Archive for October, 2008

Tests Could Predict Benefit From Cancer Drugs

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 29 (HealthDay News) — What if a blood test or biopsy could predict if a cancer therapy will help cure you, or only make you feel worse?

Tests like these, based on genes, proteins or other “molecular markers” may someday do just that for people battling colon, lung and pancreatic tumors, scientists reported at a news conference Tuesday.  Read the rest on this Test

Exercise Improves Stroke Outcome

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay ReporterTHURSDAY, Oct. 23 (HealthDay News) — Recovering from a stroke is easier if you were physically active before the attack, a new Danish study finds

Researchers found that such patients had less severe strokes and a better chance of long-term recovery.

“Keeping fit will increase your chance of a life without stroke,” said lead researcher Dr. Lars-Henrik Krarup, from the Bispebjerg University Hospital in Copenhagen. “However, should you suffer a stroke, the chance is that it will be of milder severity, and you will make a better recovery.

Researchers Find More Genes Linked to Lung Cancer

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have identified 26 genes associated with the most common type of lung cancer, adenocarcinoma — more than doubling the number of genes known to play a role in the deadly disease.

What is amniocentesis?

Amniocentesis is a procedure whereby a sample of fluid is removed from the amniotic sac for analysis. The amniotic sac is in the uterine cavity. The amniotic sac is the fluid-filled structure inside the pregnant uterus within which the baby lives. Fetal cells, proteins, and fetal urine freely move within this sac.

During amniocentesis, fluid is removed by placing a long needle through the abdominal wall into amniotic sac. Sometimes, the woman’s skin is injected first with a local anesthetic, but this is not usually necessary. The amniocentesis needle is typically guided into the sac with the help of ultrasound imaging performed either prior to or during the procedure. Once the needle is in the sac, a syringe is used to withdraw the clear amber-colored amniotic fluid, resembling urine. The volume of fluid withdrawn depends upon the age of the fetus and the reason for the testing.   See full article on Amniocentesis Here.

THURSDAY, Oct. 16 (HealthDay News) — A gene could help prod people to overeat and gain excess weight, new research shows.

The finding probably won’t provide a “magic bullet” for weight loss, but it does reinforce the value of good eating habits and exercise, especially for young people, scientists say.

The study, reported in the Oct. 17 issue of Science, is the latest in a series focusing on the brain’s response to food using the neurotransmitter dopamine. Cells in the brain’s “reward” centers release dopamine when people eat, causing that feeling of pleasure, researchers explain.

Women Smokers Prone to Dangerous Blood Vessel Condition

By Ed Edelson
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 15 (HealthDay News) — Women who smoke are eight times more likely to suffer a potentially fatal rupture of the body’s largest artery, or require surgery to repair the weakening that can cause such a rupture, than nonsmokers.  [more]

Title: Brain Rewires Itself After Hand Transplant
Category: Health News
Created: 10/10/2008 2:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 10/10/2008

Scientists at the University of Leeds have developed a hand-held device that they claim can test for serious conditions including multiple sclerosis (MS), using a tiny sample of blood or urine.