RxPG News : Health

Snoring due to sleep apnea can damage brain severely

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:23:57 PST

Snoring due sleep apnea may impair brain function in a much worse way than previously thought, according to a new study.

New supplement may help slow sight loss in elderly

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:00:00 PST

Queen's University Belfast academics have helped develop an antioxidant supplement which may slow down sight loss in elderly people.

Meditation may be effective for treating insomnia

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:01:21 PST

Meditation may be an effective remedy in treating insomnia, latest research suggests.

Poor sleep quality linked to increased risk of death

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:49:41 PST

Do you stay awake till the wee hours of the night? Are you a poor sleeper? Then you may be at increased risk of death.

Sleep helps store useful information, says study

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 04:14:38 PST

A good night's sleep after a period of learning help brain preserve the most important memories, a new study has found.

Study suggests obese women should not gain weight

Fri, 29 May 2009 04:00:00 PST

For years, doctors and other health-care providers have managed pregnant patients according to guidelines issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). In 1986, ACOG stated, Regardless of how much women weigh before they become pregnant, gaining between 26-35 pounds during pregnancy can improve the outcome of pregnancy and reduce their chances of having the pregnancy end in fetal death. Until its revised guidelines were released yesterday, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) had recommended that overweight women should gain about 15 pounds during pregnancy.

7 out of 10 women too embarrassed to discuss vaginal dryness

Wed, 20 May 2009 10:51:49 PST

Most post-menopausal women are uncomfortable talking about vaginal dryness and pain or reluctant to seek medical help, according to an international survey.

New vaccine strategy might offer protection against pandemic influenza strains

Mon, 18 May 2009 04:00:00 PST

A novel vaccine strategy using virus-like particles (VLPs) could provide stronger and longer-lasting influenza vaccines with a significantly shorter development and production time than current ones, allowing public health authorities to react more quickly in the event of a potential pandemic.

Mind-body programme helps women cope better with cancer

Sat, 16 May 2009 12:15:46 PST

Pathfinders, a mind-body-spirit programme, helps women cope with terminal cancer and improves their quality of life, according to a new study.

Exposure to Cigarette Smoke Robs Kids of Antioxidants

Tue, 12 May 2009 13:28:33 PST

Exposure to tobacco smoke robs children of antioxidants, which shield the body against many biological stresses.

Increased food intake alone explains the increase in body weight in the United States

Fri, 08 May 2009 04:00:00 PST

Amsterdam, the Netherlands: New research that uses an innovative approach to study, for the first time, the relative contributions of food and exercise habits to the development of the obesity epidemic has concluded that the rise in obesity in the United States since the 1970s was virtually all due to increased energy intake.

Study: Vibration plate machines may aid weight loss and trim abdominal fat

Fri, 08 May 2009 04:00:00 PST

Amsterdam, the Netherlands: New research suggests that, if used properly, vibration plate exercise machines may help you lose weight and trim the particularly harmful belly fat between the organs.

Hong Kong frees 28 people who travelled with flu patient

Thu, 07 May 2009 15:49:04 PST

Hong Kong, May 7 - A group of 28 people, most of whom travelled on the same flight as a Mexican tourist who became Hong Kong's only confirmed swine flu case, were released from quarantine Thursday, after health officials declared them infection-free.

Consumers more likely to identify healthy food using traffic light nutrition labels

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 PST

Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Consumers are five times more likely to identify healthy food when they see colour-coded traffic light nutrition labels than when labels present the information numerically by showing what percentage of the recommended daily nutrient intake each portion provides, new research finds.

Study in pregnant women suggests probiotics may help ward off obesity

Thu, 07 May 2009 04:00:00 PST

Amsterdam, the Netherlands: One year after giving birth, women were less likely to have the most dangerous kind of obesity if they had been given probiotics from the first trimester of pregnancy, found new research that suggests manipulating the balance of bacteria in the gut may help fight obesity.

