A study of 27,743 patients found that long-acting calcium channel blockers increased the risk of heart attacks and congestive heart failure by 26% and 27%, respectively. The findings suggest that alternative antihypertensive drugs like diuretics, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors may be more effective in preventing cardiovascular events.
A new strategy involving radiation and bone marrow infusion appears to effectively reduce immune system attack in intestinal transplant recipients. Five patients who received irradiated intestines experienced no episodes of rejection for up to four months, while two control patients experienced typical rejection within weeks.
A new study has found that osteoporosis doubles the risk of fractures in nursing home residents, particularly those with better mobility. Researchers discovered that 80% of women in the study had osteoporosis and that low bone mineral density increased fracture rates.
The COPERNICUS trial demonstrates a significant survival benefit of carvedilol in patients with advanced heart failure, reducing mortality rates by 35%. The study involved over 2,200 patients and showed that carvedilol decreased mortality rates compared to placebo.
Researchers at Purdue University have devised a way to stabilize nanoparticles made of metal by wrapping them in a molecular coating. This process prevents the nanoparticles from fusing together and allows for easy manipulation, opening doors to new nano-structured materials.
The University of California has established the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR) to conduct rigorous scientific studies on medicinal cannabis. The center aims to assess the safety and efficacy of cannabis in treating specific medical conditions, such as severe appetite suppression, chronic pain, and nausea associated with...
Researchers at UNC-CH found that small studies reported higher cancer risks than larger ones, and that the general public is unlikely to get esophageal cancer even with heartburn. The study's findings suggest that widespread testing for Barrett's esophagus may not be necessary.
A UC Davis study identifies brain systems affected in stroke patients with memory loss, distinguishing them from those affected by Alzheimer's disease. This distinction enables physicians to treat root causes of memory loss, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, and prevent strokes.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center and Geron Corp. have made promising findings on a 'universal' cancer vaccine based on the telomerase protein. The active part of telomerase can stimulate development of immune cells that recognize and kill multiple, unrelated mouse and human cancer cells.
A new interactive multimedia tutorial for woody plant identification has been released by Kendall/Hunt Publishing. The software includes 9,500 color photographs and scientifically tested to increase identification skills among users.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Center for Alcohol Studies is developing an educational program to educate middle-school students about the dangers of maternal alcohol abuse and its effects on unborn babies. The program aims to raise awareness among children and help them make informed decisions about drinking and sex...
Researchers found a dramatic reduction in hypocretin neurons in people with narcolepsy, suggesting a potential link to neurodegenerative processes or autoimmune responses. The study suggests that replacing missing hypocretin cells may reverse symptoms of the disorder, paving the way for new treatment options.