Pandemic flu strain could point way to universal vaccine
The search for a universal flu vaccine has received a boost from a surprising source: the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu strain.
Statin risks may outweigh benefits for patients with a history of brain hemorrhage
A computer decision model suggests that for patients with a history of bleeding within the brain, the risk of recurrence associated with statin treatment may outweigh the benefit of the drug in preventing cardiovascular disease, according to a report posted online today that will appear in the May print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Research identifies drug target for prion diseases, 'mad cow'
Scientists at the University of Kentucky have discovered that plasminogen, a protein used by the body to break up blood clots, speeds up the progress of prion diseases such as mad cow disease
Spanish heart risk study challenges image of healthy Mediterranean diet and lifestyle

A Spanish study has challenged the long-held belief that people in the Mediterranean all enjoy more healthy diets and lifestyles, after discovering alarmingly high cardiovascular risk factors similar to those found in the UK and USA.

Direct observation of carbon monoxide binding to metal-porphyrines.
New insights from the nano world
Power Balance Maker Admits Bands Are Worthless
The Australian manufacturer of Power Balance, the wildly popular rubbery bracelets embedded with holograms claimed to somehow adjust the body’s energy or vibrations, has admitted that there is no proof their product works.
Lithium-ion ultracapacitor could recharge power tools in minutes
With a hybrid energy-storage device that combines a lithium-ion battery with an ultracapacitor, power tools could be recharged in about one minute and have a lifetime of more than 20,000 charges.
Couch potatoes beware: Too much time spent watching TV is harmful to heart health
Spending too much leisure time in front of a TV or computer screen appears to dramatically increase the risk for heart disease and premature death from any cause, perhaps regardless of how much exercise one gets, according to a new study published in the January 18, 2011, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Study finds more breaks from sitting are good for waistlines and hearts
Stand up, move more, more often
Swine flu offers 'extraordinary super immunity'
H1N1 virus Swine flu infection boosted immunity to surprising degrees
Zoster vaccine associated with lower risk of shingles in older adults
Vaccination for herpes zoster, a painful rash commonly known as shingles, among a large group of older adults was associated with a reduced risk of this condition, regardless of age, race or the presence of chronic diseases, according to a study in the January 12 issue of JAMA.
Common painkillers linked to increased risk of heart problems
The drugs include traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) as well as new generation anti-inflammatory drugs, known as COX-2 inhibitors.
Have a Food Allergy? It’s Time to Recheck
Food allergies have generated a great deal of anxiety in recent years, with some schools going so far as to ban popular staples ― especially peanut butter ― after appeals from worried parents.
Hot booze turns material into a superconductor
A Japanese scientist who "likes alcohol very much" has discovered that soaking samples of material in hot party drinks for 24 hours turns them into superconductors at ambient temperature.
Would a placebo work for you?
Could you be tricked into believing a sugar pill will ease your pain? A brain scan could reveal whether you would respond to a placebo or not.
Call for full access to Tamiflu trial data to allow for independent scrutiny
Leading researchers today call for access to all clinical trial data (published and unpublished) to allow drugs to be independently assessed by the scientific community.
Foxes zero in on prey via Earth's magnetic field
It sounds like something a guided missile would do. Foxes seem to zero in on prey using Earth's magnetic field. They are the first animal thought to use the field to judge distance rather than just direction.
Why coffee protects against diabetes
Researchers discover molecular mechanism behind drink's prophylactic effect
Scientific evidence supports effectiveness of Chinese drug for cataracts
Scientists are reporting a scientific basis for the long-standing belief that a widely used non-prescription drug in China and certain other countries can prevent and treat cataracts, a clouding of the lens of the eye that is a leading cause of vision loss worldwide.
Popular sleep medicine puts older adults at risk for falls, cognitive impairment
Adults who take one of the world's most commonly prescribed sleep medications are significantly more at risk for nighttime falls and potential injury, according to a new study by the University of Colorado at Boulder.
BSE pathogens can be transmitted by air
Airborne prions are also infectious and can induce mad cow disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disorder.
Is 'breast only' for first 6 months best?
Analysis: 6 months of exclusive breast feeding: How good is the evidence?
GM chickens that don't transmit bird flu developed
Breakthrough could prevent future bird flu epidemics
Measles virus plays role in Paget's disease of bone, Pitt-led team says
A gene from the measles virus plays a key role in the development of Paget's disease of bone, according to a team of researchers led by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Light touch transforms material into a superconductor
A non-superconducting material has been transformed into a superconductor using light, Oxford University researchers report.
When good cholesterol is even better
HDL's efficiency, not just quantity, appears important for heart health
Megastorm: California's Other "Big One"
California is in the path of a winter rainfall phenomenon that one of these days could swamp the Golden State from the northern redwoods to the southern beaches, a trillion-dollar storm, a deluge more ruinous than a major earthquake, the U.S Geological Survey warned this week.
Dark-Matter Galaxy Detected: Hidden Dwarf Lurks Nearby?
Signs point to an invisible "Galaxy X" just outside our own.
Herbal remedies face licence rule
Hundreds of traditional and imported remedies on the shelves of health food shops and herbalists are set to be banned under new licensing rules.
Scientists aim to bring mammoth back to life
Mammoths, which went extinct about 10,000 years ago, may once again walk the Earth.
Big breakfast bunkum
Does eating a big breakfast help weight loss or is it better to skip breakfast altogether?