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New study explodes myth about vegetarian diet

In a new study appearing in the summer 2004 issue of the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Neal D. Barnard, M.D., and his colleagues show that patients easily transition from a standard omnivorous diet to a low-fat, vegetarian diet that helps people lose weight, lower blood pressure, and otherwise improve their health.

9 Aug 2004

Aggressive treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer shown to be more effective

Radiation therapy (RT) has been the most important treatment modality with curative potential in treating patients with cancer of the nasopharynx, the part of the pharynx that lies above the soft palate.

9 Aug 2004

Knowledge about oral and head and neck cancer is severely lacking in the American public

Most adult Americans know how to light a cigarette and order a drink, but a great number of them are clueless about the consequence of these two destructive habits – oral and head and neck cancer.

9 Aug 2004

Research sheds new light on stepfamilies

Stepparents and non-resident parents play just as important role in the behaviour and well-being of their children as the parent they live with, New Zealand's Victoria University researchers have found.

9 Aug 2004

Fears for DNA privacy

Two Monash University law academics are calling for urgent state government action following the disclosure that a private Melbourne company holds the DNA records of millions of Victorians.

9 Aug 2004

Why the skeleton starts to fail us as we age

Why the skeleton starts to fail us as we age and what drugs of the future will do to build and maintain our bones, will be discussed at a free public lecture at the University of Melbourne tomorrow (August 10).

9 Aug 2004

Significant advance in the understanding of the hepatitis C virus (HCV)

Researchers have made a significant advance in the understanding of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) by identifying new genetic factors associated with clearing the virus spontaneously without the necessity for additional treatment.

9 Aug 2004

No increased risk of heart attacks among snus/snuff users, unlike smokers

A collaborative study involving Sunderby Hospital, Luleå, and Umeå University in Sweden confirms that men who smoke run a substantial risk of developing diabetes. On the other hand, no parameters indicate that using snus (moist snuff) increases this risk.

9 Aug 2004

Step closer to unravelling the mystery of medically unexplained pain such as chronic low back pain

Researchers are one step closer to unravelling the mystery of medically unexplained pain such as chronic low back pain, which continues to baffle doctors.

9 Aug 2004

Correlation between HCV viral load and severity of liver disease

The significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) serum titers (HCV viral load) has been examined in several clinical situations. There is much evidence that patients with a lower viral load have better response rates to anti-viral therapy compared to those with higher levels.

9 Aug 2004

New health threat, federally-funded health policy based on junk science

Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), the nation's largest taxpayer watchdog group, today released its latest Through the Looking Glass Report: A New Health Threat: Federally-Funded Health Policy Based on Junk Science.

9 Aug 2004

Novartis to launch U.S.2.4 billion share buy-back

Novartis have announced that its Board of Directors has decided to launch a new share repurchase program for up to CHF 3 billion following the completion of a program initiated in 2002. The new program was approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February 2004.

9 Aug 2004

McGuinty government investment in telemedicine

The McGuinty government is improving health care in northern Ontario by investing $5.7 million in telemedicine technology to deliver health services to more northern communities, Minister of Health and Long Term Care.

9 Aug 2004

Neuroscience research in South Australia is mobilising its efforts against diseases of the brain and nervous system

Neuroscience research in South Australia is mobilising its efforts against diseases of the brain and nervous system that cause Australians incalculable distress as well as costing billions of dollars each year in treatment and care.

9 Aug 2004

Latinos living in the United States have high rates of eye disease and visual impairment

Researchers found that Latinos had high rates of diabetic retinopathy, an eye complication of diabetes; and open-angle glaucoma, a disease that damages the optic nerve.

9 Aug 2004

Carb-conscious dieters may be lowering their risk of breast cancer

Carb-conscious dieters may be lowering their risk of breast cancer while they’re shedding pounds, based on the findings of research published in this month’s edition of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

9 Aug 2004

Promising families of drugs combat the spread of tumors in different ways

Pharmaceutical companies seeking to design more effective cancer chemotherapy agents may have an easier road ahead than was previously believed.

9 Aug 2004

Alterations in a tumor suppressor gene called p53 are more prevalent in breast cancer of African-American women than white women

Ethnic differences in the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer are noted in the United States and worldwide. In the U.S., the most apparent differences are seen between African-American and white women. African-American women have lower incidence rates of the disease, but have higher mortality rates. Moreover, African-American women present at a younger age and with more aggressive disease.

9 Aug 2004

Many U.S. surgeons are not doing adequate numbers of operations for primary breast cancer to optimize patient survival

The study, published August 9, 2004 in the online edition of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, demonstrates that fewer surgeries per year negatively impacted patient standard of care. A free abstract of the study is available at CANCER Online.

9 Aug 2004

Total global market for oligonucleotides is likely to grow from USD 340.0 million in 2003 to USD 776.0 million in 2010

Poised on the brink of phenomenal growth, the oligonucleotides market offers a plethora of opportunities to the enterprising investor. Recent analysis by Frost & Sullivan estimates that the total global market for oligonucleotides is likely to grow from USD 340.0 million in 2003 to USD 776.0 million in 2010.

9 Aug 2004