Eye :: Fish eyes could hold clue to repairing damaged retinas in humans
A special type of cell found in the eye has been found to be very important in regenerating the retina in zebrafish and restoring vision even after extensive damage.
Hospital
Gene :: Under magnetic force, nanoparticles may deliver gene therapy
After binding DNA segments to tiny iron-containing spheres called nanoparticles, researchers have used magnetic fields to direct the nanoparticles into arterial muscle cells, where the DNA could have a therapeutic effect. Although the research, done in cell cultures, is in early stages, it may represent a new method for delivering gene therapy to benefit blood vessels damaged by arterial disease.
Pregnancy :: Lower Cesarean rates associated with preventive labor induction
At a time when national rates of cesarean delivery have climbed above 30%, a four-year study of patients receiving an alternative method of obstetric care experienced a significantly lower rate of cesarean births, according to a study published in the current issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Infant :: Disparities in infant mortality not related to race
The cause of low birth weights among African-American women has more to do with racism than with race, according to a report by an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Ultrasound :: Mayo Clinic finds focused ultrasound treatment of uterine fibroids long term symptom relief
A noninvasive, outpatient treatment for noncancerous uterine tumors provides sustained relief from symptoms, according to a new Mayo Clinic led collaborative study.
Schizophrenia :: Hallucinations in schizophrenia linked to brain area that processes voices
For the first time, researchers using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have found both structural and functional abnormalities in specific brain regions of schizophrenic patients who experience chronic auditory hallucinations, according to a study published in the August issue of Radiology.
Medicare :: CMA unveils Plan to Modernize Medicare in Canada
Dr. Colin McMillan, President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), unveiled a new vision for an expanded and modernized Medicare to serve patients.
Healthcare :: Religious doctors no more likely to care for underserved patients
Although most religious traditions call on the faithful to serve the poor, a large cross-sectional survey of US physicians found that physicians who are more religious are slightly less likely to practice medicine among the underserved than physicians with no religious affiliation.
Brain :: Interactive 3-D map can better guide surgeons through brain during procedure
Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience is one of first medical centers in the U.S. to develop and begin using translational, interactive 3-D technology to map the human brain and help guide neurological surgeons during epilepsy surgery and procedures to remove malignant brain tumors.
Obesity :: Bariatric surgery patients have fewer complications at high-volume hospitals
Bariatric surgery patients had 64 percent fewer complications and a 26 percent shorter hospital stay if they went to a five-star rated hospital compared with a one-star rated hospital, according to a new study released today by HealthGrades, the healthcare ratings company.