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Scientists unravel action mechanism of castor oil

Castor oil is known primarily as an effective laxative; however, it was also used in ancient times with pregnant women to induce labour. Only now have scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research succeeded in unravelling the mysteries of the action mechanism. A receptor by the name of EP3 on the cells of the intestine and uterus is apparently responsible. This is activated by an ingredient in the oil.

22 May 2012

New therapeutic options for management of melanoma brain metastases

In a recent article published in MELANOMA RESEARCH and a subsequent commentary in British medical journal THE LANCET, researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center discussed new therapeutic options for the management of melanoma brain metastases. Patients with advanced melanoma are at high risk for developing brain metastases. Once brain metastases are present, these patients tend to have poor outcomes.

21 May 2012

$Children with pelvic and thigh fractures rarely develop dangerous blood clots$

Children with pelvic and thigh fractures rarely develop dangerous blood clots

Children with pelvic and thigh fractures develop dangerous blood clots so rarely that anti-clotting therapy should be given only to those with underlying conditions that increase clotting risk, according to a study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

21 May 2012

Young children with cystic fibrosis do not benefit from concentrated saline therapy

Concentrated saline therapy not effective in young children with cystic fibrosis NIH-funded study demonstrates importance of conducting pediatric clinical trials.

21 May 2012

Male cyclists may experience hormonal imbalances that affect reproductive health

A new study conducted by UCLA School of Nursing researchers has found that serious leisure male cyclists may experience hormonal imbalances that could affect their reproductive health. The study, "Reproductive Hormones and Interleukin-6 in Serious Leisure Male Athletes," was published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.

21 May 2012

Nighttime intensivists not associated with reduced mortality

Nighttime intensivist physician staffing in intensive care units (ICUs) with a low-intensity daytime staffing model is associated with reduced mortality, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference in San Francisco.

21 May 2012

Dyspnea limits sexual activity among older patients with COPD

Troublesome dyspnea that limits sexual activity is common among older patients with COPD, according to a new study from Denmark.

21 May 2012

NHS needs to do more to create a research culture: Survey

Survey published to coincide with International Clinical Trials Day shows NHS needs to do more to create a research culture.

21 May 2012

Study investigates link between BMI and cardiac function in obese adolescents

Obese adolescents with no symptoms of heart disease already have heart damage, according to new research.

21 May 2012

Nordic walking enables heart failure patients to exercise more intensely

Nordic walking enables heart failure patients to exercise more intensely than walking without poles.

21 May 2012

Certain types of fat associated with worse memory and overall cognitive function

It has been known for years that eating too many foods containing "bad" fats, such as saturated fats or trans fats, isn't healthy for your heart. However, according to new research from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), one "bad" fat-saturated fat-was found to be associated with worse overall cognitive function and memory in women over time. By contrast, a "good" fat-mono-unsaturated fat was associated with better overall cognitive function and memory.

19 May 2012

ACE Foundation, CRG partner to research into neurodegenerative diseases

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and the ACE Foundation - Barcelona Alzheimer Treatment & Research Centre, have signed a collaboration agreement to carry out scientific projects related to neurodegenerative diseases.

19 May 2012

Research demonstrates how a living cell controls its growth process

A collaboration between Lehigh University physicists and University of Miami biologists addresses an important fundamental question in basic cell biology: How do living cells figure out when and where to grow?

19 May 2012

Study examines cognitive effects of head impacts among student athletes

Dartmouth faculty and students played prominent roles in a recent study on the cognitive effects of head impacts among student athletes. Tested at the beginning and end of one season, 22 percent of those students who participated in contact sports scored significantly lower in memory and learning skills than expected, as opposed to only 4 percent of non-contact sport athletes.

19 May 2012

Exercise could reduce risk of asthma symptoms or attacks

Not only is it safe for people with asthma to exercise, but doing so could reduce their risk of asthma symptoms or attacks, according to a new evidence review in The Cochrane Library.

19 May 2012

Promising updates in quest for early detection and treatments for lung cancer

LUNGevity Foundation, the nation's largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, is pleased to note promising updates in researchers' quest for early detection and treatments for lung cancer during May, Lung Cancer Hope Month.

18 May 2012

Cautious optimism over prevalence of PTSD

A decade after the start of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, studies have shown that the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among troops is surprisingly low, and a Harvard researcher credits the drop, in part, to new efforts by the Army to prevent PTSD, and to ensure those who do develop the disorder receive the best treatment available.

18 May 2012

Two major reasons to monitor medication use in older patients with chronic pain

Ameritox, the nation's leader in pain medication monitoring, announced today the presentation of a peer-reviewed scientific poster titled "Patterns of Drug Use in the Older Chronic Pain Population" at the American Pain Society Annual Meeting.

18 May 2012

Migraine is a neurological, not vascular, disorder

The latest genetic and biological research shows that migraine is a neurological, not vascular, disorder and both acute and preventive treatments being developed target peripheral and central nervous systems, according to a prominent migraine expert addressing the American Pain Society (APS)today.

18 May 2012

Personal genetic test results don't drive overuse of expensive medical care

People have more and more chances to participate in genetic testing that can indicate their range of risk for developing a disease. Receiving these results does not appreciably drive up- or diminish-test recipients' demand for potentially costly follow-up health services, according to a new study in the May 17, 2012 early online issue of Genetics in Medicine.

18 May 2012