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Genetic selection of target stem cell populations

Human embryonic stem cells can be genetically manipulated to help select out desirable cell types, according to a University of Nottingham study published online in Molecular Therapy.

29 Nov 2007

Genetic differences point to ethnic and racial disparities in colorectal cancer risk

Risk of developing colorectal cancer is known to differ across ethnic and racial groups, and now an analysis of 26 studies, involving over 25,000 participants shows that some of these disparities might be explained by distinct patterns of genetic inheritance.

29 Nov 2007

Effects of weight, genetics and religious beliefs on prostate cancer

African-American men face an observable disadvantage versus Caucasian men when it comes to prostate cancer survival.

29 Nov 2007

Devastating economic impact predicted if foot-and-mouth disease arrive in Kansas

As much as $945 million. That's what agricultural economists at Kansas State University say could be the impact on Kansas' economy were there a large-scale foot-and-mouth outbreak in a region thick with livestock operations.

29 Nov 2007

Discovery of link between moderate exercise and decreased inflammation of damaged skin tissue

In recent years, researchers at the University of Illinois have uncovered a host of reasons for people to remain physically active as they age, ranging from better brain function to improved immune responses.

29 Nov 2007

Eltrombopag studied in Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

There are estimated to be between 50,000 -- 100,000 individuals in the U.S. diagnosed with chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an autoimmune disease that dramatically reduces the number of platelets in their blood -- causing bruises, nosebleeds and, sometimes, life-threatening brain hemorrhages.

29 Nov 2007

Drug monitoring reduces seizures in pregnant women with epilepsy

A popular epilepsy drug taken by pregnant women with epilepsy because of its mild risk of birth defects has been linked to increased seizure activity in up to 75 percent of pregnancies.

29 Nov 2007

New drug, eltrombopag boosts platelets in hepatitis C patients

It's not a cure, but this may be some of the best news patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have heard in a long time: A new drug, eltrombopag, appears to be effective in boosting low platelet counts, one of the major reasons why patients can't endure antiviral treatments.

29 Nov 2007

Could stem cells be used to cure Crohn's Disease?

Scientists are investigating whether stem cells could be used to 're-boot' the immune system and provide a cure for Crohn's Disease.

29 Nov 2007

Defensive medicine leads to overuse of CT scans

Computed Tomography (CT) scans are an increasingly used X-ray-based tool for providing a three-dimensional view of a particular organ or tissue.

29 Nov 2007

Cancer risks for urban African-American women grow, healthy diets more difficult to maintain

Women living in the inner city have difficulty meeting dietary goals that could help prevent cancer, according to a report from Johns Hopkins University researchers.

29 Nov 2007

New computational technique predicts side-effects of a major cancer drug

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a novel computer technique to search for the side effects of major pharmaceuticals.

29 Nov 2007

Study finds no real increase in obesity among adults; but levels still high

After a quarter century of increases, obesity prevalence has not measurably increased in the past few years but levels are still high - at 34 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 and over, according to a new study released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

29 Nov 2007

Aging in mice at the molecular level

Researchers at the National Institute of Aging and Stanford University have used gene arrays to identify genes whose activity changes with age in 16 different mouse tissues.

29 Nov 2007

Tobacco-free states spend less on Medicaid

America's Medicaid system could spend nearly $10 billion less within five years if all Medicaid beneficiaries who smoke, quit. A new study released today by the American Legacy Foundation found that effective smoking prevention and cessation programs could cut Medicaid costs by 5.6 percent.

29 Nov 2007

New figures show an alarming incidence of HIV in MSM

On World AIDS Day 2007, hundreds, perhaps thousands, of men who have sex with men (MSM) will become infected with HIV in cities across the Asia Pacific, becoming the latest statistics in an almost unrecognized but ever-growing crisis that many governments in the region are only just beginning to grapple with.

29 Nov 2007