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Potential genetic cause of congenital defect colonic atresia

In a finding that helps resolve a long-standing question in developmental biology, Klaus H. Kaestner, PhD, Professor of Genetics, and colleagues report in the journal Developmental Cell this week about how the mammalian gut forms. Mice were genetically engineered to lack the protein Cdx2 in the cells that normally go on to form the stomach and intestine.

22 Apr 2009

New insights into how to combat avian flu

An in-depth analysis of blood from patients recovering from the H5N1 avian influenza virus has provided important insights into how to combat the potentially lethal virus.

22 Apr 2009

Fatty fish and marine omega-3 fatty acids protect men from heart failure

Eating fatty fish and marine omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, seems to protect men from heart failure according to one of the largest studies to investigate the association.

22 Apr 2009

Poor sleep disturbs neuroendocrine control of appetite

Laboratory and epidemiological studies continue to show that sleep curtailment and/or decreased sleep quality can disturb neuroendocrine control of appetite, leading to overeating, and can decrease insulin and/or increase insulin resistance, both steps on the road to Type 2 diabetes.

22 Apr 2009

Regular exercise can prevent damage that causes leakage in the blood-brain barrier

Regular exercise can prevent the disruption of the blood brain barrier that normally occurs with a dose of methamphetamine comparable to that used by heavy meth users.

22 Apr 2009

Stress in the form of depressive symptoms affects exercise patterns in breast cancer patients

The first study to monitor physical activity in breast cancer patients for five years suggests that patients with greater depressive symptoms and a lower emotional quality of life are less likely to exercise as part of their recovery than are patients reporting less distress.

22 Apr 2009

Wine may increase survival among non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

Pre-diagnostic wine consumption may reduce the risk of death and relapse among non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients, according to an epidemiology study presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.

22 Apr 2009

Continuity of care for older adults from outpatient to hospital is low, and decreasing

The proportion of Medicare patients experiencing continuity of care between outpatient and inpatient settings decreased substantially between 1996 and 2006, with decreases occurring in all areas of the country and in all types of hospitals, according to a study in the April 22/29 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.

22 Apr 2009

Couples cope in different ways following death of premature baby

Most parents who have lost a premature baby still hold the baby in a central place in their lives two to six years after the baby's death, physicians report in a new small study.

22 Apr 2009

Genetic variants in MC1R could help predict melanoma risk

New genetic research suggests that the traditional risk factors for melanoma may not be as helpful in predicting risk in all people as previously thought, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.

22 Apr 2009

Discovery of 12 proteins associated with pediatric multiple sclerosis

A group of 12 proteins associated with pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) have been discovered for the first time by a team of neurology and pathology researchers at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

22 Apr 2009

Antioxidant ellagic acid prevents UV skin damage that leads to wrinkles

Using a topical application of the antioxidant ellagic acid, researchers at Hallym University in the Republic of Korea markedly prevented collagen destruction and inflammatory response - major causes of wrinkles -- in both human skin cells and the sensitive skin of hairless mice following continuing exposure to UV-B, the sun's skin-damaging ultraviolet radioactive rays.

22 Apr 2009

Acetylsalicylic acid plus clopidogrel reduces heart attack risk in patients with acute ischaemia

In order to better prevent blood clots, clopidogrel can be prescribed to patients with acute ischaemia of the heart muscle, in addition to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).

22 Apr 2009

Burnt meat may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer

Meat cooked at high temperatures to the point of burning and charring may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 100th Annual Meeting 2009.

22 Apr 2009

How do the proteins know where to go?

Proteins go everywhere in the cell and do all sorts of work, but a fundamental question has eluded biologists.

22 Apr 2009

Changing the way organ donation requests are made could prevent relatives denying consent

Timing and whether a transplant coordinator makes the request are key factors in whether relatives consent to organ donation, according to a study published on bmj.com today.

22 Apr 2009

Males, especially young ones, are the weaker sex!

According to a new Australian study, males, especially young ones are the weaker sex.

22 Apr 2009

Another gene found for Rett syndrome

New research has revealed another gene for Rett syndrome which could lead to new treatments for the disorder.

22 Apr 2009

Food giant Unilever on a worthy mission to reduce salt in all products

The Anglo-Dutch food giant Unilever has announced plans to reduce the amount of salt in almost all its 22,000 food products - Unilever says its efforts to establish comprehensive salt reduction targets will help improve public health and are a first worldwide.

22 Apr 2009

Lid lifted on Australian alcohol industry's worst fears

The alcohol industry in Australia has been accused of engaging in what appears to be rather dubious behaviour - it seems confidential documents have lifted the lid on the alcohol industry's worst fears.

22 Apr 2009