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Improved cell therapy for cartilage repair

Artificially cultured cartilage cells, grown outside of the body for reparing damaged tissue, prove to be different from original cartilage tissue.

2 Dec 2006

New genetic theory of parental teamwork

A molecular 'battle of the sexes' long considered the major driving force in a baby's development is being challenged by a new genetic theory of parental teamwork.

From The University of Manchester 2 Dec 2006

Chronic use of nicotine can reinforce the rewarding effects of alcohol

When sober alcoholics are tempted to fall off the wagon, the same receptor is stimulated as is activated by nicotine in their brain.

2 Dec 2006

New treatment for lower back pain using patient's own stem cells

A University of Manchester researcher has developed a treatment for lower back pain using the patient's own stem cells, which could replace the use of strong painkillers or surgery that can cause debilitation, neither of which addresses the underlying cause.

From The University of Manchester 2 Dec 2006

The role of gut worms in allergies

Gut parasites could hold the key to increasingly common conditions such as eczema, asthma and hay fever, according to scientists at The University of Nottingham.

2 Dec 2006

Compound from olive oil slows down spread of HIV

Olive oil has become part of the fight against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - the cause of AIDS - thanks to research carried out by the Bionat team, from the University of Granada , headed by Prof. Andres García-Granados, senior lecturer in Organic Chemistry.

2 Dec 2006

Medium-sized polyps yield significant number of advanced adenomas and cancer

According to a University of Pittsburgh-led study published in the December issue of Gastroenterology, medium-sized polyps found in the colon with flexible sigmoidoscopy and subsequently evaluated by full colonoscopy are associated with a significant number of advanced adenomas (high-risk polyps) and cancers.

2 Dec 2006

Human embryonic stem cells show potential in treating rats with Parkinson's symptoms

Brain cells derived from human embryonic stem cells improved the condition of rats with Parkinson's-like symptoms dramatically, but the treatment caused a significant problem - the appearance of brain tumors - that scientists are now working to solve.

2 Dec 2006

Gene therapy to treat erectile dysfunction shows promise

The first human study using gene transfer to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) shows promising results and suggests the potential for using the technology to treat overactive bladder, irritable bowel syndrome and asthma, according to the researchers.

2 Dec 2006

Computational model for cancer invasion

Vito Quaranta clicks on a small black dot on his computer screen. The dot - which represents about a thousand cancer cells - begins to "grow," morphing into a mass with finger-like projections that looks like an invasive tumor.

2 Dec 2006

Guanfacine no more effective than a placebo

Guanfacine, a medication commonly prescribed to alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, is no more effective than a placebo, according to a study led by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

2 Dec 2006

Researchers discover protein interaction that may explain how Huntington's disease affects the brain

The findings, published in and featured on the cover of the current issue of Human Molecular Genetics, show how the mutated Huntington's protein interacts with another protein to cause dramatic accumulation of cholesterol in the brain.

2 Dec 2006

Some ob-gyns switching to cosmetic medicine clinics

Some ob-gyns, as well as other physicians, recently have left their specialties to practice cosmetic medicine, including acne treatments and Botox injections, at medical spas, the New York Times reports.

2 Dec 2006

Democratic congressional leaders plan to approve Federal embryonic stem cell funding measure in January

Democratic congressional leaders in January 2007 plan to approve a bill similar to a measure (HR 810) President Bush vetoed earlier this year that would have expanded federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports (Kellman, AP/Houston Chronicle, 11/29).

2 Dec 2006

Kansas Judge asks State Supreme Court to let him keep confidential some information from abortion records case

Shawnee County, Kan., District Court Judge Richard Anderson -- who permitted Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline (R) to view edited medical records of 90 women and girls who underwent late-term abortions -- on Monday filed a response with the state Supreme Court asking that some information about the case be kept confidential, the AP/Kansas City Star reports.

2 Dec 2006

House Republicans tentatively schedule consideration of fetal pain bill

House Republicans have tentatively scheduled consideration next week on a bill (HR 6099) that would require women seeking abortions to be offered an anesthetic for the fetus and told that there is evidence the procedure can cause fetal pain, the AP/Forbes reports.

2 Dec 2006

Australia to provide Gardasil at no cost to girls and women ages 12 to 26

Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Wednesday announced that the government will provide about $342 million for a program that will offer Merck's human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil at no cost to girls and women ages 12 to 26 living in the country, Bloomberg reports.

2 Dec 2006

New Hampshire to provide Gardasil at no cost to girls

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services officials on Wednesday announced plans to become the first state to provide Merck's human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil at no cost to girls ages 11 to 18 as part of a state program that offers immunizations to minors, the AP/Nashua Telegraph reports.

2 Dec 2006

Traditionally low status of girls fueling child sexual abuse in sub-Saharan Africa

The problem of child sexual abuse in sub-Saharan Africa remains "stubbornly resistant to change" in part because of the traditionally low status of girls, a "lingering view" that sexual abuse should be dealt with privately and justice systems that "constitute obstacle courses" for women, some child advocates have said, the New York Times reports.

2 Dec 2006

Chinese court upholds prison term for human rights advocate Chen Guangcheng

A court in China's Shandong province on Friday upheld a four-year, three-month prison sentence for human rights advocate Chen Guangcheng -- who was arrested in China after attempting to bring a class-action lawsuit against the government for alleged human rights abuses associated with the enforcement of the country's one-child-per-family policy -- the Washington Post reports.

2 Dec 2006