Health News

Viewing the Heart's Electrical System in 3-D
Scientists have long had a general understanding of the cardiac conduction system, the complex electrical system in charge of muscle contractions within the heart.
Kidney Cancer Genes?
For a lot of medical conditions the relationship between genetics and disease is fuzzy, but for people born with errors in a certain gene known as Von-Hippel Lindau ( VHL ), the link to kidney cancer clear. New research reveals more information about the complex relationship between genes and cancer.
Wonder Drug for Colon Cancer?
It's one of the most common, widely available and inexpensive drugs on the market. These days aspirin is being studied for its potential power to relieve a great deal more than headaches.
Detecting Oral Cancer
Oral cancer - which occurs in any part of the mouth - is one of the most common cancers in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and other parts of South Asia. But diagnosing the disease is hampered by the fact that there are very few dentists in these areas.
Heart Attack Scar Tissue Regenerated in Lab
Following a heart attack, scar tissue comprised of cells called fibroblasts accumulates. Since the heart muscle can't easily regenerate, the patient is at an increased risk of heart failure.
Victrelis and HIV Drug Interactions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is notifying the public that co-administration of Victrelis ( boceprevir ), a hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) protease inhibitor, along with certain ritonavir-boosted human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors, is not recommended at this time. Because of the possibility of reducing the effectiveness of the medicines, permitting the amount of HCV or HIV virus in the blood (viral load) to increase. Ritonavir-boosted HIV protease inhibitors include ritonavir-boosted Reyataz ( atazanavir ), ritonavir-boosted Prezista ( darunavir ), and Kal...
Testing for Brain Cancer
There's nothing simple about brain surgery, and even a minor biopsy carries substantial risks. To get around these dangers, using a spinal tap to analyze cerebrospinal fluid may soon be a viable method of diagnosing brain cancers. A study published recently showed that analysis of microRNA levels in cerebrospinal fluid proved to be a quick, effective tool for diagnosing brain cancers. Researchers found that this tool could also monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Ask your oncologist about microRNA analysis. A joint venture between Brigham and Women's Hospital and ...
Lactose Intolerance is a Global Problem
Adding milk to your coffee may seem normal, but it's not. Most adults globally cannot tolerate milk and its main sugar, lactose.
Sickle Cell Trait Improved by Regular Exercise
Regular physical activity benefits the body in many ways, from weight loss to improved blood pressure. Those with the sickle cell trait might find an added benefit -- longevity and fewer complications. Unlike sickle cell disease, a painful inherited condition in which red blood cells are an abnormal crescent shape, those with the sickle cell trait inherit only one copy of the disease and have a mixture of normal and misshapen red blood cells. They tend to suffer from an increased risk of sickness and higher death rate. Ask your doctor about exercise if you suffer from sickle cel...
What if Cocaine Didn’t Work?
In 2008, cocaine abuse was responsible for 482,188 ER visits in the U.S. alone. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration claims 1.5 million Americans over the age of 12 used cocaine in 2010.