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Breakdown in brain cell communication may contribute to the most common biochemical cause of mental retardation

The process is akin to a baseball game gone bad. Imagine if a pitcher were joined by six players simultaneously winding up on the mound. Crouched behind home plate, the single catcher would soon be overwhelmed. Even if the coach sent in teammates to catch the extra balls, confusion would reign on the field.

12 Apr 2005

America’s teenagers bombarded by alcohol advertising

America’s teenagers saw significantly more beer and distilled spirits advertising in magazines between 2001 and 2003 than legal-age adults, as measured on a per capita basis, according to a study released by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth (CAMY) at Georgetown University.

12 Apr 2005

Respiratory medicine could be heading for crisis

Respiratory medicine could be heading for crisis if doctors are not offered more opportunities for flexible training and working, according to a new survey launched by the British Thoracic Society (BTS).

12 Apr 2005

New medical uses for the Kunjin virus

Queensland Government scientists at the Department of Health Services have collaborated with scientists at the University of Queensland (UQ) and The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) to discover new medical uses for the Kunjin virus.

12 Apr 2005

Is late diagnosis of lung cancer inevitable?

A study by researchers into the diagnosis of patients with lung cancer suggests that avoidable patient delays in reporting symptoms of the disease is an important factor in its treatment.

12 Apr 2005

Project to treat infant asphyxia in lower income countries

Scientists in a federally sponsored global research network will undertake a new project that will train midwives and traditional birth attendants in resource poor countries on how to treat newborn asphyxia, a major cause of infant death. The treatment, developed in the United States, is the standard of care provided to infants born in this country.

12 Apr 2005

Findings from perinatal HIV prevention study in Uganda are valid

A Ugandan drug trial's findings that the AIDS medication nevirapine is effective and safe in preventing HIV transmission from mother to unborn child during birth were well-supported, according to a new, independent analysis by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

12 Apr 2005

Novel findings in Balo's concentric sclerosis may shed light on pathology of MS

Researchers partly funded through the National MS Society’s “MS Lesion Project” report that a novel mechanism known as “tissue preconditioning” may explain the pattern of tissue damage that occurs in Baló’s concentric sclerosis, a rare, severe disease similar to MS, and may offer clues to a similar phenomenon in MS. Hans Lassmann, MD (Medical University of Vienna, Wien) and colleagues, including Society grantee Claudia Lucchinetti, MD (Mayo Clinic and Foundation, Rochester, MN), report their findings in Brain.

12 Apr 2005

Vaccine against the virus that causes cervical cancer and genital warts shows promise

A vaccine against the virus that causes cervical cancer and genital warts could reduce persistent infection and disease by 90%, suggest the results of a randomised trial published online by The Lancet Oncology.

12 Apr 2005

Researcher grows new insulin-secreting beta cells from pancreatic tissue

JDRF-funded researchers in Canada and Massachusetts have stimulated the birth of new insulin-secreting beta cells by treating human islets with a mixture of two naturally occurring peptides: epidermal growth factor (EGF) and gastrin.

12 Apr 2005

Women with heart attacks benefit from stenting

Female heart attack patients undergoing angioplasty have a higher risk of death than men, but stenting may improve their outcomes, according to a study reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

12 Apr 2005

Germany leads the way with e-health

Germany is poised to introduce its next generation e-health card in 2006. The new version, set to replace the existing insurance card – holding only the patient’s name, address and insurance number – will be the latest example of smart card technology to hit the market in Europe. It will be able to store prescription information and might even be used as the standard card for a digital signature – the key to modern eGovernment applications.

12 Apr 2005

Race influences how we cope with cancer

White patients cope better with the pressure of cancer than their British Asian counterparts according to research published on-line in the British Journal of Cancer.

12 Apr 2005

Disability tax credit benefits Canadians with diabetes

Some Canadians who use insulin to manage their diabetes may be eligible for a federal tax credit worth up to $1,055 when they file their 2005 tax returns next year, the Canadian Diabetes Association announced recently.

12 Apr 2005

Women with pedometers step up exercise levels

Women with pedometers and a goal of 10,000 steps per day walked more than those whose goal was a brisk, 30-minute walk, according to new research published in the April issue of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise®, the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

12 Apr 2005

Innovation, competitive prices to underpin uptake of diagnostic ultrasound devices

Across Europe, the pricing of ultrasound systems is expected to be central to its uptake. In addition to being competitively priced, products with an emphasis on innovation, user-friendliness, mobility and compactness are also expected to appeal to end-users.

12 Apr 2005

Cranfield University aims to reduce sporting injury

As more of the population begin to recognise the benefits of sporting activity, there is a need for improved sports pitches which not only deliver increased access to sport, but also reduce the risk of injury.

12 Apr 2005

Groundbreaking results for the potential treatment of Huntington's Disease

Sirna Therapeutics announced today that its collaborator at the University of Iowa, Dr. Beverly Davidson, published groundbreaking results for the potential treatment of Huntington's Disease (HD).

12 Apr 2005

Alarming trends in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among America's young people

A study by ASHA, sponsored by Roche Diagnostics of Indianapolis, Indiana is being released in conjunction with April's STD Awareness Month and demonstrates that the incident rate of STDS in youth (ages 15-24) have increased dramatically in recent years.

12 Apr 2005

Contrary to old wives tales, alcohol, does not aid lactation

A new study has found, contrary to common wisdom, that alcohol does not appear to boost the mother's production of breastmilk, and actually has a counterproductive effect.

12 Apr 2005