Alcohol :: Sequence variation in the alpha synuclein gene contributes to alcohol craving
The protein alpha synuclein (SNCA) plays an important role in the regulation of dopamine function. Craving is a common symptom in alcoholics.
Evidence
Heart Disease :: Long-term aspirin use reduces heart disease risk in women
Women who take low to moderate doses of aspirin have a reduced risk of death from any cause, and especially heart disease-related deaths, according to a report in the March 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Heart Failure :: Is there a role for serial outpatient drug infusions in advanced heart failure?
For patients with severe chronic heart failure, known as stage D or chronic decompensated heart failure (CDHF), hospitalization is frequent and treatment options are limited.
Renal Failure :: Sodium hydration therapies equally effective
In patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, contrast dye injection can sometimes cause contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), otherwise known as acute renal failure.
Bird Flu :: Poultry commercial activities aid dispersal of the H5N1 virus
A review to be published shortly in the British Ornithologists’ Union’s journal, Ibis, critically examines the arguments concerning the role of migratory birds in the global dispersal of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1.
Smoking :: New study shows benefits of quitting smoking
Giving up smoking can reduce the risk of dying from the disease by up to 70 percent, new research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology this week shows.
Dyscalculia :: The root of dyscalculia found in brain
Scientists led by UCL (University College London) have induced dyscalculia in subjects without the maths learning difficulty for the first time.
Weight Loss :: Low carb diet speeds initial weight loss
A recent study noted that overweight and obese people who went on a low carb diet lost more weight than their peers who went on a low-fat, portion-controlled diet.
Bird Flu :: Migratory birds are not to blame for bird flu
A review to be published shortly in the British Ornithologists’ Union’s journal, Ibis, critically examines the arguments concerning the role of migratory birds in the global dispersal of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1.
C Difficile :: Reminding doctors which antibiotics to prescribe cuts C. difficile infection rates
A study published today in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy provides the best available evidence that cases of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) — one of the most common and increasing types of hospital-acquired infection — can be reduced in hospital wards if doctors prescribe narrow-spectrum antibiotics rather than broad-spectrum agents.