Xenophobic face of new flu in US

Wed, 06 May 2009 11:12:07 PST

Washington, May 6 - The influenza A - flu virus came from Mexicans, most likely Mexicans who are in the US illegally: the comment, spiced up with references to Mexicans as 'primitive' and as 'leeches', cost Boston radio talk show host Jay Severin his job.

'Brain music' can lull your anxieties, sharpen reflexes

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:42:20 PST

Washington, April 25 - Every brain has a sound track, which when recorded and played back to an emergency responder, such as a fire fighter, may sharpen their reflexes during a crisis, and calm their nerves afterward.

Good parenting may steer teens away from drinking problems

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 11:04:55 PST

London, April 24 - Teenagers who share a good relationship with their parents may start drinking at a later age, helping them avoid alcohol related problems, according to a new study.

Giving up smoking and bad habits can improve senior's health

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:28:02 PST

Washington, April 24 - Previous smokers easily outpaced current smokers in physical activity, suggesting that giving up such bad habits can positively impact a senior's health later in life.

Now chicken soup for blood pressure, too

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 10:12:32 PST

Washington, April 11 - Chicken soup with matzoh balls, a staple of the traditional Jewish dinner, may be good in reversing high blood pressure - too, according to the latest findings.

Novel lung cancer vaccine shows promise in fighting early-stage lung cancer

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:00:00 PST

CHICAGO - An experimental vaccine that triggers the patient's immune system to identify and attack specific tumor cells is showing new promise for the treatment of early lung cancer. Thoracic surgeons at Rush University Medical Center are researching the vaccine called MAGE-A3 Antigen-Specific Cancer Immunotherapeutic, which is designed to kill cancer cells without harming normal cells. Rush is one of only five hospitals in Illinois offering the vaccine.

Children who are dissatisfied with their appearance often have problems with their peer group

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 PST

Being satisfied with one's appearance is one of the most important prerequisites for a positive self image. However, in today's appearance culture it is the rule rather than the exception that children and young people are dissatisfied with their appearance.

New Test to Establish In-Vivo Safety of Dengue Vaccine

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 16:36:10 PST

Washington, Feb 16 - Researchers have developed a test to determine whether vaccines against a virus that infects 100 million people annually, now ready for clinical trials, should really protect patients from infection, or would make it more dangerous for them.

Evolutionary link to modern-day obesity, other problems

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:00:00 PST

EVANSTON, Ill. --- That irresistible craving for a cheeseburger has its roots in the dramatic growth of the human brain and body that resulted from environmental changes some 2 million years ago.

Both theories about human cellular aging supported by new research

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:00:00 PST

Aging yeast cells accumulate damage over time, but they do so by following a pattern laid down earlier in their life by diet as well as the genes that control metabolism and the dynamics of cell structures such as mitochondria, the power plants of cells.

Avoid refined carbohydrates, chocolates to prevent pimples

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:38:10 PST

Shun refined carbohydrates and chocolates if you really want to avoid pimples, according to a new study conducted in Australia.

Ireland Cancer Center researcher finds most triple-negative breast cancers express muc-1 target

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 05:00:00 PST

CLEVELAND: Research out of the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals Case Medical Center has found that the vast majority of triple negative breast cancers express the MUC-1 target. This first-of-its-kind finding, presented today at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, has paved the way for an upcoming vaccine trial for patients with early stage triple negative breast cancer that could potentially prevent recurrence of this aggressive type of breast cancer.

Immunology Center will continue to drive standard methods, better science

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 05:00:00 PST

The Rochester Human Immunology Center (RHIC) has been awarded a $4 million renewal of its grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infection Disease (NIAID). The renewal enables RHIC to continue leading the field of immunology in a worldwide effort to standardize how researchers use complex technologies like flow cytometry that are central to the discovery of new treatments.

Moderate wine intake may be way to a healthier heart

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:44:16 PST

Moderate wine intake may be the way to a healthier heart, as it is associated with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids which protects the vital organ, a new study suggests.

