The Latest Health News of Interest to Seniors

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News Roundup - Recent health news worth talking about We review lots of newsletters and daily bulletins related to health interests of senior readers. We offer here the hopefully useful highlights, but without any assurances of validity; do your own followup please. Related Articles: Health News   Senior Fitness   Nurition   Exercise   Drugs   Supplements

1. Vitamin D linked to autoimmune and cancer disease genes, undersc... by Peggy Calicchia Post Date: 08/23/2010 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory - August 24, 2010 – Vitamin D insufficiency is a risk factor for a number of diseases and thus, is a growing concern worldwide, as approximately one billion people may be vitamin D deficient. However, the biological basis for vitamin D deficiency predisposing to disease is poorly understood. In a report published online today in Genome Research (www.genome.o ...more...

2. Reshaping the gut microbiome could herald new treatments for bow... by Peggy Calicchia Post Date: 08/23/2010 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory - August 24, 2010 - Home to a diverse range of microorganisms, a healthy human body contains at least tenfold more bacteria cells than human cells. The most abundant and diverse microbial community resides in the intestine, and changes to the gut microbiota are linked with diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In a report published onlin ...more...

3. Diabetes can cause a sugar coating that smothers body's immune d... by Kelly Parkes-Harrison Post Date: 08/23/2010 University of Warwick - Research led by the Warwick Medical School at the University of Warwick has found that unhealthy glucose levels in patients with diabetes can cause significantly more problems for the body than just the well-known symptoms of the disease such as kidney damage and circulation problems. The raised glucose can also form what can be described as a sugar coating that ...more...

4. Adequate zinc eases pneumonia in elderly by Rosalie Marion Bliss Post Date: 08/10/2010 United States Department of Agriculture-Research, Education, and Economics - 10-Aug-2010 A high proportion of nursing facility residents were found to have low serum (blood) zinc concentrations during an observational study funded by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the National Institute of Aging. The scientists found that those with normal blood zinc concentrations w ...more...

5. High fructose corn syrup the cause of obesity epidemic, new stud... by David Liu Post Date: 08/09/2010 Bad news for the high fructose corn syrup industry. A new study led by a Princeton University research team suggests that high fructose corn syrup may be at least partially responsible for the increase in the obesity rate in the United States. The study published online March 18 by the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior showed consumption of high fructose corn syr ...more...

6. Food Dyes - A Rainbow of Risks by Frank Wilhelmi (Report by Center for Science in the Public Interest) Post Date: 07/05/2010 "It is said that we “eat with our eyes as much as with our mouths,” and that’s certainly the case when we walk down the aisles of a supermarket. Fresh produce beckons us with its vivid colors and organic shapes, brightly colored packages and images seek to draw our eyes to those brands instead of competitors, and countless products—from Jell-O to Froot Loops—are colored with bright synth ...more...

7. Drinking fewer sugar-sweetened beverages may lower blood pressur... by American Heart Assn. Press Release Post Date: 05/24/2010 Study highlights: * Drinking one less sugar-sweetened beverage a day was associated with a drop in blood pressure in a study of 800 adults with elevated blood pressure. * Increased intake of sugar-sweetened beverages has already been linked with risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. * Researchers say this does not prove that sugar-sweetened beverages cause ...more...

8. Uncovering lithium's mode of action by Nick Zagorski Post Date: 05/24/2010 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology May 2010 Journal of Lipid Research - Though it has been prescribed for over 50 years to treat bipolar disorder, there are still many questions regarding exactly how lithium works. However, in a study appearing in this month's Journal of Lipid Research, researchers have provided solid evidence that lithium reduces brain infla ...more...

9. Study explores link between sunlight, multiple sclerosis by Hector DeLuca Post Date: 04/23/2010 MADISON — For more than 30 years, scientists have known that multiple sclerosis (MS) is much more common in higher latitudes than in the tropics. Because sunlight is more abundant near the equator, many researchers have wondered if the high levels of vitamin D engendered by sunlight could explain this unusual pattern of prevalence. Vitamin D may reduce the symptoms of MS, says H ...more...

10. People with diabetes are at higher risk of atrial fibrillation by Joan DeClaire Post Date: 04/23/2010 As the U.S. population keeps aging and gaining weight, diabetes is becoming increasingly common. Some research has associated diabetes with the most common kind of chronically irregular heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation, which can raise the risk for stroke and death. But results of past studies of diabetes and atrial fibrillation have conflicted. Now in the Journal of General Interna ...more...

11. Mature Adult Fitness Chair Awarded Great Gear of the Year by Andrew Siminoff Post Date: 02/25/2010 VQ ActionCare, creator of mature adult fitness and lifestyle equipment, has announced that its benchmark product, the Resistance Chair®, is the winner of ShapeYou.com’s Great Gear of the Year award. The Resistance Chair® is a complete at-home fitness system specifically created for the senior adult to improve strength, endurance, flexibility and balance. Designed to offer a wide range of ...more...

