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Interferon retreatment of chronic hepatitis C may be harmful

People with hepatitis C and chronic liver disease who relapsed or failed to respond to initial treatment are unlikely to improve on interferon retreatment. In fact, they may face an increased risk of dying sooner, and are likely to experience a variety of adverse effects, according to an updated systematic review published in The Cochrane Library.

31 Jan 2013

Cerebrolysin: a promising new treatment for dementia

Dementia patients may benefit from a promising new treatment called Cerebrolysin, according to the results of a systematic review published in The Cochrane Library. The authors brought together the most up-to-date evidence on Cerebrolysin as a treatment for vascular dementia.

31 Jan 2013

Congenital sight impairment cure grows closer

A cure for congenital sight impairment caused by lens damage is closer following research by scientists at Monash University.

31 Jan 2013

Study analyzes nursing unit layout for improved spatial flow

In hospitals, poor floor design, storage closet clutter and crowded corridors can contribute to nurse and medical staff fatigue. These distractions can hurt patient care quality and result in higher medical costs. Now, a new Cornell University study offers a spatial solution.

31 Jan 2013

FET programme picks Graphene and HumanBrain among six visions for frontier research

Europe is set to embark on two bold, visionary projects. The projects aim to invest up to one billion euroover ten years to fuel revolutionary discoveries. The Future and Emerging Technologies Flagship (FET) programme picked two among six visions for frontier research.

31 Jan 2013

Best way to conserve energy, maintain endurance is to alternate between walking and running

Forget "slow and steady wins the race." A new study shows that, at least sometimes, the best way to conserve energy and reach your destination on time is to alternate between walking and running-whether your goal is the bus stop or a marathon finish line.

31 Jan 2013

Scientists review damage-control in metabolism

In this week's issue of the prestigious journal Nature Chemical Biology, scientists Carole Linster (University of Luxembourg), Emile Van Schaftingen (Louvain University), and Andrew D. Hanson (University of Florida, Gainesville) review an important, but so far neglected, part of metabolism, namely metabolite damage-control.

31 Jan 2013

Enzymes may have new role as intelligent micro and nanomotors

Enzymes, workhorse molecules of life that underpin almost every biological process, may have a new role as "intelligent" micro- and nanomotors with applications in medicine, engineering and other fields.

31 Jan 2013

Positive moods can improve decision making and working memory in older people

Older adults can improve their decision making and working memory simply by putting on a happy face, a new study suggests.

31 Jan 2013

Study illuminates the response of dopaminergic neurons to changes in temperature

While the wooly musk ox may like it cold, fruit flies definitely do not. They like it hot, or at least warm. In fact, their preferred optimum temperature is very similar to that of humans-76 degrees F.

31 Jan 2013

MiR-182 deeply involved in memory formation within the amygdala brain structure

It takes a lot to make a memory. New proteins have to be synthesized, neuron structures altered. While some of these memory-building mechanisms are known, many are not. Some recent studies have indicated that a unique group of molecules called microRNAs, known to control production of proteins in cells, may play a far more important role in memory formation than previously thought.

30 Jan 2013

Microscopic hematuria poor indicator for renal, bladder malignancy

The presence of microscopic levels of blood in the urine is unreliable as an indicator for renal or bladder cancer, report researchers.

30 Jan 2013

ALDH1 expression predicts outcome in node-negative rectal cancer

Expression of the cancer stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 is an independent predictor for poor prognosis in node-negative rectal cancer, researchers say.

30 Jan 2013

Hospitalists flag patient overload threat to safety

Two-fifths of US hospitalists say their average patient load exceeds safe levels at least monthly, according to a nationwide survey.

30 Jan 2013

Birthweight extremes influence psychotic symptom severity

Both high and low birthweight increase the severity of psychotic symptoms, particularly disorganized and negative symptoms, research indicates.

30 Jan 2013

Bipolar pedigree endophenotypes found

Researchers have found cognitive endophenotypes in a single extended family showing linkage of bipolar disorder to a risk locus on chromosome 4.

30 Jan 2013

Maternal diet, first-year housing affect foals' osteochondrosis risk

Mares that are fed a diet that includes or is solely comprised of concentrates during gestation are significantly more likely to produce foals that develop permanent osteochondrosis lesions compared with mares who are fed a diet of roughage alone, report researchers.

30 Jan 2013