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Messenger RNA not only are measurable in saliva but can indicate a developing tumor

Scientists funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reported today taking a major step forward in using saliva to detect oral cancer.

20 Dec 2004

Emergency room patients with substance abuse treatment need incur higher health care costs

Emergency department patients with unmet substance abuse treatment need generate much higher hospital and emergency department charges than patients without such need, according to a new study to be published today as an advance online publication of Annals of Emergency Medicine.

20 Dec 2004

Health impact of resolving racial disparities

Lives saved by reducing the mortality rate of African-Americans to the rate of whites are five times those that could be saved by improvements in medical technology. So said the authors of "The Health Impact of Resolving Racial Disparities: An Analysis of US Mortality Data," published in the December edition of the American Journal of Public Health.

20 Dec 2004

European market for bone morphogenic proteins in spine fusion

High growth is forecast for novel technologies used either as adjuncts or as alternatives to current surgical procedures for the fusion of spinal vertebrae. Bone morphogenic proteins (BMP) - a new and innovative class of natural growth factors - represent amongst the most exciting of these niches.

20 Dec 2004

Size of myocardial infarct measured using MRI

In animal studies, researchers at Johns Hopkins have effectively used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure with 94 percent accuracy the size and amount of heart muscle damaged by a heart attack, known in medical terms as a myocardial infarct, or m.i., for short.

20 Dec 2004

Patients with abdominal trauma at risk for intra-abdominal infections following surgery

Patients who undergo surgery for abdominal trauma caused by firearm wounds or by blunt trauma are at risk for developing intra-abdominal infections, and several factors increase that risk, according to a study in the December issue of The Archives of Surgery.

20 Dec 2004

At-home hand dermatitis treatment with oral medication and use of a portable tanning effective treatment for hand eczema

An at-home hand dermatitis treatment with oral medication and use of a portable tanning unit appears to be as effective as a hospital-based treatment in reducing the symptoms of hand dermatitis, according to an article in the December issue of The Archives of Dermatology.

20 Dec 2004

Oral medication alitretinoin effective in treating moderate or severe hand dermatitis

Use of the oral medication alitretinoin was effective in treating moderate or severe hand dermatitis in nearly half of patients previously unresponsive to standard treatment, according to an article in the December issue of The Archives of Dermatology.

20 Dec 2004

Genetic markers implicated in fatal side effects of schizophrenia drug

Genaissance Pharmaceuticals today announced results from its CARING (Clozapine and Agranulocytosis Relationships Investigated by Genetics) study, reporting the discovery of genetic markers that the Company believes predict who is at risk of developing clozapine-induced agranulocytosis

20 Dec 2004

Computer gamers’ state of mind subject of research

Central Queensland University researcher Dr Steve Pace has been awarded a $10 000 grant to study the experiences of computer game players. The study will focus on two specific phenomena called 'flow' and 'telepresence'.

20 Dec 2004

Nearly 6 million Americans turned to complementary and alternative medicine because of costs

Nearly 6 million American adults turned to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the past year to treat such conditions as depression and chronic pain because conventional medical treatment was too expensive, according to a national study released today by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC).

20 Dec 2004

Stem cells use inflammatory signals to find injured tissue

A joint effort led by stem cell biologist Evan Y. Snyder, M.D., Ph.D., of The Burnham Institute, and Samia J. Khoury, M.D., of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, report data suggesting that stem cells use inflammatory signals to “know” where they must home.

20 Dec 2004

Advice for patients who have been taking Celebrex or Bextra

The recent announcement that Celebrex, a popular pain drug in the same family as Vioxx, has been found to pose an increased risk of heart problems is bound to leave many pain patients stunned, confused and worried.

20 Dec 2004

Many women at high risk for breast cancer are foregoing tamoxifen

Many women at high risk for breast cancer are foregoing tamoxifen, the first FDA-approved drug for prevention of breast cancer, due to concerns about side effects, increased risk of other cancers, and lack of information, a new study by researchers in Boston shows. The study was published in the December 14 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

20 Dec 2004

Leading sports medicine and exercise science organization implements ACSM certified Personal Trainer

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has developed a new examination and certification to review and validate the knowledge and abilities of personal trainers.

20 Dec 2004

Polls show more teen girls see "alcopop" ads than women age 31-44

The American Medical Association (AMA) released the results of two nationwide polls today that reveal the extent of underage consumption and marketing exposure to "alcopops" or so-called "girlie drinks." The AMA expressed concern that hard-liquor brands are using these sweet-flavored malt beverages as "gateway" beverages to attract less-experienced drinkers.

20 Dec 2004

Potential safety risks with Celebrex

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has consulted today with the Chairs of its peak advisory committees, the Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Committee (ADRAC) and the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC), about the latest research into the safety of the arthritis drug, Celebrex.

20 Dec 2004