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CAMH releases comprehensive reviews of most effective treatments for alcohol dependence

Scientists from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) have released comprehensive reviews of the most effective treatments for alcohol dependence, one of the most prevalent addictions in Canada.

27 Jun 2012

Obese children show greater exposure to phthalates

Obese children show greater exposure than nonobese children to a phthalate, a chemical used to soften plastics in some children's toys and many household products, according to a new study, which found that the obesity risk increases according to the level of the chemical found in the bloodstream.

27 Jun 2012

Broken heart syndrome may protect the heart from adrenaline overload

A condition that temporarily causes heart failure in people who experience severe stress might actually protect the heart from very high levels of adrenaline, according to a new study published in the journal Circulation. The research provides the first physiological explanation for Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also called "broken heart syndrome" because it affects people who suffer severe emotional stress after bereavement, and suggests guidance for treatment.

27 Jun 2012

Researchers identify latest gene associated with typical late-onset Lewy body Parkinson's

An international team led by human genetic researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health has identified the latest gene associated with typical late-onset Lewy body Parkinson's disease (PD), with the help of a Canadian Mennonite family of Dutch-German-Russian ancestry.

27 Jun 2012

OOM women in mid-pregnancy have reduced levels of EDCs than general population

A lifestyle that features fresh foods and limited use of products likely to contain environmental chemicals has been shown to reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as BPA and phthalates, in a small population study. EDCs are linked to a number of adverse health complications including neuro-developmental delays, behavioral issues and fertility problems.

27 Jun 2012

How far will the ruling reach?

What the Supreme Court decides will impact the billions of dollars that have already been spent to implement the measure, as well as consumers, employers, small businesses, the health care industry, the insurance marketplace, and, of course, politics and K Street.

27 Jun 2012

ESCs and iPSCs demonstrate similar survival and neural differentiation capabilities

Researchers in Japan who evaluated the risks and efficacy of transplanting two varieties of stem cells into mouse cochlea have concluded that both adult-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells demonstrate similar survival and neural differentiation capabilities.

27 Jun 2012

Doctors' use of electronic records expanding quickly; Decline in malpractice claims also noted

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services reported that the number of physicans and other providers using electronic health records doubled in three months. Meanwhile, a small study finds that the number of malpractice claims is lower among doctors using those electronic records.

27 Jun 2012

Heavily congested highway correlates with higher rates of asthma

Researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, found that living near a heavily congested highway correlates with a higher presence of asthma.

27 Jun 2012

Simple blood test may help physicians track progression of RA disease activity

A simple blood test may help physicians track the progression of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity, say researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

27 Jun 2012

Top-line final data from Provectus’ PV-10 phase 2 trial on metastatic melanoma

Provectus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, announced that top-line final data from its phase 2 clinical trial of PV-10 for metastatic melanoma were presented at the 2nd European Post-Chicago Melanoma Meeting 2012, Interdisciplinary Global Conference on Developing New Treatments for Melanoma, on June 22, 2012, in Munich, Germany.

27 Jun 2012

New video article describes novel procedure that can monitor brain function

A new video article in JoVE, the Journal of Visualized Experiments, describes a novel procedure to monitor brain function and aid in functional mapping of patients with diseases such as epilepsy. This procedure illustrates the use of pre-placed electrodes for cortical mapping in the brains of patients who are undergoing surgery to minimize the frequency of seizures. This technique, while invasive, provides real-time analysis of brain function at a much higher resolution than current technologies.

27 Jun 2012

Study: Moderate coffee intake reduces risk of heart failure

While current American Heart Association heart failure prevention guidelines warn against habitual coffee consumption, some studies propose a protective benefit, and still others find no association at all. Amidst this conflicting information, research from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center attempts to shift the conversation from a definitive yes or no, to a question of how much.

27 Jun 2012

Study shows how brain insulin resistance contributes to neurodegeneration in AD

Rhode Island Hospital researcher Suzanne de la Monte, M.D., has found a link between brain insulin resistance (diabetes) and two other key mediators of neuronal injury that help Alzheimer's disease (AD) to propagate.

27 Jun 2012

First clinical trial to test cardiac drug regimen for DMD

The first landmark randomized clinical trial for a cardiac drug regimen in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is testing whether earlier treatment can stop or slow down heart damage that usually kills people with the disease.

27 Jun 2012

Astellas submits enzalutamide MAA with EMA for treatment of CRPC

Today, Astellas Pharma Inc. announces the submission of a European marketing authorisation application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for enzalutamide for the treatment of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have been previously treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy.

27 Jun 2012

Medela, King West Pictures and NWMMB partner to increase awareness of human milk banks

Medela, Inc., today announced a partnership with King West Pictures and the Northwest Mothers Milk Bank (NWMMB) to increase awareness of human milk banks and the value of breastmilk feeding, especially for preterm babies. The collaborators will launch the film screening series this summer to showcase families helping to provide the life-saving benefits of breastmilk including to preterm babies in neonatal intensive care units.

27 Jun 2012

MRI scans determine whether chemotherapy is working long before tumors shrink

Studies on some 55 U.S. men and women with potentially deadly liver or pancreatic cancers show that specialized MRI scans can tell within a month whether highly toxic chemotherapy is working and killing tumor cells long before tumors actually shrink – or fail to shrink.

26 Jun 2012

Chronic kidney disease is major risk factor for future coronary events

People with chronic kidney disease have a 10-year risk for myocardial infarction of around 12%, report researchers who found that this was higher than that for people with diabetes.

26 Jun 2012

Telemedicine could reduce admission rates

Patients with diabetes, heart failure, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have fewer emergency hospital admissions when receiving a telehealth intervention than their counterparts who receive usual care, say UK researchers.

26 Jun 2012