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Monday, April 2, 2012

ScienceDaily: Top Health News

ScienceDaily: Top Health News


Molecular mechanism contributing to cardiomyopathy elucidated

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 10:53 AM PDT

Cardiomyopathy comprises a deterioration of the heart muscle that affects the organ's ability to efficiently pump blood through the body. Forms of the disease were tied to the alternative splicing of titin, a giant protein that determines the heart`s structure and biomechanical properties, but the molecular mechanism remained unknown. Scientists have now found that a gene tied to hereditary cardiomyopathy, regulates titin splicing. Their findings could lead to improve diagnosis and therapies.

Transforming scar tissue into beating hearts: The next instalment

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 10:53 AM PDT

Scientists are continuing to work on transforming scar tissue resulting from myocardial infarction into viable heart muscle cells.

Link between inflammation and breast cancer metastases identified, may be treatable

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 10:49 AM PDT

The incidence of breast cancer-associated metastasis was increased in animal models of the chronic inflammatory condition arthritis, according to results of a preclinical study. The results indicate that inflammatory cells known as mast cells play a key role in this increase and that interfering with mast cells reduces the occurrence of bone and lung metastases.

Long-term use of estrogen hormone therapy linked to higher risk for breast cancer

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 10:49 AM PDT

In a landmark study, researchers have linked the long-term use of estrogen plus progesterone and estrogen-only hormone therapy with a higher risk for developing breast cancer.

DNA sequencing lays foundation for personalized cancer treatment

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 10:49 AM PDT

Scientists are using powerful DNA sequencing technology not only to identify mutations at the root of a patient's tumor – considered key to personalizing cancer treatment – but to map the genetic evolution of disease and monitor response to treatment.

Gene variations linked to intestinal blockage in newborns with cystic fibrosis

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 10:49 AM PDT

The discovery by cystic fibrosis researchers offers the possibility of developing therapies to intervene in utero. Some of these genes may influence disease in other cystic fibrosis-affected organs.

Epigenetic changes in twins of dieting mothers increases risk of obesity and diabetes

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 07:55 AM PDT

Expectant mothers might feel a little better about reaching for that pint of ice cream: New research suggests that twins, and babies of mothers who diet around the time of conception and in early pregnancy, may have an increased risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. This study provides exciting insights into how behavior can lead to epigenetic changes in offspring related to obesity and disease.

New discovery may lead to effective prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host dsease

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 07:54 AM PDT

A new discovery in mice may lead to new treatments that could make bone marrow transplants more likely to succeed and to be significantly less dangerous. Scientists may have found a way to prevent the immune system from attacking transplant grafts and damaging the host's own cells after a bone marrow transplant.

Oxygen in tumors predicts prostate cancer recurrence

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 07:54 AM PDT

Low oxygen levels in tumors can be used to predict cancer recurrence in men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer even before they receive radiation therapy.

Trials show promise of human virus to treat head and neck cancer patients

Posted: 01 Apr 2012 07:53 AM PDT

A naturally-occurring harmless human virus may be able to boost the effects of two standard chemotherapy drugs in some cancer patients, according to early stage trial data. Cancers shrank for about one third of the patients who could be evaluated, and disease stabilized for a further third. For one patient, all signs of their cancer disappeared.

Commonly used diabetes drug may help to prevent primary liver cancer, study suggests

Posted: 31 Mar 2012 12:19 PM PDT

Metformin, a drug widely used to treat Type 2 diabetes, may help to prevent primary liver cancer, researchers report. The medication, which is derived from the French lilac, is being studied in connection with the prevention of a variety of cancers. This preclinical study is the first to focus on liver cancer.

Metformin may lower risk for oral cancer development

Posted: 31 Mar 2012 12:11 PM PDT

New findings suggest that metformin may protect against oral cancer.

Metformin may protect against liver cancer

Posted: 31 Mar 2012 12:11 PM PDT

Metformin, a widely used, well-tolerated drug prescribed for patients with diabetes, may protect against liver cancer, according to a new study.

Oral vitamin D supplements reduced levels of Ki67 in prostate cancer cells

Posted: 31 Mar 2012 12:11 PM PDT

Higher oral doses of plain vitamin D raised levels of calcitriol in prostate tissue. Higher prostate levels of calcitriol, a hormone made from vitamin D, corresponded with lower levels of the proliferation marker Ki67 and increased levels of cancer growth-inhibitory microRNAs in prostate cancer cells, according to new data.

Metformin appeared to slow prostate cancer growth

Posted: 31 Mar 2012 12:11 PM PDT

The use of metformin in men with prostate cancer before prostatectomy helped to reduce certain metabolic parameters and slow the growth rate of the cancer, according to new research.

Surprising concussion myths and facts

Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:02 PM PDT

Hard facts about hard hits: An expert weighs in on what athletes and parents need to know about concussions.

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