Cancer :: Gamma Knife Technology Now Available at Medical Center
The latest Gamma Knife? technology is now available at Cedars-Sinai with the opening of the Gamma Knife Center at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute.
Medical
HIV :: Effective HIV control may depend on viral protein targeted by immune cells
An effective response of the immune system’s “killer” T cells against infection with HIV may depend on exactly which viral protein is targeted, according to an international group of researchers. A new study finds that HIV-infected individuals in whom virus-specific CD8 T cells are targeted against the Gag protein have lower viral levels than do those with CD8 responses directed against other viral proteins.
HIV :: Quality not quantity important for immune response to HIV
When it comes to an immune response against HIV, research funded by the Wellcome Trust in the UK and the National Institutes of Health in the US has found that bigger is not necessarily better, contrary to conventional medical wisdom. The research may have a profound impact on the development of a vaccine against the disease.
Confidential study of deaths following healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) and linkage of surveillance and mortality data
The joint project by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) and Office for National Statistics (ONS) to further understanding of mortality following MRSA infection, has reported on the progress made in establishing robust methods for both the linkage and investigation of deaths in its first year [1]. The two year project commenced in August 2005 with funding from the Department of Health [2].
Local carbon monoxide poisonings highlight danger
At least 55 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning came to Harborview Medical Center alone following the recent windstorm, highlighting the severe danger from using combustion-based sources of indoor heat. Local health officials urged the public not to use unvented, combustion-based sources of heat or power indoors, such as gas and kerosene heaters, charcoal briquettes or generators.
CMS re-charters committee to advise on evaluating medical technologies
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced that the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee has been re-chartered through 2008, and as part of this re-charter, the agency has updated the Committee?s role in the Medicare national coverage process.
Breast Cancer :: Breast cancer drop linked to decline in HRT
In 2003, breast cancer incidence in the United States dropped sharply, and this decline may largely be due to the fact that millions of older women stopped using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in 2002, according to a new analysis led by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Smoking :: Half of smokers continue after surgery
Close to half the smokers who had surgery to remove early stage lung cancer picked up a cigarette again within 12 months of their potentially curative operation, a new study of lung cancer patients shows.
Obesity :: Rising levels of obesity bankrupt the NHS
The rising levels of obesity could bankrupt the NHS if left unchecked, a British Medical Journal report warns.
Breast Cancer :: Reduced dietary fat intake decreases breast cancer recurrence
Reducing dietary fat intake may decrease the chance of a breast cancer recurrence in women who have been treated for early-stage breast cancer, according to a randomized, phase III trial in the December 20 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.