Medical News

RSS

Severity of smoke-inhalation injury may play a role in overall pulmonary inflammatory response

A study of burn patients has found that those who suffered the most severe smoke inhalation also had more inflammation and spent more time on ventilators and in intensive care.

17 Nov 2011

Mediterranean diet can reduce risk of future heart disease

A team of Johns Hopkins researchers has uncovered further evidence of the benefits of a balanced diet that replaces white bread and pasta carbohydrates with unsaturated fat from avocados, olive oil and nuts — foods typical of the so-called "Mediterranean diet."

17 Nov 2011

Supervised exercise more effective than stenting or medication for PAD

Supervised exercise was shown to be more effective than stenting or medication for improved walking ability in patients with peripheral artery disease. The findings from a national study were reported today at the 2011 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions meeting.

17 Nov 2011

WSU researchers to study novel antibiotic that may treat VRE infection

The bacteria Enterococcus can cause infections that typically target the digestive tract or bowel; if the bacteria spread, an abdominal abscess or urinary infection could result. Enterococcus also can invade the bloodstream, leading to meningitis, pneumonia or endocarditis - an infection of the heart valve.

17 Nov 2011

CIHR honors University of Calgary scientist with prestigious award for medical research

University of Calgary researcher Paul Kubes, PhD, is the recipient of one of Canada's top awards for medical research. An internationally-recognized scientist specializing in visualizing the mammalian immune system, Kubes will accept the 2011 Canada's Health Researcher of the Year award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) at a ceremony in Ottawa this evening.

17 Nov 2011

Avraham raises $3M to advance ladostigil Phase II Alzheimer's trial

The drug, ladostigil, is a molecule that combines components from the existing drugs Azilect and Exelon. Teva's Azilect, for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, was developed by Prof. Emeritus Moussa Youdim of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Azilect is the only anti-Parkinson's drug that has proven to have a disease-modifying effect. Novartis's Exelon was developed by Prof. Marta Weinstock-Rosin of Hebrew University to treat Alzheimer's disease.

17 Nov 2011

Cancer cells tap into natural recycling system to obtain energy

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have discovered that cancer cells tap into a natural recycling system to obtain the energy they need to keep dividing. In a study with potential implications for cancer treatments, Einstein researchers used genetic manipulation to turn off this recycling system within the walls of cells and stop both tumor growth and metastasis.

17 Nov 2011

Mannosides show promise against urinary tract infections

An experimental treatment for urinary tract infections has easily passed its first test in animals, alleviating weeks-long infections in mice in as little as six hours.

17 Nov 2011

Viewpoints: The Supreme Court and the health law; Romney's plan for care for vets

The new mandate to buy health insurance has now reached the Supreme Court, which agreed on Monday to judge its constitutionality. The crux of the constitutional complaint against the mandate is that Congress's ability to regulate commerce has never been understood to give it the power to force Americans to buy insurance, or anything else. But not only is there a precedent for this, there is also clear support for it in the Constitution.

17 Nov 2011

Drug-coated balloon restores blood flow in narrowed bare metal stent

A drug-coated balloon inserted in a narrowed bare metal stent is a promising therapy for restoring blood flow, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2011.

17 Nov 2011

Researchers uncover central component of fat metabolism

Obesity-related diseases are an increasing health problem. Researchers at the University of Oslo have now uncovered a central component of fat metabolism.

17 Nov 2011

Mycophenolate mofetil superior to azathioprine for lupus nephritis

A new large, international study finds that the immunosuppressant drug mycophenolate mofetil is superior to azathioprine, an older immunosuppressant, as a maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis.

17 Nov 2011

Multivitamin use linked to less healthy behaviors

The lack of evidence on multivitamin health benefits is no impediment to their widespread popularity, with over half the U.S. population popping such pills. This translates into a $27 billion industry, which lures consumers with the illusory promise of better health. But shocking new research suggests taking multivitamins might have the opposite effect -- not simply on the metabolic level, but on a metaphysical one: promoting a false sense of invulnerability that actually leads users to engage in riskier behaviors.

17 Nov 2011

Malawi government addressing drug, medical supply shortages in wake of aid withdrawals

As international donors "remain reluctant to release aid meant for the health sector" in Malawi "amid allegations of pilfering and corruption in the procurement of drugs," "patients seeking medical treatment at government-run medical facilities are unable to access medication such as antiretrovirals (ARVs), anti-malarial drugs and even painkillers," Inter Press Service reports, adding, "Health facilities are also experiencing a shortage of medical equipment such as gloves, and malaria and HIV/AIDS testing kits."

17 Nov 2011

CF Foundation, Genzyme announce new drug research agreement

Genzyme, a Sanofi company, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc., the nonprofit affiliate of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, today announced a research agreement to support the discovery of new drugs to treat people with the most common mutation found in patients with CF, Delta F508.

17 Nov 2011