Health News

Increased risk of pregnancy and delivery complications in women with schizophrenia

Date: Feb-06-2014
Women with schizophrenia are nearly twice as likely to experience pre-eclampsia, pre-term birth and other serious pregnancy and delivery complications as women without the condition, a landmark study by researchers at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and Women's College Hospital has found.The first-of-its-kind study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is the first to report high birth weights, and increased rates of hypertension and thromboembolic disease in pregnant women with schizophrenia.

Study of proteins opens a new avenue for cancer researchers

Date: Feb-06-2014
One of the hopes for victory against cancer hinges on naturally-occurring proteins whose job is to make their host cell die.Since their natural role is to stop unhealthy cell proliferation, the idea is that one or more of these proteins could be harnessed to stop the growth of tumors.Brigham Young University scientists recently stumbled onto one potential tumor suppressor with an especially ominous name: Programmed Cell Death Protein 5 (aka PDCD5).

Novel simplified IVF procedure leads to first live births

Date: Feb-06-2014
A recent prospective study published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online comparing conventional IVF with a novel simplified laboratory method of culturing embryos suggested that fertilization and implantation rates were similar for the simplified system when compared with those reported by conventional IVF programs. Sixteen healthy babies have already been born with this new method. According to the results of this study, IVF may be offered at a more reasonable price and made available to a larger part of the world population.

Blue light exposure may be a countermeasure for fatigue, during the day and night

Date: Feb-06-2014
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have found that exposure to short wavelength, or blue light, during the biological day directly and immediately improves alertness and performance. These findings are published in the February issue of Sleep."Our previous research has shown that blue light is able to improve alertness during the night, but our new data demonstrates that these effects also extend to daytime light exposure," said Shadab Rahman, PhD, a researcher in BWH's Division of Sleep Medicine and lead author of this study.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy did not relieve, resolve GERD symptoms

Date: Feb-05-2014
Compared with gastric bypass (GB) surgery, the weight-loss surgery using laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) did not relieve or resolve symptoms for most patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition where stomach contents leak back into the esophagus and can cause heartburn and nausea, according to a study by Cecily E. DuPree, D.O., and colleagues at the Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash.GERD is a common weight-related disease associated with a body mass index (BMI) above 30, according to the study background.

Lack of sleep and exercise, too much TV affects teens' mental health

Date: Feb-05-2014
In these modern times, it can be hard to prise away teenagers from the clutches of TV or video games. Now, new research suggests that high media use, combined with low physical activity and lack of sleep, may increase the risk of mental illness for adolescents.This is according to a study published in the journal World Psychiatry.The research team, led by investigators from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, recruited 12,395 adolescents aged between 14 and 16 years from randomly selected schools across 11 European countries.

Stomach and colorectal cancers may be treatable with existing drug

Date: Feb-05-2014
A class of drugs already used to treat a blood disorder could be used to treat stomach and colorectal cancer, according to new research from Australia.Called JAK inhibitors, the drugs are currently used to treat a cancer-like condition called myelofibrosis. They are also undergoing clinical trials for use as a treatment for leukaemia, lymphoma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions.

Crowdfunding is all the rage, but can it work for medical research?

Date: Feb-05-2014
"Our goal is absolutely to democratize knowledge," says Denny Luan. "Modern science has such a rush for fast results - publish or perish, output over process. We'd like to show the greater public that science does not have to be locked up behind monasterial walls. We'd like to change the way science is shared - in an engaging, deliberately beautiful way. Real-time, open-access and with great design.

Crowdfunding is all the rage, but can it work for medical research?

Date: Feb-05-2014
"Our goal is absolutely to democratize knowledge," says Denny Luan. "Modern science has such a rush for fast results - publish or perish, output over process. We'd like to show the greater public that science does not have to be locked up behind monasterial walls. We'd like to change the way science is shared - in an engaging, deliberately beautiful way. Real-time, open-access and with great design.

New study on NFL concussions shows higher altitudes reduce risk significantly

Date: Feb-05-2014
A new study analyzing concussion data for NFL players during the 16-game regular season schedules for 2012 and 2013 may provide insight that could lead to safer play, including a pathway for concussion-prevention strategies.