Calorie restriction and exercise show breast cancer prevention differences in postmenopausal women

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:00 PST

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have identified pathways by which a reduced-calorie diet and exercise can modify a postmenopausal woman's risk of breast cancer.

Do you know if your blood pressure is high?

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:33:11 PST

London, Nov 13 - Over 50 percent of people with high blood pressure might not be aware of their condition, a new study has found.

Incubator care at birth reduces depression risk in adult life

Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:12:16 PST

Toronto, Nov 12 - A Canadian study says babies who receive incubator care after birth are two to three times less likely to suffer depression in their adult life.

Kids safe and secure with grandparents around

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:19:37 PST

Washington, Nov 3 - Kids are safe, secure and protected from injuries when grandparents are around, a boon for working parents, according to a new study.

Shed tears to stay healthy

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:21:02 PST

London, Nov 11 - Are you alexithymic or anhedonic? You may profit from therapeutic interventions to stimulate your lacrimal apparatus. In other words, if you can't feel emotions or are unable to derive pleasure from good experiences, make yourself weep with medical help, scientists across the world advise.

1918 Spanish flu records could hold the key to solving future pandemics

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:00:00 PST

Ninety years after Australian scientists began their race to stop the spread of Spanish flu in Australia, University of Melbourne researchers are hoping records from the 1918 epidemic may hold the key to preventing future deadly pandemic outbreaks.

Listening to classical music may reduce pregnancy stress

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:56:08 PST

London- Listening to Brahms' Lullaby, Beethoven and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star could reduce pregnancy stress, a recent study suggests.

Most women don't find sexual problems upsetting: Survey

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 14:10:56 PST

Washington, Oct 31 - The majority of women who experience low libido, poor arousal or face difficulties in orgasming, don't seem upset by these problems.

Pneumococcal vaccine could prevent numerous deaths, save costs during a flu pandemic, model predicts

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:00:00 PST

A new predictive model shows that vaccinating infants with 7 valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7)--the current recommendation--not only saves lives and money during a normal flu season by preventing related bacterial infections; it also would prevent more than 357,000 deaths during an influenza pandemic, while saving $7 billion in costs.

Breast milk provides baby molecule to build immunity

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:58:36 PST

Washington, Oct 27 - A molecule holds the key to mothers' ability to strengthen the immunity of the baby through breast milk, according to a latest research.

Vaccinating family members protects newborns from flu

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:02:13 PST

Washington, Oct 27 - Vaccinating mothers and family members against flu before the newborns leave hospitals, creates a 'cocooning effect' to protect babies from the life-threatening virus, a research has found.

Depression during pregnancy doubles risk of premature delivery

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:33:39 PST

Washington, Oct 23 - Depressed pregnant women face twice the risk of premature delivery than their counterparts with no such symptoms, according to a new study.

Nutrition advice best served with family in mind

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at the University of Sheffield and Royal Holloway, University of London will argue today (21 October 2008) that the nation's diet is unlikely to improve significantly if healthy eating policies fail to take into account the diverse nature of contemporary family life.

Genetic clues to male baldness found

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:53:59 PST

Toronto, Oct 16 - Researchers have found two DNA variants in Caucasian men that could be linked to higher risk of male pattern baldness.

Anti-smoking hospital programmes successful: Indian American expert

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:02:43 PST

Washington, Oct 14 - Hospital-based anti-smoking programmes, along with referrals for cardiac rehabilitation, seem to help patients quit smoking after a heart attack, according to a study co-authored by Indian American cardiologist Susmita Parashar.

Groundbreaking, lifesaving TB vaccine a step closer

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at Aberystwyth University, following a number of years of investment by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), have licensed ground-breaking research to a non-profit product development partnership working to develop new, more effective vaccines against Tuberculosis (TB). This development will give hope that significantly better prevention and treatment of TB will be available within the next few years.

