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Virtual World Personality Affects Your Behaviour in Real Life: Study

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The role played by a person in the virtual world of video games affects a person's behaviour in the real world, says a new study. The report says that virtual environments give "a vehicle for observation, imitation, and modelling". It gives them a chance to act or behave in a certain manner that they cannot do in a real life. "Our results indicate that just five minutes of role-play in virtual environments as either a hero or villain can easily cause people ...

West Nile Virus Hospitalizations Cost Nearly (Dollar) 800 Million in US Since 1999, CDC Research Says

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Hospitalized cases of WNV disease have cost a cumulative (Dollar) 778 million in health care expenditures and lost productivity in the 14 years since the virus was first detected in New York, reveals a study of the economic impact of West Nile virus (WNV) in the United States, done by a research team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The findings are the result of an analysis published online today in the iAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene/i ...

Latest Cancer Drugs are Being Denied for Children Due to EU Rules

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Children with cancer are being denied new, potentially life-saving drugs, because EU rules are allowing companies to trial some drugs only in adults, leading cancer experts warn today. Changes to how EU rules are implemented could allow children access to a goldmine of potential cancer drugs which have currently only been tested in adults - by making it more difficult for pharma companies to avoid testing them in under-18s too. Children with cancer ...

Consensus Guideline on Margins for Breast-Conserving Surgery With Whole-Breast Irradiation Issued by ASTRO and SSO

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The publication of the consensus guideline on margins for breast-conserving surgery with whole-breast irradiation in stages I and II invasive breast cancer has been announced by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and the Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO). The guideline document represents an intensive collaboration among experts in the radiation oncology and surgical oncology fields, led by Meena S. Moran, MD, associate professor of the Department ...

Outcomes for High-Risk Patients can be Improved by Penn's Innovative Community Health Worker Model

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An effective, replicable program using trained lay Community Health Worker (CHWs) to improve a range of outcomes among patients at high risk for poor post-hospital outcomes has been devised by experts at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In Penn's IMPaCT (Individualized Management for Patient-Centered Targets) model, CHWs hired from within the local community help patients to navigate the health care system and address key health ...

Surprising Trends Found in Cause of Long-Term Death After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

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More people with known coronary heart disease die because of other conditions like cancer, lung and neurological diseases, rather than heart disease as compared to 20 years ago, reveals a Mayo Clinic study published online today in iCirculation/i, an American Heart Association journal. The researchers evaluated the trends in cause-specific, long-term mortality from 1991 to 2008 in patients at Mayo Clinic in Rochester who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention ...

Fully Implantable Cochlear Implant Made Possible by Prototype Chip

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A prototype system-on-chip (SoC) that could make possible a fully implanted cochlear implant has ben designed by researchers from Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). They will present their findings on Feb. 11at the IEEE International Solid State Circuits Conference in San Francisco. A cochlear implant is a device that electronically stimulates the auditory nerve to restore hearing in people ...

New Treatment Target for Heart Attack Discovered

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The discovery of cross-talk between two protective signalling molecules during a heart attack, could pave way for important information about the mechanisms of heart attacks and organ transplantation. Research led by David Lefer, PhD, Professor and Director of the Cardiovascular Center of Excellence at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans School of Medicine, demonstrates for the first time cross-talk between two protective signaling molecules during a heart attack. ...

Fat Production is Regulated by Recycling of 'Chauffeur Protein'

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Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered a biological switch that regulates a protein that causes fatty liver disease in mice. This discovery was made while studying a cycle of protein interactions needed to make fat. Their findings, they report, may help develop drugs to decrease excessive fat production and its associated conditions in people, including fatty liver disease and diabetes. A summary/a of the research appeared online on Jan. 29 in the ...

People's Response to Health Disparities Messages Influenced by Political Values

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Considering political affiliation of the audience would be a wiser option for the policymakers and advocates discussing health disparities in the United States , suggests a new study published in the iJournal of Health Communication: International Perspectives/i (2014). "Understanding Public Resistance to Messages about Health Disparities" was written by Sarah E. Gollust, University of Minnesota School of Public Health; and Joseph N. Cappella, Annenberg School ...

