Ozone shuts down early immune response in lungs and body
September 30, 2007
As policy makers debate what levels of ozone in the air are safe for humans to breathe, studies in mice are revealing that the inhaled pollutant impairs the body’s first line of defense, making it more susceptible to subsequent foreign invaders, such as bacteria. Read more
Treating obstructive sleep apnea, preventing heart attacks and strokes
September 30, 2007
Researchers in Brazil have found that treating patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) dramatically reduces early indications of atherosclerosis in just months, linking OSA directly to the hardening or narrowing of the arteries. Until now, no study has demonstrated such a direct relationship between the two. Read more
New discovery may improve treatment of one of the world’s leading causes of blindness
September 29, 2007
An inflammatory eye condition that is one of the world’s leading causes of blindness could be treated much more effectively and easily thanks to a new discovery here. Read more
Ultrasound plus mammography finds more cancers, but increases false positives
September 29, 2007
Adding ultrasound to mammography finds more cancers than mammography alone, but also substantially increases the number of false positives, according to first-year results from a three-year study of the two tests. Read more
Dysfunctional families and bad neighborhoods may worsen asthma in children and adolescents
September 29, 2007
A lack of family support and problems in one’s neighborhood are associated with greater asthma symptoms in children and adolescents, according to researchers in Vancouver, Canada. Read more
Painful condition affecting kidney failure patients increases risk of death
September 29, 2007
A painful and debilitating condition that affects patients with kidney failure may be more common than previously believed and appears to be strongly associated with prior exposure to certain contrast agents used in imaging studies. In addition, individuals with this syndrome “called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF)” appear to have a significantly increased risk of dying. The findings from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators appear in the October issue of the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism. Read more
Genomic profiling of lung tumors helps doctors choose most effective treatment
September 29, 2007
Determining the genetic profile of a particular lung tumor can help clinicians make the crucial decision about which chemotherapy treatment to try first. Read more
High blood pressure may be due to excess weight in half of overweight adults
September 29, 2007
As many as 50 percent of overweight men and women with high blood pressure may have hypertension as a result of being overweight, researchers reported today at the American Heart Association’s 61st Annual Fall Conference of the Council for High Blood Pressure Research. Read more
Occupational therapy is an effective way of improving the daily life of stroke patients
September 29, 2007
Occupational therapy can improve the lives of patients who have suffered a stroke and lessen their chances of deteriorating, according to a study published on bmj.com today. Read more
Vulnerable groups are not at higher risk of physician-assisted death
September 29, 2007
Claims that vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with physical or mental disabilities, are at an increased risk of physician assisted death are not supported by evidence, says an expert in this week’s BMJ. Read more