Sweat it out: UH study examines ability of sweat patches to monitor bone loss

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:00:00 PST

Some health assessments that are routinely carried out on Earth are not practical when the patients are free-floating astronauts on long space flights, such as missions to Mars or the Moon. A new, NASA-funded study from the University of Houston department of health and human performance will examine how well sweat patches the size of adhesive strips can detect levels of chemicals that may indicate bone loss.

A stronger future for the elderly

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:00:00 PST

Experts at The University of Nottingham are to investigate the effect of nutrients on muscle maintenance in the hope of determining better ways of keeping up our strength as we get old.

Good bedtime habits ensure sound sleep

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:01:12 PST

London, Aug 22 - Good bedtime habits, not sleeping pills, is the long-term solution to insomnia, a new study in Germany has confirmed.

Researchers revive organ function in old age

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:20:28 PST

Washington, Aug 11 - Age retards the ability of cells to get rid of damaged protein, which only accumulates in the body as toxin and becomes more pronounced in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Peers' jeers rob obese kids of cheer

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:22:59 PST

Taunts or jeers of peers can rob obese adolescents of peace of mind and result in health and psychological problems that overshadow their young adulthood.

No evidence of gene doping at Games but worry remains

Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:35:10 PST

Beijing, Aug 10 - Gene doping may not be present at the ongoing Beijing Olympic Games but anti-doping experts remain worried that illegal use of gene therapy.

Second Life a first for UH department of health and human performance

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:00:00 PST

The University of Houston department of health and human performance is expanding into the virtual world of Second Life (SL) thanks to grants from the UH Faculty Development Initiative Program (FDIP) and the Network Culture Project of the University of Southern California-Annenberg School for Communication.

Venous embolization can help improve sperm function

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:12:54 PST

A minimally invasive treatment for a common cause of male infertility can significantly improve a couple's chances for pregnancy, according to a new study published in the August issue of Radiology. The study, conducted at the University of Bonn in Germany, also found that the level of sperm motility prior to treatment is a key predictor of success.

Little exercise goes a long way for older adults

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:27:04 PST

Sydney, July 19 - A little exercise or 'resistance training' to strengthen muscles goes a long way in keeping older men fit as a fiddle, according to a study by University of Queensland.

Fresh from the grapevine to the table

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:00:00 PST

BET DAGAN, ISRAEL - Table grapes are subject to serious water loss and decay while making the long trip from the vine to dinner tables around the world. Mold and browning of the stems are the two main factors that reduce grape quality during shipping and storage in retail produce sections.

NOAA and Louisiana scientists predict largest Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone' on record

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 04:00:00 PST

NOAA-supported scientists from the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and Louisiana State University are forecasting that the dead zone off the coast of Louisiana and Texas in the Gulf of Mexico this summer could be the largest on record.

Water: The forgotten crisis

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:00:00 PST

This year, the world and, in particular, developing countries and the poor have been hit by both food and energy crises. As a consequence, prices for many staple foods have risen by up to 100%. When we examine the causes of the food crisis, a growing population, changes in trade patterns, urbanization, dietary changes, biofuel production, and climate change and regional droughts are all responsible. Thus we have a classic increase in prices due to high demand and low supply. However, few commentators specifically mention the declining availability of water that is needed to grow irrigated and rainfed crops. According to some, the often mooted solution to the food crisis lies in plant breeding that produces the ultimate high yielding, low water- consuming crops. While this solution is important, it will fail unless attention is paid to where the water for all food, fibre and energy crops is going to come from.

USU researchers awarded $5.6 million NIH grant to fight deadly viruses

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Researchers at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) have been awarded a $5.6 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to develop and test vaccines and treatments for the deadly Nipah and Hendra viruses.

A little milk could go a long way for your heart

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Grabbing as little as one glass of lowfat or fat free milk could help protect your heart, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Researchers found that adults who had at least one serving of lowfat milk or milk products each day had 37 percent lower odds of poor kidney function linked to heart disease compared to those who drank little or no lowfat milk.