12. Charles Drew cancer studies with yeast yield excellent results by Elia Esparza Post Date: 02/02/2010 Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science - Los Angeles, CA A researcher at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science is investigating the potential use of non-pathogenic baker's yeast as a promising, natural therapy for cancer. Dr. Mamdooh Ghoneum presented his findings Tuesday, Feb. 2 at a special conference on "Cell Death Mechanism," sponsored by the American A ...more...

13. URMC Study Links Vitamin D, Race, and Cardiac Deaths by Leslie Orr Post Date: 01/05/2010 Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to a higher number of heart and stroke-related deaths among black Americans compared to whites, according to a University of Rochester Medical Center study. The journal Annals of Family Medicine is publishing the study in the January-February edition, which goes online Jan. 11, 2010. Researchers sought to understand the well-documented disp ...more...

14. Senior Life Insurance Settlements - The Better Bet for Over Half... by Health Wise Post Date: 12/28/2009 "Senior life insurance settlements are the better bet for over half of people with policies they need to convert." A senior life insurance settlement is quickly replacing accepting the insurance company's cash surrender value as the best choice for older Americans with a policy they are looking to convert into cash. Senior life insurance settlements offer a better valued alternative th ...more...

15. Long-term physical activity has an anti-aging effect at the cell... by Karen Astle Post Date: 12/19/2009 American Heart Association - Intensive exercise prevented shortening of telomeres, a protective effect against aging of the cardiovascular system, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers measured the length of telomeres — the DNA that bookends the chromosomes and protects the ends from damage — in blood samples fro ...more...

16. Multiple health concerns surface as winter, vitamin D deficience... by Adrian Gombart Post Date: 11/23/2009 CORVALLIS, Ore. – A string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of vitamin D has renewed interest in this multi- purpose nutrient, increased awareness of the huge numbers of people who are deficient in it, spurred research and even led to an appreciation of it as "nature's antibiotic." On issues ranging from the health of your immune system to prevention of hear ...more...

17. Heart and bone damage from low vitamin D tied to declines in sex... by Webwire Post Date: 11/23/2009 Effects of vitamin D deficiency amplified by shortage of estrogen Researchers at Johns Hopkins are reporting what is believed to be the first conclusive evidence in men that the long-term ill effects of vitamin D deficiency are amplified by lower levels of the key sex hormone estrogen, but not testosterone. In a national study in 1010 men, to be presented Nov. 15 at the Ame ...more...

18. Help your kidneys: Pass on salt and diet soda by Shari Leventhal Post Date: 11/01/2009 American Society of Nephrology - Study shows diets high in sodium and artificially sweetened soda linked to kidney function decline Individuals who consume a diet high in sodium or artificially sweetened drinks are more likely to experience a decline in kidney function, according to two papers being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's annual meeting in San Diego, Cali ...more...

19. Blood pressure of people with metabolic syndrome is more sensiti... by Dr Jing Chen Post Date: 10/26/2009 Lancet - A study of some 1900 Chinese people has revealed that the blood pressure of people with metabolic syndrome is more sensitive to salt intake. Thus reduction of salt intake could be an especially important component in reducing blood pressure in patients with multiple risk factors for metabolic syndrome. These are the conclusions of authors of an Article published Online First a ...more...

20. People with type 2 diabetes improved muscular strength by Jennifer Rondon Post Date: 09/22/2009 American Physical Therapy Association - Alexandria, VA – Physical therapist-directed exercise counseling combined with fitness center-based exercise training can improve muscular strength and exercise capacity in people with type 2 diabetes, with outcomes similar to those of supervised exercise, according to a randomized clinical trial published in the September issue of Physical Ther ...more...

21. Lavender & Tea Tree Estrogenic???? by Stephanie Greenwood Post Date: 09/08/2009 Sunday, September 6, 2009 You may have heard reports that Lavender & Tea Tree essential oils are estrogenic and caused young boys to grow breasts. Concerned myself with xenoestrogens, I decided, of course, to look in to the subject. Even though the story is all over the news and the Internet, there is actually only ONE study that makes these claims. So, I took a closer lo ...more...

22. Why men need to take more vitamin K2 by Robert J. Rowen, MD Post Date: 08/27/2009 August 26, 2009 - Robert J. Rowen, MD I've told you in the past that vitamin K2 can prevent some devastating diseases, including osteoporosis and heart disease. Well, that's not all it can do. New research suggests this overlooked vitamin also protects against cancer, especially if you're a man. Several studies have shown promise in preventing or slowing the progression of ...more...

23. Fat hormone influences baseline dopamine levels and our motivati... by Cathleen Genova Post Date: 08/17/2009 Cell Press - As we all know from experience, people eat not only because they are hungry, but also because the food just simply tastes too good to pass up. Now, a new study in the August 6th Cell Metabolism, a Cell Press publication, helps to explain how leptin, a hormone produced by fat tissue, influences that motivation to eat. The researchers describe for the first time a new ...more...

24. Fructose metabolism by the brain increases food intake and obesi... by Adriaan Klinkenberg Post Date: 08/16/2009 Increase in consumption of high fructose sweeteners raises concerns - Amsterdam, 25 March 2009 - The journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ybbrc) (BBRC), published by Elsevier, will publish an important review this week online, by M. Daniel Lane and colleagues at Johns Hopkins, building on the suggested link between the consump ...more...

