Copyright 2009 Medical News Today Latest featured health news - the top stories http://www.medicalnewstoday.com admin@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Admin) editors@medicalnewstoday.com (MNT Editors) en-us Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171750.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171750.php A team of scientists from the US and the UK have shown that blocking an enzyme called lysyl oxidase (LOX) that causes tissue to stiffen reduces the likelihood of abnormal but non-malignant breast tissue turning into tumors, suggesting that LOX and similar enzymes could be new targets for effective anti-cancer drug therapies. Breast Cancer Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171620.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171620.php Police in Peru have arrested four people, three men and a woman, whom they allege are members of a gang suspected of killing up to 60 people in order to extract their body fat to sell for thousands of dollars a litre to foreign markets to make cosmetics. Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171568.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171568.php Laryngeal cancer (cancer of the larynx) is a rare type of cancer. It can cause hoarseness of the voice and swelling of the throat. The larynx, also known as the voice box, is a tube-like structure found at the entrance of the trachea (windpipe). The lump at the front of the throat, commonly known as the Adam's apple, is the larynx. Cancer / Oncology Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171582.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171582.php A study in this week's edition of The Lancet reports that the use of human embryonic stem-cells (hESCs) is a promising alternative for producing temporary skin substitutes for patients awaiting skin grafts after, for example, serious burn injuries. Stem Cell Research Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171467.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171467.php A new study published this week found that the proportion of American adults with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol fell by around one third between 1999 and 2006, but concluded that too many are still not being screened or treated for the condition. Cholesterol Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171468.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171468.php US secretary for Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a statement saying that the government policy on what age routine screening mammograms should begin has not changed, following a recent task force recommendation that routine screening mammograms should start at age 50 and not age 40. Preventive Medicine Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171372.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171372.php Bone cancer is an uncommon cancer that begins in a bone. It can originate in any bone in the body, but the long bones that make up the arms and legs are most commonly affected. Several types of bone cancer exist. Some types of bone cancer occur primarily in children, while others affect mostly adults. Primary bone cancer is cancer that starts in the bone. Cancer / Oncology Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171420.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171420.php Research published ahead of print in the Archives of Disease in Childhood reports that if UK swine flu resurges during the winter months, there may not be a sufficient amount of intensive care beds for one of the most seriously affected groups: children. More than half of admissions to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) are unplanned. Swine Flu Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171446.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171446.php The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced yesterday that it has approved Qutenza (capsaicin) 8% patch for the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), an often excruciating pain that can persist for weeks, months and even years in 10 to 15 per cent of people who get shingles. Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171354.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171354.php Dystonia is a general term which describes involuntary movements and extended muscle contractions - a range of movement disorders. The patient has twisting body movements, tremor and unusual or awkward postures. For some patients the whole body may be involved in the movements, while for others only certain parts of the body are affected. Neurology / Neuroscience Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171304.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171304.php An international team of scientists who took CT scans of mummified bodies of people who lived in Egypt up to 3,500 years ago found evidence to suggest that hardening of arteries, a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, is not a modern disease and may have been quite common among ancient Egyptians of high socioeconomic status. Cardiovascular / Cardiology Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171318.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171318.php An experimental vaccine called NicVAX, designed to treat nicotine addiction that works by stopping the drug from reaching the brain, moved a step closer to the market when the vaccine developer Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (Nabi), based in Rockville, Maryland, US agreed an option and licensing deal with GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA (GSK), based in Brussels, Belgium. Smoking / Quit Smoking Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171193.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171193.php Dysentery is an infection of the intestines. This inflammatory disorder causes stomach cramps and diarrhea. According to Medilexicon's medical dictionary, Dysentery is: "A disease marked by frequent watery stools, often with blood and mucus, and characterized clinically by pain, tenesmus, fever, and dehydration". In many cases there are only mild symptoms, such as diarrhea and nausea. GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171172.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171172.php Paul Allen who co-founded the computer giant Microsoft with Bill Gates in the 1970s has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, 25 years after surviving Hodgkin's lymphoma. The news was announced in a memo to the staff of Allen's company Vulcan, by CEO Jody Allen, who is also Paul Allen's sister. A copy of the memo was also sent to the media. Lymphoma / Leukemia / Myeloma Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171120.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171120.php An independent medical expert panel that advises the US federal government on preventive and primary healthcare recommends against routine screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years and suggests instead that the decision to start regular screening before the age of 50 should be an individual one. Preventive Medicine Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170981.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/170981.php A study including 18,871 Australian drivers published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) reports that drivers who engaged in self-harm were at increased risk of motor vehicle crashes, even after controlling for psychological distress and substance abuse. The DRIVE study was conducted by The George Institute for International Health. Psychology / Psychiatry Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171078.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171078.php A new study involving emergency centres in Europe found that using a new portable device in situ to spray a rapidly evaporating coolant into the nasal cavity within minutes of the heart arresting resulted in faster and earlier cooling and a higher chance of saving the brain of patients compared to waiting until they are in the emergency room (ER). Medical Devices / Diagnostics Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171070.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171070.php Dupuytren's contracture (Dupuytren contracture) is a condition that affects the hands and fingers. It is an uncommon hand deformity in which the connective tissue under the skin of the palm contract and toughen over time. It causes one or more of the fingers on one or both hands to bend into the palm of the hand. Dermatology Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171027.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171027.php A pilot study conducted in the US found that young boys whose mother's urine when they were in the womb contained higher levels of two phthalates, common chemicals present in PVC used in food packaging and storing, were less likely to engage in play fighting and play with masculine toys such as trucks. Pregnancy / Obstetrics Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 PST http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171026.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171026.php During the 2009 Hajj beginning around November 25, some 2.5 million pilgrims are expected at holy sites in Saudi Arabia. A public health paper published Online First and in a future edition of The Lancet reports that in order to combat the threat posed by H1N1 influenza A, the Saudi Arabian Health Ministry has issued public health recommendations. Swine Flu