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Hospitals can be harmful to your health

According to a report on the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, 1 in 10 patients admitted to NHS hospitals is unintentionally harmed and almost a million safety incidents, more than 2,000 of which were fatal, were recorded last year.

6 Jul 2006

Discovery of gene mutation gives hope for Down syndrome and Alzheimer's victims

Researchers in the U.S. have discovered a gene mutation that shrivels brain cells which they suspect is responsible for the mental retardation seen in Down syndrome.

6 Jul 2006

Early menopause on the cards for childhood cancer survivors

In a new study researchers have found that girls who survive childhood cancer are more likely to experience an early menopause when they mature than other women.

6 Jul 2006

Obese women at greater risk of disease and death

Experts say that obesity is a disease that now affects nearly one-third of the adult American population, approximately 60 million people, and the latest study on the condition suggests that health risks to women who are obese may have been underestimated.

6 Jul 2006

Innovative diabetes research wins prestigious health award

A life-saving approach to controlling blood glucose levels in critical care developed at the University of Canterbury and Christchurch Hospital Department of Intensive Care Medicine has won the Supreme Award at the 2006 New Zealand Health Innovation Awards.

5 Jul 2006

Adopting multiple healthy habits may significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease in men

A prospective study of 42,847 middle-aged and older U.S. men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study has found that a healthy lifestyle is associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), even among men taking antihypertensive or lipid-lowering medications.

5 Jul 2006

UK sexually transmitted infections on the rise

New figures released by the Health Protection Agency show that the number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other conditions diagnosed in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in the UK increased by 3% between 2004 and 2005.

5 Jul 2006

Scientists identify overactive protein that plays a key role in cystic fibrosis

A team led by Johns Hopkins Children's Center scientists has identified and successfully tamed an overactive protein that plays a key role in cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that interferes with the body's ability to transport chloride in and out of cells.

5 Jul 2006

Small towns share big-city obesity problems

A few years ago public health researchers linked big-city attributes - like safety concerns and too few recreational facilities - to obesity.

5 Jul 2006

Media coverage of obesity outweighs smoking cessation stories

Obesity is grabbing more headlines, but not necessarily crowding out media coverage of the dangers of tobacco use, according to a new study sponsored by a drug company. However obesity made more news while tobacco got less attention, based on an analysis of eight years of medical stories in the media.

5 Jul 2006

Chantix may help smokers quit

Chantix (varenicline) was shown to be effective with a favorable safety profile as an aid to smoking cessation treatment, according to three pivotal studies published in this week's Journal of the American Medical Association.

5 Jul 2006

UK smokers most likely to cash in on cheap cigarettes

Smokers in the UK are much more likely to buy cheap cigarettes at a discount outlet than smokers in Australia, Canada and the USA

5 Jul 2006

Bioengineered tissue implants regenerate damaged knee cartilage

Knee cartilage injuries can be effectively repaired by tissue engineering and osteoarthritis does not stop the regeneration process concludes research led by scientists at the University of Bristol.

5 Jul 2006

Australian Medical Association warns of looming medical training crisis

Australian Medical Association (AMA) President, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, has written to all Federal MPs and Senators warning them of a looming crisis in medical training.

5 Jul 2006

Celiac success: New enzyme efficiently degrades gluten

A new enzyme originally developed for commercial food processing turns out to also quickly and nearly-completely break down whole gluten molecules as well as the T cell stimulatory peptides that cause celiac disease, a digestive disease with no current effective treatment other than avoiding wheat, barley or rye products.

5 Jul 2006

Keeping neurons in synch reduces epileptic seizures by 90%

The brain's septum helps prevent epileptic seizures by inducing rhythmical electrical activity in the circuits of another area of the brain known as the hippocampus, according to a new study in the Journal of Neurophysiology.

5 Jul 2006

Sildenafil boosts high altitude exercise up to 45% for some cyclists

Sildenafil (Viagra) significantly improved the cardiovascular and exercise performance measures of trained cyclists at high altitude, mostly because the drug helped some participants improve a lot -- up to 45% -- while others showed little change. Sildenafil provided no benefit at sea level.

5 Jul 2006

The great Australian hangover

Drinking by Australian workers is costing more than we thought - weekly heavy drinkers are 26 times more likely to take time off work because of their drinking.

5 Jul 2006

Study shows eggs survive in older ovaries

In research that could have broad implications for women's fertility treatments, scientists have found that despite their age, female mice have a renewable egg supply in their ovaries.

5 Jul 2006

Nuclear test study rules out radiation link

A University of Adelaide study has found that cancer rates among Australian men involved in the 1950s British nuclear tests are 23% higher than the general population, but has shown no link between the increased cancer rates and exposure to radiation.

5 Jul 2006