Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Bacterial infections differ based on geography, healthcare spending
Bacterial infections differ based on distance from the equator and spending on health care, researchers have discovered. In their study, 23 health centers on six continents participated in study of...
Scientists identify new, beneficial function of endogenous retroviruses in immune response
Endogenous retroviruses play a critical role in the body's immune defense against common bacterial and viral pathogens, researchers have found. Retroviruses are best known for causing contagious scourges such as...
Resistance to anti-viral drug may be more likely in cystic fibrosis patients
Following lung transplantation, resistance to the anti-viral drug ganciclovir may be more likely in cystic fibrosis patients, scientists report. Ganciclovir is given to lung transplant patients to protect against a...
Cell-associated HIV mucosal transmission: The neglected pathway
Scientists are challenging dogma about the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Most research has focused on infection by free viral particles, while this group of researchers...
Older kidney donors with hypertension may have good kidney health following donation
Kidney donors with hypertension had slightly fewer nephrons (the kidney’s filtering units) at the time of donation than similarly aged donors with normal blood pressure; however, 6 months following their...
People with blood groups A, B and AB at higher risk of type 2 diabetes than group O
A study of more than 80,000 women has uncovered different risks of developing type 2 diabetes associated with different blood groups, with the biggest difference a 35 percent increased risk...
Latest evidence on using hormone replacement therapy for treating menopausal symptoms
Hormone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, in particular for younger women at the onset of the menopause, suggests a new review, which highlights that menopausal...
Atlanta Braves send Justin Upton to San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres continued what has been a whirlwind week on Friday, as they have apparently acquired outfielder Justin Upton from the Atlanta Braves.
Urban stressors may contribute to rising rate of diabetes in developing nations
As people in developing nations relocate from rural areas to cities, the increased stress is affecting their hormone levels and making them more susceptible to diabetes and other metabolic disorders,...
Enzyme inhibitors suppress herpes simplex virus replication, study finds
A family of molecules known as NTS enzyme inhibitors are promising candidates for new herpes virus treatments, a new study shows. The findings could lead to new treatment options for...
How llamas' unusual antibodies might help in the fight against HIV/AIDS
Most vaccines work by inducing an immune response characterized by neutralizing antibodies against the respective pathogen. An effective HIV vaccine has remained elusive so far, but researchers have continued to...
Doctor who survived Ebola received experimental drug treatment
On 28 September, 2014, the 38-year old doctor, who was in charge of an Ebola virus treatment unit in Lakka, Sierra Leone, developed a fever and diarrhea. He tested positive...
Most commonly prescribed glaucoma drug reduces risk of vision loss by more than 50% over 2 years
“Medication to lower raised eye pressure has been used for decades as the main treatment for OAG to delay progressive vision loss. But, until now, the extent to which the...
Ability to balance on one leg may reflect brain health, stroke risk
Struggling to stand on one leg for less than 20 seconds was linked to an increased risk for stroke, small blood vessel damage in the brain, and reduced cognitive function...
Ear Infections: Symptoms and Treatment
There are three types of infections that can affect the inner of outer ear. Ear infections are most common in children.
Birds fled 'day before' US tornadoes
Tracking data reveals that golden-winged warblers fled one day before the April 2014 US tornado outbreak, probably because they "heard it coming".
Why do parents who usually vaccinate their children hesitate or refuse?
Even parents who are not "vaccine refusers" and who usually comply with the routine vaccination programs may hesitate or refuse to vaccinate their children based on poor communication from the...
Is there a better way to treat substance use in adolescents with co-occurring mental health disorders?
The majority (55-74%) of adolescents entering substance use treatment also have psychiatric disorders, such as depression, ADHD and trauma-related problems. Unfortunately, these youth face poorer treatment outcomes (e.g., relapse), and...
Scientists map out how childhood brain tumours relapse
The unique genetic paths that the childhood brain tumor medulloblastoma follows when the disease comes back has been mapped out, researchers report. Scientists looked at biopsies from the relapsed tumours...
Trigger mechanism for recovery after spinal cord injury revealed
After an incomplete spinal cord injury, the body can partially recover basic motor function. So-called muscle spindles and associated sensory circuits back to the spinal cord promote the establishment of...
Malnutrition a hidden epidemic among elders
Health-care systems and providers are not attuned to older adults' malnutrition risk, and ignoring malnutrition exacts a toll on hospitals, patients, and payers, according to experts. A new article points...
Supporter of Boston Marathon bomb suspect: "Stop killing innocent people"
Frances BurnsBOSTON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev appeared in open court Thursday for the first time in more than a year.
Medical Paradox: Can Cuba Escape Poverty but Stay Healthy?
Economic isolation has left Cuba poor, but people there live as long as their counterparts in richer countries.
Emmy Rossum sparks engagement rumors with diamond ring
Veronica LinaresLOS ANGELES, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Emmy Rossum sparked rumors that she is engaged after stepping out in New York City with a large diamond ring on her special...
Pain Relievers May Offer Small Protection Against Skin Cancer
Ibuprofen and some other similar anti-inflammatory pain relievers may slightly lower people's risk of one common type of skin cancer, a new review of research shows, but experts find the...
More organ donations from seniors could help reduce wait times
Deceased seniors or people who have suffered cardiac death represent a pool of potential organ donors that could reduce wait times for those who need organs, a new Canadian report...
When Embryonic Stem Cells Don't Know What To Make Of Themselves
A new paper has found that inhibiting or blocking stem cells ability to make a specific decision, leads to better cell growth and could lead to defined ways to differentiate...
Discovery in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
For four years, researchers at Universite catholique de Louvain have been trying to find out how bacteria can withstand antibiotics, so as to be able to attack them more effectively....