Medical News

RSS

Reprogrammable cell type depends on a single gene to keep its identity

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered that a certain differentiated cell type is so ready to change its identity that it requires the constant expression of a gene called Prox1 to dissuade it.

1 Dec 2008

Psychiatric disorders common among 18 to 24-year-olds

Psychiatric disorders appear to be common among 18 to 24-year-olds, with overall rates similar among those attending or not attending college, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry.

1 Dec 2008

Exposure to pseudoephedrine common among young children

Researchers from Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center have found that exposure to pseudoephedrine, a decongestant found in many cough-and-cold and allergy medications, has been common among U.S. children, especially those under the age of two years who are at the highest risk for toxicity and for whom safe dosing recommendations are lacking.

1 Dec 2008

Place of birth plays a role in the occurrence of asthma in U.S black population

The researchers found that within one inner-city population, blacks born in the United States were more likely to have asthma than blacks who were born outside of the United States.

1 Dec 2008

Prostate cancer tumors promote nerve growth

Prostate cancer - and perhaps other cancers - promotes the growth of new nerves and the branching axons that carry their messages, a finding associated with more aggressive tumors, said researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in the first report of the phenomenon that appears today in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

1 Dec 2008

Chemical used in antifouling paints may promote obesity

Tributyltin, a ubiquitous pollutant that has a potent effect on gene activity, could be promoting obesity, according to an article in the December issue of BioScience.

1 Dec 2008

Analysis of tissue biomarkers expressed in ovarian cancer samples

Although ovarian cancer is not the most common gynecologic cancer in women, the disease contributes a substantial burden of mortality in part because symptoms are nonspecific and the disease presents late in its course.

1 Dec 2008

Six bad bugs increasingly escaping effects of antibiotics

Infectious disease experts warn that new drugs are urgently needed to treat six drug-resistant bacteria that cause most hospital infections and increasingly escape the effects of antibiotics.

1 Dec 2008

Babies exposed to tobacco in utero more irritable, difficult to soothe

Previous studies have shown that babies exposed to tobacco in utero are more likely to have a low birth weight and are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome.

1 Dec 2008

Scientists discover new properties of imidazolium salts

Scientists at Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) have uncovered new properties of imidazolium salts (IMSs), which suggest that they could play a vital role in disease prevention and treatment.

1 Dec 2008

New imaging technique captures clinical stages of ocular inflammation

Researchers used a new imaging technique to take high quality color photographs of the clinical stages of ocular inflammation in mice, and the technology could help in the monitoring and treatment of diseases of the eye that may cause blindness.

1 Dec 2008

Relief for common and painful heel problem called plantar fasciitis

Combining an ultrasound-guided technique with steroid injection is 95 percent effective at relieving the common and painful foot problem called plantar fasciitis, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

1 Dec 2008

Breakthrough in strategy used to develop new pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia

In one of the first instances of targeted drug design in psychiatric treatment, University of Pittsburgh researchers have found an experimental agent that shows promise in addressing working memory impairments that occur in schizophrenia.

1 Dec 2008

The coming surgeon shortage

In less than two years, there may not be enough surgeons in U.S. hospitals to treat the critically injured or chronically ill.

1 Dec 2008

Mylan confirms first-to-file patent challenge of AMRIX capsules

Mylan Inc. has confirmed that the company and its subsidiary, Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., have been sued by Cephalon Inc., Eurand Inc. and Anesta AG in connection with the filing of an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride (HCl) Extended-release (ER) Capsules, 15 mg and 30 mg, the generic version of AMRIX Capsules.

1 Dec 2008

Multidetector CT cystography accurately detects vesicourethral leaks after prostatectomy

Multidetector CT (MDCT) cystography (diagnostic procedure used to examine the bladder) can be used to detect vesicourethral leaks (a common problem) after prostatectomy according to a study that was performed at the Seoul National University College of Medicine in the Republic of Korea.

1 Dec 2008

Magnetic imaging devices may damage cochlear implants

Patients with cochlear implants may want to steer clear of certain magnetic imaging devices, such as 3T MRI machines, because the machines can demagnetize the patient's implant, according to new research published in the December 2008 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

1 Dec 2008

Measles Initiative to announce new achievements

The Measles Initiative partners - led by the American Red Cross, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and the World Health Organization - will announce the latest achievement in global health during a press teleconference on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. EST, 4:00pm CET.

1 Dec 2008

Etanercept found to be ineffective in treating alcoholic hepatitis

A new study from Mayo Clinic finds the use of the drug therapy etanercept ineffective in treating alcoholic hepatitis, an acute inflammation of the liver caused by excessive consumption of alcohol. The results of the study are published in the December issue of Gastroenterology.

1 Dec 2008

Exposure to folic acid antagonists during pregnancy has risks

Exposure to folic acid antagonists during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of placenta-mediated adverse outcomes such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, fetal growth restriction or fetal death reports a retrospective cohort study published in CMAJ.

1 Dec 2008