Drug Trial News

RSS

Diabetes knowledge has little effect on improving outcomes

A new study by Duke Clinical Research Institute researchers finds little relationship between what a diabetic patient knows about the disease and control of its associated cardiovascular risk factors or how well the patient ultimately fares.

3 Jun 2005

Fungal contamination of saline-filled breast implants is readily preventable

The key steps are to use closed systems for filling the devices and to adhere to the strict moisture control and operating room ventilation standards in force at major hospitals.

3 Jun 2005

New vaccine against whooping cough is effective in teens and adults

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has announced that a study to be published in the June 22/29 issue found that a new vaccine against whooping cough is effective in teens and adults, carriers of the contagious respiratory disease so dangerous to infants.

3 Jun 2005

Booster vaccine that includes protection against pertussis shows promise

A new combination vaccine not yet on the market appears to provide a booster for immunity against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis for adolescents and adults and was found to have a similar overall safety profile when compared to the current licensed tetanus-diphtheria vaccine, according to a new study in JAMA.

3 Jun 2005

Vaccine targets tumors where they live

Vaccine strategies are being designed to battle cancer, but their use for metastatic melanoma is a challenge.

3 Jun 2005

HIV protease inhibitors block programmed cell death in vivo

The immunodeficiency that arises in HIV may be due to excessive programmed cell death of immune CD4 T cells.

3 Jun 2005

Prescribing methadone plus heroin to chronic, treatment resistant addicts is less costly than methadone alone

Prescribing methadone plus heroin to chronic, treatment resistant addicts is less costly than methadone alone because it reduces criminal behaviour, finds a study in this week's BMJ.

3 Jun 2005

Long-term exposure to passive smoking (second-hand smoke) may increase premenopausal breast cancer risk

In North America, for example, there are an estimated 233,000 new cases every year and 45,000 deaths. Despite the well-characterized role of genetics and reproductive risk factors, as well as the suggested roles of physical activity and alcohol, more than half of breast cancer risk remains unexplained.

2 Jun 2005

Loneliness and hopelessness increase risk of self-harm among older people

The aims of this study, published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, were to determine clinical factors that might help to identify those older adults with depression who are most at risk of self-harm and suicide.

2 Jun 2005

Psychiatric casualties from Iraq war - majority due to adjustment difficulties rather than combat stress

In the Iraq war, psychiatric illness among troops took the form mainly of adjustment reactions, rather than combat stress reactions, a new study has found. These adjustment reactions may have been exacerbated by heightened fear associated with non-conventional warfare.

2 Jun 2005

Life events lead to more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder than traumatic events

Life events (e.g. divorce, unemployment) can generate more symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than traumatic events (e.g. a road accident, war), according to a new study.

2 Jun 2005

War is not necessarily bad for psychological health

The study, published in the June issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, was a brief longitudinal mental health screen of members of the UK's Air Assault Brigade before and after deployment in Iraq during 2004.

2 Jun 2005

Depression is more common than post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among UK ex-service personnel

The war in Iraq has heightened recognition that active military service can have an adverse effect on the mental health of some military service personnel. Despite this, little is known about the psychological health or treatment experiences of those who have left the British armed forces.

2 Jun 2005