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Inhaled carbon dioxide increases brain acidity and evokes fear behavior: Study

Breathing carbon dioxide can trigger panic attacks, but the biological reason for this effect has not been understood. A new study by University of Iowa researchers shows that carbon dioxide increases brain acidity, which in turn activates a brain protein that plays an important role in fear and anxiety behavior.

26 Nov 2009

Therapeutic agents in soy can treat colon cancer, says study

A study conducted by Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland scientists identifies a new class of therapeutic agents found naturally in soy that can prevent and possibly treat colon cancer, the third most deadly form of cancer. Sphingadienes (SDs) are natural lipid molecules found in soy that research shows may be the key to fighting colon cancer.

24 Nov 2009

StemCells commences patient recruitment for a Phase I clinical trial of HuCNS-SC in PMD

StemCells, Inc. announced today that it has commenced patient recruitment for a Phase I clinical trial designed to test the safety and preliminary efficacy of its HuCNS-SC® purified human neural stem cells in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD), a neurological disorder that primarily afflicts children. The study is being conducted at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Children’s Hospital, one of the leading medical centers in the United States for neonatology, pediatric neurology and neurosurgery.

24 Nov 2009

Multidisciplinary pediatric neurosurgery program launched

Responding to a growing need in central and northeast Pennsylvania for highly specialized care of pediatric brain tumors and other central nervous system disorders, Geisinger's Janet Weis Children's Hospital has launched a state-of-the-art and comprehensive pediatric neurosurgery program. The multidisciplinary program is led by pediatric neurosurgeon Amir Kershenovich, M.D., who says he is pleased to accept his challenging role.

24 Nov 2009

Minimally invasive procedure relieves chronic back pain for retired school teacher

Carole Riggs, a retired teacher and school principal, points to her work during one Christmas vacation - bending, twisting and sitting on the floor to create games and teaching aids - as the primary culprit behind many years of back pain.

24 Nov 2009

UCH introduces RapidArc technology from Varian Medical Systems

Two female brain tumor patients have become the first people in the south of England to be treated using a faster form of radiotherapy that extends more advanced care to more patients. RapidArc technology from Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR) makes it possible to deliver image-guided IMRT (intensity modulated radiotherapy) two to eight times faster than is possible with conventional IMRT.

20 Nov 2009

Phase 2 clinical trial to test gene therapy treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Mount Sinai School of Medicine is one of 12 sites nationwide participating in the first Phase 2 clinical trial to test gene therapy treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The study is the first multicenter neurosurgical intervention in Alzheimer's research in the U.S.

18 Nov 2009

Novel device may reduce ischemic stroke damage

Stroke researchers at the Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston are the only ones in Texas to offer a novel device that might extend the acute stroke treatment window from three hours to 24.

18 Nov 2009

CONMED Linvatec produces the smallest Biocomposite Interference screw for fixation of ACL and PCL grafts

CONMED Corporation's CONMED Linvatec arthroscopy unit today announced the release of new sizes of its Matryx™ Biocomposite Interference Screw. These new screws represent the latest advance in biocomposite material technology that allows CONMED Linvatec to produce the smallest Biocomposite Interference screw available on the market today for primary fixation of ACL and PCL grafts.

17 Nov 2009

Mount Sinai School of Medicine to participate in Phase 2 clinical trial to test gene therapy treatment for Alzheimer's disease

17 Nov 2009

Bullseye Anatomic Cruciate Reconstruction System released

CONMED Corporation's CONMED Linvatec arthroscopy unit today announced the release of the Bullseye™ Anatomic Cruciate Reconstruction System, a novel guide system for anatomic cruciate ligament (ACL and PCL) reconstructions of the knee.

16 Nov 2009

New surgical technique may benefit brain injured athletes

NFL players and other athletes who suffer serious or multiple concussions may benefit from ground-breaking research being conducted by scientists at Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. The scientists are developing a surgical technique that involves hypothermia in specific regions of the brain.

16 Nov 2009

Misonix inks a three-year distribution agreement with Xenith in Dubai

Misonix, Inc., a developer of minimally invasive ultrasonic medical device technology, which in Europe is used for the ablation of tumors and worldwide for other acute health conditions, has entered into a new, three year distribution agreement with Xenith, LLC, based in Dubai, UAE, for the distribution of the SonaStar(TM) Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator, the BoneScalpel(TM) Ultrasonic Bone Cutter, and the SonicOne® Ultrasonic Wound Debrider.

13 Nov 2009

Mechanical ventilation damages lungs, says scientist

As more Canadians are diagnosed with H1N1 influenza infection, some will be admitted to hospital. The most severely affected may be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) and placed on a mechanical ventilator to help them breathe while they recover from the infection.

13 Nov 2009

Canadian researchers organize clinical trials to find new treatments for H1N1 infection

An important, ground-breaking initiative is unfolding in the global critical care community in response to the H1N1 pandemic.

12 Nov 2009

New microscope is expected to improve accuracy of intraoperative diagnostics

A new miniature, hand-held microscope may allow more precise removal of brain tumors and an easier recognition of tumor locations during surgery.

11 Nov 2009

First evidence-based, multidisciplinary treatment guidelines for brain metastases patients to be published

Anthony Asher, MD, FACS, of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates in Charlotte, NC, has co-authored the first evidence-based, multidisciplinary treatment guidelines for brain metastases patients. These guidelines were recently presented at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2009 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, and were developed over the last year by a 20-member panel from various medical specialties.

11 Nov 2009

Men more likely to abandon partners diagnosed with cancer

A woman is six times more likely to be separated or divorced soon after a diagnosis of cancer or multiple sclerosis than if a man in the relationship is the patient, according to a study that examined the role gender played in so-called "partner abandonment." The study also found that the longer the marriage the more likely it would remain intact.

11 Nov 2009

New technique to identify patients more likely to survive advanced melanoma

Although the chances of surviving advanced melanoma aren't very good with current therapies, some patients can live for years with cancer that has spread beyond the skin to other organs. Now it may be possible to identify which patients are more likely to survive by analyzing the activity of hundreds of genes involved in the immune response and gene proliferation, according to researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center.

10 Nov 2009

Only 30 per cent of bystanders in Toronto who witness a cardiac arrest willing to help, say researchers

Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital working in conjunction with EMS services, paramedics and fire services across Ontario found that a bystander who attempts cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can quadruple the survival rate to over 50 per cent. But Dr. Laurie Morrison and the research team at Rescu (www.rescu.ca) have found only 30 per cent of bystanders in Toronto are willing to help, one of the lowest rates of bystanders helping others in the developed world.

7 Nov 2009