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** ALCOHOL / ADDICTION / ILLEGAL DRUGS News **
2 In 5 Brits Need Painkillers To Be Able To Work
http://mnt.to/a/4c28
A survey that took a snapshot of painkiller use across the UK reveals that nearly 2 in 5 people (37%) say they have to take painkillers in order to feel well enough to work. It also finds that 1 in 3 people using medication are worried about becoming dependent on drugs in order to manage their lives.
FDA Permits Production Of Generic Heroin Drug Against Bid Of Reckitt
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ6
Two generic forms of Reckitt Benckiser's heroin addiction medication have been approved by U.S. regulators, rejecting the company's bid to prevent rival products based on their belief that stricter regulations were needed on packages to better protect children.
Children Respond Better To Anti-Drug Messages When Parents Don't Disclose Past Drug Use
http://mnt.to/a/4bXr
Parents know that one day they will have to talk to their children about drug use. The hardest part is to decide whether or not talking about ones own drug use will be useful in communicating an antidrug message.
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** ALLERGY News **
Delivery By By C-Section Increases Risk Of Allergies In Childhood
http://mnt.to/a/4bYv
For expectant moms who may contemplate the pros and cons of natural child birth or Caesarian section, a Henry Ford Hospital study suggests that C-section babies are susceptible to developing allergies by age two.
Omalizumab Therapy Could Soon Replace Other, More Toxic Treatments For Chronic, Severe Hives And Itch
http://mnt.to/a/4bYt
An international team of researchers has found that a once-a-month, high-dose injection of a commonly used asthma drug is highly effective in treating teens and adults chronically afflicted with hives and severe, itchy rash.
Childhood Food Allergies Related To Race Rather Than Environment
http://mnt.to/a/4bXZ
Research conducted at Henry Ford Hospital shows that race and possibly genetics play a role in children's sensitivity to developing allergies. Researchers found: African-American children were sensitized to at least one food allergen three times more often than Caucasian children.
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** ALZHEIMER'S / DEMENTIA News **
The Brain's Innate Ability To Protect Itself From Stroke Damage
http://mnt.to/a/4bYw
The origin of an innate ability the brain has to protect itself from damage that occurs in stroke has been explained for the first time.The Oxford University researchers hope that harnessing this inbuilt biological mechanism, identified in rats, could help in treating stroke and preventing other neurodegenerative diseases in the future.
Genes Linked To Human Neurological Disorders Discovered In Sea Lamprey Genome
http://mnt.to/a/4bYk
Scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) have identified several genes linked to human neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury, in the sea lamprey, a vertebrate fish whose whole-genome sequence is reported in the journal Nature Genetics.
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** ANXIETY / STRESS News **
The Role Stress Plays In Chronic Pain
http://mnt.to/a/4bYp
For chronic pain sufferers, such as people who develop back pain after a car accident, avoiding the harmful effects of stress may be key to managing their condition. This is particularly important for people with a smaller-than-average hippocampus, as these individuals seem to be particularly vulnerable to stress.
Increased Risk Of Miscarriages Due To Rocket Attacks In Israel
http://mnt.to/a/4bY8
Rocket attacks in Sderot, Israel significantly increase the likelihood of miscarriages, according to a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers.The study, published in the January issue of Psychosomatic Medicine Journal of Bio-behavioral Medicine, compared 1,341 pregnancies of women (exposed group) who resided in Sderot, an area exposed to frequent rocket fire, with 2,143 pregnancies of women who lived in Kiryat Gat (unexposed group), which is out of range of missiles.
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** BACK PAIN News **
The Role Stress Plays In Chronic Pain
http://mnt.to/a/4bYp
For chronic pain sufferers, such as people who develop back pain after a car accident, avoiding the harmful effects of stress may be key to managing their condition. This is particularly important for people with a smaller-than-average hippocampus, as these individuals seem to be particularly vulnerable to stress.
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** BIOLOGY / BIOCHEMISTRY News **
Analytical Trick Accelerates Protein Studies
http://mnt.to/a/4bYm
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found a new way to accelerate a workhorse instrument that identifies proteins. The high-speed technique could help diagnose cancer sooner and point to new drugs for treating a wide range of conditions.
Wide-Ranging Implications In Self-Assembly Of Small Molecules
http://mnt.to/a/4bY7
Sometimes the best discoveries come by accident.A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, headed by Srikanth Singamaneni, PhD, assistant professor of mechanical engineering & materials science, unexpectedly found the mechanism by which tiny single molecules spontaneously grow into centimeter-long microtubes by leaving a dish for a different experiment in the refrigerator.
Protein Uses Multiple Means To Help Cells Cope When Oxygen Runs Low
http://mnt.to/a/4bY2
A protein known for turning on genes to help cells survive low-oxygen conditions also slows down the copying of new DNA strands, thus shutting down the growth of new cells, Johns Hopkins researchers report.
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** BLOOD / HEMATOLOGY News **
UCLA Researchers Further Improve 'Nanovelcro' Device To Isolate And Study Single Cancer Cells From Blood
http://mnt.to/a/4bYV
Researchers at UCLA have further improved a method for capturing and analyzing cancer cells that break away from patients' tumors and circulate in the blood. With the improvements, even single cancer cells can be accurately detected and safely isolated from patient blood samples for continuous analysis.
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** BONES / ORTHOPEDICS News **
Vitamin D And Calcium May Not Prevent Fractures
http://mnt.to/a/4c26
Vitamin D and calcium supplements do not prevent fractures in adult men or women, according to a report published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.After discovering that there was not sufficient scientific proof to demonstrate that vitamin D and calcium supplements help protect bones from breaking in men or the majority of postmenopausal women, the U.
