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Genetic flaw that may put some people at far greater risk of heart attacks

One of the significant players in this event is the molecule cytokine lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA), which helps to regulate inflammation, a result of the emergency call upon the body's immune system.

6 May 2004

Weight loss and exercise regime helps osteoarthritis

A combination of moderate weight loss and exercise is an effective treatment for overweight adults with osteoarthritis of the knee, according to new research from Wake Forest University published in the May issue of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism.

6 May 2004

Protein in the male reproductive tract is a potent anti-bacterial agent

Scientists at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have found that a protein they discovered three years ago in the male reproductive tract is a potent anti-bacterial agent.

6 May 2004

Research into Chinese herbal medicine Qian Ceng Ta may help Alzheimer’s

Georgetown University Medical Center researchers today opened a new clinical trial designed to test if huperzine A, a natural product derived from a Chinese herb, can slow down or prevent cognitive decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

6 May 2004

Australian Government has provided $200 million over seven years to independent medical research

The Australian Government has provided an extra $200 million over seven years to independent medical research institutes to help fund overhead costs to ensure they are well equipped to focus on their vital work.

6 May 2004

Blueprint for people who are acutely ill

The Royal College of Physicians today launches a blueprint to improve the quality and safety of care of people who are acutely ill.

5 May 2004

Organic superglues, disease treatments and better food flavourings

Organic superglues, disease treatments and better food flavourings: these are some of the projects where synthetic organic chemist Carol Taylor employs her skills.

5 May 2004

NBC's Friends stars present $1 million donation to American Red Cross

On the set of Friends, Target Stores presented a $1 million donation to Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross, in celebration of the Friends series finale on May 6.

5 May 2004

Investigation to find the source of the current SARS outbreak

Investigation of the source of the current outbreak, first reported on 22 April, continues to focus on the National Institute of Virology in Beijing. The institute is known to have conducted experiments using the live SARS coronavirus during February and March.

5 May 2004

Cervical Dysplasia treatment linked to water breaking too early

Two treatments for removing precancerous tissue from the cervix are associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (delivery before 37 weeks gestation) caused by the pregnancy complication known as preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

5 May 2004

West Nile Virus returns to United States for another season

The winter cold and flu season is barely over, and the new mosquito season won't really get rolling for a few more weeks, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) already is reporting the presence of West Nile Virus in mosquitoes, birds and other animals in nine states.

5 May 2004

Researchers investigate ways to detect intentional contamination of the nation's food supply

UW-Madison will use its share of a three-year, $15 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HS) to investigate ways to detect intentional contamination of the nation's food supply.

5 May 2004

New screening helps to determine risk for having a baby with Down syndrome

Obstetricians at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, are offering a new, quicker, option for pregnant women who choose to undergo first trimester screening. The screening helps to determine whether the woman is at increased risk for having a baby with Down syndrome.

5 May 2004

Physician training should include general geriatric medicine principles and specialty specific topics related to ageing

Since the Institute of Medicine published its report Strengthening Training in Geriatrics in 1993, it is widely recognized that all physician training should include general geriatric medicine principles and specialty-specific topics related to aging.

5 May 2004

NHS Trusts must avoid complacency

Health Secretary John Reid today warned NHS Trusts not to be complacent about the approaching August 1 deadline for the working time directive. At a conference in Birmingham he urged all NHS Trusts to firm up the proposals they have been working on for the last two years as to how they would deliver ahead of the deadline.

5 May 2004

Study sheds new light on children with a severe form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A new international study of children with a severe form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) shows that certain chromosome losses can signal an especially poor response to therapy, but that other chromosome abnormalities have no effect on treatment survival.

5 May 2004

World's first gene therapy trial aimed at preventing cancer

The concept seems straightforward. If, at its heart, cancer is a disease of genes, then giving patients new genes should disarm cancer. Such treatment would replace missing or faulty genes that keep cell growth in check, or would flush the body with "super genes" that could attack and destroy cancer.

5 May 2004

Care that combines medication and psychotherapy can reduce alcohol abuse by trauma survivors

Approximately 2.5 million Americans are so severely injured each year that they require inpatient hospital admissions, and between 10 and 40 percent of these patients go on to develop symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

5 May 2004

Prevention and partnerships are the keys to improving health and reducing chronic disease in the United States

Prevention and partnerships are the keys to improving health and reducing chronic disease in the United States and throughout the Americas, a Pan American Health Organization official said today.

5 May 2004

Swedish Medical Center has unveiled the world's most advanced mobile mammography center

Swedish Medical Center today unveiled the world's most advanced mobile mammography center. Known as the "Swedish Breast Care Express," the 64-foot self-contained coach features the latest full-field digital mammography equipment. And it will be the first unit to incorporate a complete rooftop satellite system for transmitting images remotely.

5 May 2004