A study estimates that millions of dollars are wasted each year on blood pressure medication due to unnecessary prescriptions. The researchers suggest that increasing the use of thiazides as a first-line treatment could save healthcare services up to $1 billion annually.
Scientists at Sick Kids have identified a new gene, NHLRC1, that causes Lafora disease, a severe form of adolescent epilepsy. The discovery explains the condition in 90% of families and opens up new avenues for research into both epilepsy and normal brain function.
Researchers have developed a new test, called conformation-dependent immunoassay (CDI), that can detect prion proteins with 100% accuracy at smaller levels than conventional tests. The CDI test can also be used to identify infected animals before they show symptoms, potentially ending the practice of slaughtering entire herds.
Researchers at the University of Houston are studying DNA transcription errors called bulges, which can lead to cancer. The team hopes to understand how these mistakes are recognized and repaired by the body's 'spellcheckers' to develop more effective cancer treatments.
Brookhaven National Laboratory researchers have developed counterterror technologies to detect radioactive materials, chemical and biological agents, and explosives. These sensor technologies can be deployed at ports, bridges, tunnels, and transportation hubs to intercept dangerous materials before a terrorist attack.
A new study suggests that black cohosh can effectively reduce hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain. The herb is found to have no estrogenic effects, making it a potentially safer alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapies.