Recalculating the tally in swine flu
deaths from The New York Times About 4,000 Americans — rather than about 1,200 — have died of swine flu
since the disease emerged in April, according to new figures being calculated by epidemiologists for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More    
Metabolic effects of dark chocolate
consumption on energy, gut microbiota, and stress-related metabolism in free-living subjects
from Journal of Proteome Research
Dietary preferences influence basal human metabolism and gut microbiome activity that in turn may have long-term health consequences. The
present study reports the metabolic responses of free living subjects to a daily consumption of 40 g of dark chocolate for up to 14 days. A clinical trial was performed on a population of 30 human subjects, who were classified in low and high anxiety traits using validated psychological questionnaires. Biological fluids (urine and blood plasma) were collected during 3 test days at the beginning, midtime and at the end of a two-week study. More
  
Mutant genes linked to Parkinson's in some
from Reuters
People of Japanese and European descent who have mutant versions of five genes may be at higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease, two large teams of researchers have found. The two independent studies, published in the latest issue of Nature Genetics, involved more than 25,000
participants in total and are the largest studies to date to try to uncover genetic associations behind Parkinson's disease. More
  
Largest-ever database for liver proteins may lead to treatments for hepatitis
from Journal of Proteome Research via Science
Daily
Scientists at a group of 11 research centers in China are reporting for the first time assembly of the largest-ever collection of data about the proteins produced by genes in a single human organ. Their focus was the liver, and their massive database in both protein and transcript levels could become a roadmap for finding possible new biomarkers and treatments for liver disease. Those include hepatitis and liver cancer, which is at
epidemic levels in China and affects millions of people worldwide. More
  
HHS releases $9 million to help fight health care acquired infections
from Healthcare IT News
To reduce health care-acquired infections in surgical centers, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has made up to $9 million in funding
from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act available to state survey agencies in 43 states. More
  
Postnatal HIV transmission seen after infant prophylaxis stopped
from Reuters Health via Medscape Medical News
A large study of infants uninfected with HIV at 14 weeks of age shows that transmission of the virus through breast milk occurs after extended antiretroviral prophylaxis is stopped. The results suggest that infant prophylaxis is only effective while the prophylactic agents are being administered, Dr. Taha E. Taha, from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, and colleagues state. Thus, added preventive measures are required for the duration of
infant breast-feeding. More
  
Screening MRIs find
clinically significant pathology in children with neurofibromatosis 1
from Medscape Medical News
The authors of a study assessing the use of screening magnetic resonance imaging to diagnose central nervous system pathology and other CNS malformations in children with
neurofibromatosis 1 suggest that centers skilled in pediatric sedation and imaging might reconsider the use of MRIs to identify clinically significant NF1 pathologies. More
  
StatSpin® CytoFuge 12
The NEW StatSpin® CytoFuge 12 is a compact, low cost cytocentrifuge that concentrates 12 samples from 50 µL up to 800 µL
onto microscope slides for a variety of cell preparations. Inside is a removable sealed autoclavable rotor that can be loaded in a hood to eliminate exposure to biohazards. The program key pad is easy to use; up to 24 programs can be stored. The unit operates from 200-2,000 rpm.
More info
| Families could benefit from gene tests in sudden cardiac death victims
from U.S. News & World Report
Genetic testing of people who've suffered sudden unexplained death is an effective and cost-efficient way of identifying genetic mutations that may put surviving relatives at increased risk for potentially deadly heart rhythm disturbances, a new study suggests. More
  
Two units of umbilical cord blood reduce risk of leukemia recurrence
from Science Daily
A new study from the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota shows that patients who have acute leukemia and are transplanted with two units of umbilical cord blood have significantly reduced risk of the disease returning. This finding has the potential to change the current medical
practice of using one unit of UCB for treatment of patients who are at high risk for recurrence of leukemia and other cancers of the blood and bone marrow. More
  
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