25. Differences in neighborhood food environment may contribute to d... by Stephanie berger Post Date: 08/16/2009 March 19, 2009 – Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. Access to 'healthy' food stores associated with lower prevalence of obesity in New York City. Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health examined the association of neighborhood food environments and "walkability" with body mass index (BMI) and obesity in New York City and found that ...more...

26. The skyrocketing cost of medical care by Frank Wilhelmi Post Date: 08/16/2009 A big scare these days is the skyrocketing cost of medical care, with estimates that the system will be broke by such-n-such a year. A big cry goes up for better preventive care, and in the next breath the medical community calls for more frequent screening to allow early detection, as though that will reduce the cost of health. The only thing that will really reduce the cost of medical ...more...

27. A red-wine polyphenol called resveratrol demonstrates significan... by Lindsay Brown, Ph.D. Post Date: 07/13/2009 Resveratrol shows therapeutic potential for cancer chemoprevention as well as cardioprotection. Resveratrol may aid in the prevention of age-related disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Low doses of resveratrol improve cell survival as a component of cardio- and neuro-protection, while high doses in ...more...

28. Research explores interactions between nanomaterials, biological... by Jennifer Marcus Post Date: 06/19/2009 University of California - Los Angeles - Review article calls for measures to enable safe design of nanomaterials The recent explosion in the development of nanomaterials with enhanced performance characteristics for use in commercial and medical applications has increased the likelihood of people coming into direct contact with these materials. There are currently more ...more...

29. Environmental exposures may damage DNA in as few as three days by Keely Savoie Post Date: 05/17/2009 American Thoracic Society ATS 2009, SAN DIEGO—Exposure to particulate matter has been recognized as a contributing factor to lung cancer development for some time, but a new study indicates inhalation of certain particulates can actually cause some genes to become reprogrammed, affecting both the development and the outcome of cancers and other diseases. The research will be pre ...more...

30. An herbal extract inhibits the development of pancreatic cancer by Emily Shafer Post Date: 04/19/2009 Thomas Jefferson University - (PHILADELPHIA) An herb recently found to kill pancreatic cancer cells also appears to inhibit development of pancreatic cancer as a result of its anti-inflammatory properties, according to researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. The data were presented at the AACR 100th Annual Meeting 2009 in Denver. (Abstract #494) Thymoquinon ...more...

31. Vitamin D may exacerbate autoimmune disease by Paul Albert Post Date: 04/08/2009 Autoimmunity Research Foundation - Deficiency in vitamin D has been widely regarded as contributing to autoimmune disease, but a review appearing in Autoimmunity Reviews explains that low levels of vitamin D in patients with autoimmune disease may be a result rather than a cause of disease and that supplementing with vitamin D may actually exacerbate autoimmune disease. ...more...

32. VA/UAB Study Looks at Functional Decline in Older Patients After... by Bob Shepard Post Date: 04/07/2009 April 7, 2009 • Hospitalization causes functional decline in older adults. • Surgical patients regain more function than non-surgical patients. • Suggests changes in management of hospitalized seniors. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Motivation and expectation may be factors in helping older adults regain lost functional ability after hospitalization, say researchers with th ...more...

33. Mayo Clinic researchers discover and manipulate molecular interp... by Paul Scotti Post Date: 03/29/2009 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Based on research that reveals new insight into mechanisms that allow invasive tumor cells to move, researchers at the Mayo Clinic campus in Florida have a new understanding about how to stop cancer from spreading. A cancer that spreads elsewhere in the body, known as metastasis, is the process that most often leads to death from the disease. In the March 2 ...more...

34. New Test May Predict Breast Cancer Metastasis by Press Release - NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center Post Date: 03/27/2009 ?? ??????Translational Research by NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Investigators Identifies Marker Pointing Way to First Test for Breast Cancer Metastasis?? ??NEW YORK (March 27, 2009) — Researchers at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center have identified a new marker for breast cancer metastasis called TMEM, for Tumor Microenvironment of Metastasis. As reported i ...more...

35. Study probes the economic impact of undiagnosed celiac disease by Cynthia Beckman Post Date: 03/27/2009 Columbia University Medical Center - A study published in Journal of Insurance Medicine by members of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center has demonstrated an economic benefit to the diagnosis of celiac disease in a national managed-care population in the United States. Peter HR Green, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine and Director, Celiac Dis ...more...

36. Acetaldehyde in alcohol -- no longer just the chemical that caus... by Molly Jarvis Post Date: 03/21/2009 Wiley-Blackwell - A new study published today in the journal Addiction shows that drinking alcohol is the greatest risk factor for acetaldehyde-related cancer. Heavy drinkers may be at increased risk due to exposure from multiple sources. Acetaldehyde is ubiquitous in daily life. Widely present in the environment, it is inhaled from the air and tobacco smoke, ingested fr ...more...

37. 'Holy powder' ingredient makes membranes behave for better healt... by Nancy Ross-Flanigan Post Date: 03/06/2009 University of Michigan - ANN ARBOR, Mich.---Revered in India as "holy powder," the marigold- colored spice known as turmeric has been used for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other health problems. In recent years, research into the healing powers of turmeric's main ingredient, curcumin, has burgeoned, as its astonishing array of antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibiotic, antiviral ...more...

