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Converting cells into heart muscle

This plasticity concept – the ability of bone marrow cell to transdifferentiate into heart muscle cell – is supported by experimental and clinical data. Another possibility is to replace the missing function by causing transdifferentiation of existing cells. Transdifferentiation means converting one sort of cell, e.g. fibroblast, into another, e.g. muscle cell.

30 Aug 2004

Students are more likely to drink, smoke cigarettes and smoke marijuana when they receive drivers’ licenses

For many high school students, obtaining a driver’s license means more fun, freedom and responsibility.

30 Aug 2004

Streptococcal bacteria disrupts blood clotting to infect humans

University of Michigan researchers have captured a glimpse of the endless arms race between infectious agents and the human immune system in a bacterium that uses a mimic of a human blood-clotting enzyme to advance its infection.

27 Aug 2004

Solid evidence that best treatment for multiple sclerosis is pregnancy

For years, doctors have suggested the best treatment for multiple sclerosis is pregnancy. Now, an Oregon study is delivering solid evidence to support the theory.

27 Aug 2004

High tech implants to aid facial reconstruction

Loughborough University researchers have been awarded more than £200,000 to develop state-of-the-art tailor made implants for people requiring facial reconstructive surgery.

27 Aug 2004

Nobox gene key to proper egg development

While humorists ponder the old saw about the chicken and the egg, researchers at Baylor College of Medicine focus on the egg, which would not exist without the master geneNobox, which they describe in this week’s issue of the journal Science.

27 Aug 2004

Yogurt, unfortunately, is not the answer for thrush

The curative power of yogurt to prevent cases of thrush when taking antibiotics has been debunked by a University of Melbourne researcher.

27 Aug 2004

Two new findings in the field of primary prevention for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

The first is that both high and low blood pressure increase the chances of developing dementia. The second is that an active and socially integrated lifestyle protects against dementia.

27 Aug 2004

Ephedra substitute - Seville orange may have risks

People taking “ephedra-free” weight loss products that contain the herb Citrus aurantium, or Seville orange, may be doing more harm to their body than good, according to a new review published by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers.

27 Aug 2004

Probiotics of no use for vaginal problems

"Friendly" bacteria (probiotics) are widely used and recommended for general health and specifically for vaginal problems.

26 Aug 2004

Complying with new flu guidelines may be impractical and costly

Complying with guidelines for the use of a new drug to prevent flu may be impractical and costly, according to new research published on bmj.com today.

26 Aug 2004

Eggs are a high in lutein, a carotenoid important for eye and skin health

The study published in the August 2004 issue of the Journal of Nutrition compared the bioavailability of lutein from various sources, in order to determine how it can impact dietary recommendations. Highly bioavailable forms of nutrients are those that the body can most easily absorb and utilize.

26 Aug 2004