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9-11 commission presented with recommendation on emergency preparedness

Lee H. Hamilton, Vice Chair of the 9-11 Commission, appeared today at a reception hosted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to receive a recommendation on emergency preparedness and business continuity.

29 Apr 2004

China reports SARS infection in two patients previously under investigation

The Chinese Ministry of Health has today reported diagnostic confirmation of SARS infection in two patients previously under investigation in Beijing. Confirmation is based on the results of laboratory tests, clinical symptoms, and a history of close contact with a known case.

29 Apr 2004

Health Canada urges Canadians to protect against West Nile Virus

Health Canada and its partners are reminding Canadians to take active steps to protect themselves from the risk of West Nile Virus.

29 Apr 2004

Functional genomics and proteomics may accelerate the discovery of new drugs and therapeutic molecules

Functional genomics and proteomics have been quite successful in identifying functions of potential therapeutic targets such as encoded proteins. In fact, the possibilities of identifying more than 10,000 novel target antigens in the human genome may accelerate the discovery of new drugs and therapeutic molecules.

29 Apr 2004

Stroke survivors have twice the risk of dementia compared to stroke-free men and women of the same age

The risk of dementia increases dramatically with advancing age. Our results show that sustaining a stroke increases this risk even further,” said lead author Cristina S. Ivan, M.D. a fellow in stroke and cerebrovascular disorders at the Boston Medical Center. “Dementia is a growing problem because of the aging of the population, particularly the ‘baby boomers’.

29 Apr 2004

Scientists have discovered a genetic cause of cleft lip and palate in mice

By watching mice “dance” and comparing the DNA of the dancers to their flat-footed siblings, scientists have discovered a genetic cause of cleft lip and palate in mice, a finding that is already being used to search for a similar genetic defect in humans.

29 Apr 2004

Cinacalcet drug more successful than a placebo in treating hyperparathyroidism

Research led by Saint Louis University physicians has shown that a new drug can help control one of the most common side effects of kidney disease.

29 Apr 2004

Is there a north-south divide in social class inequalities in health in Great Britain?

Using data from the 2001 UK census, a team at the University of Liverpool explored social class inequalities in health among adults aged between 25 and 64.

29 Apr 2004

Transplanted bone-marrow cells could regenerate nerve cells in the brain

Findings of a preliminary study in this week's issue of THE LANCET suggest that transplanted adult bone-marrow cells could regenerate nerve cells in the brains of human stem-cell recipients. These early findings, if confirmed in future research, have implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

29 Apr 2004

Research shows how women with violent partners are at an increased risk of HIV-1 infection

HIV/AIDS is more widespread among women in sub-Saharan Africa than any other population. Although violence from a male partner and relationship inequalities are thought to be associated with increased HIV risk among women, no study has yet assessed gender-based violence as a risk factor for HIV after adjustment for women's own high-risk sexual behaviours.

29 Apr 2004

Researchers develop hinged figure skate prevent to joint injuries

Researchers at the University of Delaware have redesigned the traditional figure skate, with the goal of reducing the joint injuries that plague many competitive skaters.

29 Apr 2004

Vaccination Week in the Americas in full swing

Reports from the countries say that the immunization campaign has reached some of the most remote areas, including border regions and indigenous communities. The reports also show that the vaccination efforts, which began April 24, are reaching the most vulnerable sectors of the population.

29 Apr 2004

Antiepileptic drug Levetiracetam may help patients with Parkinson's disease

In patients with Parkinson's disease, the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam (Keppra(R)) reduced the involuntary movements (dyskinesia) associated with levodopa, the medication most commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease, according to a study presented today at the 56th annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

29 Apr 2004

Australian study helps to better understand MS disease

A new study published by Dr. John Prineas and colleagues at Australia’s University of Sydney provides new information that may help to refine our understanding of the MS disease process.

29 Apr 2004

MSF celebrated their 1,000 patient on antiretroviral treatment in a South African township

Since May 2001, three HIV/AIDS clinics in the three day-hospitals in Khayelitsha have been offering antiretroviral therapy to people with AIDS who need treatment. During these three years, we have seen more and more people in Khayelitsha willing to confront HIV, have an HIV test and come to the clinics if needed.

29 Apr 2004

Pre-diabetes is far more common in America than previously believed

"Pre-diabetes" -- a condition that raises a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke -- is far more common in America than previously believed, according to a new HHS estimate released today.

29 Apr 2004

Increased blood levels of a heart cell “stress” protein called ST2 were linked to a higher risk of death

Increased blood levels of a heart cell “stress” protein called ST2 were linked to a higher risk of death and congestive heart failure in the 30 days after a heart attack, researchers report in today’s rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

29 Apr 2004

Time bomb in heart leads to heart failure in some congenital heart disease patients

However, surgical correction of certain forms of congenital heart disease may not fix the underlying molecular trigger that drives progressive heart failure and sudden death later in life, according to new research from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine.

29 Apr 2004

Researchers find mucus plays key role in cancer

Investigators at the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center in Boston became intrigued with the thick, slimy stuff when they learned that breast, lung, colon, and other tumor cells make more than 50 times more of a certain type of it than normal cells.

29 Apr 2004

Space technology may help fertility of a woman with cancer

Using technology borrowed from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), scientists at the University of Pittsburgh's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine have taken the first steps toward successfully preserving ovarian tissue from rats and mice in culture, including immature egg follicles, according to a study in the current issue of the journal Tissue Engineering.

29 Apr 2004