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Is rapid transition through menopause linked to earlier onset of heart disease?

An evaluation of 203 women as part of the multifaceted Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study (LAAS) found that those who transitioned more quickly through menopause were at increased risk for a higher rate of progression of "preclinical atherosclerosis" - narrowing of arteries caused by the thickening of their walls.

29 Jan 2009

Imaging study shows how memories become permanent

A new brain imaging study illustrates what happens to memories as time goes by.

29 Jan 2009

Research provides insight into brain mechanisms involved in empathy

Is it possible to share a pain that you observe in another but have never actually experienced yourself?

29 Jan 2009

HPV18 DNA levels are not prognostic for precancerous cervical lesions

Perhaps surprisingly, the number of copies of the carcinogenic human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV18) relative to cellular DNA is not associated with the likelihood of progression to advanced precancerous lesions of the cervix, according to a study in the January 27 online issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

29 Jan 2009

Helicobacter pylori can multiply in autophagic vesicles

Helicobacter pylori , a Gram-negative, flagellated, microaerophilic bacterium, can selectively colonize in the human stomach.

29 Jan 2009

Genetic variations associated with treatment response for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia with certain genetic variations can have a different response to anti-cancer treatment than other patients, according to a study in the January 28 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.

29 Jan 2009

Rare amino acid helps establish how proteins evolve

Three billion years ago, a "new" amino acid was added to the alphabet of 20 that commonly make up proteins in organisms today.

29 Jan 2009

FDA warns consumers not to take Venom HYPERDRIVE 3.0

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to take Venom HYPERDRIVE 3.0, a product sold as a dietary supplement and containing sibutramine.

29 Jan 2009

Eating fast food cancels out benefits of breastfeeding in preventing asthma

Many studies have shown that breastfeeding appears to reduce the chance of children developing asthma.

29 Jan 2009

Exercise no danger for joints

There is no good evidence supporting a harmful effect of exercise on joints in the setting of normal joints and regular exercise, according to a review of studies published in this month's issue of the Journal of Anatomy.

29 Jan 2009

Social and ethical issues concerning nanotechnology

Recent action in Congress to reauthorize the U.S. federal nanotechnology research program offers the chance to address the social and ethical issues concerning the emerging scientific field, experts say.

29 Jan 2009

Easing regulations does not mean lower quality of cardiac care

States that dropped regulations overseeing the performance of two common heart procedures showed no increase in death rates, according to researchers at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Rice University and Duke University Medical Center.

29 Jan 2009

Component of DNA stimulates and suppresses the immune response

A component of DNA that can both stimulate and suppress the immune system, depending on the dosage, may hold hope for treating cancer and infection, Medical College of Georgia researchers say.

29 Jan 2009

Sport related concussions affect mental and physical processes later in life

Researchers have found the first evidence that athletes who were concussed during their earlier sporting life show a decline in their mental and physical processes more than 30 years later.

29 Jan 2009

Biomarkers as a guide to therapy in heart failure patients

There has been much interest in the biomarker known as N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a precise guide for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of heart failure.

29 Jan 2009

Avoiding environmental tobacco smoke during pregnancy

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) commonly called secondhand smoke or passive smoking, can harm a developing fetus and may account for complications during pregnancy and birth. It is now known that non-whites experience more adverse pregnancy effects than do whites from smoking and ETS exposure.

29 Jan 2009

Assessing the real risk of heart disease in young people with low short-term risks

Risk stratification has become central to strategies for the prevention of coronary heart disease, with the implication that priority is given to those at highest risk (ie, those with established heart disease).

29 Jan 2009

Study of cannabinoid medicine for pain found patients got 'high,' but effects not related to pain relief

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that patients taking cannabinoid medicines for pain may be getting "high," but these effects were unrelated to relief from their pain symptoms. Results of their study, one of the first to examine the addictive potential of this class of pain medicine, were presented today at the American Academy of Pain Medicine's 25th Annual Meeting.

29 Jan 2009

Study shows no standardized approach to epidural steroid injections for back pain

Today at the American Academy of Pain Medicine's 25th Annual Meeting, researchers from University of California at San Diego report that no standardized practices exist for administering an epidural steroid injection for back pain. Researchers looked at many factors including: which steroids were given, the amount of steroid used, and whether or not a local anesthetic was mixed with the steroid.

29 Jan 2009

Leconotide, an investigative calcium channel blocker, shows potential as pain treatment

Results of a pre-clinical study of leconotide, an investigative calcium channel blocker, shows it has the potential to be safe, selective, and efficacious as a new non-opioid treatment for pain relief. It also holds promise in multiple drug delivery options including nasal spray, transdermal patch, and pills. Data were presented today at the American Academy of Pain Medicine's 25th Annual Meeting.

29 Jan 2009