Health News

Breast, prostate and colorectal cancer: 'family history bigger factor than lifestyle'

Date: Jun-30-2014
Family history is a greater risk factor than lifestyle for developing some cancers, according to a Swedish study looking at 71,000 adopted people.

Novel organ preservation technique 'stores rat livers for 3-4 days'

Date: Jun-30-2014
A novel four-step preservation technique allowed the livers of rats to be stored for 3-4 days before transplantation. Could the method transform organ transplantation globally?

Effectiveness of addiction drugs 'depends on phase of addiction'

Date: Jun-30-2014
In a model of rats trained to self-administer cocaine, researchers found that efficacy of treatments to control drug-seeking behavior depended on the subject's phase of addiction.

Scientists map cell's DNA history to embryonic origin

Date: Jun-30-2014
By looking at mutations in a cell's DNA, scientists can work out how the cell has changed since its genetic origin in the fertilized egg. This could be useful for cancer research.

Did our early ancestors get smarter from eating bugs?

Date: Jun-30-2014
A 5-year study of capuchin monkeys suggests foraging for hard-to-find insects may have helped our early ancestors' brains evolve the thinking ability that led to advanced tool use.

One third of total knee replacements in US are 'inappropriate'

Date: Jun-30-2014
A new study examines Spanish appropriateness criteria for total knee replacement surgery, in response to concerns that the surgery has become overused in the US.

Fertility treatment outcomes 'dependent on sperm quality, not age of donor'

Date: Jun-30-2014
Many sperm banks do not accept donations from older men. But new research suggests outcomes of fertility treatment are dependent on sperm quality rather than the age of the donor.

Salmonella's favorite food could prove to be its undoing

Date: Jun-30-2014
Study suggests that Salmonella’s reliance on one particular nutrient to survive, grow and inflict damage could lead to new treatment for the infection.

Could our hormones influence whether we vote?

Date: Jun-29-2014
People with low levels of cortisol - the 'stress hormone' - in the afternoon may be less likely to vote in US national elections, according to new research.

Could a happy marriage be the key to a healthy heart?

Date: Jun-29-2014
Negative marital interactions may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 8.5%, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, PA.