Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Better understanding of the defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis
Scientists studying the protein that, when defective or absent, causes cystic fibrosis has made an important discovery about how that protein is normally controlled and under what circumstances it might...
MRSA leads to worse outcomes, staggering expenses for surgical patients
Post-surgical infections significantly increase the chance of hospital readmission and death and cost as much as $60,000 per patient, according to researchers who conducted the largest study of its kind...
Human movement may have brought Chagas disease to urban Peru
New research shows how the migration and settlement patterns associated with the rapid urbanization of Peru may link to Chagas disease transmission. The study, suggests that the practice of shantytown...
Young men in P.E.I. avoiding H1N1 shot
Health officials in P.E.I. are urging men in their 20s to be vaccinated against H1N1 after noticing many more females in the same age group have gotten the shot.
Appetite hormone linked to Alzheimer's risk
High levels of a hormone involved in appetite control seem to be linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Further spread of Rhodesian sleeping sickness in Uganda likely due to livestock movements
The northwards spread of human Rhodesian sleeping sickness in Uganda is likely due to the movement of infected livestock, according to new findings from an interdisciplinary research group including members...
Medical team's support of terminal cancer patients' spiritual needs improves quality of life
In a new study of terminally ill cancer patients, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found support of patients' spiritual needs by the medical team is associated with greater use of...
Put banana disease on the map, urges FAO
With diseases projected to cause massive damage to banana crops, the FAO says mapping their extent is a vital step in controlling their spread.
Africa's malaria control crusade bearing fruit, says WHO
Many African countries are making good progress in reducing child mortality through more intense malaria control, finds the WHO.
Home-based child care meeting nutritional standards; widespread use of TV a concern
A large study of family child care providers shows that while nutrition standards are often met, most children ages 2 to 5 are not getting enough physical activity and are...
Drug for Alzheimer's disease does not appear to slow cognitive decline
Although there were promising results in a phase 2 trial, patients with mild Alzheimer disease who received the drug tarenflurbil as part of a phase 3 trial did not have...
Smaller is better for finger sensitivity
People who have smaller fingers have a finer sense of touch, according to new research in the Dec. 16 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. This finding explains why women...
26 Arrested in Three States in Medicare Fraud Schemes
Federal agents arrested 26 suspects in three states on Tuesday, including a doctor and nurses, in a crackdown on Medicare fraud totaling $61 million.
Why being a boy is a risk factor among premature births
Among premature births -- children born before the 37th week of pregnancy -- newborn boys have a poorer prognosis than newborn girls. Physicians have explored why being male constitutes a...
MCG scientists decode memory-forming brain cell conversations
The conversations neurons have as they form and recall memories have been decoded by Medical College of Georgia scientists. ...
Naturally skinny people have their own challenges
Nancy Brueheim wishes she could break 100 pounds. Without working at it, Brueheim, who is 71 and stands 5-foot-2, fluctuates between 95 and 98 pounds.
800,000 doses of swine flu vaccine recalled
Manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis says vaccine meant for children younger than 3 has lost some of its potency. The CDC says there are no safety concerns. ...
Mental health problems linger after SARS
Some SARS survivors continue to have mental health problems and chronic fatigue, researchers in Hong Kong have found.
Stopping a Stroke in its Tracks: Catheter Device Restrores Blood Flow to Brain by Suctioning Blood Clots
Bobbie Laird was suffering a life-threatening stroke triggered by a blood clot in her brain that was nearly half an inch long.
CERN Colour X-ray Technology Set to Save Lives
(PhysOrg.com) -- Medical studies are soon to start with the MARS scanner, a revolutionary CT scanner developed by the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. The scanner, which incorporates technology developed...
Child services reports rise in northern Quebec
Quality of life for northern Quebec's young people is improving, despite an alarming jump in cases reported to the youth protection department, health-care officials say.
Cold war - Fighting the threat of latent TB (w/ Podcast)
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists are making breakthroughs in studying the latent form of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This work could revolutionise the treatment of TB.
Download LUCY from iTunes and Support Lupus Research
Musicians James Scott Cook and Julian Lennon are doing their part in the search for a cure for Lupus. For both men – this is personal. James’ 92-year-old grandmother, Lucy...
Window blinds recalled in U.S. after 5 deaths
More than 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds have been recalled in the U.S. after several deaths and near strangulations since 2006.
Foodborne Staph Toxin Pinpointed by New Assay
(PhysOrg.com) -- Most people need about two days to recover from being sickened by foods contaminated with what's known as staphylococcal enterotoxin A, or "SEA." Produced by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria,...
Install defibrillators, saved man urges
A rural Manitoba man whose life was saved by a defibrillator says his story should be a wakeup call to other communities to get the device.
Cardiac arrest? Nellie the Elephant could save your life
it's a great soundtrack for resuscitationTo resuscitate someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest, you need to make between 90 and 100 chest compressions per minute, and, according to a new study...
Sleep and Cancer: Uncomfortable Bedfellows
(PhysOrg.com) -- Newly-diagnosed cancer patients face a number of life-long challenges, but a new study from the Duke Clinical Research Institute suggests that a lack of sleep may be...