Body | Page 5034 | Science Codex

Weight loss surgery may be associated with bone loss

Chevy Chase, MD—Weight loss surgery may be linked to deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D and bone loss, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

With the growing epidemic of obesity, many people are opting for surgical procedures to help promote weight loss. While these procedures result in significant and sustained weight loss and reverse many of the complications of obesity, this new study shows there may be harmful effects on calcium and bone metabolism.

Breast cancer treatment resistance linked to signaling pathway

PHILADELPHIA -- Activation of the Src signaling pathway may cause resistance to standard medical treatment in some patients with breast cancer, and inhibition of this pathway holds the potential to overcome that resistance, according to data presented here at the American Association for Cancer Research Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development meeting.

Looking past the 'down low:' New research

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The popular media in the U.S. have focused too much on moral issues surrounding black bisexual men who do not disclose their same-sex behaviors to female lovers, otherwise known as men "on the Down Low," with this focus creating a stigma that interferes with effective public health strategies, says Indiana University sexual health expert Brian Dodge.

Half of trials supporting FDA applications go unpublished

Over half of all supporting trials for FDA-approved drugs remained unpublished 5 years after approval, says new research published in this week's PLoS Medicine. The most important trials determining efficacy, and those with statistically significant results and larger sample sizes, are more likely to be published.

Statins increase risk of postoperative delirium in elderly patients

The use of statins is associated with a 28% increased risk of postoperative delirium in elderly patients, found University of Toronto professor Dr. Donald Redelmeier and colleagues in a retrospective cohort analysis involving more than 280 000 patients.

When leaves fall, more is occurring than a change of weather

COLUMBIA, Mo. – A falling leaf often catches a poet's eye, but scientists also wonder about the phenomenon that causes leaves to fall, or abscission in plants. Abscission is the physiological process plants use to separate entire organs, such as leaves, petals, flowers and fruit, that allow plants to discard non-functional or infected organs.

New laboratory technique improves success in 'highly sensitized' kidney transplants

LOS ANGELES (EMBARGOED UNTIL SEPT. 22, 2008 AT 5 P.M. EDT) – Kidney transplant specialists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed innovative laboratory techniques to improve opportunities and success rates for kidney transplant candidates who are at high risk of organ rejection because of previous exposure to donor antigens, according to an article in the Sept. 27 issue of the journal Transplantation.

New technology paves the way for the future of identifying proteins inside cells

A new technology which enables scientists to identify proteins by making a map of the energy flow inside the protein is revealed today in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal.

New approach to treating cystic fibrosis lung infection shows promise

Toronto, ON (September 22, 2008) – Researchers at the University of Calgary have found a new method of fighting severe lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). These findings are published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA, this week.

Communities of bacteria grow in the lungs of people with CF. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common bacterium found in these communities and is often associated with severe lung infections. Pseudomonas represents a constant and ever present threat to the health of people with CF.

Women and South Asians with angina have worse clinical outcomes

Women and South Asian people with typical pain were more likely than those with atypical pain to receive a diagnosis of angina pectoris and to have increased mortality rates or acute coronary complications, a study by UK researchers found. Despite this, in women and South Asians, both those with typical and atypical pain had lower rates of angiography and coronary interventions compared with men and white people respectively.

Higher morbidity levels in African Nova Scotians

A community of African Nova Scotians on Canada's east coast had higher morbidity levels of type 2 diabetes, circulatory disease and psychiatric disorders compared with white communities in the province, found a retrospective cohort study by researchers from Dalhousie University and Australia's Griffith University.

This study allowed comparisons between African diaspora in North America and the white population in similar communities, both with universal health care. Previous US studies have looked at data for people without universal access to health care.

Physicians may miss opportunities to respond with empathy toward patients with lung cancer

In a small study of 20 audiorecorded interactions, physicians seldom responded empathetically to concerns raised by patients with lung cancer, according to a report in the September 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Calorie restriction does not appear to induce bone loss in overweight adults

Young adults who follow a diet that is low in calories but nutritionally sound for six months appear to lose weight and fat without significant bone loss, according to a report in the September 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Model highlights benefits and risks of cervical cancer screening methods

In an analysis based on a computer model, it appears that comparing the benefits and risks of different cervical cancer prevention approaches may help women and their physicians choose appropriate screening strategies, according to a report in the September 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Study examines cost-effectiveness of HIV monitoring strategy in countries with limited resources

In a computer-based model evaluating the benefits and costs of three types of HIV disease monitoring strategies, early initiation of antiretroviral therapy and monitoring using the CD4 count, a measure of immune system function, instead of based on symptoms appear to provide health benefits in low- and middle-income countries, according to a report in the September 22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.