Asthma :: Perceived control improves asthma health status
Patients with asthma who believe they have control of their condition are likely to report improved asthma-related health status and have a decreased risk of severe asthma attacks.
University
HIV :: HIV infection linked to chronic lung disease
New research shows that patients who are HIV positive may be at an increased risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Stem Cell :: Stem cells show promise in repairing heart attack damage
Johns Hopkins scientists have successfully grown large numbers of stem cells taken from adult pigs’ healthy heart tissue and used the cells to repair some of the tissue damage done to those organs by lab-induced heart attacks. Pigs’ hearts closely resemble those in humans, making them a useful model in such research.
Depression :: Depression, not antidepressants, increases heart failure risk
People who are depressed have an increased risk of dying from heart failure, and a new study by Duke University Medical Center researchers may help explain why.
High-Tech Spectroscopy May be Used to Monitor Neuropsychiatric Symptoms
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may provide a noninvasive way to monitor neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with lupus, according to results from research in mice at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Childhood Acid Reflux Disease Poses Challenges for Many Families, National Survey Reveals
Almost everyone suffers from occasional heartburn, even kids. However, if symptoms are persistent and occur two or more days a week, it could signify a condition known as acid reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, which affects roughly two to eight percent of children in the United States. A recent online survey conducted by StrategyOne found that GERD can have a significant impact on kids? lifestyles, and nearly four in ten (38%) parents wished they had more resources about GERD in children.
Allergists Explore Rising Prevalence and Unmet Needs Attributed to Allergic Rhinitis
As the prevalence of allergic rhinitis appears to be rising, there are increasing concerns about its impact on health, sleep, work and school performance, as well as unmet patient needs regarding its treatment according to experts presenting new data at the Annual Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
Testing Strengthens Recall Whether Something’s on the Test Or Not
Remember those kids who wanted to study only what was on the test? They may have cheated themselves. New research reveals that the simple act of taking a test helps you remember everything you learned, even if it isn?t tested. In three experiments, psychologists at Washington University in St. Louis determined that testing enhanced long-term recall for material that was not tested initially. Untested students recalled significantly less of what they?d studied ? even after having extra time to go over the material.
Fast Test for Low Blood Flow in Dogs Detects Early Heart Trouble
Working with dogs and using the latest in imaging software and machinery, also known as a 64-slice CT scanner, Johns Hopkins heart specialists have developed a fast and accurate means of tracking blood that has been slowed down by narrowing of the coronary arteries. Researchers say it took them less than half the time of exercise stress tests and echocardiograms currently used to find early warning of vessels more likely to become blocked and cause heart attack.
Genes Offer Researchers a ‘Crystal Ball’ to Help Them Prevent, Diagnose, and Treat Cancer
The science of cancer prevention has advanced to the point where researchers now say they can detect ?cancer genes? in the breath of smokers, and can test the presence of two proteins in men they say will predict development of prostate cancer a decade in advance. All of these novel findings need much more examination, of course, but scientists at the American Association for Cancer Research?s Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research meeting, say these examples illustrate how it is becoming increasingly possible to use genes and their protein products to help predict and diagnose cancer, as well as choose therapy that offers the most potential for a good result. These researchers will also discuss a test that can pick out patients who have pancreatic cancer – an advance that offers hope the disease can be treated at earlier stages than it is now – and how several unique genes can predict which prostate cancer or lung cancer patients will develop aggressive tumors that need additional treatment. Cancer is a disease of genes, they say, so genes can be employed as a crystal ball to thwart the disease.