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Combination of daclizumab and vaccine improves survival of breast cancer patients

A team from the Perelman School of Medicine and the Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania found that the FDA-approved drug daclizumab improved the survival of breast cancer patients taking a cancer vaccine by 30 percent, compared to those patients not taking daclizumab.

17 May 2012

Stroke survivors from King County to share their stories during EMS Week

Hours, or even minutes, can mean the difference between life and death when someone is having a stroke. As part of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week from May 20-26, stroke survivors from King County will share their stories about how quick recognition of stroke symptoms and timely response and treatment through King County EMS helps patients survive and return to full health.

17 May 2012

Dialysis patients can benefit from talking control support therapy

The constant health education that dialysis patients receive can lead to boredom and noncompliance. But a Loyola University Medical Center study has found that brief, casual chats can be a significant benefit to patients.

17 May 2012

May issue of NeuroPerspective assesses field of stroke therapeutics

NeuroPerspective, the independent, monthly review of the neurotherapeutics area, has released its May issue, which assesses the field of therapeutics for stroke.

17 May 2012

Lecture discusses how negative emotions fuel cancer formation and metastasis

When it comes to cancer, there are obvious mind-body links. Stress, pessimism and other emotional factors have been proven to play a role, increasing the risk of cancer, metastasis and early mortality. This is a double-whammy for cancer patients, who must overcome anxiety from the moment they are diagnosed. In particular, stress has been shown to depress the immune system, increase inflammation and affect our bodies on the molecular level, even damaging DNA.

17 May 2012

NeuroSigma Subsidiary sees potential for Thin-Film Nitinol in next-generation flow-diverting stents for treating intracranial aneurysms

NeuroSigma, Inc., a Los Angeles-based medical device company, today announced that its majority-owned subsidiary, NSVascular, Inc. (NSV), acquired a portfolio of patents and related trade secrets covering the fabrication of Thin-Film Nitinol (TFN) from TiNi Alloy Company, including U.S. Patent No. 6,746,890 entitled “Three Dimensional Thin Film Devices and Methods of Fabrication,” an important piece of the portfolio covering the production of three-dimensional TFN constructs.

16 May 2012

Most depressed patients must make multiple attempts before finding an effective antidepressant

UT Southwestern Medical Center psychiatrists are leading a national clinical trial to find biomarkers that can better predict how people suffering from depression will respond to medications so physicians eventually can personalize treatments.

16 May 2012

Racial disparities found in results of surgery to remove diseased prostates

Black prostate cancer patients may not be getting the same quality of care as white patients, according to a first-of-its-kind study by researchers at Henry Ford Hospital who found racial disparities in the results of surgery to remove diseased prostates.

16 May 2012

Older, high-risk prostate cancer patients get better results in larger hospitals

Older, sicker, high-risk patients who undergo one of the most common treatments for prostate cancer get better results in larger, busier hospitals, according to new research by Henry Ford Hospital.

16 May 2012

Quasi-experimental data supports argument that air pollution may be a global risk factor for CVD

During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, changes in air pollution were associated with changes in biomarkers of systemic inflammation and thrombosis (formation of blood clot) as well as measures of cardiovascular physiology in healthy young persons, according to a study in the May 16 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on Global Health.

16 May 2012

Dangerous, complex migraines linked to high risk for stroke

Nicole Soriano had headaches before but nothing like the one that struck in the middle of one summer night. A coincidence led nine days later to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where a rare type of migraine was diagnosed and treated - but any moment during that time could have been disastrous.

16 May 2012

Association between gender and surgical outcomes of kidney removal not well understood

Women do better than men after surgical removal of part or all of a cancerous kidney, with fewer post-operative complications, including dying in the hospital, although they are more likely to receive blood transfusions related to their surgery.

16 May 2012

World health statistics 2012 report puts spotlight on growing problem of NCD burden

The World health statistics 2012 report, released today, puts the spotlight on the growing problem of the noncommunicable diseases burden.

16 May 2012

New hormone link between obesity and type 2 diabetes

A new link between obesity and type 2 diabetes found in mice could open the door to exploring new potential drug treatments for diabetes, University of Michigan Health System research has found.

16 May 2012

Researchers map processes that power health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids

For the first time, researchers at the University of California, San Diego have peered inside a living mouse cell and mapped the processes that power the celebrated health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. More profoundly, they say their findings suggest it may be possible to manipulate these processes to short-circuit inflammation before it begins, or at least help to resolve inflammation before it becomes detrimental.

16 May 2012

Healthy lifestyle choices may reduce risk of stroke

Every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and the number one cause of adult disability in the country. While stroke often occurs without warning, understanding risk factors and learning to recognize symptoms can potentially save lives and limit damage if a stroke occurs. In recognition of National Stroke Awareness Month, Northwestern Medicine experts encourage consumers learn about their potential risk factors and start making lifestyle decisions that may decrease their likelihood of having a stroke.

16 May 2012

Biomarker test can accurately detect early arthritis symptoms

More than 27 million adults currently suffer from osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis. In the past, doctors have been unable to diagnose patients with arthritis until they begin to show symptoms, which include joint pain and stiffness. By the time these symptoms are present, it is often too late for preventive and minimally invasive treatment options to be effective. Now, a research team from the University of Missouri's Comparative Orthopaedic Laboratory has found a way to detect and predict arthritis before patients begin suffering from symptoms.

16 May 2012

Palpitations, hypertension strongest risk factors for AF

A large cohort study has found that the strongest risk factors for atrial fibrillation in both men and women were a history of palpitations and hypertension. While hypertension is a well known risk factor for AF, the investigators note that "the impact of self-reported palpitations on later occurrence of AF has not been documented earlier".

16 May 2012

Thermo Fisher signs asset purchase agreement with Nephromics for PlGF assay

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced it has signed an asset purchase agreement with Nephromics LLC, which includes a patent license for exclusive rights to use PlGF for the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia. Clinical trials have shown that PlGF supports the diagnosis and risk prediction for preeclampsia.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 16 May 2012

First study to compare complication rates after RAPN and LPN

Robot-assisted surgery has replaced another minimally invasive operation as the main procedure to treat kidney cancer while sparing part of the diseased organ, and with comparable results, according to a new research study by Henry Ford Hospital urologists.

16 May 2012