Biomed Middle East » Health Care

Brain growth in babies linked to amount of time and energy mothers ‘invest’

sara — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:43:32 +0000

Brain growth in babies is linked to the amount of time and energy mothers ‘invest’, according to new research published today.

The study of 128 mammal species, including humans, shows that brain growth in babies is determined by the duration of pregnancy and how long they suckle. The Durham University research concludes that the . . . → Read More: Brain growth in babies linked to amount of time and energy mothers ‘invest’

MIT: New Blood-testing Device Can Quickly Spot Cancer Cells, HIV

ameilia — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:36:40 +0000

A Harvard bioengineer and an MIT aeronautical engineer have created a new device that can detect single cancer cells in a blood sample, potentially allowing doctors to quickly determine whether cancer has spread from its original site.

The microfluidic device, described in the March 17 online edition of the journal Small, is about . . . → Read More: MIT: New Blood-testing Device Can Quickly Spot Cancer Cells, HIV

Eat Your Greens To Reduce The Risk Of Oral Cancer

ameilia — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 05:34:27 +0000

Eating green leafy vegetables “significantly lowers the risk” of oral cancer among women who smoke, a recent study has revealed.

The research showed for every one serving of green leafy vegetables, the risk of oral cancer for current women smokers is reduced compared to those who have given up or never smoked.

. . . → Read More: Eat Your Greens To Reduce The Risk Of Oral Cancer

Doctors See More Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ameilia — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 04:35:33 +0000

Once a medical rarity in children, inflammatory bowel disease today is increasingly common in kids, but many of them may not be diagnosed in a timely manner, according to experts from the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Johns Hopkins Children’s.

Gastroenterologists there say that many of the hundreds of children they see . . . → Read More: Doctors See More Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

New Hemoglobin Monitor May Help Guide Transfusion Decisions

ameilia — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 03:20:57 +0000

A spectrophotometric hemoglobin (SpHb) sensor may become a useful new approach to noninvasive monitoring of blood hemoglobin levels during surgery, reports a study in the April issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

The SpHb technology could reduce the need for invasive monitoring or the need . . . → Read More: New Hemoglobin Monitor May Help Guide Transfusion Decisions

UK Scientists Move Closer To Discovering Cause Of Alzheimer’s

ameilia — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:18:07 +0000

UK scientists have taken another step forward in their search to identify the causes of Alzheimer’s.

Important research which sheds new light on one of the key building blocks of the disease was presented at an Alzheimer’s Society research roadshow in Southampton last Thursday.

Dr Amritpal Mudher from Southampton University was speaking . . . → Read More: UK Scientists Move Closer To Discovering Cause Of Alzheimer’s

Cancer drug Gleevec may hold promise against scleroderma: Study

sara — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:42:45 +0000

A drug approved to treat certain types of cancer has shown promising results in the treatment of patients with scleroderma, according to results from an open-label Phase II trial. While the drug’s efficacy must be demonstrated in a Phase III trial, the gold standard for testing a drug, researchers are optimistic that Gleevec- (imatinib) . . . → Read More: Cancer drug Gleevec may hold promise against scleroderma: Study

Researchers identify enzyme biomarker that can diagnose early colon cancer

sara — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:43:50 +0000

A research team at the University of Colorado Cancer Center has identified an enzyme that could be used to diagnose colon cancer earlier. It is possible that this enzyme also could be a key to stopping the cancer.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in Americans, with a one in 20 . . . → Read More: Researchers identify enzyme biomarker that can diagnose early colon cancer

Plasmid containing Sindbis replicase genes can destruct lung cancer

sara — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 19:42:29 +0000

Alpha viruses, such as Sindbis virus, carry their genetic information on a single strand of RNA. On infection they use a protein, replicase, to produce double stranded RNA (dsRNA) which is used as genetic material to make more viruses. However the body recognizes dsRNA as foreign, and infected cells initiate an immune response. New . . . → Read More: Plasmid containing Sindbis replicase genes can destruct lung cancer

FDA approves ipilimumab to treat metastatic melanoma

sara — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:33:54 +0000

The US Food and Drug Administration announced today that the drug ipilimumab (brand name Yervoy) has been approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. It is the first drug ever shown to improve overall survival for patients with advanced melanoma.

Ipilimumab uses a novel approach known as immunotherapy, which exploits the body’s . . . → Read More: FDA approves ipilimumab to treat metastatic melanoma

First open fetal surgery to treat lung malformations performed at Texas Children’s Hospital

sara — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:29:36 +0000

Experts from Texas Children’s Fetal Center published a study that appears in volume 46, issue 2 of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery documenting the first successful cases of open fetal surgery to treat fetal lung malformations in the Southern U.S. The study also provides improved data to diagnose, assess, predict risk, and recommend treatment . . . → Read More: First open fetal surgery to treat lung malformations performed at Texas Children’s Hospital

Scientists discover how neurons communicate with each other

sara — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:11:26 +0000

There are billions of neurons in the brain and at any given time tens of thousands of these neurons might be trying to send signals to one another. Much like a person trying to be heard by his friend across a crowded room, neurons must figure out the best way to get their message . . . → Read More: Scientists discover how neurons communicate with each other

Researchers discover LRRK2 gene mutation may cause Parkinson’s disease

sara — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:02:54 +0000

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine have discovered a way that mutations in a gene called LRRK2 may cause the most common inherited form of Parkinson’s disease. The study, published online this month in the journal Public Library of Science, shows that upon specific modification called phosphorylation, LRRK2 protein binds to a family . . . → Read More: Researchers discover LRRK2 gene mutation may cause Parkinson’s disease

Study establishes strong link between nicotine and diabetes complications

Nadia — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:58:13 +0000

Scientists today reported the first strong evidence implicating nicotine as the main culprit responsible for persistently elevated blood sugar levels – and the resulting increased risk of serious health complications – in people who have diabetes and smoke. In a presentation at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), . . . → Read More: Study establishes strong link between nicotine and diabetes complications

Antioxidants in walnuts can reduce risk of heart disease

Nadia — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:46:46 +0000

A new scientific study positions walnuts in the No. 1 slot among a family of foods that lay claim to being among Mother Nature’s most nearly perfect packaged foods: Tree and ground nuts. In a report here today at the 241st National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, scientists presented an analysis . . . → Read More: Antioxidants in walnuts can reduce risk of heart disease