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Blocking leukotriene B4 might slow down eczema

More than 15% of children suffer with eczema, or atopic dermatitis, an inflammatory skin disease that in some cases can be debilitating and disfiguring. Researchers reporting in the October issue of Immunity have discovered a potential new target for the condition, demonstrating that by blocking it, they can lessen the disease in mice.

12 Oct 2012

Investigators provide overview of role of dopamine in modulating the immune system

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with emotions, movement, and the brain's pleasure and reward system. In the current issue of Advances in Neuroimmune Biology, investigators provide a broad overview of the direct and indirect role of dopamine in modulating the immune system and discuss how recent research has opened up new possibilities for treating diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis or even the autoimmune disorders.

11 Oct 2012

Study shows how CaM kinase II triggers cell death following heart damage

University of Iowa researchers have previously shown that an enzyme called CaM kinase II plays a pivotal role in the death of heart cells following a heart attack or other conditions that damage or stress heart muscle.

11 Oct 2012

Longer looks: Mitt Romney's health care legacy; Closing of Philly hospitals brings 'grim consequences;' Young doctors and their apps

A journey into the places, people, and decisive moments that made the men who are competing for the presidency. ...As governor, Romney knew he needed what political pros called a "legacy issue" if he wanted to run for president one day. He devoted his energy towards reforming health care, an issue that Democrats had been grappling with and a problem that cost the state dearly as taxpayers bore the brunt of covering the uninsured.

11 Oct 2012

One type of fat is riskier than another for mums and unborn babies

Carrying too much weight during pregnancy can place both mother and child at risk but new research from the University of Sydney has discovered that one type of fat is riskier than another for mums and unborn babies.

11 Oct 2012

Poor sleep shows cardiovascular links in adolescents

Sleep disturbance in healthy adolescents is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease in later life, research suggests.

11 Oct 2012

Retinal imaging holds clues to cause of brain injury in children

Retinal imaging can help differentiate intentional from accidental traumatic brain injury in children, suggests research.

11 Oct 2012

Tourniquet timing alters foot surgery pain outcomes

The timing of thigh tourniquet application may affect pain control in patients undergoing forefoot surgery, research published in Foot and Ankle Surgery suggests.

11 Oct 2012

UK acid-related disease trends revealed

The incidence of Barrett’s esophagus in the UK has doubled in recent years, but the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease is stable, study findings reveal.

11 Oct 2012

Tomatoes every day may keep stroke at bay

Regular consumption of tomatoes and other lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables may help reduce a man’s risk for stroke, suggest study findings.

11 Oct 2012

Public reporting states have low angioplasty rates

US states in which public reporting of percutaneous coronary intervention rates by catheterization laboratories is required may have a reduced rate of the procedure in acute myocardial infarction patients, research suggests.

11 Oct 2012

Factors linked to self-harm in schizophrenia identified

Polysubstance abuse and a high premorbid IQ are significantly associated with self-harm in patients with schizophrenia, UK researchers report.

11 Oct 2012

Antioxidant defense reduced in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder

Results from a Tunisian study suggest that the antioxidant defense system is altered in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

11 Oct 2012

No benefit from irrigation during appendectomy

Irrigating the peritoneal cavity during appendectomy for perforated appendicitis offers no advantage over suction alone, with similar rates of postoperative abscess in children treated using both approaches, according to the findings of a US study.

11 Oct 2012

Reduced copayment policy has benefits all round

Reducing patients’ copayments for statins and clopidogrel could increase their adherence without adding financial burden to the healthcare system, researchers say.

11 Oct 2012

Tissue test detects oral cancer risk

A molecular diagnostic scoring system based on patients’ FOXM1-associated gene messenger RNA expression levels is able to quantitatively diagnose and stratify oral carcinoma and its aggressiveness, show UK and Norwegian study results.

11 Oct 2012

Recommendations in pediatric palliative care

The future of pediatric and perinatal palliative care should include accepting parents’ need for proximity to the child, combining the strategies of palliative and intensive care physicians, improving healthcare providers’ listening skills, and involving multiple disciplines, recommend researchers.

11 Oct 2012