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A few more pieces for the puzzle that is Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects as much as 10% of the world population above 65 years of age but after years of research it is still not understood exactly how the disease appears and, even less, how to treat it.

11 Jan 2008

Chemicals in red wine grapes may prevent tooth decay

A class of chemicals in red wine grapes may significantly reduce the ability of bacteria to cause cavities, according to a study published recently in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

10 Jan 2008

Does cholesterol have any benefits?

If you're worried about high cholesterol levels and keeping heart-healthy as you get older, don't push aside bacon and eggs just yet. A new study says they might actually provide a benefit.

10 Jan 2008

Small pieces of ribonucleic acid prevent spread of breast cancer

Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers have identified small pieces of ribonucleic acid (RNA) that suppress the spread of breast cancer to the lungs and bone.

10 Jan 2008

RNA silences cancer suppressor gene

One way cancer arises is when tumor suppressor genes that normally keep cell growth in check are mysteriously turned off.

10 Jan 2008

Germanium-68 may aid medical imaging, drug development

Broadway stars have understudies. Now, an increasingly popular radioactive isotope has its own stand-in.

10 Jan 2008

Drug deferoxamine boosts bone healing and re-growth

A drug originally used to treat iron poisoning can significantly boost the body's own ability to heal and re-grow injured bones, according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

10 Jan 2008

microRNA molecules block breast cancer's ability to spread

Researchers have identified a specific group of microRNA molecules that are responsible for controlling genes that cause breast cancer metastasis.

10 Jan 2008

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapies targeted by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent letters warning seven pharmacy operations that the claims they make about the safety and effectiveness of their so-called "bio-identical hormone replacement therapy," or "BHRT" products are unsupported by medical evidence, and are considered false and misleading by the agency.

10 Jan 2008

Blocking parasites' communication reduces infection

One of the most common human parasites, Toxoplasma gondii, uses a hormone lifted from the plant world to decide when to increase its numbers and when to remain dormant, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found.

10 Jan 2008

FDA says claims about benefits of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy are false and misleading

Health officials in the United States have issued a warning regarding so-called "bio-identical" hormone therapy (BHRT).

10 Jan 2008

Call for an Australian crackdown on complementary and alternative medicines

A team of Australian researchers says there is an urgent need for the overhaul of the regulation of complementary medicines.

9 Jan 2008

Trius Therapeutics starts U.S. phase I trial for Oxazolidinone antibacterial drug

Trius Therapeutics, Inc. has announced that it initiated its first Phase 1 clinical trial of TR-701, an antibacterial drug candidate intended for treatment of patients with serious Gram-positive bacterial infections, including those caused by MRSA and other drug-resistant strains.

9 Jan 2008

Study proves the co-pay connection in chronic disease

As 2008 begins, millions of Americans are having to dig deeper into their own pockets every time they refill a prescription or see a doctor.

9 Jan 2008

Discovery of a core mechanism underlying Fragile X syndrome

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are uncovering how brain cells are affected in Fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited mental retardation and the most common genetic cause of autism.

9 Jan 2008

Treating diabetics with pig islet cells

As the fourth-leading cause of death in developed countries, diabetes can truly be called a modern-day plague.

9 Jan 2008

Oatmeal and cholesterol reduction

A new scientific review of the most current research shows the link between eating oatmeal and cholesterol reduction to be stronger than when the FDA initially approved the health claim's appearance on food labels in 1997.

9 Jan 2008

NicOx extends ophthalmology agreement with Pfizer

NicOx S.A. has announced it has signed an extension of its March 2006 collaboration agreement, which grants Pfizer Inc the exclusive right to apply its proprietary nitric oxide-donating technology to drug discovery research in the field of ophthalmology.

9 Jan 2008

Freeze-dried tendon grafts loaded with gene therapy may provide repair injured tendons

According to study data published today in the journal Molecular Therapy, a new graft technique may provide the first effective framework around which flexor tendon tissue can reorganize as it heals.

9 Jan 2008

Analysis defines impact of Medicare Part D

The most thorough study to date of the impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D) found that this benefit led to a 13.1 percent decrease in out-of-pocket expenses for patients and a 5.9 percent increase in prescription use.

9 Jan 2008