New UGA invention effectively kills foodborne pathogens in minutes

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

University of Georgia researchers have developed an effective technology for reducing contamination of dangerous bacteria on food. The new antimicrobial wash rapidly kills Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 on foods ranging from fragile lettuce to tomatoes, fruits, poultry products and meats. It is made from inexpensive and readily available ingredients that are recognized as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Study links vitamin D to colon cancer survival

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON--Patients diagnosed with colon cancer who had abundant vitamin D in their blood were less likely to die during a follow-up period than those who were deficient in the vitamin, according to a new study by scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

'Addicted' cells provide early cancer diagnosis

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Scientists at the Institute of Food Research have detected subtle changes that may make the bowel more vulnerable to the development of tumours.

Substance in red wine found to keep hearts young

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

GAINESVILLE, Fla. --- How do the French get away with a clean bill of heart health despite a diet loaded with saturated fats? Scientists have long suspected that the answer to the so-called French paradox lies in red wine. Now, the results of a new study bring them closer to understanding why.

Members of European Parliament discuss food labeling and heart health

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Members of the European Parliament Heart Group meet today, 3 June, in Brussels, to discuss the link between nutrition and cardiovascular diseases and how labelling of food can help people choose products that are better for their hearts and vessels. The European Commission has already made the declaration of the amount of energy, fat, sugars, salt and saturates on food packaging mandatory. Nevertheless, there is no European legislation harmonising diverse national schemes. Consumers often find nutrition labelling confusing and sometimes even misleading.

The good news in our DNA: Defects you can fix with vitamins and minerals

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PST

Berkeley -- As the cost of sequencing a single human genome drops rapidly, with one company predicting a price of $100 per person in five years, soon the only reason not to look at your personal genome will be fear of what bad news lies in your genes.

New HIV browser gives researchers access to valuable data from vaccine trials

Thu, 29 May 2008 04:00:00 PST

SANTA CRUZ, CA--A new HIV data browser developed by the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the nonprofit organization Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases (GSID) will give researchers access to a wealth of data collected during clinical trials of an AIDS vaccine. Although the vaccine did not succeed in preventing infections, the clinical trial generated a huge amount of valuable data for researchers studying how the virus evolves and causes new infections.

Blood Cholesterol levels predict risk of heart disease in post menopausal women

Sat, 24 May 2008 11:14:50 PST

A new analysis of a subgroup of participants in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) hormone therapy clinical trials suggests that healthy, postmenopausal women whose blood cholesterol levels are normal or lower are not at increased, short-term risk for heart attack when taking hormone therapy.

Study identifies trends of vitamin B6 status in US population sample

Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON- (May 20, 2008) In an epidemiological study, Tufts University researchers identified trends of vitamin B6 status in a sample of the United States population based on measures of plasma pyridoxal 5'- phosphate (PLP) levels in the bloodstream. Plasma PLP is the indicator used by the federal government to set the current Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin B6, a nutrient essential for red blood cell function and important for maintaining a healthy immune system and blood glucose levels.

Iron supplements might harm infants who have enough

Mon, 05 May 2008 04:00:00 PST

ANN ARBOR, Mich.---A new study suggests that extra iron for infants who don't need it might delay development -- results that fuel the debate over optimal iron supplement levels and could have huge implications for the baby formula and food industry.

Method for fast human antibodies against flu could find broad use

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

Scientists have developed a new, faster way to create human monoclonal antibodies against infectious disease by tapping the immune system at the peak of its powers.

Domestic violence associated with chronic malnutrition in women and children in India

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

Boston, MA-- In a new, large-scale study exploring the link between domestic violence and chronic malnutrition, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) have found that Indian mothers and children experiencing multiple incidents of domestic violence in the previous year are more likely to be anemic and underweight. The findings were published online March 26, 2008 in The American Journal of Epidemiology and will appear in an upcoming print issue of the journal.

