Health News

Swine flu suspected in 61 deaths in Mexico; schools closed

Swine flu suspected in 61 deaths in Mexico; schools closed

Immune cell subset behind onset and course of severe malaria

Immune cell subset behind onset and course of severe malariaWashington, Apr 24: A subset of immune cells could make malaria patients vulnerable towards contracting the severe form of the disease and suffer worse symptoms, according to a new study.

Researchers, led by Monash University immunologist Professor Magdalena Plebanski, found that patients with the severe form of malaria have a specific type of cell in their body, which is absent in people with uncomplicated disease.

This type of cell turns off the immune system and can allow the parasite to grow uncontrollably.

Novel method to identify early-stage lung cancer

Novel method to identify early-stage lung cancerWashington, Apr 24: By using a computer-aided detection (CAD) method, radiologists could identify cancerous lung nodules at an early stage, a new study has claimed.

Performed at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore, MD, the study could boost the chances of survival among cancer patients.

“In our study we identified 88 nodules that were not detected at the time of interpretation but visible in retrospect and were subsequently determined to be lung cancers,” said Joseph Jen-Sho Chen, MD, lead author of the study.

Ordering physicians lack knowledge of CT-related radiation exposure risk

Ordering physicians lack knowledge of CT-related radiation exposure riskWashington, April 24 : A new study conducted at the Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, VA, has found that majority of ordering physicians lack knowledge of CT-related radiation exposure and its associated risks.

"More than 100 surveys were completed by physicians from various specialties who order CT scans at a tertiary-care teaching hospital," said Jeremy McBride, MD, lead author of the study.

It’s never too late to change bad habits

It’s never too late to change bad habitsWashington, Apr 24: Changing bad habits such as smoking, even at an older age, could positively impact a senior''s health later in life, a new study has found.

The research linking bad habits such as smoking and the direct impact on a senior''s health, was conducted on over 2,000 seniors who were current smokers, past smokers and had never smoked.

All three groups were compared to show a link between smoking and the speed at which participants walked.

Hypertension, diabetes linked to carotid artery wall thickness

Hypertension, diabetes linked to carotid artery wall thicknessWashington, Apr 24 : Researchers from A. O. U. in Cagliari Sardegna, Italy have found a link between increased carotid artery wall thickness (CAWT) - which can cause heart attack and stroke- and diabetes and hypertension.

During the study, the researchers looked at 186 patients with the help of multidetector row CT and sought to determine association between CAWT is associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and a history of smoking.

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