Research Suggests Experimental Care Program Keeps People With Dementia at Home Longer

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Johns Hopkins researchers are reporting that an 18-month pilot program that brought resources and counselors to elderly Baltimore residents with dementia and other memory disorders significantly increased the length of time they lived successfully at home. Staying at home was a clear preference for most of those who participated in the study. "The project demonstrated that we were able to help such people age in place without sacrificing their quality ...

Intake of Coffee, Caffeine-loaded Energy Drinks in Children Goes Up

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The amount of caffeine used in sodas has gone down but still the intake of caffeine in US children and teens has not been affected as now consumption of caffeine-loaded energy drinks and coffee has gone up, says a study. According to a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, intake of coffee has more than doubled among children. In 1999-2000, coffee provided 10% of caffeine among children, but between 2009 and 2010 the figure has reached 24%. ...

Commentary Says Wider Impact Seen With Supreme Court of Canada Ruling on Life Support

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A commentary in iCMAJ/i (iCanadian Medical Association Journal/i) argues that the recent judgment by the Supreme Court of Canada on the Hassan Rasouli case in Ontario has broader implications for health care in the country. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in October 2013 that physicians who recommend withdrawing life support over the wishes of substitute decision-makers must apply to Ontario's Consent and Capacity Board, "regardless of whether they feel ...

Delhi Doctors Finally Remove Denture Swallowed Three Years Back

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63-year-old Usha Rani had difficulty in swallowing for the last three years due to the barrier of a denture that she swallowed accidentally. Undetected until now, the denture was removed Monday by doctors at the Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Paschim Vihar, Delhi. Rani, who weighed 45 kg was brought to the hospital with a history of progressive difficulty in swallowing. Despite undergoing tests in the past, she gained no relief. Diagnosed ...

Double Dates may Help Keep Romance Alive

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Opting for a double date may be more effective at reigniting passion in your own relationship than a dour candlelit dinner for two, says a new study. According to the new research, striking up a friendship with another couple in which you discuss personal details of your life will bring you closer to your own partner. "Passionate love is one of the first dimensions of love to decrease in couples over time as the newness of a relationship begins to wane," ...

Urinary Incontinence and Other Problems

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Urinary incontinence, night-time urination and other problems related to urination have become acceptable topics of discussion over the time. New treatment options have also led doctors to address these symptoms more actively. Despite this, no study has effectively compared the bother of each of these bladder symptoms for men and women of all ages. The FINNO Study is an ongoing questionnaire survey conducted right across Finland. A random sample of 6,000 adults identified ...

Schumacher's Wife Attempts to Wake Him Up from Coma

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The wife of Michael Schumacher, the Formula One racing champion, is devotedly spending time by her husband's bedside trying to wake him out of the medically-induced coma. The seven-time German world champion remains unresponsive while his doctors gradually reduce his anaesthetic in order to bring him out of the coma, although some experts have warned it remains too soon to determine his long-term prognosis. According to Metro.co.uk, Corinna Schumacher ...

Social Inequalities Broken Down by Dental Care in School

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The role of schools in work to promote health and prevent disease has been highlighted in a new survey conducted by the University of Copenhagen in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). "Children in Scandinavia generally have healthy teeth and gums, largely on account of dental care in schools for all children, the arrival of fluoride toothpaste on the market, a healthy lifestyle and high living standards. But the situation in the poorest countries ...

Height of a Potential Partner Matters More to Women Than Men

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The height of a potential partner matters more to women than men and is considered important mostly for femininity and protection, according to new research from Rice University and the University of North Texas. The study, "Does Height Matter? An Examination of Height Preferences in Romantic Coupling," was conducted in two parts. Part one, which used data from the Yahoo! personal dating advertisements of 455 males (average height of 5 feet 8 inches and average ...

Romantic Escapades for Valentine's Day

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After being happily married for 9 years, kajal and Navneet Oberoi are now heading to a romantic retreat in Pattaya to celebrate Valentine's day. "It was my dream to have a beachside wedding and now is the time to live it. It is a very romantic gesture and I think these things help keep the fire burning in your relationship," Kajal Oberoi, 36, a chartered accountant, told IANS. From a candlelight dinner on a beach in Pattaya to an adventure walk in the ...

High Pollutant Levels in Guanica Bay Spell Toxic Threat To Corals

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The sediments of Guanica Bay were found to contain the highest levels of chromium, nickel, PCBs, chlordane and other toxic chemicals than ever measured, the NOAA study found. Researchers from the National Ocean Service's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) studied the reef's ecology to help establish baseline conditions that coastal managers can use to measure changes resulting from new efforts to manage pollution. Among the items studied were habitat ...

