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** ALCOHOL / ADDICTION / ILLEGAL DRUGS News **
Persistent Teenage Cannabis Use Linked To Long Term Cognitive Decline
http://mnt.to/a/47W2
Persistent cannabis use among teenagers under 18 years of age results in neuropsychological decline, which persists even after they stop smoking, researchers from the USA and UK reported in Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences.
----------------------------------------------
** ALLERGY News **
Improper Rinsing Of Sinuses With Neti Pots Can Be Dangerous, FDA Says
http://mnt.to/a/47V3
Neti pots are little teapot-like devices which people use to rinse out their sinuses. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that if they are not used properly, the user runs a risk of developing serious infections, even potentially fatal ones.
----------------------------------------------
** ALZHEIMER'S / DEMENTIA News **
Optimal Length Of Mitochondria In Neurons Is Essential To Preventing Onset Of Alzheimer's And Other Tau-Related Diseases
http://mnt.to/a/47Tm
Goldilocks was on to something when she preferred everything "just right." Harvard Medical School researchers have found that when it comes to the length of mitochondria, the power-producing organelles, applying the fairy tale's mantra is crucial to the health of a cell.
----------------------------------------------
** AUTISM News **
Autism Treatment Options For Adolescents Are Not Supported By Evidence
http://mnt.to/a/47VW
According to a recent report, Vanderbilt University researchers say that current therapies used to treat adolescents with autism are not supported by evidence proving they are effective methods.
Sharper View Of Brain's Neural Network Offered By Novel Microscopy Method
http://mnt.to/a/47Tr
Shortly after the Hubble Space Telescope went into orbit in 1990 it was discovered that the craft had blurred vision. Fortunately, Space Shuttle astronauts were able to remedy the problem a few years later with supplemental optics.
----------------------------------------------
** BONES / ORTHOPEDICS News **
The Problems And Potential Solutions To Using Fat For Cartilage Repair
http://mnt.to/a/47Ty
Stem cells isolated from fat are being considered as an option for treating tissue damage and diseases because of their accessibility and lack of rejection. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy shows that this is not as straightforward as previously believed, and that fat-derived stem cells secrete VEGF and other factors, which can inhibit cartilage regeneration.
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** BREAST CANCER News **
Breast Cancer Recurrence Higher Among Overweight Women
http://mnt.to/a/47VT
Obese and overweight women are more likely to experience breast cancer recurrence compared to women of normal weight, regardless of the type of cancer treatment they received, researchers reported in the journal Cancer.
Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1) Significantly Improves Breast Cancer Survival
http://mnt.to/a/47VM
The investigational drug, Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1), improves survival of patients with HER2-Positive metastatic breast cancer "significantly", Genentech Inc. announced today as it published highlights of its Phase III EMILIA study results.
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** CANCER / ONCOLOGY News **
Breast Cancer Recurrence Higher Among Overweight Women
http://mnt.to/a/47VT
Obese and overweight women are more likely to experience breast cancer recurrence compared to women of normal weight, regardless of the type of cancer treatment they received, researchers reported in the journal Cancer.
Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1) Significantly Improves Breast Cancer Survival
http://mnt.to/a/47VM
The investigational drug, Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1), improves survival of patients with HER2-Positive metastatic breast cancer "significantly", Genentech Inc. announced today as it published highlights of its Phase III EMILIA study results.
Researchers Identify PHF20, A Regulator Of Gene P53, Critical For Normal Cell Growth And Tumor Suppression
http://mnt.to/a/47TK
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues have identified PHF20, a novel transcriptional factor, and clarified its role in maintaining the stability and transcription of p53, a gene that allows for both normal cell growth and tumor suppression.
Chemists Determine 1 Way Tumors Meet Their Growing Needs
http://mnt.to/a/47TH
Behaving something like ravenous monsters, tumors need plentiful supplies of cellular building blocks such as amino acids and nucleotides in order to keep growing at a rapid pace and survive under harsh conditions.
