Health News

Parkinson's trial suggests growth factor has regenerative effects in brain

Date: Feb-19-2015
Small trial to test safety and tolerability of the growth factor PDGF in Parkinson's patients finds it not only stops deterioration of dopamine signaling, but may even increase it.

Virus found in sewage shows promise in treating dental procedure infections

Date: Feb-19-2015
The idea of using viruses to fight stubborn bacteria is revived in a study that shows one isolated from sewage may prevent E. faecalis infection following root canal procedures.

Every minute of activity may benefit heart health for mobility-limited older adults

Date: Feb-19-2015
In a new study, researchers found each minute of physical activity may be important for good heart health in older adults with limited mobility.

Nano-sized 'drones' deliver targeted drugs and repair arteries

Date: Feb-19-2015
Scientists have shown they can repair fatty plaques in arteries by delivering therapeutics directly via 'drone'-like nanoparticles that push their way in and stick to the lesions.

Napping linked to reduced sleep quality for young children

Date: Feb-19-2015
A new study suggests that napping beyond the age of 2 is associated with poorer sleep quality, while the impact of napping on behavior and development is less certain.

Fecal matters: treating infection with stool transplants

Date: Feb-18-2015
Human stool has been used in medicine since the 4th century. We take a look at how fecal microbiota transplants are being used today in the fight against bacterial infection.

Potential new vaccine 'blocks all known strains of HIV'

Date: Feb-18-2015
A new protein has been engineered to mimic the receptors HIV uses to anchor itself to host cells, preventing infection. Scientists believe it may form the basis of a HIV vaccine.

Study identifies potential new drug target for MS

Date: Feb-18-2015
Researchers have created a peptide that they say effectively reduced nerve cell damage and improved neurological functioning in animal models of multiple sclerosis.

Treatments to stop Alzheimer's step closer as scientists discover key inhibitor molecule

Date: Feb-18-2015
Scientists have identified a molecule that breaks the cycle of protein clumping that kills brain cells in Alzheimer's disease. They say it should be possible to find more like it.

Jumping between host species may be easier for bacteria than previously thought

Date: Feb-18-2015
The discovery that a single mutation in a bacterium that infects humans enables it to infect rabbits may change how we view risks of diseases that pass between humans and animals.