Victory Over Polio for India!

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One of India's biggest public health success stories, which was believed to be impossible to achieve- the eradication of polio, will now be celebrated on Tuesday by Indian leaders. President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as well as the health minister and the head of the World Health Organisation are all due at a New Delhi stadium to celebrate "India?s victory over polio", the information ministry says. India, long one of the biggest ...

Unexpected Cell Hijack Method Noted in Pancreatic Cancer

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A new research has found how pancreatic stellate cells that normally helped tissue repair actually help cancer spread and grow in a cell hijack method seen in breast and brain cancer. The research, published in the latest issue of iEMBO Molecular Medicine/i and carried out by Queen Mary's Barts Cancer Institute, also revealed the process can be blocked, thereby preventing the growth and spread of the tumour. The study, funded by the UK charity Pancreatic ...

Yuvraj Singh Asks to Promote Cancer Awareness

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Yuvraj Singh, an Indian cricket player who recently battled cancer, has now requested people to spread more awareness about the disease. "People need to understand that they have to kill this disease instead of getting killed by it. Someone may defeat it and someone may not. But we are supposed to fight," Yuvraj Singh said at a cancer detection camp here. Sharing his own experience, he said: "My successful fight against cancer led me to start the "Youwecan" ...

Gene Linking Brain Structure to Intelligence Discovered

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A gene linking the thickness of the grey matter in the brain to intelligence has been discovered by King's College London scientists. The study is published today in iMolecular Psychiatry/i and may help scientists understand biological mechanisms behind some forms of intellectual impairment. The researchers looked at the cerebral cortex, the outermost layer of the human brain. It is known as 'grey matter' and plays a key role in memory, attention, perceptual ...

Manga Comics Promotes Healthy Eating Among Children

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Children exposed to Manga Comics were found to have improved healthy snack selection, a recent pilot study found. As snacking accounts for up to 27% of children's daily caloric intake, and childhood obesity has been linked to inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, the results of this study could have wide-reaching implications. "Manga comics could be used to promote healthier behaviors and beliefs related to fruit consumption in at-risk youth. The graphics ...

Brain Uses Long Distance Signals to Guard Against Viral Infections

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The brain is equipped with a wonderful system that prevent viruses from invading and attacking it. The research is published online ahead of print in the iJournal of Virology/i. "Our work points to the remarkable ability of the immune system, even within the brain, to protect us against opportunistic viruses," says Anthony van den Pol of Yale University, an author on the study. The research explains a long-standing mystery. The olfactory mucosa ...

Blood Pressure Management Better During C-Section

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Superior control of maternal blood pressure in women undergoing a C-section under spinal anaesthesia has been found using the Double Intravenous Vasopressor Automated System. Developed by doctors at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), the novel DIVA System detects and responds rapidly to low blood pressure and/or slow heart rate in real time by auto-administering a precise amount of the recommended vasopressor. The system uses an advanced decision algorithm ...

Process of Galileo's Visual Illusion Working in the Mind's Eye Discovered by Brain Researchers

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The visual illusion first discovered by Galileo Galilei occurs because of the surprising way our eyes see lightness and darkness in the world, suggest scientists in a study. Their results advance our understanding of how our brains are wired for seeing white versus black objects. The work was done by Jens Kremkow and collaborators in the laboratories of Jose Manuel Alonso and Qasim Zaidi at the State University of New York College of Optometry. It will be published on February ...

New Insights into Biofilm Formation

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A chip based on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology developed by Columbia University scientists enables the researchers to electrochemically image the signaling molecules from bacterial colonies spatially and temporally. In effect, scientists have developed chips that "listen" to bacteria. "This is an exciting new application for CMOS technology that will provide new insights into how biofilms form," says Shepard. "Disrupting biofilm formation ...

Africa's First Clitoris Restoration Hospital Backed by UFO Cult

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Africa's first clitoral restoration hospital, set to open in March, will offer a controversial surgery to victims of female genital mutilation and is backed by a UFO cult. The Raelian sect believes that humans were created by extra-terrestrials to experience joy. It promotes world peace, democracy -- and sexual satisfaction. This mission has led them to actively campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM), and to back a clinic in San Francisco, ...