Viral Paths Toward Cancer Charted By Field Guide To The Epstein-Barr Virus
http://mnt.to/a/47Tn
Researchers from The Wistar Institute and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) have teamed to publish the first annotated atlas of the Epstein-Barr virus genome, creating the most comprehensive study of how the viral genome interacts with its human host during a latent infection.
----------------------------------------------
** CARDIOVASCULAR / CARDIOLOGY News **
Belly Fat Increases Risk Of Death Even In People Of Normal Weight
http://mnt.to/a/47VY
A Mayo Clinic study, which was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich, suggests that people of average weight who have extra fat in their stomach have a higher risk of dying than obese people.
New Blood Test Helps Determine Who Benefits Most From Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
http://mnt.to/a/47Vt
Some heart failure patients benefit from having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) while others do not - a new blood test that predicts risk of death may help doctors determine who should get an ICD, Professor Samuel Dudley, from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine explained at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2012, in Munich, Germany.
Merck Aims For Two Cardiovascular Medication Approvals Next Year
http://mnt.to/a/47Vr
Merck & Co announced yesterday that it is aiming for the approval of two cardiovascular drugs in the United States and the European Union for 2013. The two drugs are vorapaxar, an experimental drug for acute coronary syndrome chest pain caused by coronary artery disease, and K-524A (tredaptive), for the treatment of HDL (bad cholesterol) to reduce the incidence of vascular events.
Sudden Cardiac Death Less Likely If You're Exercising
http://mnt.to/a/47Vq
There is a smaller chance of dying from sudden cardiac arrest if it is exercise-related, than cardiac arrests for other reasons, researchers from The Netherlands reported at the European Society for Cardiology 2012 Congress, in Munich, Germany.
New Novartis Drug Shows Promise For Heart Failure
http://mnt.to/a/47Vp
LCZ696, a first-in-class compound, may improve treatment outcomes for half of all patients with heart failure, according to a Phase II clinical trial on heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction; preserved ejection fraction is when all the heart failure signs are present, but the heart's left ventricle pumps out more blood when it contracts compared to others with heart failure.
Latest Spinal Cord Research Being Used To Create An Equal Playing Field At The Paralympic Games
http://mnt.to/a/47Ts
Vancouver-based clinician and researcher Dr. Andrei Krassioukov is packing for the upcoming Paralympic games in London. Rather than packing sports equipment, he has a suitcase full of advanced scientific equipment funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation that he will use to monitor the cardiovascular function of athletes with spinal cord injuries.
----------------------------------------------
** CHOLESTEROL News **
Merck Aims For Two Cardiovascular Medication Approvals Next Year
http://mnt.to/a/47Vr
Merck & Co announced yesterday that it is aiming for the approval of two cardiovascular drugs in the United States and the European Union for 2013. The two drugs are vorapaxar, an experimental drug for acute coronary syndrome chest pain caused by coronary artery disease, and K-524A (tredaptive), for the treatment of HDL (bad cholesterol) to reduce the incidence of vascular events.
----------------------------------------------
** CLINICAL TRIALS / DRUG TRIALS News **
Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1) Significantly Improves Breast Cancer Survival
http://mnt.to/a/47VM
The investigational drug, Trastuzumab Emtansine (T-DM1), improves survival of patients with HER2-Positive metastatic breast cancer "significantly", Genentech Inc. announced today as it published highlights of its Phase III EMILIA study results.
New Novartis Drug Shows Promise For Heart Failure
http://mnt.to/a/47Vp
LCZ696, a first-in-class compound, may improve treatment outcomes for half of all patients with heart failure, according to a Phase II clinical trial on heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction; preserved ejection fraction is when all the heart failure signs are present, but the heart's left ventricle pumps out more blood when it contracts compared to others with heart failure.