38. Prostate specific antigen testing may be unnecessary for some ol... by Hope Marijan Post Date: 02/20/2009 Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions - Certain men age 75 to 80 are unlikely to benefit from routine prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing, according to a Johns Hopkins study published in the April 2009 issue of The Journal of Urology. The researchers found that men in this age group with PSA levels less than 3 nanograms per milliliter are unlikely to die of or experience ...more...

39. Unhealthy lifestyle more than doubles stroke risk by Emma Dickinson Post Date: 02/20/2009 BMJ-British Medical Journal - Research: Combined effect of health behaviors and risk of first ever stroke in 20,040 men and women over 11 years' follow-up in Norfolk cohort of European Prospective Investigation of Cancer: Prospective population study People who lead unhealthy lifestyles are more than twice as likely to suffer a stroke than those who eat and drink sensibly, don' ...more...

40. Anti-aging pathway enhances cell stress response by Megan Fellman Post Date: 02/20/2009 Northwestern University - People everywhere are feeling the stress of a worldwide recession. Our cells, too, are under continual assault from stress. Hidden from sight, our cells battle challenges such as their environment, bacteria, viruses, too much or too little oxygen, and physiological stressors. Molecular systems protect cells under assault, but those systems can bre ...more...

41. Study provides additional evidence that potato chips should be e... by Suzanne Price Post Date: 02/13/2009 American Society for Nutrition - A new study published in the March 2009 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by Marek Naruszewicz and colleagues from Poland suggests that acrylamide from foods may increase the risk of heart disease. Acrylamide has been linked previously to nervous system disorders and possibly to cancer. After ingesting large amounts of potato chips providing abou ...more...

42. Study suggests that inflammation may be the link between extreme... by Kelly Wagner Post Date: 02/01/2009 American Academy of Sleep Medicine - The activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines may be a mechanism by which short and long sleep durations affect health Westchester, Ill. — A study in the Feb. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP shows that sleep duration is associated with changes in the levels of specific cytokines that are important in regulating inflammation. The results suggest th ...more...

43. Important advance in the treatment of cancer and viral infection... by Dr. André Veillette Post Date: 01/18/2009 Institut de recherches cliniques de Montreal - Montreal-based scientists uncover a new anti-cancer, anti-infection response control mechanism Montréal, January 18, 2009 – Dr. André Veillette, a researcher at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), and his team led by postdoctoral fellow Dr. Mario-Ernesto Cruz-Munoz, will publish in the upcoming issue of th ...more...

44. The heart disease mutation carried by 60 million by Don Powell Post Date: 01/18/2009 Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute - The worst luck in the world? Muscle protein gene mutation in one in 100. Heart disease is the number one killer in the world and India carries more than its share of this burden. Moreover, the problem is set to rise: it is predicted that by 2010 India's population will suffer approximately 60% of the world's heart disease. Today, an international te ...more...

45. Free Antibiotics: The Wrong Prescription for Cold and Flu Season by Steve Baragona Post Date: 01/18/2009 Friday, January 16, 2009 - Free Flu Shots Are a Better Option With an epidemic of antibiotic-resistant infections growing, experts are warning grocery-store pharmacies that antibiotics giveaways are an unhealthy promotional gimmick. If grocery stores want to help customers and save them money during cold and flu season, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) says, they should ...more...

46. A Fantastic Voyage Brought to Life by Dr. Dan Peer, Tel Aviv University Post Date: 01/18/2009 Thursday, January 15, 2009 - TAU scientists develop a medical "mini-submarine" to blast diseased cells in the body. A nanoparticle decorated with targeting agents that guide it to a specific cell type, leaving healthy cells untouched. Ever since the 1966 Hollywood movie, doctors have imagined a real- life Fantastic Voyage a medical vehicle shrunk small enough to “submarine” in ...more...

47. Moderate alcohol consumption may help seniors keep disabilities ... by Enrique Rivero Post Date: 01/17/2009 University of California - Los Angeles It is well known that moderate drinking can have positive health benefits — for instance, a couple of glasses of red wine a day can be good for the heart. But if you're a senior in good health, light to moderate consumption of alcohol may also help prevent the development of physical disability. That's the conclusion of a new UCLA st ...more...

48. Researchers identify new protein that triggers breast cancer by Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins Post Date: 01/17/2009 University of Montreal Montreal, January 14, 2009 – Study from Universite de Montreal and University of Alberta suggests new drug target. Canadian researchers have identified a new protein in the progression of breast cancer. According to a recent study from the Université de Montréal and the University of Alberta, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the protein ARF1 play ...more...

49. Dartmouth researchers identify potential cancer target by Sue Knapp Post Date: 01/17/2009 Dartmouth College HANOVER, NH – Dartmouth Medical School researchers have found two proteins that work in concert to ensure proper chromosome segregation during cell division. Their study is in the January 2009 issue of the journal Nature Cell Biology. This finding is relevant for treating solid cancerous tumors that lose the ability to accurately segregate their chromosome ...more...

50. High insulin levels raise risk of breast cancer in postmenopausa... by Michael Heller Post Date: 01/09/2009 Albert Einstein College of Medicine - January 9, 2009 – (BRONX, NY) — Elevated insulin may play a key role in the link between obesity and breast cancer. Higher-than-normal levels of insulin place postmenopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer, researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University report. Their findings, published in the January 7 is ...more...

51. A protein that protects against Alzheimer's? by Claire Bouchard, Press Relations Officer Post Date: 01/06/2009 Montreal, January 6, 2009 — Research on the mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, stroke, dementia, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis, to name a few, has taken a step forward thanks to the work of biological sciences Ph.D. student Sonia Do Carmo, supervised by Professor Éric Rassart of the Université du Québec à Montreal (UQAM) Biological Scienc ...more...

52. U of I study: Fructose metabolism more complicated than was thou... by Phyllis Picklesimer Post Date: 12/09/2008 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign A new University of Illinois study suggests that we may pay a price for ingesting too much fructose. According to lead author Manabu Nakamura, dietary fructose affects a wide range of genes in the liver that had not previously been identified. Chances are you consume quite a bit of fructose. Most Americans do—in refined sugars su ...more...

53. Eating eggs when pregnant affects (editor's note: 'reduces') bre... by Cody Mooneyhan Post Date: 12/01/2008 Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology New article in the FASEB Journal shows that the 'genetic impact' of a pregnant woman's diet has a profound effect on her child A stunning discovery based on epigenetics (the inheritance of propensities acquired in the womb) reveals that consuming choline—a nutrient found in eggs and other foods—during pregnancy may ...more...

54. Vitamin D found to fight placental infection by Martin Hewison Post Date: 12/01/2008 In a paper available at the online site of the journal Biology of Reproduction, a team of UCLA researchers reports for the first time that vitamin D induces immune responses in placental tissues by stimulating production of the antimicrobial protein cathelicidin. The study involved exposing cultured human trophoblast cells to the active form of vitamin D, leading to production of ...more...

55. Red, red wine: How it fights Alzheimer's by Mark Wheeler Post Date: 11/23/2008 University of California - Los Angeles Researchers discover how compounds found in wine thwart disease in mice Scientists call it the "French paradox" — a society that, despite consuming food high in cholesterol and saturated fats, has long had low death rates from heart disease. Research has suggested it is the red wine consumed with all that fatty food that may be beneficial — ...more...

56. Med school discovery could lead to better cancer diagnosis, drug... by Doug Carlson Post Date: 11/23/2008 Florida State University - TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A Florida State University College of Medicine research team led by Yanchang Wang has discovered an important new layer of regulation in the cell division cycle, which could lead to a greater understanding of the way cancer begins. Wang, an assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the College of Medicine, said the findin ...more...

57. Nature Medicine study shows Peregrine's bavituximab can cure let... by Barbara Lindheim Post Date: 11/23/2008 BioCom Partners - PS-targeting antibodies may represent a new class of drugs with broad potential to treat viral infections TUSTIN, Calif., November 23, 2008 -- Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPHM) today reported publication of data in Nature Medicine that supports the broad anti-viral potential of the company's novel anti-phosphatidylserine (anti-PS) antibody platfor ...more...

58. LOW POTASSIUM LINKED TO HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE by Shari Leventhal Post Date: 11/09/2008 Philadelphia, PA (October 30, 2008) — Getting More Potassium May Be Especially Important for African Americans, Study Suggests. As a risk factor for high blood pressure, low levels of potassium in the diet may be as important as high levels of sodium—especially among African Americans, according to research being presented at the American Society of Nephrology's 41st Annual Meeting and Scien ...more...

59. Vitamins E and C supplements not effective for prevention of car... by Lori Shanks Post Date: 11/09/2008 Neither vitamin E nor vitamin C supplements reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events in a large, long-term study of male physicians, according to a study in the November 12 issue of JAMA. The article is being released early online November 9 to coincide with the scientific presentation of the study findings at the American Heart Association meeting. Most adults in the Un ...more...

60. Researchers discover new risk factor for cardiovascular disease,... by Isabelle Kling Post Date: 11/09/2008 McGill University Health Centre - Montreal, November 9th 2008 - A team of international researchers – including scientists from the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and McGill University – have discovered that having high levels of particular protein puts patients at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The results of the study were so conclusive that the c ...more...

61. Substance tackles skin cancer from 2 sides by Professor Thomas Tüting Post Date: 11/02/2008 University of Bonn - A single 'designer molecule' tackles malignant cells by 2 completely different routes. By playing it safe and using a two-pronged attack, a novel designer molecule fights malignant melanoma. It was created and tested by an international team of researchers led by the University of Bonn. On the one hand, the substance is similar to components of viruses and in this ...more...

62. Salk researchers successfully reprogram keratinocytes attached t... by Mauricio Minotta Post Date: 10/18/2008 Salk Institute - LA JOLLA, CA — The first reports of the successful reprogramming of adult human cells back into so-called induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, which by all appearances looked and acted liked embryonic stem cells created a media stir. But the process was woefully inefficient: Only one out of 10,000 cells could be persuaded to turn back the clock. Now, a team of researche ...more...

