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Scientists decode DNA of parasitic worm that causes trichinosis

Scientists have decoded the DNA of the parasitic worm that causes trichinosis, a disease linked to eating raw or undercooked pork or carnivorous wild game animals, such as bear and walrus.

20 Feb 2011

New research demonstrates how climate change can increase exposure, risk of human illness

A panel of scientists speaking today at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science unveiled new research and models demonstrating how climate change could increase exposure and risk of human illness originating from ocean, coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems, with some studies projecting impacts to be felt within 30 years.

20 Feb 2011

New blood pressure measurement device may enable doctors to treat patients more effectively

In a major scientific breakthrough, a new blood pressure measurement device is set to revolutionise the way patients' blood pressure is measured.

20 Feb 2011

Amphetamines appear to increase risk of developing Parkinson's disease: New research

New research shows people who have used amphetamines such as benzedrine and dexedrine appear to be at an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 63rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu April 9 to April 16, 2011.

20 Feb 2011

Scientists use synthetic oil for dispersing pathogenic fungi to prevent malaria spread

There are over 200 million cases of malaria each year and, according to the World Health Organisation, in 2009 malaria was responsible for 781,000 deaths worldwide. Malaria is spread by mosquitoes which breed in open water and spend much of their larval stage feeding on fungi and microorganisms at the water surface.

20 Feb 2011

New research: Young patients with melanoma ignore sun safety advice

It is well known that sunbathing increases the risk of skin cancer and that this risk is increased in people with a family history of melanoma.

20 Feb 2011

Professor develops optical technology that can detect, examine skin lesions

University of Rochester optics professor Jannick Rolland has developed an optical technology that provides unprecedented images under the skin's surface.

20 Feb 2011

Slime of starfish may hold a clue for treating inflammatory diseases

Starfish have arms, spines and a mouth on the underside of its body. But what scientists are finding really interesting is the sticky goo which is secreted when the Starfish feels threatened. The slime contains properties which may prove invaluable in treating certain kinds of inflammatory illnesses.

20 Feb 2011

HHS overturns Bush 'conscience' rule for workers opposing abortion

The Obama administration on Friday rescinded most of a 2008 rule that granted sweeping protections to health care providers who opposed abortion, sterilization and other medical procedures on religious or moral grounds.

20 Feb 2011

New study shows low doses of aspirin can significantly reduce risk of cancers

A new study by scientists from Oxford, Edinburgh, London and Japan shows that at low doses, aspirin can significantly reduce the risk of a range of cancers.

20 Feb 2011

Oral sex linked to cancer

Researchers from the United States have said that there is strong evidence linking oral sex to cancer. They have urged more study of how human papillomaviruses may be to blame for a rise in oral cancer among white men.

20 Feb 2011

Gene that causes rare breast cancer identified

Researchers have found that a rare but hard-to-treat form of breast cancer is driven by a newly discovered gene. The gene ZNF703 is the first oncogene to be discovered in five years, and it could lead to more effective treatments down the road, Cancer Research UK said.

20 Feb 2011

New York smoking ban gone too far? Health experts disagree

Now there is a faction that believes the soon-to-pass smoking ban on most parks and many beaches throughout New York City to be “going too far” and is questioning the bill.

20 Feb 2011

Language skills promote cognitive function and delay Alzheimer’s: Study

A new study suggests that bilingual speakers hold Alzheimer’s disease at bay for an extra four years on average compared with people who spoke only one language. Knowing more languages can improve cognitive skills and delay the onset of dementia, according to researchers.

20 Feb 2011

Chronic fatigue syndrome – eased by psychotherapy: Study

New British research suggests that people with chronic fatigue syndrome may be helped the most when standard treatment is coupled with cognitive behaviour therapy or exercise therapy.

20 Feb 2011

Artificial blood vessel could be available ‘off the shelf’ soon

Soon artificial blood vessels could be available ‘off the shelf’. This would mean that heart bypass patients would not have to be subjected to a minor operation to graft veins from other parts of their body. This would also make life easier for surgeons as well.

20 Feb 2011

Knee replacement surgery keeps one active even after 20 years: Study

A latest study has shown that patients with artificial knees were still functional after 20 years, even jogging or playing tennis. The researchers looked at people who had knee replacements between 1975 and 1989 in the state of Indiana and noted that they lived for another 20 years maintained an active lifestyle. All reported at least “moderate” activity.

20 Feb 2011

A special type of Dwarfism protects against cancer & diabetes: Study

Researchers have found that some individuals living in remote villages in Ecuador have a mutation that could throw light on human longevity and ways to increase it. These villagers, all dwarfs with heights less than three and a half feet, have a rare condition called Laron syndrome or Laron dwarfism.

20 Feb 2011

CDC maps least and most active Americans

A new government commissioned study has found that Colorado has one of the most active populations in the country and Kentucky has one of the least active. This study is the third in a series of county-focused reports by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The first two looked at diabetes and obesity rates, says Ann Albright, director of the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation.

20 Feb 2011

Largest Medicare fraud case nets 114 offenders

In one of the largest healthcare fraud cases, the U.S. government last Thursday charged 114 doctors, nurses and other defendants with Medicare crime schemes that exceeded $225 million in false billings.

20 Feb 2011