----------------------------------------------
** CROHN'S / IBD News **
Pig Parasite To Be Trialled As Treatment For Crohn's Disease
http://mnt.to/a/47VN
A trial using eggs of a pig parasite to treat Crohn's disease started this month, led by a US biotech company that is developing a new class of biologic treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
----------------------------------------------
** DIABETES News **
Pinprick Testing In Diabetes Could Be A Thing Of The Past: Sensor Detects Glucose In Saliva And Tears
http://mnt.to/a/47Tp
Researchers have created a new type of biosensor that can detect minute concentrations of glucose in saliva, tears and urine and might be manufactured at low cost because it does not require many processing steps to produce.
----------------------------------------------
** EAR, NOSE AND THROAT News **
Improper Rinsing Of Sinuses With Neti Pots Can Be Dangerous, FDA Says
http://mnt.to/a/47V3
Neti pots are little teapot-like devices which people use to rinse out their sinuses. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that if they are not used properly, the user runs a risk of developing serious infections, even potentially fatal ones.
----------------------------------------------
** ENDOCRINOLOGY News **
Body's Own Hormone Shows Promise In Protecting Dopamine, Leading To Possible Treatments For Parkinson's Disease
http://mnt.to/a/47Tw
Scientists at the University of Houston (UH) have discovered what may possibly be a key ingredient in the fight against Parkinson's disease.Affecting more than 500,000 people in the U.S., Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system marked by a loss of certain nerve cells in the brain, causing a lack of dopamine.
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** FLU / COLD / SARS News **
How Does The Flu Virus Disrupt Our Natural Defense System?
http://mnt.to/a/47VS
According to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers at Northwestern University have identified one of the ways the influenza virus disarms our natural defense system.
Scientists Discover One Of The Ways The Influenza Virus Disarms Host Cells
http://mnt.to/a/47TJ
When you are hit with the flu, you know it immediately -- fever, chills, sore throat, aching muscles, fatigue. This is your body mounting an immune response to the invading virus. But less is known about what is happening on the molecular level.
----------------------------------------------
** GASTROINTESTINAL / GASTROENTEROLOGY News **
Gallstone Risk Higher Among Obese Children And Teenagers
http://mnt.to/a/47Vs
Obese and overweight children or teenagers have a considerably higher risk of developing gallstones compared to their peers of normal weight, researchers from Kaiser Permanente, USA, reported in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition.
----------------------------------------------
** GENETICS News **
How Do Body Temperatures Influence The Biological Clock?
http://mnt.to/a/47VQ
According to a study published in Science magazine, Ueli Schibler, a professor at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, has identified a molecular mechanism by which body temperature rhythms influence the biological clock.
Researchers Identify PHF20, A Regulator Of Gene P53, Critical For Normal Cell Growth And Tumor Suppression
http://mnt.to/a/47TK
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center and colleagues have identified PHF20, a novel transcriptional factor, and clarified its role in maintaining the stability and transcription of p53, a gene that allows for both normal cell growth and tumor suppression.
Scientists Discover One Of The Ways The Influenza Virus Disarms Host Cells
http://mnt.to/a/47TJ
When you are hit with the flu, you know it immediately -- fever, chills, sore throat, aching muscles, fatigue. This is your body mounting an immune response to the invading virus. But less is known about what is happening on the molecular level.
Epigenetic Markers: Histone-Modifying Proteins, Not Histones, Remain Associated With DNA Through Replication
http://mnt.to/a/47Tz
It's widely accepted that molecular mechanisms mediating epigenetics include DNA methylation and histone modifications, but a team from Thomas Jefferson University has evidence to the contrary regarding the role of histone modifications.
DiGeorge Syndrome Severity May Be Explained By Gene 'Switch'
http://mnt.to/a/47Tv
The discovery of a 'switch' that modifies a gene known to be essential for normal heart development could explain variations in the severity of birth defects in children with DiGeorge syndrome.
Viral Paths Toward Cancer Charted By Field Guide To The Epstein-Barr Virus
http://mnt.to/a/47Tn
Researchers from The Wistar Institute and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) have teamed to publish the first annotated atlas of the Epstein-Barr virus genome, creating the most comprehensive study of how the viral genome interacts with its human host during a latent infection.