63. Landmark study unlocks stem cell, DNA secrets to speed therapies by David Gilbert Post Date: 10/11/2008 Florida State University TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In a groundbreaking study led by an eminent molecular biologist at Florida State University, researchers have discovered that as embryonic stem cells turn into different cell types, there are dramatic corresponding changes to the order in which DNA is replicated and reorganized. The findings bridge a critical knowledge gap for s ...more...

64. Yamanaka eliminates viral vector in stem cell reprogramming by Valerie Tucker Post Date: 10/11/2008 Gladstone Institutes Gladstone researcher makes progress in improving safety Shinya Yamanaka MD, PhD, of Kyoto University and the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (GICD) has taken another step forward in improving the possibilities for the practical application of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology. Previously, Dr. Yamanaka had shown that adult cel ...more...

65. Disinfectants can make bacteria resistant to treatment by Lucy Goodchild Post Date: 10/05/2008 Society for General Microbiology - Chemicals used in the environment to kill bacteria could be making them stronger, according to a paper published in the October issue of the journal Microbiology. Low levels of these chemicals, called biocides, can make the potentially lethal bacterium Staphylococcus aureus remove toxic chemicals from the cell even more efficiently, potentially ...more...

66. Form of Crohn's disease traced to disabled gut cells by Michael C. Purdy Post Date: 10/05/2008 Contact: 314-286-0122 Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, Oct. 5, 2008 — Scientists report online this week in Nature that they have linked the health of specialized gut immune cells to a gene associated with Crohn's disease, an often debilitating and increasingly prevalent inflammatory bowel disorder. The link to immune cells intrigued researchers at Washing ...more...

67. A little exercise goes a long way for severely obese by Debbe Geiger Post Date: 10/05/2008 Duke University Medical Center - DURHAM. N.C. -- A little exercise goes a long way toward helping severely obese individuals improve their quality of life and complete important daily tasks, according to researchers at the Duke Diet and Fitness Center. In a pre-program assessment where patients reported, on average, just under one hour of exercise per week, individuals who were m ...more...

68. Sex hormones link to heart risk by Maciej Tomaszewski Post Date: 08/31/2008 University of Leicester - New research led by University of Leicester into why men are more prone to heart disease Men are more prone to – and likely to die of - heart disease compared with women of a similar age – and sex hormones are to blame, according to a new University of Leicester led study The findings of a study by Dr Maciej Tomaszewski, New Blood Le ...more...

69. Global study shows telmisartan reduces outcome of cardiovascular... by Susan Emigh Post Date: 08/31/2008 McMaster University HAMILTON – August 31, 2008 -- An international study led by Canadian researchers has found that telmisartan, a medication used to lower blood pressure, reduced the outcome of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke in people who are unable to tolerate a widely available and effective standard treatment. Dr. Salim Yusuf and Dr. Koon Teo, professors in ...more...

70. Independent Medical Examinations - What To Do When Your Insuranc... by Blake Vanderhyde Post Date: 08/04/2008 When you are injured in a car accident in Minnesota, the No Fault Provision of your car insurance typically covers your medical bills. But what happens when the insurance company decides to stop paying, and schedules a medical examination? In Minnesota, the provisions of your No Fault insurance require that you be examined by a doctor hired by them. The cost of this examination is pai ...more...

71. Researchers design model for automated, wearable artificial kidn... by Enrique Rivero Post Date: 07/13/2008 University of California - Los Angeles UCLA–VA signs patent-licensing agreement with Singapore company Two researchers from UCLA and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System have developed a design for an automated, wearable artificial kidney, or AWAK, that avoids the complications patients often suffer with traditional dialysis. The design for the peritonea ...more...

72. Magnolia Compound Hits Elusive Target in Cancer Cells by Vincent Joseph Dollard Post Date: 07/13/2008 A natural compound from magnolia cones blocks a pathway for cancer growth that was previously considered "undruggable," researchers have found. A laboratory led by Jack Arbiser, MD, PhD, at Emory University School of Medicine, has been studying the compound honokiol, found in Japanese and Chinese herbal medicines, since discovering its ability to inhibit tumor growth in mice in 2003 ...more...

73. Are men or women more likely to have memory problems in very old... by Rachel Seroka Post Date: 07/06/2008 American Academy of Neurology Are men or women more likely to have memory problems in very old age? ST. PAUL, Minn. – Women over age 90 are significantly more likely to have dementia compared to men in their 90s, according to a study published in the July 2, 2008, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Research shows that dementia risk ...more...

74. The benefits of green tea in reducing an important risk factor f... by Céline Colas Post Date: 07/06/2008 European Society of Cardiology - More evidence for the beneficial effect of green tea on risk factors for heart disease has emerged in a new study reported in the latest issue of European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation.1 The study found that the consumption of green tea rapidly improves the function of (endothelial) cells lining the circulatory system; endothelial ...more...

75. Cancer Survivors: The Good News is that you can Fully regenerat... by Dr.Anca Martalog,N.D. Post Date: 06/26/2008 Do you know that you can change your body over every 7years? Find out how and why this happens and how it affects your recovery in this article. One constant thing is life is change"- a wise man.... once said... Same holds true for the human body: Everything regenerates given proper care. They key to reversing cancer are detoxifying the body and strengthening the immune system; ...more...

76. 'HiCy' drug regimen reverses ms symptoms in selected patients by Christen Brownlee Post Date: 06/10/2008 Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions - New approach to immunosuppressant treatment tested in nine individuals shows promise A short-term, very-high dose regimen of the immune-suppressing drug cyclophosphamide seems to slow progression of multiple sclerosis (MS) in most of a small group of patients studied and may even restore neurological function lost to the disease, Johns Ho ...more...

77. Promising advances in islet cell transplants for diabetes by Sherri McGinnis Gonzalez Post Date: 06/09/2008 University of Illinois at Chicago - Promising advances in islet cell transplants for diabetes University of Illinois at Chicago researchers have modified the procedure for islet cell transplantation and achieved insulin independence in diabetes patients with fewer but better-functioning pancreatic islet cells. The study results are published in the June issue of the American ...more...

78. Researchers important markers of high risk of type 2 diabetes. by Kelly Parkes Post Date: 04/27/2008 Doctors are aware of a range of risk factors, mostly related to the patients’ family history, overweight, and lifestyle, that contribute to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Now researchers at the University of Warwick have found markers that indicate endothelial dysfunction (changes in the cells which line the blood vessels) and sub-clinical systemic inflammation can also help identi ...more...

79. Bypassing the insulin highway (Appearing in JBC online April 25) by Nick Zagorski Post Date: 04/27/2008 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology An immune cell known as a neutrophil releases a protein that can suppress glucose production in the liver - without targeting insulin, researchers have found. Neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, produce special immune proteins called defensins which seem to have a connection with glucose levels. During bacterial infection, ...more...

80. Deadly dose: Rensselaer heparin expert helps uncover source of l... by Gabrielle DeMarco Post Date: 04/27/2008 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, N.Y. -- The mysterious death of patients around the world following a routine dosage of the common blood thinner, heparin, sent researchers on a frantic search to uncover what could make the standard drug so toxic. A researcher at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was among a small group of scientists with the expertise and the high-tech equipment nece ...more...

81. Readily available treatment could help prevent heart disease in ... by Gwen Ericson Post Date: 04/20/2008 Washington University School of Medicine The estimated 19 million Americans living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face a high risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have shown that a main source of this cardiovascular risk is CKD patients' high levels of blood phosphate. Now researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have demonstrated ...more...

82. Mammograms benefit women up to the age of 75 and 3-yearly screen... by Emma Mason Post Date: 04/20/2008 ECCO-the European CanCer Organisation Berlin, Germany: Breast cancer screening is effective, appropriate and reduces deaths from the disease in women aged up to 75 years old according to new research in over 860,000 women aged 70-75 presented today (Friday) at the 6th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-6) in Berlin. In another study of nearly 100,000 women aged 50-62, also presented a ...more...

83. Herceptin and chemo improves response rates without major advers... by Emma Mason Post Date: 04/20/2008 ECCO-the European CanCer Organisation Berlin, Germany: Women with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer seem to do better if they are treated with a combined anthracycline and taxane chemotherapy regimen before surgery, together with trastuzumab (Herceptin) before and after surgery, according to results from the largest multi-centre trial to investigate this treatment. Pro ...more...

84. Breast cancers behave differently before and after the age of 70 by Emma Mason Post Date: 04/20/2008 ECCO-the European CanCer Organisation Berlin, Germany: Researchers in Belgium have discovered that increasing age affects the way breast cancer behaves. As women approach the age of 70, they become less likely to be diagnosed with aggressive tumours that have spread to the lymph nodes. But after 70, the cancer is increasingly likely to spread, particularly if the tumours are small. U ...more...

85. Vitamin D and calcium influence cell death in the colon, researc... by Ashante Dobbs Post Date: 04/13/2008 Researchers at Emory University are learning how vitamins and minerals in the diet can stimulate or prevent the appearance of colon cancer. Emory investigators will present their findings on biological markers that could influence colon cancer risk in three abstracts at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting in San Diego. In a clinical study of 92 patien ...more...

86. NYU dental professor discovers biological clock by Linda Hemphill Post Date: 04/06/2008 International & American Association for Dental Research - Why do rats live faster and die younger than humans? A newly discovered biological clock provides tantalizing clues. This clock, or biological rhythm, controls many metabolic functions and is based on the circadian rhythm, which is a roughly 24-hour cycle that is important in determining sleeping and feeding patterns, cell ...more...

87. Yale study shows how rare genes have big impact on blood pressur... by Bill Hathaway Post Date: 04/06/2008 Yale University - New Haven, Conn. -Yale University researchers report today in the journal Nature Genetics that they have discovered that rare genetic variants can be associated with a dramatically lower risk of developing high blood pressure in the general population. The insight that rare mutations may collectively play a large part in the development of common yet comple ...more...

88. Significant dementia risk attributable to small blood vessel dam... by Sarah Goodwin Post Date: 04/06/2008 American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Autopsy data of 221 men and women found that the brains of one-third of individuals who had dementia before death showed evidence of small, cumulative blood vessel damage that can arise from hypertension or diabetes. Dr. Thomas Montine and colleagues analyzed the brain tissue of select volunteers from the Adult Changes in Th ...more...