China's Human H7N9 Outbreak Worst Ever Month in January: Govt

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A total of 31 people reported dead from H7N9 bird flu in mainland China in January, making it by far the worst month in the outbreak, announced the government on Monday. There were a total of 127 confirmed human H7N9 cases in January, according to a statement by the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC). The number is almost as high as for the whole of last year, when China had 144 confirmed cases including 46 deaths. Flu ...

Biological Weakness Identified in Most Common Cancer Gene

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A biological weakness was identified in the workings of the most commonly mutated gene involved in human cancers, known as the mutant K-Ras, which can be exploited by drug chemotherapies to thwart tumor growth, say researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center. Mutant K-Ras has long been suspected of being the driving force behind more than a third of all cancers, including colon, lung, and a majority of pancreatic cancers. Indeed, Ras cancers, which are unusually aggressive, ...

New Drug to Cure 'Incurable' Common Cold Developed

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Novel compound which can prevent people from catching the cold virus has been developed by scientists. The compound, engineered by British researchers, can also be used against potentially fatal illnesses including polio and hand, foot and mouth disease, which have caused thousands of deaths worldwide, the Daily Express reported. The compound works by binding to the virus, paralyzing it and preventing it from releasing the genetic material ...

Simple Beauty Tips for Valentine's Day

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Make-up artist Vikkie Anand shares simple and easy beauty tips to keep in mind before planning a Valentine look. * Eye make-up: Go for charcoal eye make-up instead of the usual smokey eye. You can go for bold look by shimmering your eyes too. * Lip make-up: Crimson lip shade is another way to look bold at a V-Day party. It never goes out of style and helps to transform the regular look into a glamorous one. * Hair trend: Curls are great ...

Quiz on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that can result in significant distress to the patient. Test your knowledge on carpal tunnel syndrome by taking this quiz.

Blood Cancer's Growth Promoted by a Normal Enzyme Pairing With a Mutant

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A normal enzyme pairing with FLT3, the most commonly mutated enzyme found in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), promotes progression of the disease, suggest researchers from Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Centre. The study was done in an attempt to reinforce the need to look beyond genomic alterations to understand the complexity of cancer. This molecular partnership also promotes AML cells' resistance to treatment with FLT3-blocking drugs, potentially ...

Severest Flu Cases in Young, Unvaccinated Adults

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Adults who had not been vaccinated were affected most with flu and needed the most intensive treatment and care, suggested a snapshot of patients under the care at Duke University Hospital, during this year's flu season. In an analysis of the first 55 patients treated for flu at the academic medical center from November 2013 through Jan. 8, 2014, Duke Medicine researchers found that only two of the 22 patients who required intensive care had been vaccinated prior ...

Transcendental Meditation Reduces PTSD in African Refugees

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Transcendental Meditation technique was found to have a positive effect on Congolese war refugees. Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced post-traumatic stress disorder in just 10 days, reveals study published in i Journal of Traumatic Stress/i African civilians in war-torn countries have experienced the threat of violence or death, and many have witnessed the abuse, torture, rape and even murder of loved ones. Many Congolese living in Ugandan refugee ...

Valentine's Day Matchmaking

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Matchmaking on Valentine's Day could bring more happiness to matchmaker than it does to couples, says research. Matchmaking, a time-honored tradition, brings intrinsic happiness to the matchmaker. To maximize the psychological benefits of matchmaking, you should take care to introduce two people who not only seem compatible but who would be unlikely to meet otherwise, researchers say. "At some point, most people have made matches between others ...

Key Cellular Pathway in Prostate Cancer Identified

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SPOP protein is found to be the key regulator of androgen receptor activity that prevents uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate and thus helps prevent prostate cancer, reveals research. The findings appear in the journal iCell Reports/i. "By uncovering this new and important pathway of androgen receptor destruction, we may one day be able to develop more effective treatments for a substantial proportion of prostate cancer patients who have developed ...

Impact of Repetitive Heading in Soccer

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Soccer is the most-popular and fastest-growing sport in the world. And like many contact sports, players are always at risk of suffering concussions from collisions on the field. But researchers warned in a paper published today that not enough attention has been given to the unique aspect of soccer - the purposeful use of the head to control the ball - and the long-term consequences of repetitive heading. The literature review by Dr. Tom Schweizer, ...