News From The Annals Of Internal Medicine: Feb. 26, 2013
http://mnt.to/a/4bZd
1. Panel Recommends Against Daily Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation for the Primary Prevention of Fractures in Postmenopausal WomenThe United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends against daily supplementation with doses of vitamin D less than or equal to 400 IU and calcium less than or equal to 1,000 mg for the primary prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women living in the community setting.
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** BREAST CANCER News **
Study Finds Small Increase In Incidence Of Advanced Breast Cancer Among Younger Women
http://mnt.to/a/4bYD
An analysis of breast cancer trends in the U.S. finds a small but statistically significant increase in the incidence of advanced breast cancer for women 25 to 39 years of age, without a corresponding increase in older women, according to a study appearing in the February 27 issue of JAMA.
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** CANCER / ONCOLOGY News **
Virus That Kills Prostate Cancer Cells Shows Treatment Potential
http://mnt.to/a/4bZh
A modified Newcastle disease virus that targets and kills all types of prostate cancer cells and leaves normal cells untouched shows promise as a cancer treatment that avoids the side effects which normally accompany hormonal treatment and chemotherapies, says a team of veterinary scientists in the US.
Stivarga Approved By FDA For Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ7
Stivarga (regorafenib), a cancer medication, has had its usage expanded to include patients suffering from advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Ablynx And Spirogen Enter Into A Research Collaboration To Evaluate The Potential Of Novel Toxin-Nanobody Drug Conjugates In Cancer
http://mnt.to/a/4bYX
Ablynx [Euronext Brussels: ABLX] and Spirogen Ltd. announce a research collaboration to evaluate the potential of a novel anti-cancer drug conjugate combining Spirogen's proprietary cytotoxic drugs, pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBD), and associated linker technology, with Nanobodies® generated using Ablynx's proprietary technology platform.
UCLA Researchers Further Improve 'Nanovelcro' Device To Isolate And Study Single Cancer Cells From Blood
http://mnt.to/a/4bYV
Researchers at UCLA have further improved a method for capturing and analyzing cancer cells that break away from patients' tumors and circulate in the blood. With the improvements, even single cancer cells can be accurately detected and safely isolated from patient blood samples for continuous analysis.
Identification Of New Type Of Gene That Regulates Tumor Suppressor PTEN
http://mnt.to/a/4bYx
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a new so-called pseudogene that regulates the tumour-suppressing PTEN gene. They hope that this pseudogene will be able to control PTEN to reverse the tumour process, make the cancer tumour more sensitive to chemotherapy and to prevent the development of resistance.
Stem Cell Transplants, Chemotherapy Likely To Improve Following Discovery That Distinct Niches In Bone Marrow Nurture Blood Stem Cells
http://mnt.to/a/4bYn
In research that could one day improve the success of stem cell transplants and chemotherapy, scientists have found that distinct niches exist in bone marrow to nurture different types of blood stem cells.
Analytical Trick Accelerates Protein Studies
http://mnt.to/a/4bYm
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found a new way to accelerate a workhorse instrument that identifies proteins. The high-speed technique could help diagnose cancer sooner and point to new drugs for treating a wide range of conditions.
Study Documents Head And Neck Cancer Molecular Tumor Subtypes
http://mnt.to/a/4bY5
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most common form of cancer in the United States, but other than an association with the human papillomavirus, no validated molecular profile of the disease has been established.
Protein Uses Multiple Means To Help Cells Cope When Oxygen Runs Low
http://mnt.to/a/4bY2
A protein known for turning on genes to help cells survive low-oxygen conditions also slows down the copying of new DNA strands, thus shutting down the growth of new cells, Johns Hopkins researchers report.
Neuroscientist Sheds Light On Cause Of 'Chemo Brain'
http://mnt.to/a/4bXy
It's not unusual for cancer patients being treated with chemotherapy to complain about not being able to think clearly, connect thoughts or concentrate on daily tasks. The complaint - often referred to as chemo-brain - is common.
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** CARDIOVASCULAR / CARDIOLOGY News **
Mediterranean Diet Reduces Heart Attack, Stroke In High Risk Groups
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ4
A landmark study from Spain reports that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death) among people with high cardiovascular risk.
Long-Term Use Of Medication May Improve Heart Function, But Does Not Improve Symptoms, Quality Of Life For Heart Failure Patients
http://mnt.to/a/4bYH
Among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, long-term treatment with the medication spironolactone improved left ventricular diastolic function but did not affect maximal exercise capacity, patient symptoms, or quality of life, according to a study appearing in the February 27 issue of JAMA.
Findings Suggest That Number And Frequency Of Surveillance Scans For Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Can Be Reduced For Most Patients
http://mnt.to/a/4bYG
In contrast to the commonly adopted surveillance intervals in current abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programs, surveillance intervals of several years may be clinically acceptable for the majority of patients with small AAA, as the smallest AAAs often do not appear to change significantly over many years, according to a meta-analysis of previous studies reported in the February 27 issue of JAMA.
Advances In Parthenogenic Stem Cell Research May Lead To Cardiovascular Treatments
http://mnt.to/a/4bXW
Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction during which unfertilized eggs begin to develop as if they had been fertilized. It occurs naturally in many plants and a few invertebrate (some bees, scorpions, parasitic wasps) and vertebrate animals (some fish, reptiles, and amphibians), but does not occur naturally in mammals.
