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U.S. scientists have found the genetic basis for one form of sudden infant death syndrome

Sudden infant death syndrome, also known as cot death and crib death, is defined as the death of an infant between the ages of one month and one year which remains unexplained after a thorough postmortem, investigation of the death scene and review of the clinical history.

20 Jul 2004

Tinned tuna lowers the risk of an irregular hearbeat

A new study out today suggests that tuna or broiled/baked fish lowers the risk of an irregular hearbeat among elderly people.

19 Jul 2004

West Nile Virus in South Dakota

West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in the Western Hemisphere in 1999 in New York City. The virus spread west across the continent, reaching South Dakota in 2002.

19 Jul 2004

New JCAHO helps consumers to choose a hospital that best suits their needs

Consumers can now check the performance of local hospitals, allowing them to determine the hospital that best suits their needs.

19 Jul 2004

Study to establish the effectiveness of Devil’s Claw as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee joint

The University of Southampton’s Complementary Medicine Research Unit is looking for volunteers to take part in a new study which aims to establish the effectiveness of a well-known herbal remedy as a treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee joint.

19 Jul 2004

New compound that is designed to overcome Gleevec resistance

One of the truly spectacular success stories in modern oncology is the development and implementation of Gleevec, a drug that virtually halts the progress of chronic myeloid leukemia. Yet for some patients who harbor particularly stubborn genetic mutations, Gleevec fails miserably.

17 Jul 2004

Increase in the number of urinary tract infections and cases of blood poisoning caused by strains of E. coli

The Health Protection Agency has detected an increase in the number of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and cases of blood poisoning caused by strains of E. coli that are resistant to most antibiotics.

17 Jul 2004

Physician task force sets out knowledge criteria for clinicians who want to consider themselves experts in this growing field

New set of competency criteria for physicians who wish to practice vascular medicine and catheter-based peripheral vascular interventions.

17 Jul 2004

Outreach boosts disease prevention at U.S./Mexico border

Personal contact by community health outreach workers increased Mexican-American women’s adherence to annual preventive medical exams by 35 percent, a new study finds.

17 Jul 2004

Docosahexaenoic acid levels play an important role in infant development

Docosahexaenoic acid, or "DHA," is a nutritional compound (an essential fatty acid, or lipid) that has many effects in the body, including the development of the eyes and brain.

16 Jul 2004

Obesity in mothers is one of the most decisive factors contributing to the appearance of congenital malformations in their children

A study of more than 2000 children of women with gestational diabetes (the diabetes that some women get during pregnancy) has revealed that obesity in mothers is one of the most decisive factors contributing to the appearance of congenital malformations in their children, even more so than the seriousness of the diabetes.

16 Jul 2004

Children and adolescents who consistently watch television for 2 hours or more a day are at an increased risk of being overweight

Children and adolescents who consistently watch television for 2 hours or more a day are at an increased risk of being overweight, to smoke, and to have high cholesterol concentrations in early adulthood—substantial risk factors for long-term health problems in later life—conclude authors of a study from New Zealand in this week’s issue of THE LANCET.

15 Jul 2004

Botulism case associated with consumption of a salt-cured fish product

A 41 year old New Jersey resident was hospitalized on June 3, 2004 with a confirmed case of botulism.

15 Jul 2004

Most Americans ignorant to high cholesterol facts

Results from a recent nationwide survey showed that most respondents did not know that high cholesterol comes from two sources, even though the respondents reported having high cholesterol.

15 Jul 2004

New research into what causes endometriosis

Researchers know what causes endometriosis, but how the cysts that are characteristic of the disease maintain themselves and produce severe pain in some women has remained a mystery.

15 Jul 2004

Expansion of clinical trial of an experimental West Nile virus (WNV) treatment

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, one of the National Institutes of Health, has expanded its clinical trial of an experimental West Nile virus (WNV) treatment to about 60 sites throughout the United States and Canada.

15 Jul 2004

Older people fail to recognise the signs of cardiac arrest

An Australian study has found a disturbing number of older people fail to recognise the signs of cardiac arrest and do not know what to do in the event of such an emergency.

15 Jul 2004

Reports of MRSA have increased by 3.6% in England over the last year

The results from the third year of the mandatory surveillance scheme for Staphylococcus aureus show the number of blood-stream infections caused by both sensitive strains, and also strains resistant to methicillin (MRSA) broken down by regions and also by each acute NHS Trust.

15 Jul 2004

Surgical flight syndrome: how to reduce the risks

“Most people know that all surgery carries some risk,” says Peter Fodor, President of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). “What is less well known is that airline travel carries risk. So people who combine the two need to take extra precautions,” he says.

15 Jul 2004

Scientists determine structure of staph, anthrax enzyme

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago have determined the crystal structure of sortase B, an enzyme found in the bacteria that cause staph and anthrax. While an antibiotic is probably five to seven years away, the structure could provide the first clue in developing a treatment for the infections.

15 Jul 2004