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Genetic condition that attacks multiple organs can be detected using new MRI technique

A genetic condition that attacks multiple organs and usually results in fatal heart problems can be detected using a new MRI technique that was developed at the University of Alberta. The discovery of this new diagnostic tool has resulted in updated clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Fabry disease in Canada.

3 Oct 2013

Canada should start screening 'Baby Boomers' for hepatitis C virus infection, say liver specialists

Canada should begin screening 'Baby Boomers' for the hepatitis C virus infection, since this age group is likely the largest group to have the illness, and most don't know they have it, say a group of liver specialists in the Toronto Western Hospital Francis Family Liver Clinic. Unlike many other chronic viral infections, early treatment makes hepatitis C curable.

1 Oct 2013

BGI Health to introduce NIFTY screening test to reduce miscarriages

BGI Health is marking Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October) with the launch of a new non-invasive screening test for Down’s Syndrome and other conditions, which can reduce the risk of miscarriage significantly compared with other, potentially unnecessary invasive procedures, according to recent studies.

1 Oct 2013

Colorectal cancer screening in European countries highly effective in reducing mortality

Screening for colorectal cancer in European countries is highly effective in reducing mortality from the disease. Some of the resources currently being devoted to breast and prostate screening programmes, where the evidence of effectiveness is much less clear-cut, should be reallocated to the early detection of CRC, the 2013 European Cancer Congress will hear today (Sunday).

29 Sep 2013

New ultra-specific test now available for prostate cancer

A new urine test for prostate cancer that measures minute fragments of RNA is now commercially available to men nationwide through the University of Michigan MLabs.

27 Sep 2013

University of Michigan offers new test to improve PSA screening for prostate cancer

More than 1 million men will undergo a prostate biopsy this year, but only about one-fifth of those biopsies will result in a cancer diagnosis.

26 Sep 2013

Small alteration in a brain gene contributes to risk for anxiety, depression and memory loss

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered why a tiny alteration in a brain gene, found in 20 percent of the population, contributes to the risk for anxiety, depression and memory loss.

20 Sep 2013

New blood test accurately differentiates viral and bacterial infections

A blood test developed by researchers at Duke Medicine showed more than 90-percent accuracy in distinguishing between viral and bacterial infections when tested in people with respiratory illnesses.

19 Sep 2013

Diagnoplex SA sign agreement with Unilabs to commercialize Colox colorectal cancer assay

Diagnoplex SA, a developer of molecular diagnostics for colorectal cancer and Unilabs, a leading supplier of clinical laboratory and medical diagnostic imaging services in Europe, signed a collaboration agreement to commercialize Colox, a minimally invasive colorectal cancer assay within the Unilabs network. The test will be available initially in the Swiss and Swedish markets.

18 Sep 2013

New study to reduce unwanted side-effects of radiotherapy

Scientists from The University of Manchester are leading a new European study to come up with methods to reduce the unwanted side-effects of radiotherapy and improve cancer treatment.

From The University of Manchester 12 Sep 2013

Mount Sinai physician-scientists join DILIN to help find causes, diagnostics for drug-induced liver injury

In an effort to better understand and develop prevention strategies for drug-induced liver injury, physician-scientists from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have joined the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network, a National Institutes of Health-funded consortium of only six academic medical centers in the United States.

12 Sep 2013

Sam's Club Pharmacy to host free health screenings for diabetes

To promote early detection and an overall healthy lifestyle that can help prevent the onset of diabetes, Sam's Club Pharmacy will host free health screenings Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

7 Sep 2013

Blood levels of cystatin C strengthen association between kidney function and risks of renal disease

A new, international study from the Chronic Kidney Disease Prognosis Consortium found that use of blood levels of cystatin C to estimate kidney function—alone or in combination with creatinine—strengthens the association between kidney function and risks of death and end-stage renal disease.

5 Sep 2013

Blood test provides tool essential to trials of therapies for Huntington's disease

An assay designed to measure normal and abnormal forms of the huntingtin protein - the mutated form of which causes Huntington's disease - was successful in detecting levels of the mutant protein in a large multicenter study of individuals at risk for the devastating neurological disorder.

30 Aug 2013

Five things every person should know about Parkinson's disease

Michael J. Fox is back in the spotlight this fall in a new sitcom "The Michael J. Fox Show" and spreading awareness about Parkinson's disease, a condition both he and his TV character have in common. Fox has been an outspoken advocate for Parkinson's disease research and awareness since disclosing his condition to the public in 1998.

30 Aug 2013

Researchers develop ddPCR technology to quantify rejection biomarker in organ transplant injury

A recently reported blood test for the early detection of organ transplant injury could enable more timely therapeutic intervention in transplant patients and thus help to avoid longer term damage. As described by scientists at the University Medical Center G-ttingen and Chronix Biomedical, a molecular diagnostics company, the new method uses Bio-Rad Laboratories' Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR-) technology to overcome the obstacles of earlier tests, which were both time-consuming and costly.

28 Aug 2013

CA-125: Screening tool to detect ovarian cancer in early stages

Evaluating its change over time, CA-125, the protein long-recognized for predicting ovarian cancer recurrence, now shows promise as a screening tool for early-stage disease, according to researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

26 Aug 2013

Screening strategy for ovarian cancer appears to be highly specific for detecting disease at early stages

A new screening strategy for ovarian cancer appears to be highly specific for detecting the disease before it becomes lethal. The strategy is described in a study published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. If verified in an ongoing clinical trial, it could potentially help save the lives of thousands of women each year in the United States alone.