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Exercise combo best for type 2 diabetes: Study

A new study shows that a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training may offer the biggest benefits for people with type 2 diabetes in helping them control their disease. This combination improved HbA1c levels much better than either form alone. HbA1c levels denote long term sugar or glycemic control in a diabetic patient. Normal HbA1c is 6% or less. People with diabetes are urged to keep their HbA1c below 7%.

23 Nov 2010

Radical change to Alzheimer’s management

The first disease-modifying drugs are expected to launch from 2013, radically changing the way Alzheimer’s disease is treated. With the potential to successfully slow or halt the progression of Alzheimer’s, blockbuster revenues are beckoning for such pipeline drugs, claims independent market analyst, Datamonitor.

23 Nov 2010

Budapest meeting to highlight discrepancies in using implantable devices among European countries

Even though the use of implantable devices for the treatment of heart failure and heart rhythm disturbances has increased enormously in Europe in recent years, there still remain large differences between countries. Indeed, a report last year in the European Journal of Heart Failure found that there is an underuse of devices in many of the European countries surveyed. This is especially so in the emerging economies of Eastern Europe.

23 Nov 2010

African American cigarette smokers at higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis

A new study determined that African Americans who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA risk is more pronounced among individuals positive for the HLA-DRB1 shared epitope, a genetic risk factor for RA. Findings from this study—the largest to date examining the impact of smoking on RA risk in an African American population—are available in the December issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR).

23 Nov 2010

Early diagnosis and treatment result in positive outcomes for RA patients

Positive outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are closely linked to early diagnosis and treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). A study by researchers in the Netherlands found that patients who are assessed by rheumatologists soon after RA symptoms appear are more likely to experience less joint destruction and improved chances of DMARD-free disease remission.

23 Nov 2010

Parkinson Society Canada awards Quebec scientists $573,384 for research

Quebec Parkinson researchers receive a record $573,384 in funding from Parkinson Society Canada to increase their efforts to identify the causes of this degenerative brain disease for which there is currently no cure. At a Research Innovation event in Montreal this evening, hosted by Parkinson Society Quebec in partnership with McGill University and the CHUM, 11 Parkinson scientists will be lauded for their efforts in getting closer to a cure.

23 Nov 2010

Scientists establish new biological links between early puberty and obesity

An international group of scientists, including researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC), has discovered 30 genes that control the age at which girls reach sexual maturity. They found that many of the genes responsible for puberty also play a strong role in how the body metabolises fat, establishing new biological links between going through puberty at a young age and being at increased risk of obesity.

23 Nov 2010

Scientists and humanities scholars discuss perspectives on the self at New York Academy of Sciences

The New York Academy of Sciences, in partnership with the Nour Foundation, will present a public event, "To Be or Not to Be: The Self as Illusion" on Tuesday, December 7, at 6:00 pm.

23 Nov 2010

CCSA releases Portfolio of Canadian Standards for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention

Schools, families and community practitioners now have a practical prevention resource guide to help prevent and stop youth from using drugs.

23 Nov 2010

Implanted devices to treat cardiac dysfunction show success in real world use

Implanted devices that treat cardiac dysfunction in heart failure patients are as successful in "real world" use as they are in controlled clinical trial settings, according to a large new study reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

23 Nov 2010

Ziconotide could promote suicidal tendencies: Study

The active agent ziconotide, the synthetic toxin of the cone snail (Conus magus), was acclaimed a safe alternative to morphine when it was introduced six years ago. Now it is increasingly suspected of causing patients to commit suicide. Researchers working under the auspices of Prof. Christoph Maier (Director of the Pain Clinic Bergmannsheil at the Ruhr University in Bochum) presume that ziconotide not only suppresses the transmission of pain stimuli, but also deteriorates the frame of mind and could simultaneously reduce anxiety and impulse control.

23 Nov 2010

Erbitux development program featured in ASCO's Clinical Cancer Advances report for third consecutive year

For the third year in a row, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has included Erbitux® (cetuximab) research in its annual report, Clinical Cancer Advances, which features the most significant studies of 2010. The report cites as a notable advance this year the finding that BRAF mutation status is a prognostic, not predictive, marker for Erbitux efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

23 Nov 2010

Landmark comparative study supports more frequent hemodialysis

NxStage® Medical, Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, today commented on the just- released findings of the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily Trial that compared in-center hemodialysis administered under a three times per week schedule ("conventional dialysis") versus six shorter sessions per week ("short daily dialysis").

23 Nov 2010

Botox Cosmetics increase overall quality of life and self-esteem

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon, Steven H. Dayan, MD, FACS, publishes a study in the November 2010 issue of Dermatologic Surgery, a prominent Dermatology journal, demonstrating that increases in overall quality of life and self-esteem were observed in participants treated with Botulinum Toxin Type A or Botox Cosmetic. In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled survey, Dr. Dayan and DeNova research worked with one hundred participants who were treated with either Botox Cosmetic or a saline placebo for facial wrinkles.

23 Nov 2010

aAetna announces pilot with MCNT to improve diabetes care

Aetna today announced a pilot with the Medical Clinic of North Texas aimed at improving the care of diabetic patients of Hispanic and African American descent.

23 Nov 2010

U.S mortality rate from congenital heart defects drops 24%: Report

The U.S. death rate from congenital heart defects dropped 24 percent from 1999 to 2006 among children and adults, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

23 Nov 2010

Ontario Cancer Plan third edition to address growing needs

The third edition of the Ontario Cancer Plan (OCP) ensures our cancer system serves the changing and growing needs of Ontarians. The Cancer Plan outlines priorities for cancer services, sets a course to transform cancer services from the patient perspective, and is driven by a commitment to quality across the cancer journey - from prevention to survivorship or palliative care - as the most effective way to manage cancer.

23 Nov 2010

Most patients taking anti-depressants give up treatment: Study

Most patients who take anti-depressants give up their treatment in less than six months, the minimum period recommended for treating severe depression and other derived pathologies. This is the conclusion of a new study carried out by Catalan researchers, which reveals that only 25% continue their treatment for more than 11 months.

23 Nov 2010

New method to target and destroy cancerous cells using hyperthermia

Using hyperthermia, Virginia Tech engineering researchers and a colleague from India unveiled a new method to target and destroy cancerous cells. The research was presented at the 63rd annual meeting of the American Physical Society Nov. 23 in Long Beach, Calif.

23 Nov 2010

ADA systematic review provides nutrition practice guidelines to support people with diabetes

Proper nutrition therapy is essential for the successful management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and registered dietitians (RDs) can play a key role as part of the health care team.

23 Nov 2010