Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Fast, accurate urine test for pneumonia possible, study finds
Biochemists have developed a urine test that can rapidly and accurately diagnose the cause of pneumonia-like symptoms. The test should enable doctors to quickly provide appropriate treatments for patients with...
Genetic variations indicate risk of recurrence, secondary cancer among head and neck cancer patients
Eighteen single-point genetic variations indicate risk of recurrence for early-stage head and neck cancer patients and their likelihood of developing a second type of cancer, researchers report.
CDC: Fewer states seeing widespread swine flu
(AP) -- Health officials say winter flu is just starting to show up in the U.S. while swine flu infections continue to wane.
Ubiquitous health: Enabling telemedicine to cut hospital visits, save money
A ubiquitous health monitoring system that automatically alerted the patient's family or physician to problematic changes in the person's vital signs could cut hospital visits and save lives, according to...
Why cancer cells just won't die: Researcher identifies protein which regulates cell suicide
When cells experience DNA damage, they'll try to repair it. But if that fails, the damaged cells are supposed to self-destruct, a process called apoptosis. A cancer researcher has identified...
Low-density lipoprotein receptor reduces damage in Alzheimer's brain
The low-density lipoprotein receptor has received a lot of attention because of its connection with coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis, but now it appears as if it may have a...
Brain activity exposes those who break promises
Scientists in Switzerland have discovered the physiological mechanisms in the brain that underlie broken promises. Patterns of brain activity even enable predicting whether someone will break a promise.
Delaying the aging process protects against Alzheimer's disease
Aging is the single greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. In a new study, researchers found that simply slowing the aging process in mice prone to develop Alzheimer's disease prevented...
Digital avalanche rescue dog
For many skiers and snowboarders, there is nothing quite like being the first to make tracks in the virgin snow, off the regular piste. But this can be a fateful...
Coaxing injured nerve fibres to regenerate by disabling 'brakes' in the system
Brain and spinal-cord injuries typically leave people with permanent impairment because the injured nerve fibres (axons) cannot regrow. A study from Children's Hospital Boston, published in the December 10 issue...
5,000 deaths: A catastrophic, regrettable decision in Belgium
Today at the European Parliament, the MEP Heart Group evaluated the achievements at EU level in combating cardiovascular disease (CVD) and revealed further action...
Potential cancer drug may offer new hope for asthma patients
A drug being tested to treat cancer could also help patients suffering from asthma, research has suggested...
Nerve-cell transplants help brain-damaged rats fully recover lost ability to learn
Nerve cells transplanted into brain-damaged rats helped them to fully recover their ability to learn and remember, probably by promoting nurturing, protective growth factors, according to a new study...
Gender gap persists in cardiac care, study finds
Gender differences persist in the quality of cardiac care across Ontario, according to new study. Ontario women who had heart attacks were less likely to receive care from a cardiologist,...
Sticks and stones break bones, but new study may prevent it
The best way to prevent a fracture is to stop bones from reaching the point where they are prone to breaking, but understanding the process of how bones form and...
Physicians knowledge of childhood food allergies needs room for improvement, study shows
A new study shows that pediatricians and family physicians are not confident in diagnosing or treating food allergies.
Newly discovered mechanism allows cells to change state
PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] -- Cells are not static. They can transform themselves over time -- but change can have dangerous implications. Benign cells, for example,...
Carnegie Mellon scientists discover first evidence of brain rewiring in children
PITTSBURGH -- Carnegie Mellon University scientists Timothy Keller and Marcel Just have uncovered the first evidence that intensive instruction to improve reading skills in young children causes the brain to...
Studying hair of ancient Peruvians answers questions about stress
(PhysOrg.com) -- Recent studies show that one in three Canadians suffer from stress and the number is on the rise. But stress isn't a new problem.
Baby alligator, snakes found in university dorm
A baby alligator, a diamondback rattlesnake, six pythons and three chameleons have been found in a University of Arkansas dorm room.
Fight insect-borne disease with local R&D
Developing countries must invest in their own research to tackle insect-borne disease and climate change, writes George Kasali.
High-fat low-carb diets could mean significant heart risk
New scientific research has shown that low-carbohydrate high-fat diets, made popular by the likes of the Atkins diet, do not achieve more weight loss than low-fat high-carbohydrate diets. Worryingly, the...
Debunking fears: Latino growth does not boost crime
Rural industries, such as meat-packing and textile manufacturing, create job opportunities that have brought significant numbers of Latino workers and their families to small- and medium-sized towns. This influx of...
Save the Date: Upcoming APS Meetings February 2010 in Washington, D.C.; March 2010 in Portland, Oregon
Science journalists should mark their calendars for the two most important physics meetings of the year. The American Physical Society (APS) is hosting its two annual meetings in Washington, D.C....
Drug promising in immune system therapy
BOSTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. medical scientists say they've determined a drug used to treat multiple myeloma also shows promise in immune system therapy.
New hep C breakthrough
A new microRNA-based hepatitis C treatment that could avoid drug resistance is being tested on humans after encouraging trials in chimps
Youth choosing deadly cars
New research has revealed that yong people select cars that increase their risk of being killed in a road accident.
Foot amputations ravage aboriginal diabetics
Thousands of aboriginal people with diabetes suffer unnecessary foot amputations because the federal government won't pay for them to have proper shoes, says the head of a Manitoba medical outreach...