How exercise changes structure and function of heart

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

For the first time researchers are beginning to understand exactly how various forms of exercise impact the heart. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators, in collaboration with the Harvard University Health Services, have found that 90 days of vigorous athletic training produces significant changes in cardiac structure and function and that the type of change varies with the type of exercise performed. Their study appears in the April Journal of Applied Physiology.

A simplified method of giving rabies vaccine

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

A simplified economical method of giving rabies vaccine is just as effective as the expensive standard vaccine regimen at stimulating anti-rabies antibodies.

New vaccine may give long-term defense against deadly bird flu and its variant forms

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A new vaccine under development may provide protection against highly pathogenic bird flu and its evolving forms, according to researchers at Purdue University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who discovered the new preventative drug and have tested it in mice.

An apple a day does keep the doctor away

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:21:49 PST

Washington, April 9 - There is, it appears, more than an element of truth in the old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away. A new study has found that eating an apple a day - or drinking its juice - is a sound way of maintaining a slimmer waistline and insuring oneself against high BP and cardiac disease.

Communicating your way to a healthy heart

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:32:33 PST

Washington, March 31 - Regular communication with doctors not only lowers risk of cardiovascular disease, but is also the key to a healthy heart, according to a study.

Mounting evidence shows red wine antioxidant kills cancer

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Rochester researchers showed for the first time that a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by reaching to the cell's core energy source, or mitochondria, and crippling its function. The study is published in the March edition of the journal, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.

Study links dietary folate intake to genetic abnormalities in sperm

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Berkeley -- Healthy men who report lower levels of the nutrient folate in their diets have higher rates of chromosomal abnormalities in their sperm, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Adolescent girls with ADHD are at increased risk for eating disorders, study shows

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:00:00 PST

Girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder stand a substantially greater risk of developing eating disorders in adolescence than girls without ADHD, a new study has found.

Vaccine/antibody therapy effective, milder side effects in melanoma and ovarian cancer

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 05:00:00 PST

BOSTON--One of the shortcomings of a therapy that uses millions of identical antibodies to boost the immune system's attack on cancer cells is that many patients whose tumors recede in response to the treatment also experience serious inflammatory problems, such as severe diarrhea and rashes. In a new study, a team led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers shows that giving periodic infusions of such monoclonal antibodies to patients who have received a widely used cancer vaccine unleashes a strong immune response to tumors, with less-harsh side effects.

Breast cancer diagnosis comes late for women in gentrifying neighborhoods

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:30:00 PST

Women who live in Chicago's gentrifying neighborhoods are more apt to receive a late diagnosis of breast cancer than women who live in poverty-stricken neighborhoods, University of Illinois at Chicago researchers have found.

New, noninvasive prostate cancer test beats PSA in detecting prostate cancer

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:25:00 PST

An experimental biomarker test developed by researchers at the University of Michigan more accurately detects prostate cancer than any other screening method currently in use, according to a study published in the February 1 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

T cell immunity enhanced by timing of interleukin-7 therapy

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:25:00 PST

MADISON -- That the cell nurturing growth factor interleukin-7 can help ramp up the ability of the immune system to remember the pathogenic villains it encounters is well known.

NIH announces new initiative in epigenomics

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will invest more than $190 million over the next five years to accelerate an emerging field of biomedical research known as epigenomics.

US$ 38 million grant for fight against malnutrition

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:14:05 PST

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) today announces a US$ 38 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to increase private sector engagement in the fight against malnutrition in young children.

More sun exposure may be good for some people

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:00:00 PST

UPTON, NY - A new study by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory and colleagues in Norway suggests that the benefits of moderately increased exposure to sunlight - namely the production of vitamin D, which protects against the lethal effects of many forms of cancer and other diseases - may outweigh the risk of developing skin cancer in populations deficient in vitamin D. The study will be published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of January 7, 2008.