In Mice With Myotonic Dystrophy, Drug Delivery Strategy Eliminates Myotonia Symptoms
http://mnt.to/a/4bXz
By targeting the specific mutation that causes the hereditary neuromuscular disease myotonic dystrophy, it is possible to neutralize the mutant RNA toxicity and minimize or even eliminate the disabling symptoms of the disease.
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** CLINICAL TRIALS / DRUG TRIALS News **
Evidence-Based Treatment Can Be Improved By Greater Representation Of Elderly Patients In Phase III Trials
http://mnt.to/a/4bXB
The median age of patients diagnosed with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has steadily increased over the recent years and is presently 70 years. Despite this, the elderly are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials.
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** COLORECTAL CANCER News **
Stivarga Approved By FDA For Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ7
Stivarga (regorafenib), a cancer medication, has had its usage expanded to include patients suffering from advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Obesity, Physical Inactivity Linked With Risk For Certain Molecular Subtype Of Colorectal Cancer
http://mnt.to/a/4bYz
Obesity increased risk; physical activity lowered risk. Data consistent with prior research linking exercise to decreased mortality. Research on colon cancer should incorporate heterogeneity of disease.
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** CONFERENCES News **
Healthcare On A Cross-Cultural Level - Interview Before National Healthcare Chief Nursing Officer Summit, 14-15 March 2013, Atlanta, Georgia
http://mnt.to/a/4bZR
Patient care is given on a cross-cultural level and should cater for individuals' beliefs, faiths and views on medicine, says Hank Drummond, Executive Director of Nursing and Quality Initiatives, Miami Jewish Health Systems.
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** DEPRESSION News **
Self Help Books And Websites Can Benefit Severely Depressed Patients
http://mnt.to/a/4bZV
Researchers recommend these interventions in first step of treatmentPatients with more severe depression show at least as good clinical benefit from 'low-intensity' interventions, such as self help books and websites, as less severely ill patients, suggests a paper published on bmj.
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** DERMATOLOGY News **
Tanning Salons Allowing Children To Use Facilities
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ3
Despite the ever-increasing evidence of the health risks associated with using indoor tanning beds, a recent survey conducted on tanning salon operators in the state of Missouri revealed that 65 percent continue to allow kids as young as 10 to use their facilities.
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** DIABETES News **
The Case Of The Missing Heritability Cracked By Genomic Detectives
http://mnt.to/a/4bY9
Despite years of research, the genetic factors behind many human diseases and characteristics remain unknown. The inability to find the complete genetic causes of family traits such as height or the risk of type 2 diabetes has been called the "missing heritability" problem.
Reprogramming Cells To Fight Diabetes
http://mnt.to/a/4bY4
For years researchers have been searching for a way to treat diabetics by reactivating their insulin-producing beta cells, with limited success. The "reprogramming" of related alpha cells into beta cells may one day offer a novel and complementary approach for treating type 2 diabetes.
Pancreatic Cells Reprogrammed By Epigenetic Alterations To Secrete Insulin
http://mnt.to/a/4bXX
Epigenetic modification is a change to gene expression or cellular phenotype that is caused by alterations that don't involve the underlying DNA sequence. Because all cells in your body contain the exact same genes, these epigenetic changes help determine which genes different cells express, allowing them to develop specialized functions.
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** EAR, NOSE AND THROAT News **
Study Documents Head And Neck Cancer Molecular Tumor Subtypes
http://mnt.to/a/4bY5
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most common form of cancer in the United States, but other than an association with the human papillomavirus, no validated molecular profile of the disease has been established.
----------------------------------------------
** EYE HEALTH / BLINDNESS News **
In Mice With Myotonic Dystrophy, Drug Delivery Strategy Eliminates Myotonia Symptoms
http://mnt.to/a/4bXz
By targeting the specific mutation that causes the hereditary neuromuscular disease myotonic dystrophy, it is possible to neutralize the mutant RNA toxicity and minimize or even eliminate the disabling symptoms of the disease.
----------------------------------------------
** FLU / COLD / SARS News **
New Drug Designed To Protect Against Epidemic And Pandemic Flu Strains
http://mnt.to/a/4bXt
The days of using the flu as your favourite sickie excuse could be over.Our scientists have helped to design a new drug to protect against epidemic and pandemic flu strains.The new drug has stopped the spread of virus strains in their tracks in laboratory testing - even those resistant strains of the virus!The breakthrough is the result of a global collaboration between scientists from CSIRO, the University of British Columbia and the University of Bath.
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** GASTROINTESTINAL / GASTROENTEROLOGY News **
Stivarga Approved By FDA For Advanced Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ7
Stivarga (regorafenib), a cancer medication, has had its usage expanded to include patients suffering from advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Clinical Study Shows Efficacy And Safety Of LINX Reflux Management System For Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease
http://mnt.to/a/4bYQ
The results of a study providing clinical evidence of safety and effectiveness for Torax Medical's LINX® Reflux Management System, an innovative approach to treating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), are published in the current edition of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
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** GENETICS News **
Lack Of Sleep Can Make Our Genes Less Active
http://mnt.to/a/4c27
Just one week of abnormal, insufficient sleep is enough to dramatically alter the activity of human genes, according to a new study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Identification Of New Type Of Gene That Regulates Tumor Suppressor PTEN
http://mnt.to/a/4bYx
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a new so-called pseudogene that regulates the tumour-suppressing PTEN gene. They hope that this pseudogene will be able to control PTEN to reverse the tumour process, make the cancer tumour more sensitive to chemotherapy and to prevent the development of resistance.
