Wheezing :: Infants wheeze less in homes with multiple dogs
Living in a home with multiple dogs may help reduce an infant’s risk for developing wheezing in the first year of life, according to new research from the University of Cincinnati (UC).
Evidence
Archaeology :: World’s oldest ritual discovered
A new archaeological find in Botswana by an archaeologist from the University from Oslo shows that our ancestors in Africa engaged in ritual practice 70,000 years ago — 30,000 years earlier than the oldest finds in Europe. This sensational discovery strengthens Africa’s position as the cradle of modern man.
Stent :: Drug coated stents – higher clot risk
There is as much as a four- to five-fold increased relative risk for late thrombosis, or blood clot formation, in patients with drug-eluting stents compared to those with bare-metal stents, according to a Cleveland Clinic-led meta-analysis appearing in the December issue of the American Journal of Medicine. This is the first published analysis of its kind.
Cell death following blood ‘reflow’ injury tracked to natural toxin
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered what they believe is the “smoking gun” responsible for most tissue and organ damage after a period of blood oxygen loss followed by a sudden restoration of blood oxygen flow.
Heart Attack :: Scientists work to identify genes that contribute to early heart attack risk
Scientists at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues at four other medical centers have launched a $10 million multi-year study to identify genes that may contribute to early atherosclerosis.
Cancer :: What cures your aches might prevent cancer
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center has begun three clinical studies looking at the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to prevent cancer — colon, esophageal or lung.
Exercise :: Low impact aerobic exercise reduces fatigue in auto-immune conditions
People with auto-immune conditions like MS, arthritis and lupus can benefit from low impact aerobic exercise — including walking and cycling — that increases in intensity, duration and frequency. A review of studies between 1987 and 2006 shows that 12-week programmes that involved exercising for 30 to 60 minutes, three times a week, yielded the most effective results.
Liver Cancer :: Pharmexa has started phase II trial in liver cancer with GV1001
The HeptoVax trial is a phase II trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of GV1001 in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (“HCC” or “liver cancer”). The trial will enrol patients from three centres in Spain, France and Germany.
Health Care :: Many patients don’t understand prescription medicine labels
Many people don’t fully understand the seemingly simple label instructions on their prescription medication, according to a Northwestern University study of low-income patients. Nearly half of the patients in the study misinterpreted at least one or more out of the five prescription labels they were shown. Patients with low literacy made the most mistakes, but even people with a high-school education and higher had problems. The reason is awkward wording, according to the researcher.
Rheumatoid Arthritis :: Impact of immunosuppressive medications on cardiovascular events in RA patients
Researchers at Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital compared the effects of a variety of immunosuppressive agents on cardiovascular events in a large sample of RA patients.