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Lower income, education lead to greater stress levels

People with low incomes are more likely to be under stress than their wealthier peers

23 May 2006

Gene expression becomes heterogeneous with age

In a study of the effects of aging on gene expression, researchers have found that variation in gene expression among individuals tends to increase with age.

23 May 2006

Pros and cons of starting multiple sclerosis treatment early

An editorial accompanying a published debate on the pros and cons of starting treatment early in the course of multiple sclerosis comes down in favor of early treatment for this potentially devastating disease.

23 May 2006

Pollution increases risks in people with diabetes, heart failure and other diseases

People with diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of death when they are exposed to particulate air pollution, or soot, for one or more years.

23 May 2006

Treatment for anorexia nervosa

Treatment for anorexia nervosa appears to have improved outcome in terms of recovery and fertility and reduced the usual long-term excessive mortality.

23 May 2006

Childhood verbal abuse triggers adult anxiety, depression

A new study by Florida State University researchers has found that people who were verbally abused as children grow up to be self-critical adults prone to depression and anxiety.

23 May 2006

Cysteine containing tablets and chewing gum potential new way to prevent upper digestive tract cancers

Researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland, suggest that cysteine containing tablets and chewing gum can be a new way for the prevention of upper digestive tract cancers.

23 May 2006

Men with enlarged prostate can benefit from Botox injection

When researchers at the Chang Gung University Medical College, Taiwan and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine injected botulinum toxin A, or Botox, into the prostate gland of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition commonly referred to as enlarged prostate, they found that it eased symptoms and improved quality of life.

23 May 2006

Comprehensive care for complex, high-risk pregnancies

As many as 3 percent of all pregnancies result in the birth of a baby with chromosomal anomalies like Down syndrome or structural anomalies such as congenital heart disease.

23 May 2006

Little evidence multivitamins prevent chronic diseases

There is little scientific evidence to suggest that taking a multivitamin supplement helps Americans ward off chronic diseases, including most cancers and cardiovascular disease.

23 May 2006

New tool identifies those at risk of bipolar disorder

According to a new study researchers have identified five predictors for bipolar disorder risk in patients who have been unsuccessfully treated with antidepressants.

23 May 2006

Surgeon in a rush removes wrong kidney

A doctor in the UK removed the wrong kidney from a patient and left her dependent on dialysis because he did not bother to read her medical notes.

23 May 2006

First signs of Alzheimer's and dementia may be physical ones

According to a joint study between the Group Health Cooperative and the University of Washington, the very first signs of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, may well be physical, rather than mental.

23 May 2006

Exposure to cats early in life may raise childs' risk of eczema

According to new study in the U.S. children who are exposed to cats soon after birth may have an increased risk of developing eczema, while being exposed to two or more dogs at home may offer some slight protection.

23 May 2006

Two more deaths from bird flu as Indonesia tries to track down souce of 'cluster' deaths

While Health officials in Indonesia are still trying to track down the source of infection in a cluster of six deaths in one family from H5N1 bird flu, tests show that two more people have also died of the same disease.

23 May 2006

Women who pile on the kilos more at risk of breast cancers

According to a large new study women who pile on the kilos as adults increase their risk of all types of breast cancer even if they do not take hormone replacement therapy after menopause.

23 May 2006

Clinical trials funded by for-profit organizations more likely to report positive

Cardiovascular clinical trials published between 2000 and 2005 were significantly more likely to report positive findings if they were funded by for-profit organizations than those funded by not-for-profit organizations, according to a study in JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association.

23 May 2006

Unnecessary urinary catheters - study

A study of 1,586 hospitalized patients age 70 and older at two Ohio hospitals indicates that 24 percent were given medically unnecessary urinary catheters, according to investigators led by a researcher at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

23 May 2006

Nutritional supplement policosanol does not lower cholesterol levels

A new study suggests that use of the nutritional supplement policosanol does not lower cholesterol levels any more than placebo, apparently contradicting the results of previous studies.

23 May 2006

Women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease fare worse than men

Women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fare worse than men both in terms of the severity of their disease and their quality of life, according to a study presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference on May 22nd.

23 May 2006