----------------------------------------------
** HEALTH INSURANCE / MEDICAL INSURANCE News **
CMS Announces Initiative To Improve Primary Care
http://mnt.to/a/47VR
500 primary care practices from 7 U.S. regions have been chosen to form a new partnership to offer improved quality health care at affordable costs. The Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative is a 4-year initiative by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMS Innovation Center) that started in the fall of 2011 and is between care practices and payers from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), state Medicaid agencies, commercial health plans, self-insured businesses, and primary care providers.
----------------------------------------------
** HEART DISEASE News **
Belly Fat Increases Risk Of Death Even In People Of Normal Weight
http://mnt.to/a/47VY
A Mayo Clinic study, which was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich, suggests that people of average weight who have extra fat in their stomach have a higher risk of dying than obese people.
Electronic Cigarettes Not Linked To Heart Damage
http://mnt.to/a/47VC
Using electronic cigarettes is not associated with acute adverse effects on cardiac function, researchers from the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece, reported at the European Society for Cardiology 2012 Conference in Munich, Germany.
New Blood Test Helps Determine Who Benefits Most From Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
http://mnt.to/a/47Vt
Some heart failure patients benefit from having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) while others do not - a new blood test that predicts risk of death may help doctors determine who should get an ICD, Professor Samuel Dudley, from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine explained at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2012, in Munich, Germany.
Sudden Cardiac Death Less Likely If You're Exercising
http://mnt.to/a/47Vq
There is a smaller chance of dying from sudden cardiac arrest if it is exercise-related, than cardiac arrests for other reasons, researchers from The Netherlands reported at the European Society for Cardiology 2012 Congress, in Munich, Germany.
New Novartis Drug Shows Promise For Heart Failure
http://mnt.to/a/47Vp
LCZ696, a first-in-class compound, may improve treatment outcomes for half of all patients with heart failure, according to a Phase II clinical trial on heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction; preserved ejection fraction is when all the heart failure signs are present, but the heart's left ventricle pumps out more blood when it contracts compared to others with heart failure.
----------------------------------------------
** IMMUNE SYSTEM / VACCINES News **
How Does The Flu Virus Disrupt Our Natural Defense System?
http://mnt.to/a/47VS
According to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers at Northwestern University have identified one of the ways the influenza virus disarms our natural defense system.
Pig Parasite To Be Trialled As Treatment For Crohn's Disease
http://mnt.to/a/47VN
A trial using eggs of a pig parasite to treat Crohn's disease started this month, led by a US biotech company that is developing a new class of biologic treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Scientists Discover One Of The Ways The Influenza Virus Disarms Host Cells
http://mnt.to/a/47TJ
When you are hit with the flu, you know it immediately -- fever, chills, sore throat, aching muscles, fatigue. This is your body mounting an immune response to the invading virus. But less is known about what is happening on the molecular level.
----------------------------------------------
** INFECTIOUS DISEASES / BACTERIA / VIRUSES News **
Viral Paths Toward Cancer Charted By Field Guide To The Epstein-Barr Virus
http://mnt.to/a/47Tn
Researchers from The Wistar Institute and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) have teamed to publish the first annotated atlas of the Epstein-Barr virus genome, creating the most comprehensive study of how the viral genome interacts with its human host during a latent infection.
----------------------------------------------
** MEDICAL DEVICES / DIAGNOSTICS News **
"Smart Catheter" Developed For Prevention Of Catheter-Related Infections
http://mnt.to/a/47VP
At the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, researchers announced that a new "smart catheter" is being developed in order to prevent catheter-related blood and urinary tract infections.
New Mechanical Clot-Remover Highly Effective In Stroke Trial
http://mnt.to/a/47Vw
A new generation tool that restores blood flow and mechanically removes clots from blocked blood vessels in people who have had an acute ischemic stroke, performed dramatically better in a clinical trial than the standard treatment, according to a new study reported in The Lancet this week.
New Blood Test Helps Determine Who Benefits Most From Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
http://mnt.to/a/47Vt
Some heart failure patients benefit from having an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) while others do not - a new blood test that predicts risk of death may help doctors determine who should get an ICD, Professor Samuel Dudley, from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine explained at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2012, in Munich, Germany.
