MIT device could prevent epileptic seizures
...electrical signals up to the brain as well as down toward the viscera, controlling heart rate, gastrointestinal peristalsis, sweating and keeping the larynx open for breathing. The mechanism by which VNS prevents seizures is not known, but the technique has been FDA approved to treat epilepsy for about 10 y...A public health lesson from 9/11: To curb the flu, limit flights
...average. In subsequent years, the peaks moved back toward February 17 as airline activity resumed its pre-9/11 levels. In addition, analysis of laboratory surveillance data from the WHO and CDC showed that in the 2001-2002 flu season, it took 53 days for flu to spread across the U.S., 60 percent longer t...Amateur boxing linked to brain cell injury
... the thread-like extensions of the cell that reach toward other brain cells to transmit electrical impulses, were measured. Seven to 10 days after a boxing match, the group of boxers had higher average levels of chemicals known as neurofilament light protein and total tau than they did three months later. ...Ground movement risks identified by Terrafirma
...over 10 million) are now commonplace. As the trend toward urbanisation continues, most major towns will undergo construction to accommodate new developments for newcomers. New construction requires solid foundations to avoid costly planning mistakes, and underground works and metro-tunnelling have some ...Reconstructive surgeon aims for rejection-free limb transplantation
... the surgery. But with his research, he is working toward the day when reconstructive surgery can make use o...he effectiveness of the therapy. That's a big step toward tolerance of transplanted tissue." The next stage of Tung's research will focus on these new costim...Epilepsy medication proving ineffective over time
...ficant challenge to doctors and scientists working toward effective seizure control....NHLBI and NIH statements on totally implanted permanent artificial heart
...ATCH). REMATCH was an important step along the way toward the development of the total artificial heart providing data on both the benefits and problems associated with long term mechanical support. The totally implanted artificial heart is the culmination of years of research and testing to establish reli...Study points to improvements needed in China heart care
...lth care system has undergone considerable changes toward a 'fee for service' model where access to treatment is affected by a patient's ability to pay," said Professor GAO Runlin, Chairman of the Chinese Society of Cardiology. Professor GAO reported that the level of treatment given to a heart patient in ...Televised movie trailers expose youth to images of tobacco use
...ke can have an immediate effect on their attitudes toward smoking. Cheryl G. Healton, Dr.P.H., American Legacy Foundation, Washington, D.C., and colleagues studied all 216 movie trailers that aired in the United States from August 2001 through July 2002. They first analyzed the full-length versions of all...Depressed patients experience excessive inflammation during stressful situations
...ad author on the paper. "This study is leading us toward finding out what actually causes depression and to identifying what aspects of immune system function are abnormal in depressed people. The goal is to find potential targets within the molecular machinery of the immune system so we can better treat m...Obesity leads to more aggressive ovarian cancer, Cedars-Sinai research shows
...ur understanding of the disease and move us closer toward this goal." ...Penn researchers to get 7 Tesla whole-body MRI system
...enn a High-End Instrumentation grant of $2 million toward the purchase of the whole-body 7T MRI system. The NCRR grants are used to fund cutting-edge equipment required to advance biomedical research and increase knowledge of the underlying causes of human disease. This new system at Penn will be utiliz...Nanowire arrays can detect signals along individual neurons
...mammalian neurons; the researchers are now working toward monitoring signaling among larger networks of nerve cells. Lieber says the devices could also eventually be configured to measure or detect neurotransmitters, the chemicals that leap synapses to carry electrical impulses from one neuron to another. ...Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and congenital anomalies
...gs. Previous studies have shown that taking NSAIDs toward the end of a pregnancy can cause certain circulatory problems--premature closure of the ductus arteriosus and patent ductus arteriosus, but the risks related to early-pregnancy ingestion are less well defined. To better understand the relationship...Adolescent condom use with 'casual' versus 'main' partners
...nd Brown Medical School, finds that teen attitudes toward condom use with whom they perceive as casual sexual partners versus main partners is crucial in developing effective HIV intervention programs. Researchers discovered that whether or not they were with a 'main' or 'casual' sexual partner, study par...... reward" when the animal moved right or left, i.e. toward odor A or odor B. Surprisingly, however, several of the OFC neurons signaled "I'm getting the reward to my right" whereas several others signaled "I'm getting the reward to my left." Mainen says that one of his next steps will be to examine what...SWAN system to help blind and firefighters navigate environment
... so you can accurately guide the user as they move toward their destination." Walker's expertise in human...ational beacons where the SWAN user walks directly toward the sound, and secondary sounds indicating nearby items of possible interests such as doors, benches...Physicians more likely to disclose medical errors that would be apparent to the patient
...e patient. Physicians who had a positive attitude toward disclosure and past positive experiences with disc....S. and Canadian physicians have similar attitudes toward and experiences with error disclosure despite different malpractice environments, suggesting that th...Hearing loss and high-speed dental tools
... our study. We hope the study is a good first step toward scientific evidence behind the anecdotes we've been hearing." Fulmer is associate professor of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery, School of Medicine, and chief of clinical services at the OHSU Tinnitus Clinic, Oregon Hearing Research Center. Tin......particularly those involving parents TM attitudes toward children being vaccinated for sexually transmitted diseases. The first phase of this behavioral study will use focus group and individual interviews to identify obstacles to HIV testing and attitudes about an HIV vaccine clinical trials. Intervi...