New test can detect both genetic and chromosomal abnormalities in embryos

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: One-step screening for both genetic and chromosomal abnormalities has come a stage closer as scientists announced that an embryo test they have been developing has successfully screened cells taken from spare embryos that were known to have cystic fibrosis.

Read more

Rotator cuff treatment provides immediate tendonitis relief

A minimally invasive procedure to treat tendonitis in the rotator cuff of the shoulder provides immediate symptom relief to the patient, according to a study published in the July issue of Radiology. The study found that ultrasound-guided nonsurgical therapy significantly reduces pain from calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff and restores lasting mobility after treatment.

Read more

Study could help target new pancreatitis treatments

Pancreatitis is often a fatal condition, in which the pancreas digests itself and surrounding tissue. Scientists have previously found that alcohol can trigger the condition by combining with fatty acids in the pancreas, which leads to an excessive release of stored calcium ions. Once calcium ions enter cell fluid in the pancreas it activates digestive enzymes and damages the cells.

Read more

Debate on admin. of magnesium sulfate to pregnant women to prevent cerebral palsy in pre-term infants

June issue of American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology explores topic

New York, New York, June 29, 2009 – Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent chronic childhood motor disability with an estimated lifetime cost of nearly $1 million per individual. There is evidence that magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) can reduce the incidence of CP for very early preterm infants. Many thousands of pregnant women and their fetuses are exposed to MgSO4 every year in the United States for a variety of indications, and most obstetricians are comfortable with its use. Yet, there is still some controversy over whether magnesium sulfate is truly protective against CP. In three articles published in the June 2009 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the authors shed some light on the debate.

Read more

Nanotechnology combats fatal brain infections

Minute Antibacterial Particles Destroy Drug-Resistant Germs

Doctors may get a new arsenal for meningitis treatment and the war on drug-resistant bacteria and fungal infections with novel peptide nanoparticles developed by scientists at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) of Singapore and reported in Nature Nanotechnology.

Read more

New trigger for chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis discovered

A signal molecule made by the human body that triggers the immune system into action may be important in rheumatoid arthritis, according to new research published today in Nature Medicine. The authors of the study, from Imperial College London, say that if scientists could block this signal, it may be possible to develop more effective arthritis treatments.

Read more

BSI-Toyota Announces Real-time control of wheelchairs with brain waves

In a press conference in Tokyo today, The BSI-TOYOTA Collaboration Center announced their success in developing a system which utilizes one of the fastest technologies in the world, controlling a wheelchair using brain waves in as little as 125 milliseconds (one millisecond, or ms, is equal to 1/1000 seconds).

Read more

Enzyme fights mutated protein in inherited Parkinson’s disease

An enzyme that naturally occurs in the brain helps destroy the mutated protein that is the most common cause of inherited Parkinson’s disease, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

Read more

Inhaled growth hormone safe for children deficient in this key protein

A multi-center clinical trial led by a Riley Hospital for Children endocrinologist has found that inhaled growth hormone (GH) is well tolerated by children with GH deficiency and that this easy-to-use method can, over a one-week period, safely deliver GH to the blood stream. In addition to having implications for those who need GH, this first pediatric study of administering it through the lungs may also help researchers interested in using this convenient method for effectively delivering other types of medications to children.

Read more

New way to fix leaking mitral heart valves safe in initial testing

Study highlights:

• A novel method to seal leaking heart valves was proven safe in its first use in heart failure patients.
• If effective in larger trials, the PTMA® system could significantly reduce the life-threatening risks associated with surgical repair of the mitral valve.

Read more

Next Page »