Latest News
No Side Effects in Trial of Swine Flu Shot
WHO says swine flu will continue to spread in an “explosion” of cases in the coming months, jeopardizing the health of many around the world.
WHO’s Western Pacific director cautions of an “explosion in case numbers” in many countries, which could see H1N1 incidences double every three to four days for several months as temperatures decrease.
The [...]
What You Should Know About Arthritis
Arthritis, which comes in different forms, is inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the three most common forms of arthritis among seniors. Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent. None is contagious.
Osteoarthritis
You get osteoarthritis when cartilage – the cushioning tissue within the joints – wears down. This produces stiffness and pain. The disease [...]
A Better Therapy for Lung Cancer
Researchers found AstraZeneca’s lung cancer pill Iressa, or gefitinib, worked far better than chemotherapy in people from East Asia whose tumors had specific mutations in genes for the epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR.
In another, a Spanish team found that people in Europe whose tumors also had mutations in the EGFR gene were more likely [...]
Fed: No fish can escape mercury pollution.
The study by the U.S. Geological Survey is the most comprehensive look to date at mercury in the nation’s streams. From 1998 to 2005, scientists collected and tested more than a thousand fish, including bass, trout and catfish, from 291 streams nationwide.
“This science sends a clear message that our country must continue to confront pollution, [...]
Study: Uterine Disorder Without Surgery
Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological disease in which cells from the lining of the uterus grow in other regions, especially the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
The condition, which affects 10 to 15 percent of women of reproductive age, can cause infertility, painful periods and pain during sexual intercourse.
To date, the only sure way to diagnose endometriosis [...]
Cannabis Based Medicines May Help Fight Prostate Cancer
Cannabinoids, a chemicals in cannabis have been found to fight and stop prostate cancer cells from growing in the laboratory. Ines Diaz-Laviada and colleagues from the University of Alcala in Madrid also tested one compound on mice and discovered it produced a significant reduction in tumor growth.
Their research, published in the British Journal of Cancer, [...]
Tobacco To Fight Against Stomach Virus
Tobacco plants might yield a cheap and easy-to-administer vaccine against a pesky stomach virus called norovirus, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.
They found a way to make tobacco produce a protein that can be used to make a nasal vaccine against norovirus, which causes diarrhea and vomiting, especially on cruise ships, in restaurants, schools and on [...]
WHO Chief Urges Swine Flu Vigilance
The world must remain on its guard against H1N1 influenza, which has been mild so far but could become more serious as the northern hemisphere heads into winter, the head of the World Health Organization said on Sunday.
Margaret Chan, on a visit to Tanzania, noted that most people infected with swine flu had suffered only [...]
Study: Gene Predicts Response to Hepatitis C Drugs
A slight difference in a person’s genetic code could determine whether they respond to a grueling round of treatment for hepatitis C infection or not, U.S. researchers said on Sunday.
Tests looking for that deviation could be used to help decide which patients are most likely to benefit, they said. The finding may also explain why [...]
Osteoporosis drugs effective in killing flu viruses
Two existing drugs used to treat osteoporosis may be effective in killing influenza viruses, including the new H1N1 swine flu and the H5N1 bird flu viruses, researchers in Hong Kong have found.
The two drugs are pamidronate and zoledronate, which are marketed by Novartis AG under the brand names Aredia and Reclast, respectively.
In their experiment, the [...]