Algorithm To Predict How Much Can Be Learned In A Large-scale DNA Sequencing Experiment - With Potential Applications In Every Field Of Science
http://mnt.to/a/4bYs
Two USC scientists have developed an algorithm that could help make DNA sequencing affordable enough for clinics - and could be useful to researchers of all stripes.Andrew Smith, a computational biologist at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, developed the algorithm along with USC graduate student Timothy Daley to help predict the value of sequencing more DNA, published in Nature Methods on February 24.
Discovery Of General Mechanism That Accelerates Tumor Development
http://mnt.to/a/4bYr
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell division and growth. In order to identify new therapeutic targets through which to tackle the disease, scientists seek to clarify the mechanisms that control the expression of genes that favor the development of tumors, in processes such as uncontrolled cell division.
The Case Of The Missing Heritability Cracked By Genomic Detectives
http://mnt.to/a/4bY9
Despite years of research, the genetic factors behind many human diseases and characteristics remain unknown. The inability to find the complete genetic causes of family traits such as height or the risk of type 2 diabetes has been called the "missing heritability" problem.
Reprogramming Cells To Fight Diabetes
http://mnt.to/a/4bY4
For years researchers have been searching for a way to treat diabetics by reactivating their insulin-producing beta cells, with limited success. The "reprogramming" of related alpha cells into beta cells may one day offer a novel and complementary approach for treating type 2 diabetes.
Protein Uses Multiple Means To Help Cells Cope When Oxygen Runs Low
http://mnt.to/a/4bY2
A protein known for turning on genes to help cells survive low-oxygen conditions also slows down the copying of new DNA strands, thus shutting down the growth of new cells, Johns Hopkins researchers report.
Pancreatic Cells Reprogrammed By Epigenetic Alterations To Secrete Insulin
http://mnt.to/a/4bXX
Epigenetic modification is a change to gene expression or cellular phenotype that is caused by alterations that don't involve the underlying DNA sequence. Because all cells in your body contain the exact same genes, these epigenetic changes help determine which genes different cells express, allowing them to develop specialized functions.
----------------------------------------------
** HEART DISEASE News **
Mediterranean Diet Reduces Heart Attack, Stroke In High Risk Groups
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ4
A landmark study from Spain reports that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death) among people with high cardiovascular risk.
Findings Suggest That Number And Frequency Of Surveillance Scans For Small Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Can Be Reduced For Most Patients
http://mnt.to/a/4bYG
In contrast to the commonly adopted surveillance intervals in current abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programs, surveillance intervals of several years may be clinically acceptable for the majority of patients with small AAA, as the smallest AAAs often do not appear to change significantly over many years, according to a meta-analysis of previous studies reported in the February 27 issue of JAMA.
----------------------------------------------
** HIV / AIDS News **
News From The Annals Of Internal Medicine: Feb. 26, 2013
http://mnt.to/a/4bZd
1. Panel Recommends Against Daily Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation for the Primary Prevention of Fractures in Postmenopausal WomenThe United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends against daily supplementation with doses of vitamin D less than or equal to 400 IU and calcium less than or equal to 1,000 mg for the primary prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women living in the community setting.
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** INFECTIOUS DISEASES / BACTERIA / VIRUSES News **
Virus That Kills Prostate Cancer Cells Shows Treatment Potential
http://mnt.to/a/4bZh
A modified Newcastle disease virus that targets and kills all types of prostate cancer cells and leaves normal cells untouched shows promise as a cancer treatment that avoids the side effects which normally accompany hormonal treatment and chemotherapies, says a team of veterinary scientists in the US.
Wide-Ranging Implications In Self-Assembly Of Small Molecules
http://mnt.to/a/4bY7
Sometimes the best discoveries come by accident.A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, headed by Srikanth Singamaneni, PhD, assistant professor of mechanical engineering & materials science, unexpectedly found the mechanism by which tiny single molecules spontaneously grow into centimeter-long microtubes by leaving a dish for a different experiment in the refrigerator.
Molecular Workings Of Antibacterial Protein Revealed
http://mnt.to/a/4bXx
On the front lines of our defenses against bacteria is the protein calprotectin, which "starves" invading pathogens of metal nutrients.Vanderbilt investigators now report new insights to the workings of calprotectin - including a detailed structural view of how it binds the metal manganese.
Secrets Of Important Natural Antibiotic - From Sweat
http://mnt.to/a/4bXw
An international team of scientists has discovered how an important natural antibiotic called dermcidin, produced by our skin when we sweat, is a highly efficient tool to fight tuberculosis germs and other dangerous bugs.
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** IT / INTERNET / E-MAIL News **
Home Based Telehealth Does Not Improve Generic Quality Of Life For Patients With Long Term Conditions
http://mnt.to/a/4bZT
Technology was not effective or efficacious compared with usual care onlyTelehealth does not improve generic health related quality of life or psychological outcomes for patients with long term conditions over 12 months, finds a study published on bmj.
Algorithm To Predict How Much Can Be Learned In A Large-scale DNA Sequencing Experiment - With Potential Applications In Every Field Of Science
http://mnt.to/a/4bYs
Two USC scientists have developed an algorithm that could help make DNA sequencing affordable enough for clinics - and could be useful to researchers of all stripes.Andrew Smith, a computational biologist at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, developed the algorithm along with USC graduate student Timothy Daley to help predict the value of sequencing more DNA, published in Nature Methods on February 24.
Cockroach-Inspired Robotics Could Aid In Gait Pathology And Stabilization Of Gait
http://mnt.to/a/4bY6
Running cockroaches start to recover from being shoved sideways before their dawdling nervous system kicks in to tell their legs what to do, researchers have found. These new insights on how biological systems stabilize could one day help engineers design steadier robots and improve doctors' understanding of human gait abnormalities.