Sharper View Of Brain's Neural Network Offered By Novel Microscopy Method
http://mnt.to/a/47Tr
Shortly after the Hubble Space Telescope went into orbit in 1990 it was discovered that the craft had blurred vision. Fortunately, Space Shuttle astronauts were able to remedy the problem a few years later with supplemental optics.
Pinprick Testing In Diabetes Could Be A Thing Of The Past: Sensor Detects Glucose In Saliva And Tears
http://mnt.to/a/47Tp
Researchers have created a new type of biosensor that can detect minute concentrations of glucose in saliva, tears and urine and might be manufactured at low cost because it does not require many processing steps to produce.
----------------------------------------------
** MELANOMA / SKIN CANCER News **
Human Melanoma Stem Cells Identified
http://mnt.to/a/47TF
Cancer stem cells are defined by three abilities: differentiation, self-renewal and their ability to seed a tumor. These stem cells resist chemotherapy and many researchers posit their role in relapse.
----------------------------------------------
** MENTAL HEALTH News **
Persistent Teenage Cannabis Use Linked To Long Term Cognitive Decline
http://mnt.to/a/47W2
Persistent cannabis use among teenagers under 18 years of age results in neuropsychological decline, which persists even after they stop smoking, researchers from the USA and UK reported in Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences.
Autism Treatment Options For Adolescents Are Not Supported By Evidence
http://mnt.to/a/47VW
According to a recent report, Vanderbilt University researchers say that current therapies used to treat adolescents with autism are not supported by evidence proving they are effective methods.
----------------------------------------------
** NEUROLOGY / NEUROSCIENCE News **
You Can Learn While You Sleep, Says Study
http://mnt.to/a/47VX
New research from Weizmann Institute, published in Nature Neuroscience has discovered that people can actually learn during sleep, which can unconsciously modify their behavior while awake. The study suggests that while people sleep, if certain odors are presented after hearing tones, people start sniffing even if there is no odor presented when they hear the same tones.
How Do Body Temperatures Influence The Biological Clock?
http://mnt.to/a/47VQ
According to a study published in Science magazine, Ueli Schibler, a professor at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, has identified a molecular mechanism by which body temperature rhythms influence the biological clock.
New Mechanical Clot-Remover Highly Effective In Stroke Trial
http://mnt.to/a/47Vw
A new generation tool that restores blood flow and mechanically removes clots from blocked blood vessels in people who have had an acute ischemic stroke, performed dramatically better in a clinical trial than the standard treatment, according to a new study reported in The Lancet this week.
Blood Flow In Brain Rebooted By Nanoparticles
http://mnt.to/a/47TC
A nanoparticle developed at Rice University and tested in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) may bring great benefits to the emergency treatment of brain-injury victims, even those with mild injuries.
Latest Spinal Cord Research Being Used To Create An Equal Playing Field At The Paralympic Games
http://mnt.to/a/47Ts
Vancouver-based clinician and researcher Dr. Andrei Krassioukov is packing for the upcoming Paralympic games in London. Rather than packing sports equipment, he has a suitcase full of advanced scientific equipment funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation that he will use to monitor the cardiovascular function of athletes with spinal cord injuries.
Sharper View Of Brain's Neural Network Offered By Novel Microscopy Method
http://mnt.to/a/47Tr
Shortly after the Hubble Space Telescope went into orbit in 1990 it was discovered that the craft had blurred vision. Fortunately, Space Shuttle astronauts were able to remedy the problem a few years later with supplemental optics.
Optimal Length Of Mitochondria In Neurons Is Essential To Preventing Onset Of Alzheimer's And Other Tau-Related Diseases
http://mnt.to/a/47Tm
Goldilocks was on to something when she preferred everything "just right." Harvard Medical School researchers have found that when it comes to the length of mitochondria, the power-producing organelles, applying the fairy tale's mantra is crucial to the health of a cell.
