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Echinacea may do nothing for that runny nose

Some think echinacea is nothing to sneeze at. Others aren't convinced of the claims that the herb can fight the common cold. A study in the May 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, now available online, adds to the evidence against the herb's alleged powers: In the study, echinacea did not prevent a common cold virus from infecting volunteers.

15 Jun 2004

Marijuana/Cannabis causes transient schizophrenia-like symptoms

The principal active ingredient in marijuana causes transient schizophrenia-like symptoms ranging from suspiciousness and delusions to impairments in memory and attention, according to a Yale research study.

15 Jun 2004

Statins don't always lower cholesterol

Persons with certain genetic variations who take statins to lower their cholesterol will not realize the same benefit as other individuals, according to a study in the June 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

15 Jun 2004

Adolescents overeat fast food, but lean adolescents compensate for over-consumption by eating less later

Adolescents are more likely to overeat when served fast food, but lean adolescents tend to compensate for the over-consumption by eating less at other meals, which is not something their overweight counterparts are likely to do, according to a study in the June 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

15 Jun 2004

Overweight children and obese adults remain a major public health concern

According to background information in the article, "The prevalence of overweight and obesity is considered an important public health issue in the United States. Healthy People 2010 identified overweight and obesity as one of the 10 leading health indicators."

15 Jun 2004

More research needed to determine if laser therapy is an effective treatment for acne

Additional research is needed before laser therapy can be recommended as a treatment for acne, according to a study in the June 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

15 Jun 2004

In-person driver license renewal saves lives in elderly road users

States with in-person license renewal policies had a 17 percent lower fatality rate among drivers 85 years and older than states without, according to a study in the June 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

15 Jun 2004

Calcium supplements can decrease the risk of all types of colorectal polyps

While taking calcium supplements can decrease the risk of all types of colorectal polyps, research led by Dartmouth Medical School shows calcium had the greatest effect on advanced colorectal adenomas, considered to be most strongly associated with invasive colorectal cancer.

15 Jun 2004

Findings could explain why island populations worldwide are particularly susceptible to disease

Researchers have shown that Darwin's finches on smaller islands in the Galapagos archipelago have weaker immune responses to disease and foreign pathogens---findings that could help explain why island populations worldwide are particularly susceptible to disease.

15 Jun 2004

SUVs pose greater injury risk to pedestrians

Although pedestrian injuries have decreased in recent years, they still remain a significant health problem, accounting for 13 percent of traffic fatalities in the U.S. The growing popularity of light trucks, a category that includes sport utility vehicles (SUVs), has presented a new challenge for pedestrians and raises an important question: Do light trucks increase the risk of severe injury and death for pedestrians?

15 Jun 2004

Art gives insight into medical research

Paintings that give insights into medical research through a scientist's eyes can be seen at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History's latest exhibition – Medical Research Revealed by Dr Lizzie Burns.

15 Jun 2004

Drug combination reduces cocaine use

Researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center are the first to demonstrate that a combination of drug therapies targeting the region of the brain that controls drug abuse and addiction significantly reduces cocaine use in nonhuman primates.

15 Jun 2004

Latin America and the Caribbean lead the developing world in providing HIV/AIDS treatment

Today Latin America and the Caribbean lead the developing world in providing HIV/AIDS treatment, accounting for more than half of all people on antiretrovirals in developing countries, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

15 Jun 2004

African Americans more at risk of kidney disease

The National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP) today began its first national effort to call attention to the seriousness of kidney disease and the importance of testing those at high risk, particularly African Americans, a group hit especially hard.

15 Jun 2004

Atrial fibrillation may be hereditary

Having a parent with atrial fibrillation (AF) strongly increased an offspring’s risk of developing this heart rhythm disorder, according to a study of participants in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) Framingham Heart Study.

15 Jun 2004

New target to stop breast cancer growth

Two proteins that normally help cells move from place to place and are made in large quantities in breast cancer cells work together to promote the survival and spread of breast cancer, according to a new study by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

15 Jun 2004

The UN needs $2.25 billion to requirements of 49.4 million people affected by 25 crises in Africa, Europe and Asia

The United Nations needs $2.25 billion until the end of the year to address the critical requirements of 49.4 million people affected by 25 crises in Africa, Europe and Asia.

15 Jun 2004

Asian Indian men more at risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Asian Indian men are at an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, whether overweight or not, because their bodies metabolize fat like people who are obese, according to researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

15 Jun 2004

SARS siRNA studied further to help many respiratory diseases including lung cancer

Intradigm Corporation, has announced achievement of prophylactic and therapeutic effects of siRNA (small interfering RNA) inhibitors of SARS-CoV in non-human primate cells. The results are published in the June 2004 issue of Antiviral Therapy (International Medical Press).

15 Jun 2004

EU investigates open access scientific publication

The EU Commission has launched a study on the economic and technical evolution of the scientific publication markets in Europe, the results of which will be available in 2005. The objective is to determine the conditions required for optimum operation of the sector and to assess the extent to which the Commission can help to meet those conditions.

15 Jun 2004