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Maintaining ideal BMI reduces mortality risk in healthy non-smoking adults: Study

A study looking at deaths from any cause found that a body mass index (BMI) between 20.0 and 24.9 is associated with the lowest risk of death in healthy non-smoking adults.

1 Dec 2010

U.S. retirees need hundreds of thousands to pay for medical expenses, report finds

Some medical costs have fallen this year thanks to new health care reform laws, but U.S. retirees will still need hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings to cover their lifetime medical expenses.

1 Dec 2010

Noncancerous cells from primary site appear to facilitate tumor growth: Study

The process of metastasis requires that cancer cells traveling from a primary tumor find a hospitable environment in which to implant themselves and grow. A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center researchers finds that circulating tumor cells prepare this environment by bringing along from their original site noncancerous cells that support tumor growth. The report has been published online in PNAS Early Edition.

1 Dec 2010

Study identifies new genes responsible for early menarche

University of Minnesota School of Public Health researcher Ellen Demerath, Ph.D., is among an international group of researchers that has identified 30 new genes responsible for determining the age of sexual maturation in women. Many of these genes are also known to influence body fatness, obesity, and energy metabolism. Prior to the multi-institutional study, only four genes had been identified as contributing to the process.

1 Dec 2010

Study finds duplicated region of DNA in major depressive disorder

A large genetic study of people with major depression has found that a duplicated region of DNA on chromosome 5 predisposes people to the disorder. The gene involved plays an important role in the development of nerve cells, adding to evidence that disruptions in neurotransmission networks form a biological basis for depression.

1 Dec 2010

World AIDS day opinions

In a Washington Post opinion piece, former President George W. Bush reflects on his administration's commitment to fight HIV/AIDS around the world. "In all of these efforts, my concern was results.

1 Dec 2010

Bare breasts campaign for breast cancer

In a controversial breast cancer online campaign women are being encouraged to post photographs of their breasts to raise money for cancer research in New Zealand. This Wednesday more than 60 photographs of breasts including bare, bikini-clad and breastfeeding ones were posted online. The campaign caused the website to crash on Wednesday afternoon, with people flocking to the online magazine aimed at women in their 20s and 30s.

1 Dec 2010

Finger length may predict prostate cancer

In a new study published in the British Journal of Cancer, researchers have revealed a connection between finger length and prostate cancer. It says that men whose ring fingers are longer than their index fingers are more likely to develop prostate cancer.

1 Dec 2010

Breast cancer breakthrough

A team of researchers, led by Dr Clare Fedele and Professor Christina Mitchell at Monash University, Australia, has made a significant discovery in breast cancer research that identifies a particular protein’s role in tumor growth. They have also devised a new antibody that can identify the protein and measure its presence in breast cancer tissue.

1 Dec 2010

Queensland pool safety laws tighten

The Queensland Government has tightened pool safety laws and launched a pool safety education campaign. From now on all pool fences will have to comply with new safety requirements within five years. Safety inspections will be required if a property is sold or rented before then. This is the second phase of tough new pool laws. The laws also give safety inspectors greater powers of entry to undertake checks.

1 Dec 2010

World AIDS day observed

As the 1st of December is being observed as World AIDS day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged for stronger global efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS, including ensuring universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, after significant progress has been made over the past three decades.

1 Dec 2010

Researchers show an oncolytic virus switches off cancer cell survival signal

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a mechanism by which specific viruses acting as oncolytic agents can enter and kill cancer cells. This finding, which is currently featured in an online edition of the Journal of Virology, could help lead to the development of more targeted treatments against many types of cancer.

1 Dec 2010

Dec. 1 news from RSNA 2010

The risk of developing radiation-induced cancer from computed tomography (CT) may be lower than previously thought, according to a Stanford University study. Using more than 10 million Medicare claims from 1998 through 2005, the researchers analyzed the distribution of CT scans, determined the ionizing radiation exposure associated with the exams and estimated the associated cancer risk in a population of older adults.

1 Dec 2010

DecisionView releases StudyOptimizer 4.2 patient enrollment planning, tracking and forecasting solution

DecisionView Inc., a leading provider of software solutions to optimize clinical trial enrollment for life sciences companies, today announced the release of DecisionView StudyOptimizer 4.2, the latest version of the company's flagship solution for patient enrollment planning, tracking and forecasting. By providing better insight into historical enrollment performance and future cost projections, StudyOptimizer 4.2 significantly improves the ability of global pharmaceutical customers to optimize enrollment plans and deliver clinical trials on time and on budget.

1 Dec 2010

National study examines management of sport-related concussions in high school athletes

Each academic year, an estimated 136,000 sports-related concussions occur among high school athletes in the United States. A new study conducted by researchers at the Sports Concussion Clinic at Children's Hospital Boston and the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital examined concussions in high school athletes during the 2008-2009 school year.

1 Dec 2010

Pew Health Group applauds Senate's passage of historic bipartisan food safety legislation

Erik D. Olson, director of the Pew Health Group food programs, issued the following statement commending the U.S. Senate for passing food safety legislation (S.510):

1 Dec 2010

World AIDS Day to mark start of international effort to shed light on how public funds are used

International development agencies in nine countries -- Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America-have been asked to explain their criteria for funding HIV and AIDS assistance -- and whether faith-based organizations get special concessions when they apply for public funds to deliver prevention and treatment programs abroad.

1 Dec 2010

Elsevier launches Case Reviews Online for radiology professionals

Elsevier, the leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced the availability of Case Reviews Online, an online edition of Case Reviews print series offering radiology professionals self-assessment preparation for board review.

1 Dec 2010

Pelosi calls for House passage of child nutrition reauthorization legislation

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, Congressman Jim McGovern and Senator Blanche Lincoln held a press conference call this afternoon to urge House passage of child nutrition reauthorization legislation, which the Senate has already passed. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

1 Dec 2010

Study reveals major findings of National Cancer Registry of Spain for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours

The National Cancer Registry of Spain for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (RGETNE) is the first initiative of its type in southern Europe and focuses its efforts on profiling the incidence of gastroenteropancreatic tumours, improving diagnosis and treatment efficacy, and determining the clinical profile of patients across Spain.

1 Dec 2010