----------------------------------------------
** NUTRITION / DIET News **
New Insights Into The Underlying Mechanisms Of Sodium Balance
http://mnt.to/a/47Tt
Sodium chloride, better known as salt, is vital for the organism, and the kidneys play a crucial role in the regulation of sodium balance. However, the underlying mechanisms of sodium balance are not yet completely understood.
----------------------------------------------
** OBESITY / WEIGHT LOSS / FITNESS News **
Belly Fat Increases Risk Of Death Even In People Of Normal Weight
http://mnt.to/a/47VY
A Mayo Clinic study, which was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich, suggests that people of average weight who have extra fat in their stomach have a higher risk of dying than obese people.
Breast Cancer Recurrence Higher Among Overweight Women
http://mnt.to/a/47VT
Obese and overweight women are more likely to experience breast cancer recurrence compared to women of normal weight, regardless of the type of cancer treatment they received, researchers reported in the journal Cancer.
Gallstone Risk Higher Among Obese Children And Teenagers
http://mnt.to/a/47Vs
Obese and overweight children or teenagers have a considerably higher risk of developing gallstones compared to their peers of normal weight, researchers from Kaiser Permanente, USA, reported in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition.
----------------------------------------------
** PANCREATIC CANCER News **
Balancing Quality And Quantity Of Life For Pancreatic Cancer Patients
http://mnt.to/a/47TG
Every year, nearly 45,000 Americans are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The odds against those stricken by the disease are truly dismal; pancreatic cancer almost always kills within two years after diagnosis, no matter how it is treated.
----------------------------------------------
** PARKINSON'S DISEASE News **
Body's Own Hormone Shows Promise In Protecting Dopamine, Leading To Possible Treatments For Parkinson's Disease
http://mnt.to/a/47Tw
Scientists at the University of Houston (UH) have discovered what may possibly be a key ingredient in the fight against Parkinson's disease.Affecting more than 500,000 people in the U.S., Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system marked by a loss of certain nerve cells in the brain, causing a lack of dopamine.
----------------------------------------------
** PEDIATRICS / CHILDREN'S HEALTH News **
Discrimination Can Lead To Low Birth Weight In Babies
http://mnt.to/a/47VZ
According to a recent study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine, depression caused by discrimination could eventually result in low weight babies at the time of birth. Valerie Earnshaw and her team from Yale University have determined that although it has been long known that it is important to decrease the risk of health problems in a woman's life in order to avoid low birth weight, new evidence suggests that discrimination on a regular basis against pregnant urban women can play a large part in increased risk of low birth weight among newborns.
Toxic Phthalates In School Supplies Used By Kids
http://mnt.to/a/47VV
High levels of toxic phthalates, which are banned in toys and are associated with birth defects, ADHD, obesity, behavioral problems and asthma, have been found in 75% of children's back-to-school supplies, a new report issued by the Center for Health, Environment & Justice, the Empire State Consumer Project, and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY).
Gallstone Risk Higher Among Obese Children And Teenagers
http://mnt.to/a/47Vs
Obese and overweight children or teenagers have a considerably higher risk of developing gallstones compared to their peers of normal weight, researchers from Kaiser Permanente, USA, reported in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition.
DiGeorge Syndrome Severity May Be Explained By Gene 'Switch'
http://mnt.to/a/47Tv
The discovery of a 'switch' that modifies a gene known to be essential for normal heart development could explain variations in the severity of birth defects in children with DiGeorge syndrome.
----------------------------------------------
** PHARMA INDUSTRY / BIOTECH INDUSTRY News **
Merck Aims For Two Cardiovascular Medication Approvals Next Year
http://mnt.to/a/47Vr
Merck & Co announced yesterday that it is aiming for the approval of two cardiovascular drugs in the United States and the European Union for 2013. The two drugs are vorapaxar, an experimental drug for acute coronary syndrome chest pain caused by coronary artery disease, and K-524A (tredaptive), for the treatment of HDL (bad cholesterol) to reduce the incidence of vascular events.
