Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Heavy drinkers face significantly increased cancer risk
Heavy drinkers of beer and spirits face a much higher risk of developing cancer than the population at large, says a group of Montreal epidemiologists and cancer researchers. Their findings...
Stanford research assesses use of Tamiflu, Relenza to prevent flu
Two common anti-influenza drugs - Relenza and Tamiflu - appear equally effective at preventing common flu symptoms when given before infection, say researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine....
TierneyLab: Dangerous Cows
About 20 people a year are killed by cows, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Stopping antidepressants can cause side effects
Recognizing withdrawal symptoms and working with your doctor are key. Ryan Yorke, now 21, started taking Paxil after an out-of-the-blue panic attack his freshman year of high school. At first it worked great. But...
Genes Key To Staph Disease Severity, Drug Resistance Found Hitchhiking Together
Scientists studying Staphylococcus bacteria, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus, have discovered a potent staph toxin responsible for disease severity. They also found the gene for the toxin traveling with a genetic...
Scientists decoding genomic sequences of H1N1 using isolates from outbreak in Argentina
Researchers at the Centre for Infection and Immunity (CII) at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health are working with Argentina's National Institute of Infectious Diseases, the National Administration of...
Antibody targeting of glioblastoma shows promise in preclinical tests
Cancer researchers at Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Centre have successfully tested a small, engineered antibody they say shuts down growth of human glioblastoma tumours in cell and animal studies....
It may be vitamin D's day in the sun
It may have untapped potential in fighting or preventing disease. But are we getting enough of it in our systems? A panel will discuss whether to increase the recommended daily intake. Vitamin supplements...
F.D.A. Approves Onglyza, a New Drug for Type 2 Diabetes
The chemical makeup of Onglyza is similar to Januvia, a drug from Merck that had sales of $1.4 billion last year.
Eating High Levels Of Fructose Impairs Memory In Rats
Researchers have found that diets high in fructose -- a type of sugar found in most processed foods and beverages -- impaired the spatial memory of adult rats.
Laxative habit needs a doctor's help
I have had severe constipation for years. I've been using cascara sagrada for a daily bowel movement. I read that this herb was banned in 2002 as the Food and...
Exercise helps fight depression
When Gaetano Vaccaro meets with depressed patients at Moonview Sanctuary, he sometimes moves part of the session outside, taking a walk while talking. The result: "People's state of mind can...
Diagnosis: depression
Many Americans are clinically depressed, but are we undertreated or overtreated? Reality might not match the headlines. ...
Halifax hospital ER to have greeters
The new emergency department at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax is working to improve how it keeps track of people who come through its doors after...
Internet Video Watching Soars
The number of adults who watch videos on video-sharing sites like Google and YouTube has nearly doubled since 2006.
Support breastfeeding moms to save child lives: WHO
Helping new mothers to breastfeed could save the lives of 1.3 million children worldwide each year, the World Health Organization said Friday.
Tanning beds part of P.E.I. public health review
Tanning beds could soon be regulated on P.E.I., says the province's chief health officer.
Isotopes from South Africa helps Halifax patients
The Maritimes' largest hospital has found a way to work around the problems caused by a worldwide shortage of medical isotopes by flying in rationed replacements from South Africa, and...
Long waiting lists for speech-language pathologists in Alberta
A shortage of speech-language pathologists in Alberta has put some families on a two-year waiting list.
Prototype, 7-foot-tall sanitizer automates disinfection of hard-to-clean hospital equipment
Johns Hopkins experts in applied physics, computer engineering, infectious diseases, emergency medicine, microbiology, pathology and surgery have unveiled a 7-foot-tall, $10,000 shower-cubicle-shaped device that automatically sanitizes in 30 minutes all...
Cancer treatment controls macular edema related to diabetes and to cataract surgery
SAN FRANCISCO, CA---This month's Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, reports on use of bevacizumab (Avastin), to benefit diabetic patients with macular edema as well as people...
Patient Money: For Vacation Health Woes, Call Your Insurer First
Going on vacation? Don’t forget a list of your medications, and take remedies for common hazards like ticks.
Swine flu science update: 31 July 2009
A round-up of articles about vaccine trials, the WHO's information overload and the detection of the earliest known swine flu case.
Pakistan planning body slams science PhD 'mills'
A Pakistani development plan has criticised the country's mass PhD production, and says that the system needs rethinking.
Monkeys invent medicated body scratcher
Wild spider monkeys now have a new tool under their proverbial belt: a body scratcher that may release medicinal compounds, according to a study published in the latest issue of...
New way to fight drug-resistant fungal infections discovered
(PhysOrg.com) -- The secret to fighting often lethal drug resistant fungal infections is to knock out the bug's molecular chaperone, according to U of T researchers.
Mountain living good for heart health
ZURICH, Switzerland, July 31 (UPI) -- People who live in the Swiss Alps have fewer heart problems than those living in valleys, researchers at Zurich University said.
Pitt receives grant to create virtual models for epidemics
As the world prepares for a probable resurgence of H1N1 in the coming months, University of Pittsburgh researchers are controlling the spread of infectious diseases virtually with a $13.4 million...