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Researchers develop new device to battle against secondhand tobacco smoke

Dartmouth researchers have taken an important step in the ongoing battle against secondhand tobacco smoke. They have pioneered the development of a breakthrough device that can immediately detect the presence of secondhand smoke and even third-hand smoke.

25 Mar 2013

Anti-inflammatory drug naproxen may exhibit antiviral activity against influenza A virus

The over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug naproxen may also exhibit antiviral activity against influenza A virus, according to a team of French scientists. The finding, the result of a structure-based investigation, is published online ahead of print in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

25 Mar 2013

To stop mother-to-child transmission of HIV, focus on safe breastfeeding strategies

"There is great hope that we can finally stop infants from getting infected with HIV by their mothers. But first, countries with high rates of HIV infection must work out how to deliver reliable health programs to protect babies form their mothers' infected breastmilk," Pierre Barker, senior vice president of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, writes in the Huffington Post's "Global Motherhood" blog.

25 Mar 2013

Certain strains of lactobacillus bacteria can dampen production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1

Certain Streptococci increase their production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, sometimes to potentially dangerous levels, when aerobic bacteria are present in the vagina. But scientists from the University of Western Ontario have discovered certain strains of lactobacillus bacteria are capable of dampening production of that toxin according to research published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

25 Mar 2013

Scientists call for leaders to combine poverty, environmental goals

Writing in the journal Nature, 10 scientists from around the world "say the only chance of achieving global prosperity is for all countries to combine poverty and environmental targets," and they ask "[w]orld leaders [to] set six goals around universal clean energy, an end to water and food shortages, thriving lives and livelihoods, and healthy and productive ecosystems," the Guardian reports.

25 Mar 2013

Protein with key job in muscle function moonlights in nucleus to help regulate genes

A key building block of life, actin is one of the most abundant and highly conserved proteins in eukaryotic cells.

25 Mar 2013

The Lancet examines changes to China's family planning policy

The Lancet reports on changes in the governance of China's family planning policy. "On March 10, nearly 32 years to the day since China's National Population and Family Planning Commission was established to oversee the world's largest, longest-standing population control program, the country's leaders announced plans to dissolve it into the Ministry of Health," the journal writes, noting, "Four days later, the National People's Congress rubber-stamped the proposal and the commission ceased to exist, leaving the future of the country's fertility policy in doubt."

25 Mar 2013

Patient participation in care (PPC): an interview with Professor Wendy Chaboyer, NHMRC

Patient-centred care, that is partnering ‘with’ patients, rather than providing services ‘to’ them, is advocated as a way to improve patient safety.

25 Mar 2013

Study investigates new way to treat necrotizing enterocolitis

Stem cells taken from amniotic fluid were used to restore gut structure and function following intestinal damage in rodents, in new research published in the journal Gut.

25 Mar 2013

Governments' attention to health policy can promote dignity, freedom

In a Lancet opinion piece, the journal's editor-in-chief Richard Horton writes about "[w]hy governments should take health more seriously," stating, "The purpose of government is to uphold the dignity of its people.

25 Mar 2013

Study uncovers new relationship between nuclear architecture, gene activity

Every time a cell divides it makes a carbon copy of crucial ingredients, including the histone proteins that are responsible for spooling yards of DNA into tight little coils.

25 Mar 2013

Study reveals role of SNX27 protein in brain function

What is it about the extra chromosome inherited in Down syndrome-chromosome 21-that alters brain and body development? Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have new evidence that points to a protein called sorting nexin 27, or SNX27.

25 Mar 2013

Opinion pieces recognize World Water Day 2013

World Water Day is recognized on March 22 to raise awareness of water and sanitation issues worldwide. This year also marks the International Year of Water Cooperation, according to the World Water Day website (3/22).

25 Mar 2013

Loyola's School-based Health Center at Proviso East High School holds health fair for students

Health care reform has highlighted the importance of comprehensive, culturally appropriate interventions at the community level to prevent disease and encourage healthy behaviors. Providing young people with the knowledge and skills to make healthy lifestyle choices is the best way to reduce the risk chronic disease in later life.

25 Mar 2013

Complication rates after hip surgery may be higher than previous reports, say researchers

Outcomes after surgery have always been difficult to determine. Now a new case study on more than 500 hip procedures highlights that complication rates may be even higher than previous reports, say researchers presenting at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day in Chicago, IL.

25 Mar 2013

GlobalPost blog examines first progress report for 'USAID Forward' initiative

USAID on Wednesday "released its first progress report for USAID Forward, the major reform effort it initiated in 2010 'to change the way the agency does business,'" GlobalPost's "Global Pulse" blog reports.

25 Mar 2013

Moderated discussion on progress toward learning health system

The American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Conquer Cancer Foundation invite you to a moderated discussion of progress toward a "learning health system" that will transform cancer care and speed the search for cures.

25 Mar 2013

Women, girls around the world at risk from inefficient cookstoves

"For mothers around the world, preparing the family meal is a daily ritual and an act of love. But it's also a grave risk for approximately three billion people who cook with open fires and inefficient stoves that burn solid fuels such as wood, animal and agricultural waste, and coal," Kathy Calvin, CEO of the United Nations Foundation, writes in the Huffington Post's "Global Motherhood" blog.

25 Mar 2013

Nerve mapping technology helps measure performance of nerves during surgery

Nerve mapping technology allows surgeons to determine whether surgery has been effective for relieving pressure from compressed nerves, which often function poorly and cause sciatica or pain and weakness in muscles supplied by the nerve.

25 Mar 2013

Experts outline new agenda for inflammatory bowel disease research

Every five years, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America gathers top researchers in inflammatory bowel disease to set the research agenda for the next five years.

25 Mar 2013