----------------------------------------------
** PREGNANCY / OBSTETRICS News **
Discrimination Can Lead To Low Birth Weight In Babies
http://mnt.to/a/47VZ
According to a recent study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine, depression caused by discrimination could eventually result in low weight babies at the time of birth. Valerie Earnshaw and her team from Yale University have determined that although it has been long known that it is important to decrease the risk of health problems in a woman's life in order to avoid low birth weight, new evidence suggests that discrimination on a regular basis against pregnant urban women can play a large part in increased risk of low birth weight among newborns.
----------------------------------------------
** PRIMARY CARE / GENERAL PRACTICE News **
CMS Announces Initiative To Improve Primary Care
http://mnt.to/a/47VR
500 primary care practices from 7 U.S. regions have been chosen to form a new partnership to offer improved quality health care at affordable costs. The Comprehensive Primary Care Initiative is a 4-year initiative by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMS Innovation Center) that started in the fall of 2011 and is between care practices and payers from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), state Medicaid agencies, commercial health plans, self-insured businesses, and primary care providers.
----------------------------------------------
** PROSTATE / PROSTATE CANCER News **
Since The Introduction Of PSA Testing, Prostate Cancer Survival Rates Have Improved
http://mnt.to/a/47Tx
The routine use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing for screening and monitoring prostate cancer has led to early and more sensitive detection of the disease. A new study published in The Journal of Urology® reports that in the "PSA era," survival has improved for patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer that has spread to the bones or other parts of the body and the disparity between African American and Caucasian men has been resolved.
Racial Disparities In Prostate Cancer Care
http://mnt.to/a/47Tq
A study led by investigators from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), Nashville, Tenn., finds that black men with prostate cancer receive lower quality surgical care than white men. The racial differences persist even when controlling for factors such as the year of surgery, age, comorbidities and insurance status.
----------------------------------------------
** PSYCHOLOGY / PSYCHIATRY News **
Persistent Teenage Cannabis Use Linked To Long Term Cognitive Decline
http://mnt.to/a/47W2
Persistent cannabis use among teenagers under 18 years of age results in neuropsychological decline, which persists even after they stop smoking, researchers from the USA and UK reported in Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences.
Discrimination Can Lead To Low Birth Weight In Babies
http://mnt.to/a/47VZ
According to a recent study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine, depression caused by discrimination could eventually result in low weight babies at the time of birth. Valerie Earnshaw and her team from Yale University have determined that although it has been long known that it is important to decrease the risk of health problems in a woman's life in order to avoid low birth weight, new evidence suggests that discrimination on a regular basis against pregnant urban women can play a large part in increased risk of low birth weight among newborns.
Insights Into Language And Emotion From Psychological Science
http://mnt.to/a/47TD
We use language every day to express our emotions, but can this language actually affect what and how we feel? Two new studies from Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, explore the ways in which the interaction between language and emotion influences our well-being.
----------------------------------------------
** PUBLIC HEALTH News **
Project Helps Decision Makers Address Issues Related To Urban Pollution, Human Comfort
http://mnt.to/a/47TL
Cities - with their concrete canyons, isolated greenery, and congested traffic - create seemingly chaotic and often powerful wind patterns known as urban flows. Carried on these winds are a variety of environmental hazards, including exhaust particles, diesel fumes, chemical residues, ozone, and the simple dust and dander produced by dense populations.
Racial Disparities In Prostate Cancer Care
http://mnt.to/a/47Tq
A study led by investigators from Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC), Nashville, Tenn., finds that black men with prostate cancer receive lower quality surgical care than white men. The racial differences persist even when controlling for factors such as the year of surgery, age, comorbidities and insurance status.
----------------------------------------------
** SLEEP / SLEEP DISORDERS / INSOMNIA News **
You Can Learn While You Sleep, Says Study
http://mnt.to/a/47VX
New research from Weizmann Institute, published in Nature Neuroscience has discovered that people can actually learn during sleep, which can unconsciously modify their behavior while awake. The study suggests that while people sleep, if certain odors are presented after hearing tones, people start sniffing even if there is no odor presented when they hear the same tones.