Now '100 percent' vegetarian eggs

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:39:42 PST

Erode -, Dec 21 - Here's some good news for diehard vegetarians who may yet like to tuck in some eggs. India's leading egg powder manufacturer and exporter will launch a '100 percent vegetarian egg' in the coming year.

Drug aimed at 2 bioterror agents blocks live viral infection, Weill Cornell team reports

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

NEW YORK (Dec. 19, 2007) -- Two deadly and highly infectious viruses -- both potential bioterror threats -- may have met their match in a new drug developed by scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.

Waistline growth on high-carb diets linked to liver gene

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

MADISON - Experts have been warning for years that foods loaded with high-fructose corn syrup and other processed carbohydrates are making us fatter. Now, a University of Wisconsin-Madison study has uncovered the genetic basis for why this is so.

Price of lower-calorie foods rising drastically, researchers find

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:00:00 PST

As food prices rise, the costs of lower-calorie foods are rising the fastest, according to a University of Washington study appearing in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. As the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables and other low-calorie foods have jumped nearly 20 percent in the past two years, the UW researchers say, a nutritious diet may be moving out of the reach of some American consumers.

Poxvirus ability to hide from the immune system may aid vaccine design

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

The cowpox virus, a much milder cousin of the deadly smallpox virus, can keep infected host cells from warning the immune system that they have been compromised, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found. The scientists also showed that more virulent poxviruses, such as the strains of monkeypox prevalent in Central Africa, likely have the same ability.

Citrus juice, vitamin C give staying power to green tea antioxidants

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - To get more out of your next cup of tea, just add juice.

Fat cells send message that aids insulin secretion

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:00:00 PST

The body's fat cells help the pancreas do its job of secreting insulin, according to research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. This previously unrecognized process ultimately could lead to new methods to improve glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic or insulin-resistant people.

Mice help researchers understand chlamydia

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Genetically engineered mice may hold the key to helping scientists from Queensland University of Technology and Harvard hasten the development of a vaccine to protect adolescent girls against the most common sexually transmitted disease, Chlamydia.

U of I scientist does nutritional detective work in Botswana

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Many Americans have a soft spot for Botswana, developed while reading the best-selling #1 Ladies Detective Agency series. But few have had a chance to do any sleuthing of their own in that African country.

Parasites a key to the decline of red colobus monkeys in forest fragments

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Forest fragmentation threatens biodiversity, often causing declines or local extinctions in a majority of species while enhancing the prospects of a few. A new study from the University of Illinois shows that parasites can play a pivotal role in the decline of species in fragmented forests. This is the first study to look at how forest fragmentation increases the burden of infectious parasites on animals already stressed by disturbances to their habitat.

Severely restricted diet linked to physical fitness into old age

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BUFFALO, NY -- Severely restricting calories leads to a longer life, scientists have proved.

XDR TB in South Africa traced to lack of drug susceptibility testing

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

In South Africa, the 2001 implementation of the World Health Organization�s anti-tuberculosis program may have inadvertently helped to create a new strain of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB). In a new study published in the December 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, currently available online, researchers tracked the developing drug resistance of one particular strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis over 12 years. They found that at the time of the 2001 adoption of the DOT+ strategy for multi-drug resistant strains, the strain was already resistant to one or more of the drugs mandated by that strategy, thus allowing the strain to survive and develop resistance to additional drugs.

Exercise improves thinking, reduces diabetes risk in overweight children

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

Just three months of daily, vigorous physical activity in overweight children improves their thinking and reduces their diabetes risk, researchers say.

Zinc may reduce pneumonia risk in nursing home elderly

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:00:00 PST

BOSTON � When elderly nursing home residents contract pneumonia, it is a blow to their already fragile health. Simin Nikbin Meydani, DVM, PhD of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University and colleagues report that maintaining normal serum zinc concentration in the blood may help reduce the risk of pneumonia development in that population.