Washington, Nov 16 : Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have found that a protein, known to inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer, works in part by forcing cancer cells to eat themselves until they die.

Senior author Naoto T. Ueno, M. D., Ph. D. associate professor of breast medical oncology, said that the researchers also found that expression of the protein, known as PEA-15, is an independent indicator of a woman''s prospects for surviving ovarian cancer. 

An analysis of ovarian cancer tumours from 395 women showed those with high expression of the PEA-15 had a median survival time of 50.2 months compared with 33.5 months for women with low levels of the protein in their tumours.

Washington, Nov 16 : The irritating pain in your legs after climbing the stairs could reveal more than just your age—it could indicate that you might be suffering from peripheral vascular disease (PVD) – a disease of the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain. 

PVD occurs when fatty deposits known as plaque build up in the inner lining of artery walls, causing a narrowing of the vessels that carry blood to the legs. 

Symptoms of PVD include pain, numbness, aching or heaviness in the leg muscles when walking or climbing stairs. Symptoms may also include cramping in the legs, buttocks, thighs, calves and feet.

London, Nov 16 : Research on cancer drug is entering a whole new era, which will lead to more successful drugs for patients, according to a charity. 

Experts at Cancer Research UK have said that improved knowledge of cancer''s biology means 18 percent of new drugs, compared to 5 percent previously - will become standard treatments. 

The hunt for cancer drugs is conducted on a large scale, but there is also a massive failure rate, as promising candidates fall by the wayside in clinical trials. 

Although scientists can learn lessons even from expensive failures, this costs drug firms and charities such as Cancer Research UK many millions.

New York - The United Nations on Friday joined some 800 monuments and landmark sites around the world in commemorating World Diabetes Day by lighting its building in blue.

Other sites include the Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt, the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, Niagara Falls, the Tower of London, the Sears Tower in Chicago and the Alamo in Texas.

Washington, Nov 14: A research team led by an Indian-origin scientist at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have shown how eating red meat and milk products could increase the risk of cancerous tumours.

Ajit Varki, M. D., and colleagues have found that inflammation resulting from a molecule introduced through consumption of these foods could promote tumour growth,

Washington, Nov 12 : In a new study, scientists have established that sildenafil, a drug also sold as Viagra and known for treating erectile dysfunction (male impotence) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), does not influence blood flow in patients with cirrhosis.

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem affecting about half of all patients with end-stage liver disease.

The scientists found that sildenafil had no effect on the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG).