Canadian research has revealed that a one-time set of steroid injections for pregnant women at high risk of giving birth prematurely is enough to deal with major problems for the baby. Study revealed that multiple courses of steroids do not improve outcomes after premature birth and may lead to smaller babies.

Recent research revealed that two proteins which work in tandem in the brain's blood vessels present a double whammy in Alzheimer's disease. Research team from the University of Rochester showed that the proteins -- SRF (serum response factor) and myocardin -- lessen blood flow in the brain and reduce the rate at which the brain is able to remove amyloid beta, the protein that accumulates in damaging quantities in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

The study provided hard evidence directly linking two processes thought to be at play in Alzheimer's disease: reduction in blood flow and the buildup of toxic amyloid beta. Researchers believe that the interaction between the two proteins could prove an effective target for treatment.

Alzheimer's disease, which is characterized by progressive brain deterioration and leads to dementia, affects about 300,000 Canadians and 500,000 Americans under the age of 65.  

Recent study has shown that Alzheimer's affect women more adversely as compared to men. Michael S. Rafii, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Memory Disorders Clinic and an attending neurologist at the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer Disease Research Center at the University of California, San Diego said that there are evidence that AD affects women differently than men.

Recent research has revealed that presence of a common genetic variation in young heart attack survivors increases their risk to die or have a serious heart problem while taking the blood thinner Plavix. Research team added that this drug was less effective for these people and also raised the risk of blood clots for those carrying the genetic change that had heart stents implanted.

The allegations against Wyeth for using paid ghost writers are under investigation. It was alleged that the medicine company had paid ghostwriters to write favorable articles for its hormone replacement medications. Publisher Elsevier is investigating the allegations.

The Editor's Choice article published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology by Elsevier discussed the Women's Health Initiative, a major study that was abandoned after researchers detected a higher risk for breast cancer among women taking Wyeth's hormone-replacement therapy Prempro.

Experts opine that in spite of the reports about its limitations, colonoscopy is still among the best ways to save lives from colorectal cancer. It has also been found that it is better at detecting cancer on the left side of the colon.