Washington, Sept 18: Researchers have revealed that people with a specific gene mutation are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease before they turn 50.

Washington, Sept 18: A new study has revealed that one specific part of the genome, TRAF1 (TNF receptor-associated factor 1), is associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to various tissues within the body. As well as affecting joints and causing an inflammatory arthritis, it can also affect many other organs of the body. An association has been shown previously in humans with the part of the genome that contains the human leukocyte antigens (HLAs), which are involved in the immune response.

Washington, September 18: A team of engineers from Brown University has discovered a novel, bone-growing material that may revolutionise orthopaedic implants.

The study led by Associate Professor Thomas Webster shows that for orthopaedic implants to be successful, bone must meld to the metal that artificial hips, knees and shoulders are made of. He says that the new material may help increase this success rate.

Washington, Sept 18: A new study has revealed that medical dramas on TV such as ‘ER’ are an influential medium for health communication.

Researchers at the University of Southern California found that the primetime NBC network drama had a positive influence on the attitudes and behaviours of viewers, particularly among men when it dealt with issues like teen obesity, hypertension and healthy eating habits.

Washington, Sept 18: According to a new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), it is a person’s genes that decide whether or not a smoking-cessation drug would help when it comes to quitting smoking.

The study found that the enzyme, which is known to metabolise both the smoking cessation drug bupropion and nicotine, influences smoking cessation and is highly genetically variable in all ethnicities.

Washington, Sep 18: Researchers have proposed a new diagnostic criteria which will enable physicians to detect and treat Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in its earliest stages, when patients are experiencing only mild degrees of cognitive impairment.

The research, which was co-led by Dr. Howard Feldman, head of the Div. of Neurology in the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine, included investigators from countries like Japan, the U.S. and England.