Health News

Novel noninvasive therapy prevents breast cancer formation in mice

Date: Jan-06-2014
A novel breast-cancer therapy that partially reverses the cancerous state in cultured breast tumor cells and prevents cancer development in mice, could one day provide a new way to treat early stages of the disease without resorting to surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, a multi-institutional team led by researchers from the Wyss Institute of Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University reported January 1 in Science Translational Medicine.The therapy emerged from a sophisticated effort to reverse-engineer gene networks to identify genes that drive cancer.

Five minute saliva test to identify smokers rolled out to health schemes, UK

Date: Jan-06-2014
Smokers who need extra incentives to quit the cigarettes this new year should take note that even private health insurance premiums may be reduced if they can prove they have stopped for good - and with the aid of a pioneering test from the University of Birmingham, the proof can be easy to acquire.January is one of the most common times to attempt to quit smoking - but NHS figures show that many people will fail in their first attempt.

Animal cells can communicate by reaching out and touching, UCSF team discovers

Date: Jan-06-2014
In a finding that directly contradicts the standard biological model of animal cell communication, UCSF scientists have discovered that typical cells in animals have the ability to transmit and receive biological signals by making physical contact with each other, even at long distance.The mechanism is similar to the way neurons communicate with other cells, and contrasts the standard understanding that non-neuronal cells "basically spit out signaling proteins into extracellular fluid and hope they find the right target," said senior investigator Thomas B.

Genetically identical bacteria can behave in radically different ways

Date: Jan-06-2014
Although a population of bacteria may be genetically identical, individual bacteria within that population can act in radically different ways.This phenomenon is crucial in the bacteria's struggle for survival. The more diversity a population of bacteria has, the more likely it will contain individuals able to take advantage of a new opportunity or overcome a new threat, including the threat posed by an antibiotic.

Molecule discovered that protects the brain from cannabis intoxication

Date: Jan-06-2014
Two INSERM research teams led by Pier Vincenzo Piazza and Giovanni Marsicano (INSERM Unit 862 "Neurocentre Magendie" in Bordeaux) recently discovered that pregnenolone, a molecule produced by the brain, acts as a natural defence mechanism against the harmful effects of cannabis in animals. Pregnenolone prevents THC, the main active principle in cannabis, from fully activating its brain receptor, the CB1 receptor, that when overstimulated by THC causes the intoxicating effects of cannabis.

Validation of two families of brain-enriched microRNAs as highly promising blood-based biomarkers of mild cognitive impairment

Date: Jan-06-2014
DiamiR, LLC, a molecular diagnostics company, have announced the publication entitled "Plasma microRNA biomarkers for detection of mild cognitive impairment: biomarker validation study" in Aging. Mild Cognitive Impairment is a condition characteristic of early stages of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. The article can be accessed online here.

Study identifies factors associated with pain 1 year after breast cancer surgery

Date: Jan-06-2014
In a study that included more than 800 women who had undergone surgery for breast cancer, the majority reported some level of pain 12 months after surgery, and factors associated with pain included chronic preoperative pain, chemotherapy, preoperative depression and pain in the area to be operated, according to a study appearing in the January 1 issue of JAMA."Persistent pain following breast cancer treatments remains a significant clinical problem despite improved treatment strategies.

Promising new treatment for life threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

Date: Jan-06-2014
Together with its network of scientists and clinicians Faron Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has developed a promising new treatment for life threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The FPCLI001 study, which reduced the odds of all cause mortality by more than 80 percent among the ARDS patients, has been published online in the distinguished medical journal: The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the major cause of death in intensive care units.

Sanofi to expand access to clinical trial data

Date: Jan-06-2014
Starting in January, Sanofi will expand access to information and data from clinical trials, sponsored by companies of the Sanofi group, in support of industry-wide efforts to promote a set of Principles for Responsible Sharing of Clinical Trial Data that the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) jointly released in July 2013.

Pharmacists' skills must be better utilised to reduce pressure on GPs in rural Australia

Date: Jan-06-2014
The skills and expertise of pharmacists must be more fully utilised to provide better health services to the community and to help reduce the growing pressures on the health budget.Commenting on proposals for a $5 co-payment fee to be applied for all visits to a GP, and possibly also for emergency department visits, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, Liesel Wett, said Australia was lagging in making full use of pharmacists' abilities.