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Study evaluates humor and laughter in patients with COPD

Having a sense of humor is associated with improved emotional functioning and an enhanced quality of life among patients with a chronic lung illness, but the actual act of laughing out loud can reduce lung function, at least in the short term, research suggests.

3 Aug 2011

Negative physiological changes may raise risk of type 2 diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 percent of Americans have inactive lifestyles and 75 percent do not meet the weekly exercise recommendations to maintain good health.

3 Aug 2011

VIB researchers develop mouse model for Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy

VIB researchers have developed a mouse model for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathy, a hereditary disease of the peripheral nervous system.

3 Aug 2011

Lifestyle factors of people with exceptional longevity

People who live to 95 or older are no more virtuous than the rest of us in terms of their diet, exercise routine or smoking and drinking habits, according to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

3 Aug 2011

New alternative to immunosuppressive treatment after kidney transplants without severe side effects

There is now a new alternative to immunosuppressive treatment after kidney transplants which comes without the usual severe side effects. The Medical University was significantly involved in the clinical development of the active ingredient Belatacept and a suitable preparation has now been given EU-wide authorisation.

3 Aug 2011

Federal appeals court partially reverses ruling in BRCA patents case

In a 2-1 decision, a federal appeals court today partially reversed a lower court's ruling in a case challenging patents on two human genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The court ruled that companies can obtain patents on the genes but cannot patent methods to compare those gene sequences.

3 Aug 2011

Vanderbilt researcher receives Waxman Foundation's award for B-cell lymphoma study

Scott Hiebert, Ph.D., of Vanderbilt University was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation to further his research in abnormal BCL6 overexpression, which occurs in a common B-cell lymphoma.

3 Aug 2011

New insights into genesis and development of Sézary syndrome

Scientists at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch, the Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik Berlin, and four other German institutes succeeded in proving a specific gene loss in a certain human lymphoma, the genesis of which is largely unexplained to date.

3 Aug 2011

Conference to focus on connection between fluid balance and hypertension

Each day we consume liquids in order to keep hydrated and maintain our body's fluid balance. But just as a water balloon can get overtaxed by too much liquid, the human body is negatively affected when it retains fluids because it is unable to eliminate them properly. One of the key variables influencing how much fluid we hold in our bodies is ordinary table salt.

3 Aug 2011

Memantine drug could boost cognitive function in people with Down syndrome

A University of Colorado School of Medicine scientist is completing a major clinical trial on a drug that could boost cognitive function in those with Down syndrome, significantly improving their quality of life and representing a potential milestone in research on this genetic condition.

3 Aug 2011

Hydrogen sulfide protects blood vessels from diabetes complications

Hydrogen sulfide is a foul-smelling gas with an odor resembling that of rotten eggs. Sometimes called "swamp gas," this toxic substance is generally associated with decaying vegetation, sewers and noxious industrial emissions. And - as odd as it may seem - it also plays a critical role in protecting blood vessels from the complications of diabetes, according to a new study from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

3 Aug 2011

New generation antidepressants may increase risk of adverse outcomes in elderly

Older people taking new generation antidepressants are at more risk of dying or suffering from a range of serious health conditions including stroke, falls, fractures and epilepsy, a study involving researchers at The University of Nottingham has found.

3 Aug 2011

Cancer Research UK honors Nottingham scientist with prestigious award

A University of Nottingham scientist who uses fruit flies to study the genetics of cancer has won a prestigious award from Cancer Research UK.

3 Aug 2011

Post-traumatic stress disorder drug risperidone not working: Study

According to a new study a medication commonly used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder in combat veterans may not be effective in reducing overall PTSD severity.

3 Aug 2011

JDR paper shows no link between fluoride bone levels and osteosarcoma

A paper in the Journal of Dental Research by dentist Chester Douglass and colleagues, "An Assessment of Bone Fluoride and Osteosarcoma," claims to show no association between fluoride bone levels and osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.

3 Aug 2011

GSK, NPS enter agreement to evaluate ronacaleret in new indications

NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company developing orphan therapeutics for rare gastrointestinal and endocrine disorders, today reported that it has entered into a new agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), that terminates and replaces a prior collaborative research and license agreement between NPS and GSK from 1993, which focused on the discovery and development of small molecule antagonists of the calcium receptor that increase secretion of parathyroid hormone.

3 Aug 2011

USPTO issues notice of allowance for Vermillion's PAD biomarker patent

Vermillion, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a notice of allowance for a patent entitled "Beta-2 microglobulin as a Biomarker for Peripheral Artery Disease."

3 Aug 2011

FDA grants IDE approval for Apnex HGNS System to treat obstructive sleep apnea

Apnex Medical, Inc., received investigational device exemption (IDE) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a clinical study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of its Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation System to treat obstructive sleep apnea.

3 Aug 2011

Smoking doubles risk of atrial fibrillation

Results from a large, United States based cohort study show that current smokers double their risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to people who have never smoked, after more than 13 years of follow-up. The study, published in the August edition of HeartRhythm, the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, indicates a trend towards significantly lower risk of developing AF for those who quit smoking cigarettes versus those who continue to smoke.

2 Aug 2011

Words+ introduces EyePro GS system

Words+, Inc., a leading provider of augmentative communication and assistive technology hardware and software for people with disabilities, announced today that it has launched EyePro GS™, a new product designed and manufactured in-house that allows a person to operate an augmentative communication system or computer by simply looking at the screen. Words+ is a wholly owned subsidiary of Simulations Plus, Inc..

2 Aug 2011