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Researchers discover one of the malaria parasite's sneakiest tricks

Researchers have discovered one of the malaria parasite's sneakiest tricks--using dead liver cells to cloak and transport itself back into the bloodstream after leaving the liver.

4 Aug 2006

Turning the immune system against cancer

Medicine can now prevent a host of diseases with a mere shot of vaccine. Polio and smallpox are almost non-existent, and mumps and chicken pox are rarely seen nowadays.

4 Aug 2006

Osteonecrosis of the jawbone and oral bisphosphonates

People taking oral bisphosphonates, a type of drug used to treat osteoporosis, osteopenia and Paget's disease of bone, should be aware of potential risks when undergoing certain dental procedures, according to guidelines published in this month's Journal of the American Dental Association (ADA).

4 Aug 2006

Combating childhood malnutrition

Swollen bellies, orange hair, listlessness and dull eyes -- these are the traits of child malnutrition in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and where roughly one of every three children is chronically malnourished.

4 Aug 2006

Methamphetamine increases production of protein that promotes the spread of the HIV-1 virus in infected drug users

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have presented the first evidence that the addictive drug methamphetamine, or meth, also commonly known as "speed" or "crystal," increases production of a docking protein that promotes the spread of the HIV-1 virus in infected users.

4 Aug 2006

High blood pressure induces low fat metabolism in heart muscle

Hearts of non-diabetics with muscle thickening due to high blood pressure have an energy metabolism skewed in the opposite direction -- away from the use of fat for energy.

4 Aug 2006

Literacy at less than a ninth-grade level almost doubles the five-year risk of mortality among elderly people

The literacy and mortality study analyzed data on 2,512 participants in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study that was conducted by the National Institute on Aging from 1999 to 2004.

4 Aug 2006

Researchers determine structure of an important smallpox virus enzyme and how it binds to DNA

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have determined the structure of an important smallpox virus enzyme and how it binds to DNA.

4 Aug 2006

How the body controls brain temperature: the temperature shielding effect of cerebral blood flow

Attempts to cool the brain to reduce injury from stroke and other head trauma may face a significant obstacle: current cooling devices can't penetrate very deeply into the brain.

4 Aug 2006

Transgenic goat's milk could help tackle children's intestinal disease

Milk produced by transgenic goats, which carry the gene for an antibacterial enzyme found in human breast milk, altered the intestinal bacteria in young goats and pigs that were fed the milk.

4 Aug 2006

Diagnosis and referrals for kidney disease fall well short of need

Results of a national study of 304 U.S. physicians, in which "mock" patients' symptoms were presented for diagnosis, suggest that a sizeable percentage of primary care doctors probably fail to properly diagnose and refer patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

3 Aug 2006

New method to predict dementia risk

A team of researchers have developed a new method to predict dementia risk that could help to identify individuals who might benefit from intensive lifestyle consultations and drug interventions.

3 Aug 2006

Poorer countries better at health grant implementation

Low-income countries with less-developed health systems are more likely to have a higher rate of grant implementation than nations with higher incomes and more developed health systems, according to a study in this week's Lancet.

3 Aug 2006

Providing antiretroviral treatment to workers of large companies in Africa is feasible

Providing antiretroviral treatment to workers of large companies in Africa is feasible, according to the authors of a Viewpoint in this week's issue of The Lancet.

3 Aug 2006

AIDS deaths depleting ranks of health professionals more rapidly than recruitment abroad in Africa

AIDS deaths are depleting the ranks of health professionals more rapidly than recruitment abroad in some countries in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the author of a Comment in this week's issue of The Lancet.

3 Aug 2006

Stopping antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients could be beneficial

Stopping antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients from time to time could reduce the side effects and costs of the treatment, according to a study in this week's issue of The Lancet.

3 Aug 2006

Highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV remains successful

A decade after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV infection in Europe and North America, the risk of AIDS and death remains low for those starting treatment.

3 Aug 2006

Patients receiving treatment with radioisotopes may trigger security alarms

Patients receiving treatment with radioisotopes should be warned that they may trigger radiation alarms, say doctors in this week's British Medical Journal.

3 Aug 2006

Longer needles best for infant immunisation

Infants vaccinated with a long needle experience fewer reactions but get the same protection (immunogenicity) as a shorter needle, finds a study published on bmj.com today.

3 Aug 2006

Examination not sensitive enough to detect breech babies

The routine examination doctors use to check if a baby is lying in the correct position before birth is not sensitive enough, concludes a study published on bmj.com today.

3 Aug 2006