A thin polymer coating on coronary arteries may prevent platelet formation and reduce the risk of acute thrombosis following angioplasty. The study found significant inhibition of platelet deposition for at least one hour, supporting a novel treatment approach.
A new MIT study suggests that a rapid reduction in global ocean circulation 118,000 years ago may have thrown the climate system back into an ice age. The finding has important implications for understanding the potential impact of increased greenhouse forcing on the oceans.
A team of marine scientists has discovered a massive influx of hydroids, tiny predators that eat most daily production of small crustaceans relied on by fish larvae. The hydroids' presence threatens the survival of already vulnerable cod and haddock populations.
A new laser-based procedure called transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) has been shown to improve symptoms of severe chest pain in patients with heart disease. After three months, 86% of TMR patients experienced improvement, while only 12% of those treated with medication alone saw results.
A study by Weizmann researchers suggests that a cell-suicide gene called DAP-kinase can prevent metastasis in cancer. The gene's proper functioning is essential for cells to die during different stages of metastasis, and its loss or malfunction can lead to unwanted cell proliferation and tumor development.
A study of nearly 4,000 heart attack patients under 65 found HMO members were almost twice as likely to die while hospitalized. The increased risk was attributed to less likelihood of receiving cardiac catheterization and PTCA procedures.
A new study found that ACE inhibitors increase patient survival by about 30 percent overall, especially in patients with impaired heart function. The analysis supports the use of ACE inhibitors in almost all patients with impaired heart function when discharged from hospital following a heart attack.
A study found a link between high blood pressure and sexual problems in premenopausal women, with difficulties in achieving orgasm and inadequate vaginal lubrication being associated with the condition. The researchers hope their findings will encourage physicians to ask about sexuality when treating patients.
A large study has found that blunt blows from baseballs, hockey pucks, and other high-velocity objects can disrupt the heart's rhythm, leading to sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes. Most victims had normal hearts and were under 16 years old at the time of their death.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed a technology that combines electronics and optics on a single chip, enabling the creation of miniaturized optical devices such as tiny lasers and implantable medical sensors. This breakthrough could simplify fiber optic communications and lead to more efficient and cost-effective systems.
A study by the American Heart Association found that casinos and airplanes are more likely to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) than primary-care physicians' offices. The devices were found on firetrucks, police cars, and in some airlines, but only six out of 51 offices had a defibrillator.
The company has validated the VEGF receptor as a key target in pathological angiogenesis and expects to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for clinical trials in cancer by the end of 1998. RPI.4610 has shown activity in multiple animal models, including inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis.
A study found that moderate alcohol consumption cuts the risk of death from a second heart attack in men who already had one. Men who drank light to moderate amounts reduced their risk by 20-30% compared to non-drinkers. However, heavy drinking poses significant health risks.
A new study by Duke University Medical Center found that heart attack patients who experience a stroke shortly after have significantly higher medical costs, with an average increase of $12,030. The cost disparity is largely due to longer hospital stays and the need for institutional care.
Researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil reduced cholesterol accumulation in the liver and arteries, despite increasing LDL cholesterol and decreasing HDL cholesterol. The findings suggest that omega-3 fatty acids may exert protection from atherosclerosis through alterations in tissue cholesterol metabolism.
Two repair proteins, Fpg and UvrA, have been found to 'block the road' to replication by physically attaching themselves to damaged DNA, preventing mutations. This discovery offers new insights into natural DNA repair mechanisms and potential avenues for cancer prevention.
A study by UPMC found that minimally invasive heart bypass surgery greatly reduces the number of deaths and complications in very high-risk cardiac patients. The procedure resulted in a mean hospital stay of just 3.9 days, with no patient mortality or strokes after five months.
A clinical trial conducted at the University of Washington found that administering amiodarone to cardiac arrest victims improves resuscitation success rates by 26%, with a significant increase in hospital admissions among those not responding to shock treatment. The study suggests amiodarone as a potential game-changer for treating sh...
Researchers are testing a robotic port-access technique to assist in bypass surgery, aiming to reduce scarring and hospital stays. The technique uses miniature instruments inserted through small incisions, allowing for precise movements and real-time monitoring.