Latest science news in Health & Medicine
New Robot-assisted Surgical Method Found Successful For Treatment Of Thyroid Cancer
Using a novel robot-assisted endoscopic technique, a team of surgeons in Korea has successfully treated 200 consecutive patients with thyroid cancer. The minimally invasive operation, which has several technical and...
Friendly Gut Bacteria Lend A Hand To Fight Infection, Study Suggests
Immunology researchers have found that bacteria present in the human gut help initiate the body's defense mechanisms against Toxoplasma gondii, the parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis.
New Metabolic Safeguards Against Tumor Cells
Researchers have found a new mechanism by which the body kills potential tumor cells. When cells separate from their normal environment -- a common event during tumor formation -- they...
Observatory: Snorkel Genes Help Deepwater Rice Survive
Deepwater rice varieties have a special ability to grow elongated, hollow stems that act as a snorkel of sorts when the paddy floods.
Living Longer And Happier
A new study may shed light on how to increase the level and quality of activity in the elderly. Researchers found that gene therapy with a proven "longevity" gene energized...
Progesterone Leads To Inflammation, Scientists Find
Scientists have found exposure to the hormone progesterone activates genes that trigger inflammation in the mammary gland. This progesterone-induced inflammation may be a key factor in increasing the risk of...
Stem cells may treat neurodegeneration
TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Israeli scientists say they have shown the viability of using bone marrow stem cells to treat such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer's and...
New Targets For Treatment Of Invasive Breast Cancer Discovered
Scientists have shown for the first time that a tiny piece of RNA appears to play a major role in the development of invasive breast cancer and identified a gene...
DNA-coated nanotubes help kill tumours without harm to surrounding tissue
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have destroyed prostate cancer tumours in mice by injecting them with specially-coated, miniscule carbon tubes and then superheating the tubes with a...
Study finds adverse effects in treatment for primary sclerosing cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an uncommon chronic liver disease characterised by progressive inflammation and destruction of the bile ducts. The disease progresses slowly, usually leading to biliary cirrhosis, portal...
Study shows carvedilol is effective in preventing variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients
Patients with cirrhosis are at risk for developing portal hypertension that can lead to the formation, dilation, and rupture of oesophageal varices. The annual incidence of oesophageal varices is approximately...
Scientists close in on key to quinine's side-effects
Researchers have long been baffled by the troubling side effects of the antimalarial quinine but now a study may have found the answer.
Nonprofit Nursing Homes Provide Better Care, Major Study Finds
A major new statistical review of 82 individual research studies has revealed that nonprofit nursing homes deliver, on average, higher quality care than for-profit nursing homes. The authors' meta-analysis shows...
Veterans’ Doctor to Lead F.D.A. Tobacco Division
A physician with experience in soldiers’ health who was not part of the fight over regulation will lead the oversight of tobacco products.
Tackling the Mystery of How Much It Costs
Fees for doctors and medical procedures are largely a mystery to patients, particularly those seeking a doctor out of network. The health care overhaul is intended to create some clarity.
Breakthrough uses light to manipulate cell movement
CHAPEL HILL, NC -- One of the biggest challenges in scientists' quest to develop new and better treatments for cancer is gaining a better understanding of how and why...
Arms expert warns new mind drugs eyed by military
GENEVA (Reuters) - A leading expert on chemical and biological arms control called on Wednesday for urgent efforts to stop new mind-altering drugs developed for medical purposes from being adopted...
Mexico sets up disease surveillance network
Mexico City is spearheading a new network of scientists from Latin American, Portugal and Spain to fight new and re-emerging pathogens.
Federal officials urge employers to prepare for widespread swine flu outbreak
3 Cabinet secretaries in a joint news conference warn that high rates of absenteeism could result and urge cross-training for key jobs. They emphasize cleanliness and sending home ill workers. Federal officials urged...
L.A. officials warn of cheese that could contain harmful bacteria
L.A. health officials have warned the public about eating Latin American-style cheese from unlicensed makers, whose products could be contaminated.
CDC: Life expectancy in US up, fewer deaths
(AP) -- The government says life expectancy in the U.S. has risen to a new high. It now stands at nearly 78 years.
Tumor size and level of visceral pleura invasion can impact survival of NSCLC patients
AURORA, Co -- A study published in the August 2009 edition of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology found that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients could be more accurately staged...
Neurotic? Why You're Likely to Die Prematurely
People who worry constantly may die sooner than their chill counterparts.
Parkinson's disease: Iron accumulation to the point of demise
Neurons that produce the neurotransmitter dopamine are the cerebral cells that most commonly die-off in Parkinson's disease. The cells in the so-called substantia nigra, which contain the dark pigment neuromelanin,...
Gel could block HIV like a condom
A gel that turns to a semisolid in the presence of semen shows promise as a barrier against HIV transmission.
Sunlight Not the Solution for Clean Water -- New Study
A popular method of disinfecting water with sunlight may not help protect people from water borne disease, due partly to stigma, a new study shows.
Skin cancer info doesn’t work
A new three-year study will investigate why people who know about skin cancer don’t take preventative measures.
Yummy Foods recalls its wife cakes
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Yummy Foods Co. of San Francisco says it is recalling its Wife Cakes because they might contain undeclared egg and wheat.