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Artificial vibration has potential to help stroke patients recover their mobility more quickly

By artificially vibrating certain muscle parts, the brain areas and neuronal pathways responsible for movement can be trained. This has the potential to help stroke patients recover their mobility more quickly. These are the results of PhD research by Maarten Steyvers of the Department of Kinesiology, K.U.Leuven.

15 Jun 2004

Technique using ordinary light detects scoliosis in children

Lateral curvature of the spine can now be detected without the use of X-rays. Tom Huysmans of K.U.Leuven’s Department of Biomechanics and Graphic Design has developed a technique using ordinary light which approaches the precision of radiology.

15 Jun 2004

New technology expands facial biometrics technology

Many of us pride ourselves on never forgetting a face - and rightly so, because recognising and remembering the subtle distinctions that make everyone look uniquely different is a complex task. Now, thanks to the development of new technology, your face may soon be the key to the future.

15 Jun 2004

Physical education gives children higher self esteem

Children at specialist sports colleges may develop significantly higher physical self-esteem compared to those at traditional state schools, according to a new report.

15 Jun 2004

High resolution imaging greatly aids physicians treating irregular heart beats

The findings of a new study published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology demonstrate that the use of high resolution imaging can greatly aid physicians who are treating patients suffering from a particular type of irregular heart beat.

15 Jun 2004

Geneticists determine the lack of chromosomes

A healthy person’s genome contains 46 chromosomes, but an individual cell can contain less. Contemporary methods allow to determine the value of losses rather accurately. The Tomsk researchers’ effort has been supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research.

15 Jun 2004

Babies born into larger families are far more likely to struggle to put on weight

An investigation into why some babies grow only very slowly in the first nine months of their lives has come to the conclusion that it has nothing to do with the prosperity of the parents.

15 Jun 2004

New operating room with 3-dimensional technology that takes modern robotic surgery to new levels

Surgical teams are now performing robotic surgery for prostate cancer with enhanced efficiency, comfort and communication using this unique technology.

15 Jun 2004

Canadian smoking survey finds kids still ignoring warnings

Between 1994 and 2002, the rate of smoking among Canadian youths in Grades 5 to 9 declined by more than half, according to new data from the Youth Smoking Survey.

15 Jun 2004

Caring for schizophrenics, more action needed

About one per cent of Scots have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and schizophrenia care accounts for about five per cent of total NHS costs.

15 Jun 2004

Carers' Week helps make the UK's six million carers aware that help is there for them

Feelings of isolation are commonly experienced by carers and Macmillan's Befriending schemes are set up to tackle this. They link carers with volunteers to provide one-to-one friendship and emotional support, information and advice.

15 Jun 2004

Miniature ammonia sensor which detects ammonia in three steps

Dutch researcher Björn Timmer has developed a miniature ammonia sensor which detects ammonia in three steps. The sensor uses very small quantities of a reagent and is cheap to use.

15 Jun 2004

Speed cameras across Britain are saving lives

The number of people killed or seriously injured at sites where safety cameras are in use has fallen by 40%, UK Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has announced. This equates to over 100 fewer deaths a year.

15 Jun 2004

Link between adult leg length and coronary heart disease in women

Researchers at Bristol University have found a link between adult leg length – an indicator of diet and living conditions during childhood – and coronary heart disease in women.

15 Jun 2004

Miracle camp for child burn victims

Miracle Burn Camp of Iowa began in 1995 as a one-day outing for children ages 8 to 18 with burn injuries. It evolved into a weeklong event and is jointly sponsored by St. Luke's Burn and Wound Center in Sioux City, and Children's Hospital of Iowa Burn Treatment Center at UI Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

15 Jun 2004

Public awareness campaign in Northern Virginia on sexual coercion and statutory rape

The Virginia Department of Health will sponsor a public awareness campaign in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Roanoke in June and July to help reduce sexual coercion and statutory rape.

15 Jun 2004

Special Ops medics training at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center

They call themselves quiet professionals -- an elite, highly trained group of military experts known for their strength, stealth and speed. Some of their training is coming from doctors and nurses at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.

15 Jun 2004

African-American women less likely to survive breast cancer than white women

A new study led by investigators at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center may help explain why African-American women with breast cancer are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease and are less likely to survive the disease than white women.

15 Jun 2004

Fair access to recommended drugs in Britain

Health Secretary John Reid has set out plans to ensure patients across the country have equal access to treatments recommended by the independent National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

15 Jun 2004

Chronic prostatitis causes substantial health care costs and reduced quality of life

Patients with chronic prostatitis associated with chronic pelvic pain have substantial health care costs and have reduced quality of life, according to an article in the June 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

15 Jun 2004