Public
Release: 1-Jan-2007
Neurology Drug improves tremors, involuntary
movements in Parkinson patients A drug used to treat
epilepsy has been found to significantly improve
tremors, motor fluctuations and other involuntary movements, or
dyskinesias, in patients with Parkinson disease, according to a study
published in the Jan. 2, 2007, issue of Neurology, the scientific
journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Contact: Angela Babb ababb@aan.com
651-695-2789 American Academy of
Neurology Public Release: 1-Jan-2007
Neuropsychology High-normal uric acid linked with mild
cognitive impairment in the elderly Researchers at the Johns
Hopkins and Yale university medical schools
have found that a simple blood test to measure uric acid, a measure of
kidney function, might reveal a risk factor for cognitive problems in
old age. Of 96 community-dwelling adults aged 60 to 92 years, those
with uric-acid levels at the high end of the normal range had the
lowest scores on tests of mental processing speed, verbal memory and
working memory.
Contact: Pam Willenz public.affairs@apa.org
202-336-5700 American Psychological
Association Public Release:
1-Jan-2007
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Imaging pinpoints brain regions that
'see the future' Using brain imaging,
researchers from Washington University in St.
Louis have identified several brain regions that are involved in the
uniquely human ability to envision future events. The study, to be
published in the journal PNAS, provides evidence that memory and future
thought are highly interrelated and helps explain why future thought
may be impossible without memories. Findings suggest that envisioning
the future may be a critical prerequisite for many higher-level
planning processes.
Contact: Karl Szpunar kkszpuna@artsci.wustl.edu
314-255-2114 Washington University in
St. Louis Really? The
Claim: You
Can Predict the Sex of a Baby by the Way the Mother Is Carrying By
ANAHAD O'CONNOR Personal
Health To Protect Against Drug Errors,
Ask Questions By
JANE E. BRODY Medication errors are
among the most common medical mistakes, njuring or killing at least 1.5
million people a year. In
Atlanta, Medical Sleuths of Last Resort
By DAN
HURLEY A program at the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention tries to identify killer pathogens,
when all else has failed. Findings Pets Are No Panacea, at Least for
Finns By
KENNETH CHANG Researchers have found
that in Finland, pet owners looked, if anything, sicker than pet-free
people.
A
pact made in a London pub could lead to a cheap version of a drug that
cures hepatitis C becoming available to millions of the world's poorest
people
12:36 02 January 2007
Public Release: 2-Jan-2007
JAMA Medication does not appear to offer
benefit for certain heart attack patients undergoing PCI
Use of the drug pexelizumab immediately before and for 24 hours after
stent placement or angioplasty for certain heart attack patients did
not have any significant treatment effect compared to placebo,
according to a study in the Jan. 3 issue of JAMA. The medication had
shown promise in preliminary studies.
Contact: Paul W. Armstrong paul.armstrong@ualberta.ca
780-492-0591 JAMA
and Archives Journals Public Release: 2-Jan-2007
Molecular Cell Synthetic peptide targets latent
papilloma virus infections
Infection with the human papilloma virus, the major cause of cervical
cancer, is forever. The virus remains latent in skin cells, ready to
flare up at any time to create warts on the skin or the genitals. A new
finding by UC Berkeley's Michael Botchan and colleagues offers hope
that a drug can halt spread of the virus into new cells, and perhaps
even eliminate the virus from the body.
National Institutes of Health
Contact: Robert Sanders rsanders@berkeley.edu
510-643-6998 University
of California - Berkeley Public Release: 2-Jan-2007
International Conference on Remote Sensing in
Archaeology CU-Boulder
tracks movements of ancient Central Americans using satellites,
video-game technology
Satellite imagery meshed with video-game technology is allowing
University of Colorado at Boulder and NASA researchers to virtually
"fly" along footpaths used by Central Americans 2,000 years ago on
spiritual pilgrimages to ancestral cemeteries.
National Science Foundation, NASA
Contact: Payson Sheets payson.sheets@colorado.edu
303-492-7302 University
of Colorado at Boulder Public
Release: 2-Jan-2007
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Two studies: Speeding development of
novel tracer for prostate cancer
The collaborative work being performed by professionals across medical
disciplines in the promising area of molecular imaging -- from research
scientists to nuclear medicine physicians, urologists, radiochemists
and even veterinarians -- provides encouraging news in fighting
prostate cancer. This type of progressive -- or translational --
research can be seen in two papers published in the January issue of
the Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
Contact: Maryann Verrillo mverrillo@snm.org
703-652-6773 Society
of Nuclear Medicine Public Release: 2-Jan-2007
Journal of Neuroscience Bisexual fruit flies show new role for
neurochemical
Fruit flies' ability to
discern one sex from another may depend on the number of receptors on
the surface of nerve cells, and the number of receptors is controlled
by levels of a ubiquitous brain chemical, University of Illinois at
Chicago researchers have found.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Contact: Paul Francuch francuch@uic.edu
312-996-3457 University
of Illinois at Chicago Public Release: 3-Jan-2007 Bulimia may result from hormonal
imbalance
Bulimia is normally regarded as a mental illness that should be treated
with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). A newly published doctoral
thesis from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, however, shows that the
condition depends in certain cases on a hormonal imbalance that can be
corrected with common oral contraceptives.
Contact: Katarina Sternudd katarina.sternudd@ki.se
46-852-483-895 Karolinska
Institutet Public Release: 3-Jan-2007
Neurobiology of Aging Cold sore virus might play role in
Alzheimer's disease
A gene known to be a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease puts out
the welcome mat for the virus that causes cold sores, allowing the
virus to be more active in the brain compared to other forms of the
gene. The findings add some scientific heft to the idea, long suspected
by some scientists, that herpes somehow plays a role in bringing about
Alzheimer's disease.
Contact: Tom Rickey tom_rickey@urmc.rochester.edu
585-275-7954 University
of Rochester Medical Center Public Release: 3-Jan-2007
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual
Science Interferon-treated
hepatitis C patients likely to experience retinopathy
Persons with chronic hepatitis C being treated with Interferon (IFN)
are at risk of developing retinopathy as early as two weeks into
treatment according to the results of a new study published in the
January 2007 issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual
Science
(IOVS).
Contact: Elinore Tibbetts etibbetts@arvo.org
240-221-2923 Association
for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Public Release: 3-Jan-2007
Journal of the National Cancer Institute Men
with no sons more at risk for prostate cancer, according to Mailman
School of PH Study
In a new study to determine if genes on the Y chromosome are involved
in prostate cancer, researchers at the Mailman School of Public Health
in conjunction with Hebrew University found that men who had only
daughters had a higher risk of prostate cancer than men who had at
least one son. The results further indicate that the relative risk of
prostate cancer decreases as the number of sons increases.
National Institutes of Health
Contact: Stephanie Berger sb2247@columbia.edu
212-305-4372 Columbia
University's Mailman School of Public Health Public Release: 3-Jan-2007
Glia Uric acid and spinal cord injury
treatment
Uric acid is commonly associated with the excruciatingly painful joint
disease known as gout, but it can also play a crucial role in the
treatment of spinal cord injury and other central nervous system
disorders, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
New Jersey Commission on Spinal Cord Research
Contact: Joseph Blumberg blumberg@ur.rutgers.edu
732-932-7084 x652 Rutgers,
the State University of New Jersey Below Haze, Saturn’s
Biggest Moon Has Lakes By
JOHN NOBLE WILFORD The lakes of liquid
methane are more
intriguing evidence of the active phenomena at play on the only moon in
the solar system with a dense atmosphere. Gene test predicts lung cancer
relapse
By
analysing just five of a patient’s genes, doctors can now
predict
whether the cancer will recur within a few years following surgery
22:00 03 January 2007
Public
Release: 3-Jan-2007
Proceedings
of the National Academy of Sciences Bottleneck in blood supply makes brain
vulnerable to strokes
A team of University of California, San Diego physicists and
neuroscientists has discovered a bottleneck in the network of blood
vessels in the brain that makes it vulnerable to strokes. The finding
may explain the origin of the puzzling damage to the brain's gray
matter often detected in brain scans, especially among the elderly.
National Institutes of Health, National
Science Foundation
Contact: Sherry Seethaler sseethaler@ucsd.edu
858-534-4656 University
of California - San Diego Public Release: 4-Jan-2007
British Medical Journal Should
smokers be refused surgery?
Last year a primary care trust announced it would take smokers off
waiting lists for surgery in an attempt to contain costs. In this
week's BMJ, two experts go head to head over whether smokers should be
refused surgery.
Contact: Catherine Binnie cbinnie@bma.org.uk
44-020-738-36174 BMJ-British
Medical Journal Public Release: 4-Jan-2007
Journal of the American Board of Family
Medicine Feeling tired? You may be less likely
to get hurt, MU researcher says
Sleepiness and sleep deprivation have long been associated with an
increased risk of injury. However, the results of a recent study by a
University of Missouri-Columbia researcher suggest that this commonly
accepted theory might not be true.