89. Significant reductions in mortality shown using blood pressure-l... by Laura Gallagher Post Date: 03/31/2008 Imperial College London - Lowering the blood pressure of elderly patients could cut their total mortality by a fifth and their rate of cardiovascular events by a third, according to a new study presented today (Monday 31 March) at the American College of Cardiology in Chicago and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine. The 3,845 patient Hypertension ...more...

90. Vitamin E trials 'fatally flawed' by Balz Frei Post Date: 03/30/2008 Oregon State University - CORVALLIS, Ore. – Generations of studies on vitamin E may be largely meaningless, scientists say, because new research has demonstrated that the levels of this micronutrient necessary to reduce oxidative stress are far higher than those that have been commonly used in clinical trials. In a new study and commentary in Free Radical Biology and Medicin ...more...

91. Exercise reduces risk of heart disease in postmenopausal women by Anna Nguyen Post Date: 03/18/2008 Exercise reduces risk of heart disease in postmenopausal women Working out regularly lowers chemical stress in the body related to disease and aging Monday, March 10, 2008 Aerobic exercise significantly decreased the chemical imbalances that can lead to heart disease and stroke in postmenopausal women according to a study in the spring issue of the Journal of Women and Aging. E ...more...

92. Research with squirrels provides clues on hormone's role in huma... by William Harms Post Date: 03/14/2008 University of Chicago - Correct levels of stress hormones boost learning Research at the University of Chicago shows that young squirrels learning to survive in their environment need a moderate level of stress hormones. The study points toward the role... Click here for more information. Tests on the influence that a stress-related hormone has on learning in ground squirrels coul ...more...

93. Genes that protect against atherosclerosis identified by Katarina Sternudd Post Date: 03/14/2008 Karolinska Institutet - One way of combating atherosclerosis is to reduce levels of “bad cholesterol” in the blood. Scientists at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have now identified the genes that bring about this beneficial effect. In a new study on mice, which is presented in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics, the research group has shown that th ...more...

94. New stem cell technique improves genetic alteration by Peter Donovan Post Date: 03/09/2008 Efficiency of method could lead to better disease study and future stem cell cures Irvine, Calif., March 7, 2008 UC Irvine researchers have discovered a dramatically improved method for genetically manipulating human embryonic stem cells, making it easier for scientists to study and potentially treat thousands of disorders ranging from Huntington’s disease to muscular ...more...

95. New potential drug target for the treatment of atherosclerosis by Gina Kirchweger Post Date: 03/05/2008 Salk Institute - LA JOLLA, CA - A nuclear receptor protein, known for controlling the ability of cells to burn fat, also exerts powerful anti-inflammatory effects in arteries, suppressing atherosclerosis in mice prone to developing the harmful plaques, according to new research by scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Harvard School of Public Health. Their ...more...

96. Gene discovery linked to muscle atrophy in numerous conditions by Kathy Major Post Date: 02/23/2008 National Space Biomedical Research Institute Gene discovery linked to muscle atrophy in numerous conditions HOUSTON-(March 20, 2002)-A newly identified gene, atrogin-1, is involved in muscle loss associated with cancer, diabetes, fasting and kidney disease as well as in the atrophy occurring with disuse, inactivity, and nerve or spinal injury. This discovery, funded by the National ...more...

97. Scientists identify gene responsible for statin-induced muscle p... by Bonnie Prescott Post Date: 02/22/2008 Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Atrogin-1 gene mediates muscle toxicity of popular cholesterol-lowering drugs BOSTON – Statins, the popular class of drugs used to lower cholesterol, are among the most commonly prescribed medications in developed countries. But for some patients, accompanying side effects of muscle weakness and pain become chronic problems and, in ...more...

98. Study: Before a CT scan or angiogram, many people should take in... by Kara Gavin Post Date: 02/18/2008 University of Michigan Health System - 2/18/2008 Iodine contrast agents that enhance the scans can harm vulnerable kidneys, but N-acetylcysteine taken beforehand can protect at-risk patients. ANN ARBOR, Mich. - As more and more Americans undergo CT scans and other medical imaging scans involving intense X-rays, a new study suggests that many of them should take a pre-scan dru ...more...

99. Anti-cancer drug damages brain vessels by Hema Bashyam Post Date: 02/11/2008 Journal of Experimental Medicine: 11-Feb-2008 The cancer drug Avastin (bevacizumab) is used to treat advanced bowel cancer in combination with chemotherapy. This drug targets a protein called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) that stimulates blood vessel growth. Avastin inhibits the growth of tumors by cutting off their blood supply, which deprives them of oxygen and other nutr ...more...

100. Artificial sweeteners linked to weight gain by Pam Willenz Post Date: 02/10/2008 Cutting the connection between sweets and calories may confuse the body, making it harder to regulate intake. WASHINGTON - Want to lose weight" It might help to pour that diet soda down the drain. Researchers have laboratory evidence that the widespread use of no-calorie sweeteners may actually make it harder for people to control their intake and body weight. The findings appear in ...more...