Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Simple quiz, already used in elderly, could determine death risk for kidney dialysis patients of all ages
A simple six-question quiz, typically used to assess disabilities in the elderly, could help doctors determine which kidney dialysis patients of any age are at the greatest risk of death,...
Cells control energy metabolism via hedgehog signalling pathway
Cancer, diabetes, and excess body weight have one thing in common: they alter cellular metabolism. Scientists have resolved a new molecular circuit controlling cellular metabolism. The previously unknown signalling pathway,...
Transplantation of embryonic neurons raises hope for treating brain diseases
The unexpected survival of embryonic neurons transplanted into the brains of newborn mice in a series of experiments raises hope for the possibility of using neuronal transplantation to treat diseases...
Megacities pose serious health challenge
Researchers call for stringent air-quality control during rapid urbanization.Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2012.11495
Exposure to traffic air pollution in infancy impairs lung function in children
Exposure to ambient air pollution from traffic during infancy is associated with lung function deficits in children up to eight [...]
Inside Gloria Taylor's battle for the right to die
Four days after B.C. grandmother Gloria Taylor was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, she crafted Plan B — an arrangement for someone to help her die.
Cancer institute tackles sloppy data
Funder demands better evidence for biomarkers in clinical trials.Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2012.11580
National Briefing | Northwest: Oregon: Fluoride Foes File Petitions
Opponents of a plan to add fluoride to the water supply in Portland filed petitions that could put the issue to a vote.
Oakland Sues to Prevent Closing of Medical Marijuana Dispensary
The city is trying to prevent the Department of Justice from seizing property leased to Harborside Health Center, the largest medical marijuana dispensary in the country.
Hans Rosling to receive Humanitarian Award
Renowned international public health scientist and medical statistician Hans Rosling will be awarded the Harvard Foundation’s Peter J. Gomes Humanitarian Award at Winthrop House on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. “The students and...
Well: Poking Fun at My Patients
I joke around with my patients to create an environment that feels at least a little normal in the craziness of their disease, so they can focus on living, not...
Mayor in Bristol, Conn., Now Says Firefighters’ Pink Shirts Are Fine
Mayor Arthur Ward said he would no longer oppose local firefighters’ wearing the T-shirts to honor National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Jewish Groups Seek to Block New N.Y.C. Rule on Circumcision
Arguing that the regulation violated religious freedoms, several Jewish groups sought to prevent New York City from enforcing a health rule regarding the procedure.
Abortion Clinic to Open in Northern Ireland
A center in Belfast is expected to draw women from across Ireland, where abortion remains highly restricted.
Spinal Steroid Injections Have History of Trouble
Injections of steroids near the spine have been linked to other rare but devastating complications, including nerve damage, paralysis and strokes.
HIV and breast cancer may share a common enemy: Nelfinavir
After screening more than 2,300 drugs for their ability to halt the growth of breast cancer cells, researchers have discovered that the anti-HIV drug nelfinavir slows the progress of HER2-positive...
One CVD death in China every 10 seconds
Every year three million Chinese people die from cardiovascular disease and every 10 seconds there is one death from CVD in China, according to experts.
Nurture trumps nature in study of oral bacteria in human twins, study finds
A new long-term study of human twins indicates the makeup of the population of bacteria bathing in their saliva is driven more by environmental factors than heritability.
Anesthetic combination provides a more rapid recovery after oral surgery
The ideal sedative for oral surgery should make the patient comfortable during the surgery and should wear off quickly enough that the patient can leave the dental chair soon after...
Anti-cancer drug fights immune reaction in some infants with Pompe disease
Adding a third anti-cancer agent to a current drug cocktail appears to have contributed to dramatic improvement in three infants with the most severe form of Pompe disease -- a...
New studies could result in better treatments for epilepsy, behavioral disorders
Three studies could result in new types of treatment for the disease and, as a bonus, for behavioral disorders as well.
Safety results of intra-arterial stem cell clinical trial for stroke presented
Early results of a Phase II intra-arterial stem cell trial for ischemic stroke showed no adverse events associated with the first 10 patients, allowing investigators to expand the study to...
Using cell phone data to curb the spread of malaria
New research that combines cell phone data from 15 million people in Kenya with detailed information on the regional incidence of malaria has revealed how human travel patterns contribute to...
Breast cancer surgery rate differences 'raise questions'
Mastectomy rates for breast cancer vary widely across Canada, according to a new report.
Science Forum Releases Report on Asthma Research
Researchers exploring the relationship between asthma and exposure to consumer products and product ingredients say the database of current studies is not sufficiently robust to demonstrate a causal relationship between...
Rejection improves eventual impact of manuscripts
A study of papers’ histories from submission to publication unearths unexpected patterns.Nature News doi: 10.1038/nature.2012.11583
Clues to cancer metastasis: Discovery points to potential therapies for bone metastasis
New research explains how mesenchymal stem cells help cancer cells to spread beyond primary tumor.
Why are some Hamilton resident doctors working 24 hour hospital shifts?
Did you know that doctor's at hospitals often work 24 hour shifts? One full day of work. No sleep. CBC's Robyn Bresnahan talked to a resident pediatrician at McMaster University...