Medical News

RSS

24 percent of U.S. women affected by pelvic floor disorders

Nearly 24 percent of U.S. women are affected with one or more pelvic floor disorders, report researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health. Their analysis is the first to document in a nationally representative sample the extent of pelvic floor disorders, a cluster of health problems that causes physical discomfort and limits activity.

17 Sep 2008

A blood marker may indicate Alzheimer's risk

A simple blood test capable of predicting if a person might develop Alzheimer's disease is within sight, and could eventually be used to help scientists reverse onset of the disease in those most at risk.

17 Sep 2008

Cardiologists find old-fashioned physical exams just as good for assessing heart failure as new technology

Patient history and physical examination, traditionally the cornerstone diagnostic tool for medical care, may still be among the most accurate and cost-efficient methods to assess patients with congestive heart failure, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found.

17 Sep 2008

Dollar-sized medical device provides injured military skydiver with pain relief

St. Jude Medical, Inc. today announced the first patient implant of an Eon Mini, the world's smallest, longest-lasting, rechargeable neurostimulator to treat chronic pain of the trunk or limbs and pain from failed back surgery.

17 Sep 2008

Mother's flu shot protects newborns

Newborns can be protected from seasonal flu when their mothers are vaccinated during pregnancy, according to a study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

17 Sep 2008

Genetic screening effective for initial HIV treatment

A major study from a team of researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College and Massachusetts General Hospital has found that a recent change to HIV-treatment guidelines recommending genetic screening is cost-effective under certain conditions. The new recommendation suggests conducting a genetic screening test prior to prescribing the drug abacavir, one of the preferred first-line drugs for the treatment for HIV-infected adults.

17 Sep 2008

Women who smoke increase their risk of dying prematurely

A long term study by researchers in the United States has found that women can reduce their risk of a premature death by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

17 Sep 2008

Australian men picking HIV up from unsafe sex overseas

A conference in Perth, Australia, has heard that six men in Cairns have contracted HIV after travelling to Papua New Guinea and the news has alarmed health authorities and raised concern that there may be more undetected cases in the area.

17 Sep 2008

New research puts FDA under pressure over BPA

The results of a new study which has linked a chemical commonly used to make plastic containers, to human diseases, is adding to an already heated debate about he safety of such products.

17 Sep 2008

Flies reveal immune cell response to tumour and tissue damage

Research with fruit flies has revealed more in common between simple cuts and scratches and the growth of tumours than might have been expected.

17 Sep 2008

Who you fancy depends on your testosterone level

Researchers in Scotland have found that the hormone testosterone affects who women and men are attracted to.

17 Sep 2008

Combo of flu shot and COLD-FX cuts cold and flu by a third

A new study has shown the benefit of annual flu vaccinations for seniors along with Canada's top cold and flu-fighting product COLD-FX.

17 Sep 2008

Gastric bypass surgery does not always guarantee a significant weight loss

According to a new report gastric bypass surgery is not always a great success story.

17 Sep 2008

Ethics of screening for Down Syndrome under question

A new analysis has revealed some troubling facts regarding the universally available genetic screening test for Down syndrome.

17 Sep 2008

Australian researchers have new model to predict long-term survival of critically ill patients

Researchers in Western Australia have come up with a new way of estimating the long-term survival of critically ill patients.

17 Sep 2008

Prostate cancer genes behave like those in embryo

Gene activity in prostate cancer is reminiscent of that in the developing fetal prostate, providing further evidence that all cancers are not equal, Johns Hopkins researchers report. The finding could help scientists investigate how to manipulate the genetic program to fight a disease whose biology remains poorly understood despite more than half a century of investigation.

16 Sep 2008

GlaxoSmithKline and XenoPort submit NDA for Solzira for restless legs syndrome

GlaxoSmithKline and XenoPort, Inc. announced today that a New Drug Application (NDA) has been submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting approval of Solzira (gabapentin enacarbil) Extended Release Tablets for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

16 Sep 2008

Mylan receives FDA approval for generic version of Risperdal

Mylan Inc today announced that its subsidiary Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. has received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Risperidone Tablets USP, 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg and 4 mg.

16 Sep 2008

Geron issued U.S. patent for cardiomyocytes from human embryonic stem cells

Geron Corporation has announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,425,448, with broad claims to cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). The patent runs until at least April 2025 (subject to any patent term extension that may be available). Geron's GRNCM1 program is developing hESC-derived cardiomyocytes for the treatment of heart disease.

16 Sep 2008

NAMPA statement regarding JAMA study on bisphenol A

As with any new research regarding potential health effects associated with bisphenol A (BPA), the North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc. (NAMPA) takes seriously the findings of this latest study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

16 Sep 2008