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Study supports sphincter-saving surgery

Fissurectomy results in high levels of healing and low rates of anal incontinence, show the results of the largest ever prospective study of the technique.

26 Jul 2012

Surgical distractions could have disastrous consequences

In a simulated study, the rate of major errors committed while novice surgeons were exposed to typical interruptions and distractions was almost 50%, indicating that such exposure could seriously risk patient safety.

26 Jul 2012

Vitamin A insufficiency linked to hand, foot and mouth disease

Vitamin A status is associated with immunity to, and pathogenic condition of, hand, foot, and mouth disease in children, say researchers whose study results show that the majority of those with the infectious disease also had vitamin A insufficiency.

26 Jul 2012

Injury risk increased in patients with serious mental illnesses

People with serious mental illnesses are significantly more likely to experience injuries than the general population, US study results show.

26 Jul 2012

Short-course palliative RT shows promise

A 2-day course of three-dimensional radiotherapy delivered in twice-daily fractions up to 18 Gy resulted in no dose-limiting toxicities, and high rates of symptom relief in patient with pelvic cancer, especially those with bleeding, report researchers.

26 Jul 2012

Long-term interferon beta benefits unclear in MS

A large “real-world” study fails to show reduced disability progression in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis given interferon beta.

26 Jul 2012

LPL deficiency treatment poised to be first gene therapy in Europe

For the first time, the European Medicines Agency has recommended gene therapy for approval in Europe.

26 Jul 2012

Fatty acids normalize without help in girls with eating disorders

Omega-3 essential fatty acid supplementation is unnecessary for adolescent girls with eating disorders and weight-loss eating disorder, as levels normalize once they return to normal weight, say researchers.

26 Jul 2012

Walking speeds the way to understanding elderly blood pressure

The first study to examine walking speed, mortality, and blood pressure has shown that frail, elderly adults who have high blood pressure may actually be at a decreased risk for mortality, write researchers in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

26 Jul 2012

Illiteracy linked to schizophrenia risk

The risk for schizophrenia is significantly higher among illiterate than literate individuals in China, particularly among younger age groups, results from a population-based study show.

26 Jul 2012

PTSD prevalent in serious mental illness patients

Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among patients with serious mental illnesses, and is associated with an increased risk for suicide attempts, Spanish researchers report.

26 Jul 2012

Congenital long QT syndrome guidelines ‘too restrictive’

Athletes who choose to continue competing after being diagnosed with long QT syndrome have a low rate of LQTS-triggered cardiac events, US researchers report.

26 Jul 2012

Visual impairment hampers elderly patients’ self-management

Elderly patients with visual impairment need extra support to help them manage their medications, report UK researchers.

26 Jul 2012

American Society of Hematology announces new grant program for biomedical research

The American Society of Hematology (ASH), the world's largest professional organization dedicated to the causes and treatment of blood disorders, today announced its commitment of $9 million over a three-year period to provide funding, in the form of bridge grants, for its hematologists whose vital research will not be accomplished due to the severe funding reductions for biomedical research.

26 Jul 2012

Vitamin B12 supplements and hepatitis C treatment: an interview with Gerardo Nardone and Alba Rocco

Since its discovery in 1989, hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been recognized as a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The most recent WHO estimate of the prevalence of HCV infection is 2%, representing . about 150 million people. Every year, 3–4 million new people are infected with the hepatitis C virus, of those, approximately 60–80% develop chronic hepatitis, and 30% of them progress to cirrhosis and to end-stage liver disease.

26 Jul 2012

Combination of two stress hormones shuts down brain activity for goal-directed behaviour

Cognition psychologists at the Ruhr-Universit-t together with colleagues from the University Hospital Bergmannsheil (Prof. Dr. Martin Tegenthoff) have discovered why stressed persons are more likely to lapse back into habits than to behave goal-directed. The team of PD Dr. Lars Schwabe and Prof. Dr. Oliver Wolf from the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience have mimicked a stress situation in the body using drugs.

26 Jul 2012

Recent release: Blogs discuss advancements in HIV preventative, therapeutic R&D

In this post in the Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog, IAVI President and CEO Margaret McGlynn, AVAC Executive Director Mitchell Warren and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe highlight the release of a report from the HIV Vaccine & Microbicides Resource Tracking Working Group.

26 Jul 2012

Consumption of alcohol mixed with energy drinks can lead to casual sex among college-age adults

A new study from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) has found a link between the consumption of caffeinated energy drinks mixed with alcohol and casual -- often risky -- sex among college-age adults.

26 Jul 2012

Scientists use age-old fable to help illustrate how we think differently to other animals

Cambridge scientists have used an age-old fable to help illustrate how we think differently to other animals.

26 Jul 2012

AHAF announces glaucoma and macular degeneration research grants

The American Health Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a history of funding breakthrough research on age-related vision diseases, announced today that it has awarded 21 new grants totaling $2.1 million to scientists worldwide who are studying glaucoma and macular degeneration. The two conditions are the leading causes of irreversible blindness in the world.

26 Jul 2012