Calcium News and Research

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Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is found in some foods, added to others, available as a dietary supplement, and present in some medicines (such as antacids). Calcium is required for muscle contraction, blood vessel expansion and contraction, secretion of hormones and enzymes, and transmitting impulses throughout the nervous system. The body strives to maintain constant concentrations of calcium in blood, muscle, and intercellular fluids, though less than <1% of total body calcium is needed to support these functions.

The remaining 99% of the body's calcium supply is stored in the bones and teeth where it supports their structure. Bone itself undergoes continuous remodeling, with constant resorption and deposition of calcium into new bone. The balance between bone resorption and deposition changes with age. Bone formation exceeds resorption in growing children, whereas in early and middle adulthood both processes are relatively equal. In aging adults, particularly among postmenopausal women, bone breakdown exceeds formation, resulting in bone loss that increases the risk of osteoporosis over time.

Regular workouts make women feel more stronger, healthier, confident, energized and accomplished

A new survey of 443 women ages 25-49 finds that those who work out regularly do not just do it to be healthy; they do it to feel like a more confident, energized and accomplished woman. In fact, nearly all active women—more than nine out of 10—say working out regularly makes them feel healthier (100 percent), stronger (98 percent) and more energized (94 percent). These same women report that regular workouts make them feel more confident and accomplished (86 percent).

21 Aug 2010

ASIR coronary CTA technique reduces radiation dose by 27%

A new low-dose coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) technique called adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) can reduce the radiation dose associated with coronary CTA by 27 percent, according to a study in the September issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology (www.ajronline.org). Coronary CTA is a common heart imaging test that helps determine if fatty or calcium deposits have narrowed a patient's coronary arteries.

21 Aug 2010

Renin test can predict appropriate drugs for BP patients: Study

Commonly prescribed drugs used to lower blood pressure can actually have the opposite effect-raising blood pressure in a statistically significant percentage of patients. A new study by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University suggests that doctors could avoid this problem-and select drugs most suitable for their patients-by measuring blood levels of the enzyme renin through a blood test that is becoming more widely available. The study appears in the online edition of the American Journal of Hypertension.

20 Aug 2010

New research explores effects of radiation on human bone after stereotactic radiosurgery

New research holds promise for the thousands of people whose cancer has spread to their bones.A common treatment for such patients is radiation surgery even though very little is known about radiosurgery's impact on bone strength, says Edmond Richer, associate professor of engineering at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

18 Aug 2010

NACTN receives grant to expand spinal cord injury research

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) awarded the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation a $5.4 million grant to support the expansion of translational research to find treatments for military men and women with spinal cord injuries.

18 Aug 2010

Researchers visualize ruptures of atherosclerotic plaques with multi-color CT and gold nanoparticles

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine have for the first time developed a way to visualize coronary artery plaques vulnerable to rupture using multi-color computed tomography (CT), an innovation that will lead to better and earlier diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. The data are published in the September issue of Radiology.

17 Aug 2010

BioSante second-quarter net loss increases to $10.8 million

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2010.

13 Aug 2010

Study examines comparative value of different blood pressure lowering medications

Expensive brand-name medications to lower blood pressure are no better at preventing cardiovascular disease than older, generic diuretics, according to new long-term data from a landmark study.Paul Whelton, MB, MD, MSc, reported the results on Aug. 13 at the plenary session of the China Heart Congress and International Heart Forum in Beijing. Whelton is president and CEO of Loyola University Health System and chairman of the Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heat Attack Trial (ALLHAT), which has examined the comparative value of different blood pressure-lowering medications.

13 Aug 2010

Simcere second-quarter total revenue increases 28.3% to RMB544.6 million

Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, a leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of branded generic and proprietary pharmaceuticals in China, today reported unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

12 Aug 2010

Simple morning walk to school could reduce stress reactivity in children: Study

A simple morning walk to school could reduce stress reactivity in children during the school day, curbing increases in heart rate and blood pressure that can lead to cardiovascular disease later in life, according to a new University at Buffalo study.

11 Aug 2010

Enriched breakfast re-energizes children's morning rituals and boosts learning potential

As the lazy days of summer vacation begin to come to a close, it's time to start thinking about re-formulating and re-energizing morning rituals that can help boost your child's learning potential.

11 Aug 2010

Cardiovascular Systems fourth-quarter revenue increases 15% to $18.0 million

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., a medical device company developing and commercializing innovative interventional treatment systems for vascular disease, today reported financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended June 30, 2010.

11 Aug 2010

IDFA applauds U.S Senate Committee for child nutrition legislation

The International Dairy Foods Association applauded the leadership of Chairman Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, on the passage of child nutrition legislation that strengthens federal feeding programs. The federal child nutrition programs include the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Supplemental Program for Women Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

7 Aug 2010

Tufts University faculty debunks common dental myths

Brushing, flossing, and twice-yearly dental check-ups are standard for oral health care, but there are more health benefits to taking care of your pearly whites than most of us know. In a review article, a faculty member at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) debunks common dental myths and outlines how diet and nutrition affects oral health in children, teenagers, expectant mothers, adults and elders.

7 Aug 2010

Dermatologist discusses on common nail ailment prevention

For many people, the phrase "tough as nails" doesn't apply to their own nails. Instead of strong nails, their nails may be brittle and break or split easily. Or, nail fungus might cause nails to look unattractive and unhealthy. Fortunately, dermatologists can help people improve the health and overall appearance of their nails with proper diagnosis and treatment.

6 Aug 2010

New soft-tissue fillers for skin tightening, volume restoration in cheek area

Now, armed with a deeper understanding of full facial contouring, dermatologists are using soft-tissue fillers to enhance and restore volume loss in the cheek area, thereby smoothing nasolabial folds (the wrinkles that form along the bottom of the nose to the corners of the mouth). In addition, newly introduced fractional radiofrequency technology to address skin laxity is showing promise by stimulating collagen contraction and reducing loose skin in the lower-face.

6 Aug 2010

BioMimetic Therapeutics reports net loss of $7.7M for second-quarter 2010

BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. today reported its financial results as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010. For the three months ended June 30, 2010, the Company reported a net loss of $7.7 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $6.3 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, for the same period in 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company reported a net loss of $16.2 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $14.3 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the same period in 2009.

6 Aug 2010

Helmsley Charitable Trust awards $3.15M grant to support UofL James Graham Brown Cancer Center

The University of Louisville has received a $3.15 million grant from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust to support the UofL James Graham Brown Cancer Center and cancer research taking place in Owensboro. The grant will be matched with state "Bucks for Brains" funding to bring more than $4.5 million to the Owensboro Cancer Research Program.

6 Aug 2010

Scientists develop revolutionary approach for reconstructing intricate bone tissue

Every year nearly 6.2 million bone fractures occur in the United States as a result of trauma and disease. Current standards for bone repair can lead to rapid bone fusion but with limited mechanical strength often due to the lack of cortical bone tissue which is difficult to harvest without pain and severe morbidity. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Dr. Hongjun Wang, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, Chemical Biology and Biomedical Engineering at Stevens Institute of Technology and his collaborators have developed a revolutionary "bottom-up" approach for reconstructing intricate bone tissue with the potential to form hierarchical cortical bone.

5 Aug 2010

Long-term exposure to valproate leads to bone loss: Study

Scientists are reporting a possible explanation for the bone loss that may occur following long-term use of a medicine widely used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. The drug, valproate, appears to reduce the formation of two key proteins important for bone strength, they said. Their study, which offers a solution to a long-standing mystery, appears in ACS' monthly Journal of Proteome Research.

5 Aug 2010