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News | Archive (February 2009)
Alzheimer's-associated plaques may have impact throughout the brain
— 27 Feb 2009 | HealthThe impact of the amyloid plaques that appear in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease may extend beyond the deposits' effects on neurones - the cells that transmit electrochemical signals throughout the nervous system. In an article in the 27 February issue of Science, researchers from the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MGH-MIND) report that amyloid plaques may also increase the activity of astrocytes, star-shaped nervous system cells traditionally considered to provide a supporting role in normal brain function. They also show that amyloid-induced astrocyte hyperactivity extends throughout the brain rather than being confined to regions directly adjacent to plaques…
New tool guides doctors to save cancer patients' fertility
— 27 Feb 2009 | HealthThe powerful chemotherapy and radiation used to save cancer patients' lives can also destroy their fertility. Research in a new field called oncofertility has advanced the ability of doctors to preserve the reproductive health of women, men and children who are diagnosed with cancer. Yet, many oncologists aren't familiar with these new strategies to help their patients…
Team-based diabetes care fetches more value for dollar
— 27 Feb 2009 | HealthDiabetes patients undergoing team-based care do not save more in treatment costs under Medicare and Medicaid than other patients, but they are healthier, according to a recent study…
Muscling in on type 2 diabetes
— 27 Feb 2009 | HealthResearch by kinesiology investigator Dustin Hittel, PhD, has proven that muscle in extremely obese individuals produces large amounts of a protein called myostatin, which normally inhibits muscle growth - suggesting that for type 2 diabetics, and the very obese, the task of getting healthy may be more difficult than initially thought…
Statins lower stroke severity, improve recovery
— 27 Feb 2009 | HealthMayo Clinic researchers have shown that patients who were taking statins before a stroke experienced better outcomes and recovery than patients who weren't on the drug - even when their cholesterol levels were ideal. The finding is reported in the current issue of the Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases…
Daytime sleepiness provides red flag for cardiovascular disease
— 27 Feb 2009 | HealthClinicians should be alert to patients reporting 'excessive' day time sleepiness (EDS), says the European Society of Cardiology, after a French study found healthy elderly people who regularly report feeling sleepy during the day have a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease…
Clemson scientists launch rockets to test atmospheric conditions
— 27 Feb 2009 | TechnologyClemson University space physicists have travelled around the world to launch rockets to test atmospheric conditions. This shows the fourth launch of a rocket at Poker Flat Research Range. Centre: time exposure of first- and second-stage firetrail. Background: auroral arc in the north. Scientists most recently launched a salvo of four rockets over Alaska to study turbulence in the upper atmosphere. The launches took place at Poker Flat Research Range north of Fairbanks as part of a NASA sounding rocket campaign…
Is HIV testing during labour feasible?
— 27 Feb 2009 | HealthCameroon is a sub-Saharan African country with high HIV rates yet many pregnant women do not know their HIV status. Research published in the open access journal BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth has shown that HIV testing during labour is a suitable way of improving detection rates and may help mothers and their infants receive appropriate antiretroviral treatment…
Desert ants smell their way home
— 27 Feb 2009 | BiologyHumans lost in the desert are well known for going around in circles, prompting scientists to ask how desert creatures find their way around without landmarks for guidance. Now research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Frontiers in Zoology shows that Desert Ants input both local smells and visual cues into their navigation systems to guide them home…
Hungary burns carbon credibility propping up budget
— 27 Feb 2009 | EnvironmentHungary - a major seller of carbon credits - will weaken its credibility in the growing international carbon markets by using revenues to prop up its budget rather than green its energy production, WWF-Hungary has warned…
Advance towards early Alzheimer's diagnosis
The big black holes may feed just like the small ones