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Study provides further insight into the molecular control of apoptosis

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have gained deeper understanding of two members of a family of proteins called caspases that play a key role in promoting apoptosis, a process in which the cell responds to external signals by essentially committing suicide.

23 Feb 2006

Surgery for obesity now covered by Medicare

The U.S. government says obese elderly or disabled patients are now eligible for a range of surgical weight-loss procedures under the U.S. Medicare health insurance plan.

23 Feb 2006

British man had to cheat to access to HIV treatment

'Robert' says a therapy known as PEP, post-exposure prophylaxis, is not widely available and has not been well publicised and he is seeking a judicial review of government policy.

23 Feb 2006

Getting help with sexual health getting worse instead of better in the UK

According to a newly released survey, regardless of increased government spending, sexual health clinics in Britain are worse now than they were three years ago.

23 Feb 2006

Low bone density improved with jabs twice a year

A team of researchers say that women with low bone density can benefit from a twice a year treatment of an experimental drug.

23 Feb 2006

Glucosamine/Chondroitin combo helps those with moderate to severe joint pain

According to a new study by the National Institutes of Health, people with moderate to severe joint discomfort found that a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin resulted in significant pain and function improvement.

23 Feb 2006

New York man gets anthrax from imported animal skins

New York city officials say a man has been hospitalized with an infection from anthrax.

23 Feb 2006

Genetic variations help predict risk for salt-induced high blood pressure

Researchers led by UVa Health System pathologist Robin Felder, Ph.D., have demonstrated that looking for several variations of genes that control blood pressure can predict the risk for high blood pressure caused by high levels of salt.

23 Feb 2006

Cell growth and cell division genes identified

A recent study shows that hundreds of genes contribute to cell growth and cell division. For the first time these genes, many of which are potential contributors to cancer, have been mapped in a single systematic study.

23 Feb 2006

Selective T cell stimulation could help improve treatment of autoimmune disease and cancer

The findings could also be significant for developing new ways to help patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or juvenile diabetes.

23 Feb 2006

We may learn best on an empty stomach!

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have found evidence that a hormone produced in the stomach directly stimulates the higher brain functions of spatial learning and memory development.

23 Feb 2006

Singulair pill shows more promise for obese people

As the nation's collective waistline has swelled in recent decades, rates of asthma diagnoses also have accelerated. Indeed, much research has affirmed a link between the two conditions.

23 Feb 2006

Atherosclerosis MAY be a result of bacteria from gum infection entering the bloodstream

New research is reinforcing the longstanding belief that a connection exists between periodontal disease, or severe gum inflammation, and cardiovascular disease.

23 Feb 2006

40 percent of Americans at moderate risk for heart disease

"Nearly half the heart attacks come without warning, which means we need to do a better job of screening people. This test has that potential."

23 Feb 2006

New oral vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A new oral vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium commonly known for afflicting patients with lung dysfunction, has shown to protect healthy human volunteers from infection say researchers from England and Australia.

23 Feb 2006

Discovery of mechanisms responsible for the difference in immune response between male and female mice

The differences in the male and female immune responses, which make females more prone to autoimmune disease and males more subject to infections, are established during puberty.

23 Feb 2006

Avastin trial for pancreatic tumors

"Our findings from the previous study suggest that the combination of chemotherapy and radiation is a safe and effective treatment method to reduce the local extent of pancreatic tumors," said Dr. Talamonti.

23 Feb 2006

New molecular target for potential drugs to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome

Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified a molecular target, or receptor, for potential drugs to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a sudden and life-threatening failure of the lung.

23 Feb 2006

Discovery of molecule that may hold key to learning and memory

Independent research teams from Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital Boston have identified a master protein that sheds light on one of neurobiology's biggest mysteries--how neurons change as a result of individual experiences.

23 Feb 2006

External counterpulsation not effective as a treatment for heart failure

A new review of studies supports the government's opinion that too little evidence exists to support a device that uses balloon-like pants as a treatment for heart failure.

23 Feb 2006