NIH/National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism, American
Academy of Family Physicians, Opal Lewis Fund for alcohol research
Contact: Christian Basi BasiC@missouri.edu
573-882-4430 University
of Missouri-Columbia Public Release: 4-Jan-2007
Journal of Infectious Diseases Anthrax attack posed greater potential
threat than thought
A new study shows that more people were at risk of anthrax infection in
the Oct. 2001 attack on US Senator Tom Daschle's office than previously
known. The research is published in the January 15 issue of the Journal
of Infectious Diseases, now available online. On the other hand, the
study shows, prompt intervention with antibiotics and vaccination
appeared to be highly effective against the disease.
Contact: Steve Baragona sbaragona@idsociety.org
703-299-0412 Infectious
Diseases Society of America Public Release: 4-Jan-2007
Proceedings of the ASME Cancer-killing invention also harvests
stem cells
Prof Michael King of the University of Rochester has invented a device
that filters the blood for cancer and stem cells. When he captures
cancer cells, he kills them. When he captures stem cells, he harvests
them for later use in tissue engineering, bone marrow transplants, and
other health applications. This is a non-controversial way of obtaining
stem cells that can be differentiated into other, useful cells.
Contact: Dr. Michael King mike_king@urmc.rochester.edu
585-275-3285 School of
Engineering and Applied Sciences University of Rochester Public Release: 5-Jan-2007
Mammalian Biology New sucker-footed bat discovered in
Madagascar
Scientists have discovered a new species of bat that has large flat
adhesive organs, or suckers, attached to its thumbs and hind feet. This
is a remarkable find because the new bat belongs to a Family of bats
endemic to Madagascar -- and one that was previously considered to
include only one rare species.
Contact: Greg Borzo gborzo@fieldmuseum.org
312-665-7106 Field
Museum
The
US and Australian militaries are developing technologies to launch
ultrafast missiles at targets around the world – the first
flight tests
are set to begin later this year
Forty
percent of children in the developing world fail to reach their
cognitive potential due to malnutrition and lack of intellectual
stimulation
00:01 05 January 2007
Don't pair up with matching genes They
say opposites attract – and a couple’s differences
may
truly be key to lasting happiness, a new genetic study suggests
11:30
05 January 2007
Controversial
Surgery Stunts Girl's Growth By
Lindsey Tanner Associated Press
posted: 05 January 2007 In
a case fraught with ethical questions, the parents of a severely
mentally and physically disabled child have stunted her growth to keep
their little "pillow angel'' a manageable and more portable size.
Public
Release: 5-Jan-2007 Proposed FDA claim recognizes role of
key nutrients in dairy in reducing osteoporosis risk
The Food and Drug Administration has proposed an amended health claim
that would communicate to consumers the value of foods high in calcium
and vitamin D for reducing the risk of osteoporosis. The National Dairy
Council (NDC) acknowledges and supports the body of scientific evidence
that backs the proposed claim, which indicates that a lifestyle that
includes a well-balanced diet with adequate calcium and vitamin D, and
physical activity, helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Contact: NDC Media Hotline ndc@dairyinfo.com
312-240-2880 National
Dairy Council
Ancient
Roman Road Found in Netherlands By
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AMSTERDAM, Netherlands
(AP) --
Archaeologists in the Netherlands have uncovered what they believe is
part of the military road Roman soldiers patrolled nearly 2,000 years
ago while guarding against hostile Germanic tribes at the Roman
Empire's northern boundary.
Japan opens royal tombs for
research Japan
is allowing researchers to study 11 royal tombs, the graves of ancient
emperors, sealed centuries ago, in a move that may shed light on the
myth-shrouded origins of Japan's imperial family
Could
the humble chickpea have changed the course of history? The
Mesopotamian civilisation may have risen with bellies full of them
News
06 January 2007
Public
Release: 7-Jan-2007
Nature Biotechnology Scientists discover new, readily
available source of stem cells
Scientists have discovered a new source of stems cells and have used
them to create muscle, bone, fat, blood vessel, nerve and liver cells
in the laboratory. The first report showing the isolation of broad
potential stem cells from the amniotic fluid that surrounds developing
embryos was published today in Nature Biotechnology.
Contact: Karen Richardson krchrdsn@wfubmc.edu
336-716-4453 Wake
Forest University Baptist Medical Center Public Release: 7-Jan-2007
American Astronomical Society Meeting Astronomers discover an enormous halo
of red giant stars around Andromeda
Astronomers have found an enormous halo of stars bound to the Andromeda
galaxy and extending far beyond the swirling disk seen in images of the
famous galaxy, our nearest large galactic neighbor. The discovery,
reported at the American Astronomical Society meeting in Seattle,
suggests that Andromeda is as much as five times larger than
astronomers had previously thought.
National Science Foundation, NASA
Contact: Tim Stephens stephens@ucsc.edu
831-459-4352 University
of California - Santa Cruz
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