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** LITIGATION / MEDICAL MALPRACTICE News **
BMJ Launches 'Too Much Medicine' Campaign To Tackle The Harms Of Overdiagnosis And Overtreatment
http://mnt.to/a/4bZW
Journal will partner at international conference to find ways to stop harming the healthyToday, the BMJ launches a 'Too Much Medicine' campaign to help tackle the threat to health and the waste of money caused by unnecessary care.
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** LUNG CANCER News **
In Metastatic Lung Cancer, Local Therapy Followed By Treatment With EGFR TKI Is Well Tolerated
http://mnt.to/a/4bXC
Local therapy is not commonly utilized in metastatic lung cancer. Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center investigated the efficacy of local therapy with continued EGFR TKI therapy specifically in patients with acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs.
Evidence-Based Treatment Can Be Improved By Greater Representation Of Elderly Patients In Phase III Trials
http://mnt.to/a/4bXB
The median age of patients diagnosed with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has steadily increased over the recent years and is presently 70 years. Despite this, the elderly are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials.
----------------------------------------------
** LYMPHOMA / LEUKEMIA / MYELOMA News **
Discovery Of General Mechanism That Accelerates Tumor Development
http://mnt.to/a/4bYr
Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell division and growth. In order to identify new therapeutic targets through which to tackle the disease, scientists seek to clarify the mechanisms that control the expression of genes that favor the development of tumors, in processes such as uncontrolled cell division.
----------------------------------------------
** MEDICAL DEVICES / DIAGNOSTICS News **
UCLA Researchers Further Improve 'Nanovelcro' Device To Isolate And Study Single Cancer Cells From Blood
http://mnt.to/a/4bYV
Researchers at UCLA have further improved a method for capturing and analyzing cancer cells that break away from patients' tumors and circulate in the blood. With the improvements, even single cancer cells can be accurately detected and safely isolated from patient blood samples for continuous analysis.
Airborne Pathogens, Viruses Effectively Trapped By New Device
http://mnt.to/a/4bY3
Washington University engineering researchers have created a new type of air-cleaning technology that could better protect human lungs from allergens, airborne viruses and ultrafine particles in the air.
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** MELANOMA / SKIN CANCER News **
Tanning Salons Allowing Children To Use Facilities
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ3
Despite the ever-increasing evidence of the health risks associated with using indoor tanning beds, a recent survey conducted on tanning salon operators in the state of Missouri revealed that 65 percent continue to allow kids as young as 10 to use their facilities.
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** MENOPAUSE News **
News From The Annals Of Internal Medicine: Feb. 26, 2013
http://mnt.to/a/4bZd
1. Panel Recommends Against Daily Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation for the Primary Prevention of Fractures in Postmenopausal WomenThe United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends against daily supplementation with doses of vitamin D less than or equal to 400 IU and calcium less than or equal to 1,000 mg for the primary prevention of fractures in postmenopausal women living in the community setting.
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** MENTAL HEALTH News **
Study Findings Reveal Factors Underlying Suicides In The Army National Guard
http://mnt.to/a/4bXT
Studies report that since 2004, suicides rates in the U.S. Army have been on the rise. While researchers debate the cause, a new study finds that among suicide cases from 2007 - 2010, young white males were more at risk than any other demographic.
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** MRI / PET / ULTRASOUND News **
MRI Captures Brain "Clean-Up Crew"
http://mnt.to/a/4bXY
All parts of the body generate waste that must be flushed out in order to remove harmful materials, old proteins, and other cellular detritus. Most tissues utilize the lymphatic system to keep clean, but the central nervous system (CNS) does not have lymphatic vasculature and relies instead on a waste clearance pathway known as the glymphatic system.
----------------------------------------------
** MRSA / DRUG RESISTANCE News **
Secrets Of Important Natural Antibiotic - From Sweat
http://mnt.to/a/4bXw
An international team of scientists has discovered how an important natural antibiotic called dermcidin, produced by our skin when we sweat, is a highly efficient tool to fight tuberculosis germs and other dangerous bugs.
----------------------------------------------
** MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY / ALS News **
In Mice With Myotonic Dystrophy, Drug Delivery Strategy Eliminates Myotonia Symptoms
http://mnt.to/a/4bXz
By targeting the specific mutation that causes the hereditary neuromuscular disease myotonic dystrophy, it is possible to neutralize the mutant RNA toxicity and minimize or even eliminate the disabling symptoms of the disease.
----------------------------------------------
** NEUROLOGY / NEUROSCIENCE News **
The Brain's Innate Ability To Protect Itself From Stroke Damage
http://mnt.to/a/4bYw
The origin of an innate ability the brain has to protect itself from damage that occurs in stroke has been explained for the first time.The Oxford University researchers hope that harnessing this inbuilt biological mechanism, identified in rats, could help in treating stroke and preventing other neurodegenerative diseases in the future.
People With A Severe Unexplained Psychological Illness Have Abnormal Activity In The Brain
http://mnt.to/a/4bYq
Psychogenic diseases, formerly known as 'hysterical' illnesses, can have many severe symptoms such as painful cramps or paralysis but without any physical explanation. However, new research from the University of Cambridge and UCL (University College London) suggests that individuals with psychogenic disease, that is to say physical illness that stems from emotional or mental stresses, do have brains that function differently.
Genes Linked To Human Neurological Disorders Discovered In Sea Lamprey Genome
http://mnt.to/a/4bYk
Scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) have identified several genes linked to human neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury, in the sea lamprey, a vertebrate fish whose whole-genome sequence is reported in the journal Nature Genetics.
