Physician  hospital Online Certification & Courses

EurekAlert from AAAS
Home About us
Advanced Search
22-Nov-2009 18:34
Eastern US Time

Username:

Password:

Register

Forgot Password?

Press Releases

Breaking News

Science Business

Grants, Awards, Books

Meetings

Multimedia Gallery

Science Agencies
on EurekAlert!

US Department of Energy

US National Institutes of Health

US National Science Foundation

Calendar

Submit a Calendar Item

Subscribe/Sponsor

Links & Resources

Portals

RSS Feeds

Accessibility Option On

News By Subject
Search this subject
Medicine/Health
Key: Meeting Journal Funder Dissertation
Public Release: 22-Nov-2009
Nature Medicine
New understanding about mechanism for cell death after stroke leads to possible therapy
Scientists at the Brain Research Centre, a partnership of the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, have uncovered new information about the mechanism by which brain cells die following a stroke, as well as a possible way to mitigate that damage. The results of the study were recently published online in Nature Medicine.

Contact: Melissa Ashman
mashman@brain.ubc.ca
604-827-3396
University of British Columbia

Public Release: 22-Nov-2009
Nature Medicine
New cancer target for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Physician-scientists from Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered a molecular mechanism that may prove to be a powerful target for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects lymphocytes, or white blood cells. By exploiting this mechanism, researchers have been able to powerfully suppress tumor formation in lab testing and in animal models.

Contact: Andrew Klein
ank2017@med.cornell.edu
212-821-0560
New York- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center/Weill Cornell Medical College

Public Release: 22-Nov-2009
Nature
Cancer metabolism discovery uncovers new role of IDH1 gene mutation in brain cancer
Agios Pharmaceuticals scientists have established, for the first time, that the mutated IDH1 gene has a novel enzyme activity consistent with a cancer-causing gene, or oncogene. The mutated form of IDH1 produces a metabolite, 2-hydroxyglutarate, which may contribute to the formation and malignant progression of gliomas, the most common type of brain cancers, through altered metabolic activity. This discovery appears to reverse the previously held belief that IDH1 was non functional for cancer-causing activity.
Agios Pharmaceuticals

Contact: Kathryn Morris
kathryn@kmorrispr.com
845-635-9828
Yates Public Relations

Public Release: 22-Nov-2009
Nature Genetics
Gene mismatch influences success of bone marrow transplants
A commonly inherited gene deletion can increase the likelihood of immune complications following bone marrow transplantation, an international team of researchers reports in the November 22 advance online issue of Nature Genetics. When the gene, called UGT2B17, is missing from the donor's genome but present in the recipient's, transplants have a significantly greater risk of a serious side-effect known as graft-versus-host disease, in which immune cells from the donor attack tissues in the recipient.
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Academy of Finland, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Life Sciences Research Foundation, S. Juselius Foundation, Center of Excellence

Contact: Nicole Davis
ndavis@broadinstitute.org
617-714-7152
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Public Release: 22-Nov-2009
Nature Medicine
Surface bacteria maintain skin's healthy balance
On the skin's surface, bacteria are abundant, diverse and constant, but inflammation is undesirable. Research at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine now shows that the normal bacteria living on the skin surface trigger a pathway that prevents excessive inflammation after injury.
National Institutes of Health, US Veterans Administration

Contact: Debra Kain
ddkain@ucsd.edu
619-543-6163
University of California - San Diego

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Conference
From toxic dust and algae to ill winds from Africa
Media tipsheet on USGS scientific presentations at SETAC conference, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
US Geological Survey

Contact: Kara Capelli
kcapelli@usgs.gov
703-648-5086
United States Geological Survey

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Occupational Medicine
Barn personnel experience higher-than-average rates of respiratory symptoms
The estimated 4.6 million Americans involved in the equine industry may be at risk of developing respiratory symptoms due to poor air quality in horse barns, according to a questionnaire study undertaken earlier this year by investigators at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
National Institutes of Health

Contact: Tom Keppeler
508-839-7910
Tufts University, Health Sciences

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Circulation Research
Carvedilol shown to have unique characteristics among beta blockers
In a new study, researchers report that a class of heart medications called beta-blockers can have a helpful, or harmful, effect on the heart, depending on their molecular activity.

Contact: William Gillespie
gillespi@illinois.edu
217-265-0722
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
International Journal of Radiation, Oncology, Biology, Physics
Rare pancreatic cancer patients may live longer when treated with radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is effective in achieving local control and palliation in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, despite such tumors being commonly considered resistant to radiation therapy, according to a largest of its kind study in the Nov. 15 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

Contact: Beth Bukata
bethb@astro.org
703-839-7332
American Society for Radiation Oncology

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Discovery of new type of immune cells regulating inflammation in chronic diseases
Scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen and the Center of Allergy and Environment of Technische Universitaet Muenchen have discovered a new type of immune cells -- the Th22 cells -- which can protect the body against inflammation and aid in tissue repair.

