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Five common genetic variations linked to metabolic syndrome and HDL cholesterol levels

Nutrition researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified five common genetic variations that increase the risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of factors linked to heart disease and diabetes. Another variant they found appeared to protect against the condition.

17 Jun 2008

Australian scientists discover digestive super bugs with potential to improve human health

Scientists in Victoria, Australia have made a world-first discovery of thousands of never-before-identified digestive super bugs living inside cows' stomachs, which may lead to environmental, agricultural and human health benefits.

17 Jun 2008

Salmonella tomato outbreak spreads in the U.S.

According to officials in the U.S. a salmonella outbreak linked to tainted tomatoes has expanded to five more states and the district of Columbia.

17 Jun 2008

Death rate linked to comtaminated heparin almost doubles

The drug watchdog in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have updated the number of deaths in patients who took the drug heparin.

17 Jun 2008

Aerobics increases blood protein that may suppress appetite

Three months of aerobic exercise decreased body fat and calorie intake in overweight and obese people, according to a new study, and the researchers believe that changes to a central nervous system factor are responsible. The results will be presented at The Endocrine Society's 90th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

16 Jun 2008

Largest ever Canadian study on osteoporosis informs health policy

Dr David Goltzman and his team from the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI MUHC) and McGill University - along with colleagues from across Canada - have issued new recommendations to public health authorities about how to best cope with osteoporosis, a bone disease which leads to increased risk of fracture, particularly in the elderly.

16 Jun 2008

Medicines derived from cannabis: A review of adverse events

Researchers at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), McGill University and the University of British Columbia (UBC) determined that medical use of cannabinoids do not cause an increase in serious adverse events, but are associated with an increase in some non-serious adverse events.

16 Jun 2008

Radioimmunotherapy targeting viral antigens shows potential to treat or prevent viral cancers

A new study, presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine's 55th Annual Meeting, shows that radioimmunotherapy (RIT) targeting viral antigens offers a novel option to treat-or even prevent-many viral cancers by targeting cancer cells expressing viral antigens or infected cells before they convert into malignancy.

16 Jun 2008

Compound in grapes and red wine may help battle obesity

Resveratrol, a compound present in grapes and red wine, reduces the number of fat cells and may one day be used to treat or prevent obesity, according to a new study. The results will be presented at The Endocrine Society's 90th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

16 Jun 2008

Hot flashes underreported and linked to forgetfulness

Women in midlife underreport the number of hot flashes that they experience by more than 40 percent, and these hot flashes are linked to poor verbal memory, according to a study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

16 Jun 2008

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals awarded two new U.S. patents for targeted anti-aminophospholipid agents

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported the issuance of two U.S. patents that significantly broaden the company's intellectual property leadership in the field of targeted anti-aminophospholipid agents.

16 Jun 2008

New research scotches link between heroin drought and increased amphetamine use

The suspicion on the part of some experts that Australia's heroin drought has led to an increase in amphetamine use in the last decade, has been scotched by the latest research from the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.

16 Jun 2008

Traffic pollution linked to childhood allergies

New research from Germany has found a link between traffic pollution and childhood allergies.

16 Jun 2008

Smoking and obesity linked to hearing loss

One of the largest studies into the risk factors for age-related hearing loss has found that smoking and body mass index (BMI) are two of the main culprits whereas alcohol has a protective effect, but high levels of work noise remain the biggest risk.

11 Jun 2008

Scientist deciphers language bacterial cells use to 'talk' to each other - also discovers how to quell their conversation

Understanding the way bacterial cells "talk" to each other could lead to more effective methods for fighting the often persistent and serious infections caused by the biofilms they form, says a Texas A&M University professor of chemical engineering who not only has deciphered their language but also discovered how to quell their conversation.

11 Jun 2008

Discovery of gene linked to adult-onset obesity

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a gene that may provide a clue as to why obesity rates increase with age. The research was published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

11 Jun 2008

Subclinical hypothyroidism common in chronic kidney disease

Many patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have mild reductions in thyroid function, or subclinical hypothyroidism-a condition that becomes more common as kidney function declines, according to a study in the September 2008 issue of Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

11 Jun 2008

Did you ever wonder why it is so difficult to part with your stuff?

A new study reveals fascinating insights into the specific neuropsychological mechanisms that are linked with the potential loss of possessions.

11 Jun 2008

Three sequencing companies join 1000 Genomes Project

Leaders of the 1000 Genomes Project announced today that three firms that have pioneered development of new sequencing technologies have joined the international effort to build the most detailed map to date of human genetic variation as a tool for medical research. The new participants are: 454 Life Sciences, a Roche company, Branford, Conn.; Applied Biosystems, an Applera Corp. business, Foster City, Calif.; and Illumina Inc., San Diego.

11 Jun 2008

Viruses genetically designed to kill cancer cells influence tumor blood-vessel growth

Viruses genetically designed to kill cancer cells offer a promising strategy for treating incurable brain tumors such as glioblastoma, but the body's natural defenses often eliminate the viruses before they can eliminate the tumor.

11 Jun 2008