Unique Brain Areas Related To Specific Human Cognitive Abilities
http://mnt.to/a/4bYb
Our ancestors' evolutionarily split from those of rhesus monkeys about 25 million years ago. Since then, brain areas have been added, have disappeared or have changed in function. This raises the question, 'Has evolution given humans unique brain structures?'.
MRI Captures Brain "Clean-Up Crew"
http://mnt.to/a/4bXY
All parts of the body generate waste that must be flushed out in order to remove harmful materials, old proteins, and other cellular detritus. Most tissues utilize the lymphatic system to keep clean, but the central nervous system (CNS) does not have lymphatic vasculature and relies instead on a waste clearance pathway known as the glymphatic system.
Neuroscientist Sheds Light On Cause Of 'Chemo Brain'
http://mnt.to/a/4bXy
It's not unusual for cancer patients being treated with chemotherapy to complain about not being able to think clearly, connect thoughts or concentrate on daily tasks. The complaint - often referred to as chemo-brain - is common.
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** NURSING / MIDWIFERY News **
More Men Becoming Nurses
http://mnt.to/a/4c29
The demand for nurses has significantly increased over the past few years and while the profession is mainly represented by females, more and more men have started to join the field as well. According to a study by the U.
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** NUTRITION / DIET News **
Mediterranean Diet Reduces Heart Attack, Stroke In High Risk Groups
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ4
A landmark study from Spain reports that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, cardiovascular death) among people with high cardiovascular risk.
Food Choices Can Be Child's Play With Smarter Lunchrooms
http://mnt.to/a/4bXs
In January 2012, the United States Department of Agriculture passed a series of regulations designed to make school lunches more nutritious, which included requiring schools to increase whole grain offerings and making students select either a fruit or vegetable with their purchased lunch.
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** OBESITY / WEIGHT LOSS / FITNESS News **
No Significant Difference Seen In Bariatric Surgery Complication Rates Since Restricting Coverage To Higher-Quality Centers
http://mnt.to/a/4bYF
In an analysis of data on patients who underwent bariatric surgery 2004-2009, there was no significant difference in the rates of complications and reoperation for Medicare patients before vs.
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** PAIN / ANESTHETICS News **
2 In 5 Brits Need Painkillers To Be Able To Work
http://mnt.to/a/4c28
A survey that took a snapshot of painkiller use across the UK reveals that nearly 2 in 5 people (37%) say they have to take painkillers in order to feel well enough to work. It also finds that 1 in 3 people using medication are worried about becoming dependent on drugs in order to manage their lives.
People With A Severe Unexplained Psychological Illness Have Abnormal Activity In The Brain
http://mnt.to/a/4bYq
Psychogenic diseases, formerly known as 'hysterical' illnesses, can have many severe symptoms such as painful cramps or paralysis but without any physical explanation. However, new research from the University of Cambridge and UCL (University College London) suggests that individuals with psychogenic disease, that is to say physical illness that stems from emotional or mental stresses, do have brains that function differently.
The Role Stress Plays In Chronic Pain
http://mnt.to/a/4bYp
For chronic pain sufferers, such as people who develop back pain after a car accident, avoiding the harmful effects of stress may be key to managing their condition. This is particularly important for people with a smaller-than-average hippocampus, as these individuals seem to be particularly vulnerable to stress.
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** PARKINSON'S DISEASE News **
Genes Linked To Human Neurological Disorders Discovered In Sea Lamprey Genome
http://mnt.to/a/4bYk
Scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) have identified several genes linked to human neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury, in the sea lamprey, a vertebrate fish whose whole-genome sequence is reported in the journal Nature Genetics.
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** PEDIATRICS / CHILDREN'S HEALTH News **
Increased Risk Of Sleep Disorder In Children Who Received Swine Flu Vaccine
http://mnt.to/a/4bZS
Results consistent with findings from Finland and Sweden, but may still be overestimatedA study published on bmj.com today finds an increased risk of narcolepsy in children and adolescents who received the A/H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine (Pandemrix) during the pandemic in England.
Intervention Reduces Pregnancy Risk In Teen Girls
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ5
Teen girls at increased risk of pregnancy reported more regular use of condoms, oral contraception, or both after participating in a youth development intervention.The finding came from a randomized controlled trial published Online First by JAMA Pediatrics.
Tanning Salons Allowing Children To Use Facilities
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ3
Despite the ever-increasing evidence of the health risks associated with using indoor tanning beds, a recent survey conducted on tanning salon operators in the state of Missouri revealed that 65 percent continue to allow kids as young as 10 to use their facilities.
Childhood Food Allergies Related To Race Rather Than Environment
http://mnt.to/a/4bXZ
Research conducted at Henry Ford Hospital shows that race and possibly genetics play a role in children's sensitivity to developing allergies. Researchers found: African-American children were sensitized to at least one food allergen three times more often than Caucasian children.
Food Choices Can Be Child's Play With Smarter Lunchrooms
http://mnt.to/a/4bXs
In January 2012, the United States Department of Agriculture passed a series of regulations designed to make school lunches more nutritious, which included requiring schools to increase whole grain offerings and making students select either a fruit or vegetable with their purchased lunch.
Children Respond Better To Anti-Drug Messages When Parents Don't Disclose Past Drug Use
http://mnt.to/a/4bXr
Parents know that one day they will have to talk to their children about drug use. The hardest part is to decide whether or not talking about ones own drug use will be useful in communicating an antidrug message.
