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Genetic and environmental factors impact chronic fatigue syndrome patients

People who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have a genetic make up that affects the body's ability to adapt to change, according to a series of papers released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

2 May 2006

Kidney patients warned away from potassium

Many kidney failure patients are increasing their chance of nerve damage in their legs and feet by simply having too much potassium in their diet, according to research carried out by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute (POWMRI) and the Prince of Wales Hospital.

2 May 2006

Sperm-producing stem cells found in testicles could be extracted, grown in the lab, and frozen for future use

Men may cringe at the idea, but sperm-producing stem cells found in testicles could be extracted, grown in the lab, and frozen for future use.

2 May 2006

Study investigates early biology of HIV infection

In July 2005, the race to find a vaccine that would stem the worldwide rate of 13,000 new cases of HIV infection each day moved from competition among research institutions to a strategy of cooperation.

2 May 2006

Blood clots in the brain linked to Alzheimer's and dementia

According to researchers, from the University of Manchester, UK, spontaneous blood clots are significantly associated with both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

From The University of Manchester 1 May 2006

DNA taxi

Despite few successes to date, gene therapy is a highly promising approach for medical therapy in the future.

1 May 2006

Peplin announces positive results of skin cancer trial

Peplin Limited today announced positive results from its Australian phase IIa clinical trial of its proprietary drug PEP005 Topical in superficial forms of basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) the most common form of skin cancer.

1 May 2006

New treatment against persistent ulcer-inducing bacteria successful

For those who suffer from stomach ulcers, the daily routine of breakfast, lunch and dinner can be painful. A common cause of these ulcers, as well as other gastric malignancies, is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori .

1 May 2006

Brits warned against foreign IVF treatment

British couples considering going abroad for in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other types of fertility treatment have been warned against the practice.

1 May 2006

New approach to treating breast cancer uses existing chemo drug

British scientists say women who develop breast cancer because of two common genetic mutations could have their treatment transformed by a chemotherapy drug which already exists.

1 May 2006

Sildenafil plus recreational drugs equals risky sexual behaviour

A new survey has found that a significant number of young men have used erectile dysfunction, (ED), medications such as Viagra often in conjunction with other recreational drugs, and most without consulting a physician.

1 May 2006

A contraceptive pill for men!

According to a Sydney scientist a hormone-based contraceptive for men has the ability to reverse its effect just four months after stopping its use.

1 May 2006

Oh what a feeling!

Just five months after the pioneering operation Isabelle Dinoire, the world's first partial face transplant says she now has complete feeling in the new tissue on her face.

1 May 2006

Former FDA commissioner investigated

It appears that the former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration Dr. Lester Crawford is under federal investigation amid accusations of financial improprieties and making false statements to Congress.

1 May 2006

Combo of testing and vaccines a winner in fight against cervical cancer

According to experts in reproductive health, the combination of HPV testing with HPV vaccines is the best hope for preventing cervical cancer.

1 May 2006

New drug to treat rare Pompe disease gets FDA approval

The Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. has given approval for the first drug to treat a rare, debilitating muscle disease that can kill infants within a year.

1 May 2006

Bird flu hits British farms

According to British environment officials a strain of bird flu has now been detected at three poultry farms at North Tuddenham, near Norwich, Norfolk. Norfolk has some of Europe's biggest poultry farms.

1 May 2006

New method found showing how nerve cells can selectively filter and transfer signals

Scientists from Gvttingen and Bochum find evidence for a new mechanism, with which our nerve cells are able to filter signals and transfer them selectively.

28 Apr 2006

New method could predict individual patient responses to drug treatments

Scientists from Imperial College London and Pfizer have developed a new method that could predict individual patient responses to drug treatments. The authors anticipate that the development will advance biomedical research further towards development of personalised medicines.

28 Apr 2006

Method by which Caspase-12 shuts down the body's immune system discovered

Caspase-12 is a molecule with a death-wish. Found only in people of African descent, this protein shuts down our body's immune system, opening the door to potentially lethal infections. In a groundbreaking new study published in the prestigious journal Nature this week, the team that first discovered the role of caspase-12 in humans has now uncovered the mechanism by which it sabotages us, allowing researchers to develop methods to counter its damaging effects.

28 Apr 2006