
Immune system fighters speak in patterns of proteins, prefer squishy partners
Researchers have discovered two new conditions for immune system communication that may help scientists one day harness the power of T-cells to fight diseases such as cancer.
Progress in ultrasound-guided surgery may improve breast cancer treatment
Scientists are developing an alternate means of precisely tagging breast cancer tumors for removal or targeted destruction.
Drug shows promise in animal model of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's with dementia
New research demonstrates the role of the investigational compound IRX4204 in alleviating cognitive decline in animal models of Alzheimer's disease.
New options for ease and accuracy in extraction of rare cells or separating blood
Using something called "inertial microfluidics," researchers are able to continuously and selectively collect rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, based on their size vs. other biomarkers. This could reduce...
Magnetic brain stimulation treats depression independent of sleep effect
While powerful magnetic stimulation of the frontal lobe of the brain can alleviate symptoms of depression, those receiving the treatment did not report effects on sleep or arousal commonly seen...
Streetcar tracks blamed in one-third of Toronto bike accidents
Researchers have confirmed what many cyclists in Toronto have long believed – that streetcar tracks are involved in nearly one-third of bicycle accidents.
Drug used to treat glaucoma actually grows human hair
If you're balding and want your hair to grow back, then here is some good news. A new research shows how the FDA-approved glaucoma drug, bimatoprost, causes human hair to...
Bean used in Chinese food could protect against sepsis
Researchers have discovered that a bean commonly used in Chinese cuisine protects against the life-threatening condition sepsis.
For patients warned in meningitis outbreak, waiting is agony
About 14,000 patients who got a tainted painkiller that could give them deadly meningitis are told to watch closely for symptoms. Patsy Bivins can't stop worrying about the warning letter...
Spending on Medicaid Has Slowed, Survey Finds
Enrollment in the program grew only modestly as well, but that may change as millions of people are due to become eligible in 2014 under the new national health care...
Sickle cell anemia: Maps and newborn estimates released
In 2010 around 300,000 babies were born with sickle cell anemia, a serious blood disorder which can be fatal if untreated, and 5.5 million newborns inherited the sickle cell gene,...
Salk Study Finds Diabetes Raises Levels of Proteins Linked to Alzheimer's Features
Growing evidence suggests that there may be a link between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, but the physiological mechanisms by which diabetes impacts brain function and cognition are not fully understood....
High-risk carotid artery plaque formation is increased in older COPD patients
Older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at increased risk for carotid artery plaque formation and for the presence of vulnerable plaques with a lipid core, according to a...
Elevated formaldehyde levels found in day care centers
A study of 40 child-care facilities in California found that most had levels of formaldehyde and a few other contaminants that exceeded exposure guidelines. The study is the first to...
Red Bull rage prompts Korean student's deportation
A Korean student studying at Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia is being deported after an outburst at the school cafeteria that his lawyer blames on drinking too many Red...
Measuring molecules with the naked eye
When someone develops liver cancer, the disease introduces a very subtle difference to their bloodstream, increasing the concentration of a particular molecule by just 10 parts per billion.
NCI Taps Three Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Scientists for Its 'Provocative Questions Project'
Three investigators at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center have won awards totaling nearly $3.6 million from the National Cancer Institute to participate in its "Provocative Questions Project" - an opportunity...
Testing magnesium's brain-boosting effects
Simple ion therapy faces human trials after ten years of preparation.Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2012.11665
The New Old Age Blog: A Revolving Door to Avoid
Rarely do nursing home doctors or nurses sit down and explain the risks of hospitalizing a frail older person who is profoundly physically and mentally compromised.
Doctor and Patient: Are Longer Office Hours Cost-Effective?
A new study analyzed a central assumption of one proposed change to medical practice: that patients who enjoy regular access to their primary doctors cost less. That is true, the...
Catholic parents to be consulted on HPV vaccine in schools
Calgary's Catholic school board in Calgary may be a step closer to offering the HPV vaccine.
Dysentery epidemic killed many in the 1700s-1800s
In the 1700s-1800s, dysentery was a disease causing many deaths. In fact, in some areas in Sweden 90 percent of all deaths were due to dysentery during the worst outbreaks....
Nicholson Lecture brings vascular biologist to speak at Rockefeller as part of exchange program with Karolinska Institute
Christer Betsholtz will visit the Rockefeller University campus as part of a recently renewed program that supports research exchanges between the university and the Karolinska Institute. Betsholtz studies vascular biology,...
Scientists step up hunt for bacterial genes tied to lyme disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial illness that affects tens of thousands. It can lead to abnormalities in the nervous system, heart and joints. New research into the bacterium’s genetic makeup...