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** PHARMA INDUSTRY / BIOTECH INDUSTRY News **
FDA Permits Production Of Generic Heroin Drug Against Bid Of Reckitt
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ6
Two generic forms of Reckitt Benckiser's heroin addiction medication have been approved by U.S. regulators, rejecting the company's bid to prevent rival products based on their belief that stricter regulations were needed on packages to better protect children.
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** PREGNANCY / OBSTETRICS News **
Increased Risk Of Miscarriages Due To Rocket Attacks In Israel
http://mnt.to/a/4bY8
Rocket attacks in Sderot, Israel significantly increase the likelihood of miscarriages, according to a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers.The study, published in the January issue of Psychosomatic Medicine Journal of Bio-behavioral Medicine, compared 1,341 pregnancies of women (exposed group) who resided in Sderot, an area exposed to frequent rocket fire, with 2,143 pregnancies of women who lived in Kiryat Gat (unexposed group), which is out of range of missiles.
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** PREVENTIVE MEDICINE News **
Vitamin D And Calcium May Not Prevent Fractures
http://mnt.to/a/4c26
Vitamin D and calcium supplements do not prevent fractures in adult men or women, according to a report published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.After discovering that there was not sufficient scientific proof to demonstrate that vitamin D and calcium supplements help protect bones from breaking in men or the majority of postmenopausal women, the U.
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** PROSTATE / PROSTATE CANCER News **
Virus That Kills Prostate Cancer Cells Shows Treatment Potential
http://mnt.to/a/4bZh
A modified Newcastle disease virus that targets and kills all types of prostate cancer cells and leaves normal cells untouched shows promise as a cancer treatment that avoids the side effects which normally accompany hormonal treatment and chemotherapies, says a team of veterinary scientists in the US.
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** PSYCHOLOGY / PSYCHIATRY News **
People With A Severe Unexplained Psychological Illness Have Abnormal Activity In The Brain
http://mnt.to/a/4bYq
Psychogenic diseases, formerly known as 'hysterical' illnesses, can have many severe symptoms such as painful cramps or paralysis but without any physical explanation. However, new research from the University of Cambridge and UCL (University College London) suggests that individuals with psychogenic disease, that is to say physical illness that stems from emotional or mental stresses, do have brains that function differently.
Study Findings Reveal Factors Underlying Suicides In The Army National Guard
http://mnt.to/a/4bXT
Studies report that since 2004, suicides rates in the U.S. Army have been on the rise. While researchers debate the cause, a new study finds that among suicide cases from 2007 - 2010, young white males were more at risk than any other demographic.
Giving Makes People Feel Better Than Getting, In Rich And Poor Nations Alike
http://mnt.to/a/4bXv
Feeling good about spending money on someone else rather than for personal benefit may be a universal response among people in both impoverished countries and rich nations, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.
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** PUBLIC HEALTH News **
2 In 5 Brits Need Painkillers To Be Able To Work
http://mnt.to/a/4c28
A survey that took a snapshot of painkiller use across the UK reveals that nearly 2 in 5 people (37%) say they have to take painkillers in order to feel well enough to work. It also finds that 1 in 3 people using medication are worried about becoming dependent on drugs in order to manage their lives.
Increased Risk Of Miscarriages Due To Rocket Attacks In Israel
http://mnt.to/a/4bY8
Rocket attacks in Sderot, Israel significantly increase the likelihood of miscarriages, according to a new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researchers.The study, published in the January issue of Psychosomatic Medicine Journal of Bio-behavioral Medicine, compared 1,341 pregnancies of women (exposed group) who resided in Sderot, an area exposed to frequent rocket fire, with 2,143 pregnancies of women who lived in Kiryat Gat (unexposed group), which is out of range of missiles.
Study Findings Reveal Factors Underlying Suicides In The Army National Guard
http://mnt.to/a/4bXT
Studies report that since 2004, suicides rates in the U.S. Army have been on the rise. While researchers debate the cause, a new study finds that among suicide cases from 2007 - 2010, young white males were more at risk than any other demographic.
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** REGULATORY AFFAIRS / DRUG APPROVALS News **
FDA Permits Production Of Generic Heroin Drug Against Bid Of Reckitt
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ6
Two generic forms of Reckitt Benckiser's heroin addiction medication have been approved by U.S. regulators, rejecting the company's bid to prevent rival products based on their belief that stricter regulations were needed on packages to better protect children.
Lupin Receives FDA Approval For New Drug Application For SUPRAX® Oral Suspension, 500 Mg/5mL
http://mnt.to/a/4bYT
Approval to add to growing SUPRAX(R) FranchisePharma major, Lupin Ltd., announced last week that its subsidiary, Lupin PharmaceuticalsInc. (collectively, Lupin) has received approval for SUPRAX(R) (Cefixime) for OralSuspension, 500 mg/5mL from the United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
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** REHABILITATION / PHYSICAL THERAPY News **
Cockroach-Inspired Robotics Could Aid In Gait Pathology And Stabilization Of Gait
http://mnt.to/a/4bY6
Running cockroaches start to recover from being shoved sideways before their dawdling nervous system kicks in to tell their legs what to do, researchers have found. These new insights on how biological systems stabilize could one day help engineers design steadier robots and improve doctors' understanding of human gait abnormalities.
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** RESPIRATORY / ASTHMA News **
Phase III Results: Tiotropium Respimat® Is Effective In Symptomatic Asthma Patients Irrespective Of Their Allergic Status
http://mnt.to/a/4bYW
New Phase III data presented for the first time at the 2013 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual MeetingTiotropium delivered once daily via Respimat™ significantly improved lung function and reduced asthma exacerbations in patients who remain symptomatic despite treatment with at least ICS[1]/LABA[2], irrespective of their allergic status.
