Copyright 2008 Medical News Today Latest Endocrinology News From Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/sections/endocrinology/ admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107175.php The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine has received a competitive grant totaling nearly $6 million from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Child Health & Human Development to examine polycystic ovary syndrome, a disorder of the endocrine system that affects as many as 5 million women.Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, causes hormonal imbalances leading to irregular menstrual cycles, excess facial and body hair, weight gain and adult acne. Mon, 12 May 2008 15:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/107075.php Cells on their way to forming bone also produce an estrogen-like substance that mimics the naturally occurring female sex hormone estradiol, investigators at the Yale School of Medicine reported Monday in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Researchers hope such a molecule might provide some of the benefits but, hopefully, not the health risk of traditional hormonal therapies for menopause and bone loss. Sun, 11 May 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106764.php June 15-18, San Francisco, Calif., Moscone CenterBreaking news on sexual performance, diabetes, combating obesity, steroid abuse and growth hormone doping will be presented in a series of news briefings at ENDO 08, the 90th annual meeting of The Endocrine Society.Sunday, June 15Sexy Sex Findings (8:30 a.m. PDT): Breaking news on sexual performance for men and women. Sat, 10 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106855.php UroToday.com - The prevalence of hypospadias varies widely among different countries and populations, ranging from 0.37-41 per infants1 and the prevalence in Hokkaido, Japan is 3.9 per 10,000 infants2. The etiology of hypospadias is still unclear, but it is regarded as a complex disorder with both genetic and environmental contributions. Fri, 09 May 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106929.php A tiny modification called methylation on estrogen receptors prolongs the life of these growth-driving molecules in breast cancer cells, according to research by scientists at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute.The results are published in the May 9, 2008 issue of the journal Molecular Cell.Most breast cancers contain estrogen receptors, which enable them to grow in the presence of the hormone estrogen. Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106691.php Medical College of Wisconsin researchers in Milwaukee have shown for the first time that thrombopoietin (TPO), a naturally occurring protein being developed as a pharmaceutical to increase platelet count in cancer patients during chemotherapy, can also protect the heart against injury during a heart attack.The study, led by John E. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106670.php Genzyme Corp. (Nasdaq: GENZ) reported that a preliminary analysis of data from an ongoing open-label Phase 2 clinical trial of its investigational oral therapy Genz-112638 showed that the compound produced a meaningful impact on key clinical manifestations of Gaucher disease. The results highlight the potential of this compound to become an innovative treatment option for Gaucher disease. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106561.php It's wrong to assume that fatigue or memory loss is an inevitable sign of aging. They also are common symptoms of an underactive thyroid -- a condition that generally responds to treatment, according to the May issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.The thyroid gland, in the neck just below the Adam's apple, plays a significant role in overall health. Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106560.php When shaking someone's hand becomes a self-conscious ordeal because of excessive sweating, talk to a care provider. The May issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter outlines treatment options to help minimize excessive sweating.Called focal hyperhidrosis, this condition most commonly involves excessive daytime sweating of the palms, soles and underarms. It can make typical work and social activities hard to endure. Wed, 07 May 2008 03:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106571.php A gut hormone that causes people to eat more does so by making food appear more desirable, suggests a new report in the May issue of Cell Metabolism, a publication of Cell Press. In a brain imaging study of individuals, the researchers found that reward centers respond more strongly to pictures of food in subjects who had received an infusion of the hormone known as ghrelin. Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106346.php Medical specialists from around the country will gather this week to discuss the latest research in obstetrics and gynecology, and menopause and estrogen therapy will be among the information presented. "Estrogen therapy continues to be the gold standard for the management of hot flashes, the most common physical sign of menopause," said Dr. Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106345.php Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: IDEV) announced positive results of the ongoing Phase III extension study of SUPPRELIN(R) LA (histrelin acetate), the only once-yearly subcutaneous implant for the treatment of central precocious puberty or early onset puberty, at the Lawson Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society (LWPES) Annual Meeting. Mon, 05 May 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/106240.php Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MIPI) announced that it has initiated a Phase 2a clinical trial of Azedra (Ultratrace™ iobenguane I-131 or Ultratrace MIBG) for the treatment of children with high-risk neuroblastoma, a neuroendocrine cancer that primarily affects children. Azedra is already being evaluated in an ongoing dose-ranging clinical trial for pheochromocytoma in adults. Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/105996.php Therapies under development to treat prostate cancer by inhibiting the ability of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) to activate its target receptor could have unexpected results, especially if a major tumor suppressor gene -- p53 -- is already compromised, according to new research by investigators at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/105959.php A common component of the contraceptive pill (progesterone) could improve the neurologic outcome for patients with severe head injuries, according to a study published in BioMed Central's open access journal Critical Care.Traumatic brain injury (TBI), such as that caused by traffic accidents, falls and sporting injuries, is a major cause of death and disability. Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/105607.php New research will highlight the "missing link" between the insulin resistance (metabolic) syndrome and cardiovascular disease at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 17th Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress, on Thursday, May 15, 2008, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando."Insulin resistant patients face a constellation of cardiovascular risk factors without diabetes ever being present," AACE Member and the session's speaker Ralph A. Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/105650.php A team of researchers led by scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have for the first time identified stem cells that allow the pituitary glands of mice to grow even after birth. They found that, in contrast to most adult stem cells, these cells are distinct from those that fuel the initial growth of this important organ. Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/105324.php Two genes that help insulin regulate mosquitoes' growth have been identified as key contributors to how the insects enter a dormant state to survive winter's cold.The research finding broadens the understanding of the mosquito life cycle and appears to shed some light on how other insects and invertebrate species weather the winter months.The shorter days of autumn trigger certain species of mosquitoes into Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/105496.php Age at menopause may now be predicted more realistically according to a new study accepted for publication in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). The study revealed that anti Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels are related to the onset of menopause and are able to specify a woman's reproductive age more accurately than chronological age alone.The levels of AMH in the blood reflect the number of small follicles present in a woman's ovaries. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/105308.php The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new once-a-month dose (150 mg) of Actonel(R) (risedronate sodium) tablets for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Actonel is approved to reduce the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The FDA approval of the once-a-month dose is based on a study comparing Actonel 150 mg once monthly to Actonel 5 mg daily. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/104811.php Randox Laboratories produces Thyroid Array biochips to simultaneously test for three thyroid hormones in a single sample. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is released by the pituitary gland in the brain. Thyroxine (FT4 or TT4) and tri-iodothyronine (FT3 or TT3) are hormones produced by the thyroid gland. TSH is performed as the initial screening test and all three hormones are essential in the diagnosis of thyroid disease. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/104795.php What do bioidentical hormones and Mother's Day have in common? The official kick-off for the ninth annual National Women's Health Week (May 11-17). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health, is asking "women across the country to get healthy by taking action." This includes checking hormonal balance and symptoms associated with menopause, adrenal fatigue and perimenopause. Fri, 18 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/104580.php Boys are twice as likely as girls in the U.S. and Asia (mostly Japan) to receive recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) for growth hormone deficiency, illnesses that affect height, and short stature of a non-medical nature. A smaller gender difference exists in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, but in the rest of the world short boys and girls are treated at the same rate. This indicates a likely cultural bias for male height in some countries. Thu, 17 Apr 2008 04:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/104395.php The extra fat we carry around our middle could be making us hungrier, so we eat more, which in turn leads to even more belly fat. Dr. Kaiping Yang and his colleagues at the Lawson Health Research Institute affiliated with The University of Western Ontario found abdominal fat tissue can reproduce a hormone that stimulates fat cell production. The researchers hope this discovery will change in the way we think about and treat abdominal obesity. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:00:00 PDT http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/104235.php Compared to placebo treatment, taking 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) can reduce a man's risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer from around 5-9% to around 4-6% during up to 7 years of treatment, according to a new Cochrane Review. However, those who are diagnosed with prostate cancer may be at a slightly increased risk of having a more dangerous (high grade) tumour.