----------------------------------------------
** SMOKING / QUIT SMOKING News **
Electronic Cigarettes Not Linked To Heart Damage
http://mnt.to/a/47VC
Using electronic cigarettes is not associated with acute adverse effects on cardiac function, researchers from the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece, reported at the European Society for Cardiology 2012 Conference in Munich, Germany.
----------------------------------------------
** SPORTS MEDICINE / FITNESS News **
Sudden Cardiac Death Less Likely If You're Exercising
http://mnt.to/a/47Vq
There is a smaller chance of dying from sudden cardiac arrest if it is exercise-related, than cardiac arrests for other reasons, researchers from The Netherlands reported at the European Society for Cardiology 2012 Congress, in Munich, Germany.
Latest Spinal Cord Research Being Used To Create An Equal Playing Field At The Paralympic Games
http://mnt.to/a/47Ts
Vancouver-based clinician and researcher Dr. Andrei Krassioukov is packing for the upcoming Paralympic games in London. Rather than packing sports equipment, he has a suitcase full of advanced scientific equipment funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation that he will use to monitor the cardiovascular function of athletes with spinal cord injuries.
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** STEM CELL RESEARCH News **
Human Melanoma Stem Cells Identified
http://mnt.to/a/47TF
Cancer stem cells are defined by three abilities: differentiation, self-renewal and their ability to seed a tumor. These stem cells resist chemotherapy and many researchers posit their role in relapse.
The Problems And Potential Solutions To Using Fat For Cartilage Repair
http://mnt.to/a/47Ty
Stem cells isolated from fat are being considered as an option for treating tissue damage and diseases because of their accessibility and lack of rejection. New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy shows that this is not as straightforward as previously believed, and that fat-derived stem cells secrete VEGF and other factors, which can inhibit cartilage regeneration.
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** STROKE News **
New Mechanical Clot-Remover Highly Effective In Stroke Trial
http://mnt.to/a/47Vw
A new generation tool that restores blood flow and mechanically removes clots from blocked blood vessels in people who have had an acute ischemic stroke, performed dramatically better in a clinical trial than the standard treatment, according to a new study reported in The Lancet this week.
Blood Flow In Brain Rebooted By Nanoparticles
http://mnt.to/a/47TC
A nanoparticle developed at Rice University and tested in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) may bring great benefits to the emergency treatment of brain-injury victims, even those with mild injuries.
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** UROLOGY / NEPHROLOGY News **
"Smart Catheter" Developed For Prevention Of Catheter-Related Infections
http://mnt.to/a/47VP
At the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, researchers announced that a new "smart catheter" is being developed in order to prevent catheter-related blood and urinary tract infections.
New Insights Into The Underlying Mechanisms Of Sodium Balance
http://mnt.to/a/47Tt
Sodium chloride, better known as salt, is vital for the organism, and the kidneys play a crucial role in the regulation of sodium balance. However, the underlying mechanisms of sodium balance are not yet completely understood.
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** VASCULAR News **
Blood Flow In Brain Rebooted By Nanoparticles
http://mnt.to/a/47TC
A nanoparticle developed at Rice University and tested in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) may bring great benefits to the emergency treatment of brain-injury victims, even those with mild injuries.
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** VETERINARY News **
Pig Parasite To Be Trialled As Treatment For Crohn's Disease
http://mnt.to/a/47VN
A trial using eggs of a pig parasite to treat Crohn's disease started this month, led by a US biotech company that is developing a new class of biologic treatments for autoimmune diseases and cancer.
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** WATER - AIR QUALITY / AGRICULTURE News **
Project Helps Decision Makers Address Issues Related To Urban Pollution, Human Comfort
http://mnt.to/a/47TL
Cities - with their concrete canyons, isolated greenery, and congested traffic - create seemingly chaotic and often powerful wind patterns known as urban flows. Carried on these winds are a variety of environmental hazards, including exhaust particles, diesel fumes, chemical residues, ozone, and the simple dust and dander produced by dense populations.
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