Omalizumab Therapy Could Soon Replace Other, More Toxic Treatments For Chronic, Severe Hives And Itch
http://mnt.to/a/4bYt
An international team of researchers has found that a once-a-month, high-dose injection of a commonly used asthma drug is highly effective in treating teens and adults chronically afflicted with hives and severe, itchy rash.
Airborne Pathogens, Viruses Effectively Trapped By New Device
http://mnt.to/a/4bY3
Washington University engineering researchers have created a new type of air-cleaning technology that could better protect human lungs from allergens, airborne viruses and ultrafine particles in the air.
Between A ROCK And A Hard Place: Fasudil May Treat Pulmonary Fibrosis
http://mnt.to/a/4bXV
Pulmonary fibrosis is a scarring or thickening of the lungs that causes shortness of breath, a dry cough, fatigue, chest discomfort, weight loss, a decrease in the ability of the lungs to transmit oxygen to the blood stream, and, eventually, heart failure.
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** SENIORS / AGING News **
Cockroach-Inspired Robotics Could Aid In Gait Pathology And Stabilization Of Gait
http://mnt.to/a/4bY6
Running cockroaches start to recover from being shoved sideways before their dawdling nervous system kicks in to tell their legs what to do, researchers have found. These new insights on how biological systems stabilize could one day help engineers design steadier robots and improve doctors' understanding of human gait abnormalities.
Evidence-Based Treatment Can Be Improved By Greater Representation Of Elderly Patients In Phase III Trials
http://mnt.to/a/4bXB
The median age of patients diagnosed with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has steadily increased over the recent years and is presently 70 years. Despite this, the elderly are significantly underrepresented in clinical trials.
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** SEXUAL HEALTH / STDS News **
Intervention Reduces Pregnancy Risk In Teen Girls
http://mnt.to/a/4bZ5
Teen girls at increased risk of pregnancy reported more regular use of condoms, oral contraception, or both after participating in a youth development intervention.The finding came from a randomized controlled trial published Online First by JAMA Pediatrics.
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** SLEEP / SLEEP DISORDERS / INSOMNIA News **
Lack Of Sleep Can Make Our Genes Less Active
http://mnt.to/a/4c27
Just one week of abnormal, insufficient sleep is enough to dramatically alter the activity of human genes, according to a new study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Increased Risk Of Sleep Disorder In Children Who Received Swine Flu Vaccine
http://mnt.to/a/4bZS
Results consistent with findings from Finland and Sweden, but may still be overestimatedA study published on bmj.com today finds an increased risk of narcolepsy in children and adolescents who received the A/H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine (Pandemrix) during the pandemic in England.
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** STEM CELL RESEARCH News **
Stem Cell Transplants, Chemotherapy Likely To Improve Following Discovery That Distinct Niches In Bone Marrow Nurture Blood Stem Cells
http://mnt.to/a/4bYn
In research that could one day improve the success of stem cell transplants and chemotherapy, scientists have found that distinct niches exist in bone marrow to nurture different types of blood stem cells.
Advances In Parthenogenic Stem Cell Research May Lead To Cardiovascular Treatments
http://mnt.to/a/4bXW
Parthenogenesis is a form of asexual reproduction during which unfertilized eggs begin to develop as if they had been fertilized. It occurs naturally in many plants and a few invertebrate (some bees, scorpions, parasitic wasps) and vertebrate animals (some fish, reptiles, and amphibians), but does not occur naturally in mammals.
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** STROKE News **
The Brain's Innate Ability To Protect Itself From Stroke Damage
http://mnt.to/a/4bYw
The origin of an innate ability the brain has to protect itself from damage that occurs in stroke has been explained for the first time.The Oxford University researchers hope that harnessing this inbuilt biological mechanism, identified in rats, could help in treating stroke and preventing other neurodegenerative diseases in the future.
Ischemic Brain Injury Ameliorated ByActivation Of Cortical Type 2 Cannabinoid Receptors
http://mnt.to/a/4bXq
A new study published in the March issue of The American Journal of Pathology suggests that cortical type 2 cannabinoid (CB2) receptors might serve as potential therapeutic targets for cerebral ischemia.
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** SWINE FLU News **
Increased Risk Of Sleep Disorder In Children Who Received Swine Flu Vaccine
http://mnt.to/a/4bZS
Results consistent with findings from Finland and Sweden, but may still be overestimatedA study published on bmj.com today finds an increased risk of narcolepsy in children and adolescents who received the A/H1N1 2009 influenza vaccine (Pandemrix) during the pandemic in England.
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** TRANSPLANTS / ORGAN DONATIONS News **
Stem Cell Transplants, Chemotherapy Likely To Improve Following Discovery That Distinct Niches In Bone Marrow Nurture Blood Stem Cells
http://mnt.to/a/4bYn
In research that could one day improve the success of stem cell transplants and chemotherapy, scientists have found that distinct niches exist in bone marrow to nurture different types of blood stem cells.
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** TUBERCULOSIS News **
Secrets Of Important Natural Antibiotic - From Sweat
http://mnt.to/a/4bXw
An international team of scientists has discovered how an important natural antibiotic called dermcidin, produced by our skin when we sweat, is a highly efficient tool to fight tuberculosis germs and other dangerous bugs.
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** WATER - AIR QUALITY / AGRICULTURE News **
Airborne Pathogens, Viruses Effectively Trapped By New Device
http://mnt.to/a/4bY3
Washington University engineering researchers have created a new type of air-cleaning technology that could better protect human lungs from allergens, airborne viruses and ultrafine particles in the air.
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