Contact: Sven Winkler
presse@helmholtz-muenchen.de
49-089-318-73946
Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Biological Psychiatry
Possible link studied between childhood abuse and early cellular aging
Researchers from Brown University and Butler Hospital have determined that children who suffer physical or emotional abuse may be faced with accelerated cellular aging as adults. The findings are published online in the journal Biological Psychiatry. A print version of the article is also expected.
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders

Contact: Mark Hollmer
Mark_Hollmer@brown.edu
401-863-1862
Brown University

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Electronic Health Information and Privacy Conference 2009
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Novel K-anonymity algorithm safeguards access to data
As electronic health records become more widely deployed, increasing amounts of health information are being collected. This data has many beneficial applications, such as research, public health, and health system planning. In a recent study, Dr. Khaled El Emam, the Canada Research Chair in Electronic Health Information at the CHEO Research Institute argues that there is a need for robust de-identification of patient data to avoid the negative impact that individual consent requirements have on studies using health record data for secondary purposes.
Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Contact: Isabelle Mailloux
imailloux@cheo.on.ca
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Researchers begin to decipher metabolism of sexual assault drug
It's a naturally occurring brain chemical with an unwieldy name: 4-hydroxybutyrate (4-HB). Taken by mouth, it can be abused or used as a date-rape drug.

Now, a team of Ohio and Michigan scientists have determined new routes by which 4-HB is metabolized by the body. "This is new and important information," said K. Michael Gibson, professor and chair of biological sciences at Michigan Technological University and a member of the research team.
National Institutes of Health, Cleveland Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation

Contact: Jennifer Donovan
jdonovan@mtu.edu
906-487-4521
Michigan Technological University

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ultrasound enhances noninvasive Down syndrome tests
The addition of a "genetic sonogram" maximizes the accuracy of noninvasive testing for Down syndrome, said a Baylor College of Medicine researcher who was lead author of a landmark study in the current issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Contact: Glenna Picton
picton@bcm.edu
713-798-4710
Baylor College of Medicine

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Funeral industry workers exposed to formaldehyde face higher risk of leukemia
Long durations of exposure to formaldehyde used for embalming in the funeral industry were associated with an increased risk of death from myeloid leukemia, according to a new study published online Nov. 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Contact: Steve Graff
jncimedia@oxfordjournals.org
301-841-1285
Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Reasonable alternative to invasive biopsy of palpable breast lesions with benign imaging features identified
Short-term follow-up is a reasonable alternative to invasive biopsy of palpable (capable of being touched or felt) breast lesions with benign imaging features, particularly in younger women with probable fibroadenoma (non-cancerous tumors that often occur in women during their reproductive years), according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Medical imaging technique identifies very common condition in women that often goes undiagnosed
In women with lower urinary tract symptoms, a medical imaging technique called dynamic MRI allows clinicians to diagnose pelvic organ prolapse -- a condition that often goes undiagnosed on static MRI and at physical examination, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Chest ultrasound as useful as chest CT in the eval of pediatric patients with complicated pneumonia
Chest ultrasound can serve as a viable alternative to chest CT in the evaluation of pediatric patients with complicated pneumonia and parapneumonic effusion (a build-up of fluid between the lung and chest wall), according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Simple blood test could reduce repeat breast MRI scans in premenopausal women with irregular periods
A simple blood test corresponding to the follicular phase (days 3-14) of a normal menstrual cycle can aid in optimal scheduling of breast MRI exams in premenopausal women with irregular cycles -- possibly reducing the number of repeat scans and non-diagnostic tests patients experience and providing clearer images on which doctors make their recommendations, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Radiology procedure may help increase long-term survival in patients with severe liver cancer
In patients with unresectable (unable to be removed by surgery) liver cancer, an interventional radiology procedure called triple-drug transcatheter arterial chemoemobolization followed by a liver transplant may significantly increase a patient's chance of long-term survival, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Parent training complements medication for treating behavioral problems in children with PDD
Treatment that includes medication plus a structured training program for parents reduces serious behavioral problems in children with autism and related conditions, according to a study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Contact: Colleen Labbe
NIMHPress@nih.gov
301-443-4536
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Promoting healthy skepticism in the news: Helping journalists get it right
An editorial published online November 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute discusses the exaggerated fears and hopes that often appear in news coverage of cancer research. The editorial provides guidance for both the media and journals to help alleviate the problem.

Contact: Steve Graff
jncimedia@oxfordjournals.org
301-841-1285
Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Medicine
Projections of savings from health IT are baseless, Harvard researchers say
The increased computerization in US hospitals hasn't made them cheaper or more efficient, Harvard researchers say, although it may have modestly improved the quality of care for heart attacks. The findings contradict claims by President Obama and many lawmakers that health information technology, including electronic medical records, will save billions and help make reform affordable. The study uses data from the most extensive survey ever undertaken of hospital computerization.

Contact: Mark Almberg
mark@pnhp.org
312-782-6006
Physicians for a National Health Program

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Applied Health Economics & Health Policy
Dispensing prescription drugs in 3-month supplies reduces drug costs by a third
Purchasing prescription drugs in a three-month supply rather than a one-month supply has long been regarded as a way to save money. New research from the University of Chicago quantifies the savings for the first time.

Contact: Greg Borzo
greg.borzo@uchospitals.edu
773-795-0892
University of Chicago Medical Center