Our blogs explain health conditions and clinical research in a way that is easy to follow, so readers can feel more informed
Cocoa Compound Linked to Some Cardiovascular Biomarker Improvements
To the tantalizing delight of chocolate lovers everywhere, a number of recent studies employing various methods have suggested that compounds in cocoa called flavanols could benefit cardiovascular health. Now a systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of...
Researchers: It’s Time to Consider Propranolol as Anti-Cancer Drug
Propranolol, a beta-blocker commonly prescribed to treat irregular heart rates and other conditions, has significant anti-cancer properties, say researchers in a new clinical study published in ecancermedicalscience. The Repurposing Drugs in Oncology (ReDO) project, an international collaboration between the Anticancer Fund, Belgium,...
Scientists Identify Potent New Anti-Obesity, Anti-Diabetes Target
Scientists Identify Promising Anti-Obesity Target for Weight Loss and Diabetes It is no secret that losing weight is difficult. Each year brings a new popular diet, “guaranteed” to succeed, yet the explosion of obesity in the United States continues. Current anti-obesity...
UNC Lineberger researchers identify DNA repair enzyme as a potential brain cancer drug target
Rapidly dividing cells rely on an enzyme called Dicer to help them repair the DNA damage that occurs as they make mistakes in copying their genetic material over and over for new cells. UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers have built...
Reasonable Growth Projected for Vasculitis Treatment Space
The treatment market for vasculitis, a rare inflammatory disease that changes the walls of blood vessels, is expected to see growth of a little more than five percent over the next 10 years, according to a new report from the research...
When is an aspirin a day to prevent heart attacks too risky?
We’ve known for a long time that aspirin can help prevent damage from a heart attack or a stroke if taken during one of those events. In fact, you might have seen ads about how aspirin can be lifesaving during a...
Suicide Gene Therapy Kills Prostate Tumor Cells
Results from a long-term clinical trial conducted by cancer researchers at Houston Methodist Hospital show that combining radiation treatment with “suicide gene therapy,” a technique in which prostate cancer cells are genetically modified so they signal a patient’s immune system to...
A new approach to predict evolution of influenza viruses can enhance vaccine efficacy
New results from a study performed at the University of Helsinki suggest that Genomic influenza tracking, genomic information from circulating influenza viruses, can help in producing more efficient seasonal vaccines. The researchers were able to develop a simple approach for reliable...
Tuberculosis: Daily antibiotics recommended to prevent resistant strains
The finding, from a University of Michigan study, could help inform the treatment of the roughly 10 million people worldwide who fall ill with tuberculosis each year.”We wanted to address open questions regarding treatment for tuberculosis,” said Elsje Pienaar, a U-M...
Pharmacy researcher developing nicotine vaccine, novel drug
A University of Rhode Island researcher in its College of Pharmacy is developing a nicotine vaccine and accompanying drug delivery system that he believes could lead to one of the most effective methods of combating cigarette smoking and other tobacco use....
Scientists use dead bacteria to kill colorectal cancer
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore) have successfully used dead bacteria to kill colorectal cancer cells. Harvesting the Clostridium sporogenes bacteria found commonly in soil, the NTU team was able to harness the bacteria in its dead form, and its...
World first blood cancer drug trial reveals life-changing results
Researchers from the University of Leicester and Leicester’s Hospitals have announced a breakthrough advance in the results of the world-first clinical trial with actual patients of a new drug to treat particular blood cancers. Results of an international clinical trial led...