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Study reviews role of gut microbes in nutrient absorption and energy regulation

Microorganisms in the human gastrointestinal tract form an intricate, living fabric made up of some 500 to 1000 distinct bacterial species, (in addition to other microbes). Recently, researchers have begun to untangle the subtle role these diverse life forms play in maintaining health and regulating weight.

7 Jun 2012

Plasma levels of tau appear to be a strong predictor for AD

A study by researchers at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute suggests that plasma levels of tau, a protein formed in the brain, appears to be a biomarker and a strong predictor for Alzheimer's disease.

7 Jun 2012

Dentists explore how psychological factors affect oral health

What does mental health have to do with dental health? Quite a bit, according to Richard Heyman, PhD, and Amy Smith Slep, PhD, psychologists who joined the New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) in July 2011.

7 Jun 2012

Vitamin D deficiency may be an important risk factor for erectile dysfunction

A paper just published hypothesizes that vitamin D deficiency may be an important risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED).

7 Jun 2012

Study identifies 5 biomarkers that may predict progression of spinal damage in AS patients

A new study presented today at EULAR 2012, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism, has identified five biomarkers that may predict the progression of structural damage in the spine of patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) who are already at high risk of disease progression.

7 Jun 2012

Pioneering new test can quickly diagnose coeliac disease

Coeliac disease affects millions of people worldwide, but many sufferers are not aware they have the condition or may have been misdiagnosed with other illnesses. A pioneering new test developed with EU-funding should soon be available in hospitals, offering an accurate, quick, cost-effective diagnosis and monitoring solution.

6 Jun 2012

GLP-1 receptor agonist boosts glycemic control in Asian patients

Adding once-daily lixisenatide to basal insulin treatment is effective at improving glycemic control in Asian patients with Type 2 diabetes, show study findings.

6 Jun 2012

Infants, children ‘susceptible to acetaminophen overdose’

Acute acetaminophen overdose is the most common identifiable cause of acute liver failure in children, warn researchers in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

6 Jun 2012

Capnography ‘useful adjunct’ to colonoscopy care

Monitoring carbon dioxide levels improves detection of altered respiration and apnea in sedated patients undergoing colonoscopy, show ColCap Study results.

6 Jun 2012

Better diagnosis of breast cancer could come from simple blood test

Scientists have discovered that a simple blood test could lead to better diagnosis and treatment for early-stage breast cancer patients, according to an Article published Online First in The Lancet Oncology.

6 Jun 2012

Patients with type 2 diabetes have 20% increased risk of blood cancers

Patients with type 2 diabetes have a 20 percent increased risk of developing blood cancers, such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma, according to a new meta-analysis led by researchers at The Miriam Hospital.

6 Jun 2012

MBC receives $50,000 FABC grant to further research into blood donor safety

Memorial Blood Centers (MBC), a national leader in transfusion medicine, today announced the receipt of a $50,000 grant from The Foundation for America's Blood Centers (FABC) that will further research into blood donor safety.

6 Jun 2012

UCSF's ACT program helps amputees reach their athletic goals

Carlos Gonzalez stands out from an athletic group gathered on a grassy field at the UCSF Mission Bay campus. The gregarious 32-year-old sports a stylish fauxhawk and walks with a confident yet understated swagger. He's training to become a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter.

6 Jun 2012

Inflammation instigated by the immune system in ALS can trigger macrophages

In an early study, UCLA researchers found that the immune cells of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, may play a role in damaging the neurons in the spinal cord.

6 Jun 2012

Firefly surgical technology sheds new light on kidney cancers

A surgical technology called Firefly is shedding new light on kidney cancers and helping doctors at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital remove tumors more safely and more efficiently while sparing the rest of the healthy kidney.

6 Jun 2012

BioInvent, ThromboGenics to regain global rights to TB-403 from Roche

ThromboGenics NV and co-development partner BioInvent International announce today that they will regain global rights to TB-403 from Roche.

6 Jun 2012

Special echocardiograms show promise for early detection of heart disease in RA patients

Special echocardiograms show promise for early detection of a potentially deadly complication in rheumatoid arthritis: heart disease, Mayo Clinic research shows. The findings were being presented at The European League Against Rheumatism annual meeting in Berlin.

6 Jun 2012

Transgenomic introduces ICE COLD-PCR mutation detection technology

Transgenomic, Inc. today announced the commercial launch of its ICE COLD-PCR mutation detection technology, a breakthrough technology enabling unmatched sensitivity and complete DNA mutation detection using the standard sequencing equipment already installed in laboratories around the world.

6 Jun 2012

Novel assay accurately detects trisomy 21 or 18 from maternal blood samples

Current screening strategies for Down syndrome, caused by fetal trisomy 21 (T21), and Edwards syndrome, caused by fetal trisomy 18 (T18), have false positive rates of 2 to 3%, and false negative rates of 5% or higher. Positive screening results must be confirmed by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, which carry a fetal loss rate of approximately 1 in 300 procedures. Now an international, multicenter cohort study finds that a genetic test to screen for trisomy 21 or 18 from a maternal blood sample is almost 100% accurate.

6 Jun 2012

Positive updated interim data from Exelixis’ cabozantinib phase 2 trial on CRPC

Exelixis, Inc. today reported positive updated interim data from an ongoing phase 2 trial of cabozantinib in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and bone metastases.

6 Jun 2012