Sleep News and Research

Latest Sleep News and Research

Stem cell-enriched autologous fat treatment safe for breast reconstruction after cancer surgery

Since 2003, breast augmentation utilizing stem cells from autologous fat has been developed enabling silicon-free breast reconstruction following cancer surgery. Till now though, it was unclear whether this might reactivate the cancer again. However, University of Pittsburgh researchers led by Prof. Albert Donnenberg have now demonstrated that stem cell-enriched autologous fat is safe even in the presence of inactive tumor cells.

13 Oct 2010

Australian women stressed and overweight: Survey

In a poll known as “Australia's Biggest Health Check” 26,000 responders showed that Australia's women feel stressed out and unfit and overworked. It also shows that they have barely half an hour of leisure time per day and the mismatch between how much sex women want versus what they get. The survey was promoted via two magazines - Women's Health and Prevention - and also had the backing of Priceline and the Seven Network’s Sunrise program. There were 24,500 women and 1,500 men in on the poll.

12 Oct 2010

Proper treatment for scoliosis may help children to lead active lives

Scoliosis may sound like a frightening diagnosis, but proper treatment enables children with the condition to lead normal, active lives. Scoliosis refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine. Small curves are a normal part of spine anatomy and are not cause for concern, according to Dr. Daniel Green, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. But when the curvature exceeds a certain range, children require medical attention.

12 Oct 2010

Yoga decreases anxiety in childhood cancer patients and their parents

A new study reports that yoga can reduce the stress of cancer diagnosis and treatment experienced by childhood cancer patients and their parents. The findings were published in the September/October 2010 edition of Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, published by the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON).

11 Oct 2010

AFA quarterly magazine features President Obama as guest columnist

President Obama is featured as a guest columnist in the latest issue of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA) quarterly magazine for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, care ADvantage. In his column, he outlines important provisions in the Affordable Care Act that are relevant to the Alzheimer's community, such as health insurance, drug coverage and long-term care.

8 Oct 2010

Researchers discover rhythmic changes in synapse numbers regulate sleep cycles

With the help of tiny, see-through fish, Stanford University School of Medicine researchers are homing in on what happens in the brain while you sleep. In a new study, they show how the circadian clock and sleep affect the scope of neuron-to-neuron connections in a particular region of the brain, and they identified a gene that appears to regulate the number of these connections, called synapses.

8 Oct 2010

Cortex secures patent rights for combined use of AMPAKINE and mGluR5 compounds for Fragile X syndrome treatment

Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the rights to a published patent application entitled, "Pharmacological Modulation of Positive AMPA Receptor Modulator Effects on Neurotrophin Expression", has been licensed exclusively to Cortex from the University of California.

7 Oct 2010

ESH and ERS consent document to manage hypertension and OSA

Consensus document on the management of patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension. Joint recommendations by The European COST Action B26, The European Society of Hypertension and The European Respiratory Society.

7 Oct 2010

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health selected as field trial sites for DSM-5 criteria

Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has been selected as one of seven adult field trial sites in North America and the only site in Canada to test proposed diagnostic criteria for the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

6 Oct 2010

Study may lend insight about hallucination mechanism in schizophrenia

Scripps Research Institute scientists have shown for the first time that the neurotransmitter serotonin uses a specialized signaling pathway to mediate biological functions that are distinct from the signaling pathways used by hallucinogenic substances. The new findings could have a profound effect on the development of new therapies for a number of disorders, including schizophrenia and depression.

6 Oct 2010

Researchers to conduct trial to improve drug abstinence, relapse rates

A $15.7 million award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is allowing researchers to see whether consistent exercise will help people abstain from stimulant abuse.

6 Oct 2010

Aeterna Zentaris' AEZS-130 demonstrates potential as oral diagnostic test for AGHD

Aeterna Zentaris Inc., today announced that an interim review of a Phase 3 trial of AEZS-130 (macimorelin, SolorelTM), demonstrates the compound may provide a simple, well-tolerated and safe oral diagnostic test for Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency (AGHD). The data was presented earlier today by Beverly M.K. Biller, M.D. of the Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, at the 5th International Congress of the Growth Hormone Research Society (GRS) and the Insulin-like Growth Factors (IGF) Society in New York City.

6 Oct 2010

Weight loss success linked to amount of sleep: Study

A new study released Tuesday in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggests that sleeping may help one to lose fat. The study compared two groups of people who were trying to lose weight. One group was assigned to sleep 5.5 hours each night for two weeks, while the other was able to sleep 8.5 hours. The scientists found that the sleep deprived people had higher levels of ghrelin. It may be this hormone that drives appetite that leads to excess eating, believe researchers.

6 Oct 2010

Researchers explore changes in brain regions to combat sleep apnea

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the average sleep apnea sufferer stops breathing and loses oxygen between five and 30 times a night. This lack of oxygen leads to a host of complications, including high blood pressure, vascular disease, an abnormal heart rhythm, or even a fatal cardiac event. Now, a team of University of Missouri researchers is exploring the changes in distinct brain regions that contribute to these symptoms in hopes of combating this common health issue.

5 Oct 2010

Early diagnosis of interstitial cystitis can improve quality of life

October is interstitial cystitis (IC) awareness month and this year's campaign is dedicated to fighting discrimination.

5 Oct 2010

Inadequate sleep reduces benefits of dieting

Cutting back on sleep reduces the benefits of dieting, according to a study published October 5, 2010, in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

5 Oct 2010

Nasal CPAP machine may cause craniofacial changes

The use of a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) machine for more than 2 years may cause craniofacial changes in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

5 Oct 2010

Research on spatial memories may lead to potential treatments for addiction and obesity

A researcher from the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta has discovered a mechanism underlying some forms of obesity and addictions which could lead to a treatment for both diseases.

5 Oct 2010

VIVUS announces divestiture of MUSE to Meda

VIVUS, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Meda - an international specialty pharma company - for MUSE®, transurethral alprostadil, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Under the agreement, Meda will acquire the MUSE assets including the United States and foreign MUSE patents, existing inventory and the manufacturing facility located in Lakewood, New Jersey.

4 Oct 2010

J&JPRD receives FDA Complete Response Letter for tapentadol ER tablets NDA

Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C. (J&JPRD) announced today that it received a Complete Response letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its New Drug Application (NDA) for tapentadol extended release tablets.

4 Oct 2010