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A vaccine could cut the number of cases of tuberculosis among HIV-positive Africans by almost two-fifths, researchers claim.
New Computational Tool for Cancer Treatment
Curing More Cervical Cancer Cases May Be in the Math
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Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young and prospective owner Chuck Greenberg to be at Dallas book launch to participate in live auction to benefit Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer. (PRWeb Jan 29, 2010) Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/01/prweb3537624.htm
Bone marrow is a leading source of adult stem cells, which are increasingly used for research and therapeutic interventions, but extracting the cells is an arduous and often painful process. Now, researchers have found evidence that fat tissue, known as adipose tissue, may be a promising new source of valuable and easy-to-obtain regenerative cells called hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), according to a study prepublished online in Blood, the official journal of the American Society of Hematology. (PRWeb Jan 29, 2010) Read the full story at
The methodology and evidence behind a widely publicized change in national mammography guidelines is questionable, according to a review in the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS), published by SAGE...
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Teams honor survivors, victims of cancer
Have you ever wanted to try to explain to your child what a cat scan or MRI would be like? The Starlight Children's Foundation has created Medical Imaging: Welcome to the Radiology Center . This interactive online program gives asthma patients a virtual tour of what it is like to experience tests like X-rays, MRIs and CT scans. Imagine what it would like for your child to see and hear what an MRI will be like before actually experiencing it. You and your child can:
Infants with early exposure to high pollen counts are more likely to develop wheezing, one of the early symptoms of asthma, according to an article published in Thorax according to HealthDay A previous study had demonstrated demonstrated more wheezing if born in the fall and winter, which led to the hypothesis that it was exposure to respiratory virus that was responsible for higher asthma rates compared to babies born in the summer. While the research is not yet to the point to recommend preventive measures for babies born in the fall and winter, the researchers are continuing to look at how airborne allergens are linked to asthma. You can learn more about wheezing and asthma on our site. Photo (c) Getty Images
Have you ever asked your doctor for antibiotics even though your doctor is not recommending them? This can often be a uncomfortable situation for a parent and a doctor. A 2009 study in Pediatrics finds that antibiotic use in the first year of life is associated with increased risk of developing asthma. Dr. Fawziah Marra of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and colleagues used administrative data from all births in British Columbia, Canada from 1997 to 2003 to determine the relationship to antibiotics prescribed in the first year of life and the development of asthma.
A rock singer, song writer, and musician known for his shocking stage shows and also happens to have asthma. What Having Asthma Was Like In his book Alice Cooper, Golf Monster A Rock 'n' Roller's Life and 12 Steps to Becoming a Golf Addict, Cooper recounts growing up in Michigan and how he had to deal with his chronic asthma. Every time the leaves would change where he grew up in Michigan, he would have a hard time trying to breathe. He discusses what it is like to not be able go outside and have a snowball fight, play hockey and socialize with his friends. His family eventually moved to Phoenix, AZ so that his asthma might improve.
According to a report at last years American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology meeting in Washington, asthma patients on inhaled steroids and also taking a statin, a cholesterol lowering medication, were 33% less likely to be hospitalized or visit an emergency room in the next year based on analysis of insurance claims. Additionally, hospitalization costs and ER costs were 18 and 43 percent lower, respectively. A second study presented at the same meeting, did not find any benefit of statins related to asthma. The relationship of statins and asthma remains an area of active research. Since these reports have been released, a number of other studies have been released with some supporting the idea that statins may improve asthma, while others have shown that asthma may become slightly worse.
Never Discount the Severity of an Asthma Exacerbation Asthma exacerbations can be life threatening and can occur in anyone with mild to severe asthma. Only 33% of asthma deaths occur in the hospital which means many asthma patients who die are either not seeking care or are not being hospitalized with their worsening asthma. Patients at high risk of asthma related death require intensive education and special care. Make sure you know if you are in one of the increased risk groups discussed below. Importantly, 80-85% who die from asthma develop progressive symptoms over anywhere from 12 hours to several weeks. Only 15 to 20% die in less than 6 hours after developing symptoms. Thus, the vast majority of patients dying from asthma developed symptoms in a time frame that would have allowed them to seek appropriate medical care.
Does your asthma worsen after taking Monosodium glutamate or MSG? Severe and poorly controlled asthmatics are potentially at risk for worsening asthma after ingesting MSG. What Is MSG? MSG is a flavor enhancer that, while itself has no taste, makes a number of different foods taste better. It is found in a in a variety of food products like Chinese food, soups, canned vegetables, and processed meats. MSG is sold as a white crystalline substance that resembles salt or sugar. The MSG Symptom Complex In 1992 the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) reported that severe and poorly controlled asthmatics were at increased risk of developing the MSG symptom complex. The FASEB was appointed to investigate the link between MSG and numerous adverse events reported to the FDA. They concluded that asthmatics were one of 2 groups that were potentially affected adversely by MSG and were at risk for suffering from the MSG symptom complex.