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Paradigm shift in TB: virulence factors, not antibiotics

Over the course of the 20th Century, doctors waged war against infectious bacterial illness with the best new weapon they had: antibiotics.

27 Dec 2007

Research could turn the tables on superbugs

Scientists in Australia and America believe they have found a way to deal with the increasing antibiotic resistance of deadly superbugs such as MRSA.

27 Dec 2007

Medical myths laid to rest

New research from the United States has revealed that a number of commonly-held medical beliefs are in fact just medical myths.

27 Dec 2007

Chocoholics beware!

The prestigious British medical journal The Lancet has warned that dark chocolate may not be as good for us as we would like to think.

27 Dec 2007

Tax sodas to fight obesity says mayor of San Francisco

The mayor of San Francisco, in an attempt to improve the overall health of citizens, is considering a tax on sodas and other drinks which are artificially sweetened by high-fructose corn syrup.

27 Dec 2007

Despite past disasters U.S. still not ready to cope biological attacks and flu pandemics

According to a newly released report the U.S. remains unprepared to deal with disasters such as biological attacks and flu pandemics.

27 Dec 2007

Australian researchers tackle antibiotic resistance

The development of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria that are problematic and expensive to treat is a major healthcare problem around the world. The "selective pressure" of antibiotic usage inevitably results in the emergence and proliferation of resistant bacteria.

20 Dec 2007

Novavax's new bird flu vaccine could bolster the arsenal against a pandemic

The drug company Novavax has announced that it's experimental avian flu vaccine has proved to be both safe and effective in Phase I/IIa trials in humans.

20 Dec 2007

Key enzyme keeps synapse on track

At its core, healthy neurological function hinges on the efficient passage of information between brain cells via the synapse.

20 Dec 2007

Brain abnormalities found underlying borderline personality disorder

Using new approaches, an interdisciplinary team of scientists at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City has gained a view of activity in key brain areas associated with a core difficulty in patients with borderline personality disorder -- shedding new light on this serious psychiatric condition.

20 Dec 2007

Researchers prevent muscle weakness caused by myasthenia gravis

Severe muscle weakness caused by myasthenia gravis - a highly debilitating autoimmune disorder - can be prevented or reversed by blocking a key step in the immune response that brings on the disease, researchers at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine have found.

20 Dec 2007

New patent law has consequences for the pharmaceutical industry

On 13th December 2007 a revised version of the European Patent Convention (EPC) came into force. This new law, known as EPC2000, has a number of consequences for the pharmaceutical industry and the way in which patent applications are examined.

20 Dec 2007

Institutional life damages a child's intellect

A new study provides scientific proof that placing children in foster care rather than an institution can reverse the damage of severe neglect on a child's development.

20 Dec 2007

More warnings about anti smoking drug Champix

The European drugs regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) is calling for warnings to be placed on the the anti smoking drug Champix (varenicline).

20 Dec 2007

Stop whole body scans says committee on radiation risk

An advisory committee to the British government has called for private health clinics to immediately stop offering whole body scans to the "worried well", because they carry too great a radiation risk.

20 Dec 2007

Microchip blood test detects cancers earlier

A new blood test which uses microchip technology may offer doctors the opportunity to detect cancers earlier and also monitor cancer treatment.

20 Dec 2007

Seniors who walk regularly lower their risk for dementia

Seniors who walk regularly and also do other forms of moderate exercise are protecting themselves against a certain form of dementia.

20 Dec 2007

Authorities in the U.S. say hold back on children's Hib vaccine

Health authorities in U.S. are advising doctors to defer giving booster shots of a childhood vaccine following suspicions that production equipment may not have been properly sterilized.

20 Dec 2007