Health News

Same Protein That Fires Up Cancer-Promoting Erk Also Blocks Its Activation

Date: Apr-23-2013
A protein which is intimately involved in cancer-promoting cell signaling also keeps a key component of the signaling pathway tied down and inactive, a team led by scientists from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports in Nature Structural Molecular Biology. Shc, pronounced "schick," plays a key role in activating signals which lead to cell proliferation (and cancer) when cells are stimulated, however it unexpectedly turns out to be a tumor-suppressor, keeping Erk under wraps when a cell is less active, said senior author John Ladbury, Ph.D...

Very Young Kids Being Given Cough Medicines They Should Not Receive

Date: Apr-23-2013
Forty percent of parents are still giving children under the age of 4 cough medications they should not receive, according to a University of Michigan poll. Despite doctors' advice, many parents still turn to OTC (over-the-counter) cough medicines for their very young kids. It is not surprising that parents get medications for their young children, especially as most of them catch colds from five to ten times per year. The problem is that 40% of parents are giving these little ones drugs they should not be taking, researchers from the University of Michigan wrote...

Memory, Learning Restored In Mice By Stem Cell Transplant

Date: Apr-23-2013
For the first time, human embryonic stem cells have been transformed into nerve cells that helped mice regain the ability to learn and remember. A study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is the first to show that human stem cells can successfully implant themselves in the brain and then heal neurological deficits, says senior author Su-Chun Zhang, a professor of neuroscience and neurology. Once inside the mouse brain, the implanted stem cells formed two common, vital types of neurons, which communicate with the chemicals GABA or acetylcholine...

Grapes Help Protect Organ Damage Caused By Metabolic Syndrome

Date: Apr-23-2013
Natural components in grapes, called polyphenols, have been found to have properties that can help protect organ damage caused by metabolic syndrome. The research, presented at the Experimental Biology conference in Boston, reveals even more health benefits of consuming grapes. Metabolic syndrome is a major public health concern in the U.S...

Marijuana Pill May Be Better For Pain Relief

Date: Apr-23-2013
A pill form of marijuana provides greater pain relief than when a person smokes it, according to a new study. The study was conducted by researchers at Columbia University in New York and was published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology. The pill, known as Dronabinol, contains the active ingredient of marijuana - tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - and has already been approved to treat chemotherapy and AIDS patients with nausea and vomiting...

Simple Brace Can Significantly Reduce Pain Of Kneecap Osteoarthritis

Date: Apr-23-2013
Arthritis Research UK-funded researchers at The University of Manchester claim their findings, presented at the Osteoarthritis Research Society International meeting in Philadelphia have enormous potential for treating this common joint condition effectively - as well as providing a simple and cheap alternative to painkillers. Osteoarthritis of the knee affects around six million people in the UK and is increasing as the population ages and becomes more obese. Current treatments are limited to pain relief and joint replacement...

Seasonal Effect Revealed For Tamoxifen In Breast Cancer Treatment

Date: Apr-23-2013
For women diagnosed with a form of breast cancer known as estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, tamoxifen is an essential drug used in the treatment and prevention of recurring breast cancer. Currently, tamoxifen is used in a one-size-fits-all approach where the same dose is prescribed for every patient. New research at Lawson Health Research Institute has found that in addition to patient-specific genetic factors, lack of exposure to vitamin D during the long winter months affects the body's ability to metabolize the drug...

Understanding The Brain Of A Teenager

Date: Apr-23-2013
Teenagers are more likely to try out illegal substances than adults or children, they are also more likely to drive recklessly and have unprotected sex. Put simply - teenagers, compared to other age groups are greater risk takers. However, research has demonstrated that teenagers have the ability and the knowledge to make competent judgments regarding risks, just like adults...

The Role Of Immune Cell In Triggering Muscle Regrowth Examined

Date: Apr-23-2013
UC San Francisco scientists have discovered that muscle repair requires the action of two types of cells better known for causing inflammation and forming fat. The finding in mice, published in the journal Cell, showed that a well-known immune cell called the eosinophil [ee-oh-SIN-oh-fil] carries out the beneficial role in two ways - by clearing out cellular debris from damaged tissue and teaming up with a type of cell that can make fat to instead trigger muscle regrowth...

Improved Detection Test Developed To Identify Food Contamination, Aid Bioterrorism Defense

Date: Apr-23-2013
Sales of chicken products in China plummeted recently during an outbreak of a deadly new strain of bird flu. From bird flu to mad cow disease, numerous food scares have made global headlines in recent years. A technique developed by University of Missouri Professor of Engineering Shubhra Gangopadhyay's group may make food contamination testing more rapid and accurate. The detection test also could accelerate warnings after bioterrorism attacks...