Culture

While it's known that metabolism slows when people diet, new research indicates that metabolism remains suppressed even when people regain much of the weight they lost while dieting.

The findings come from a study of contestants in "The Biggest Loser" television series. Despite substantial weight regain in the 6 years following participation, resting metabolic rate remained at the same low level that was measured at the end of the weight loss competition. The average rate was approximately 500 calories per day lower than expected based on individuals' body composition and age.

Years before inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is diagnosed and symptoms exist, biomarkers are already circulating that can help predict risk not only of disease development but also of complications, according to research published online last week, which will also appear in the June 15, 2016 print issue of Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

Heralded a miracle by many infertile couples, in vitro fertilization (IVF) can pack a painful financial punch for those without insurance coverage for the treatment. This prohibitive cost leads many would-be parents who pursue in vitro fertilization to transfer multiple embryos at once to increase their chances of getting a baby - and reduce the need to pay for subsequent attempts.

Delegates at this year's Insigneo Showcase (May 5, 2016 at The Octagon Centre in Sheffield) will hear how in silico medicine -- computer simulations of the human body and its disease processes -- can help improve diagnosis and prognosis for conditions like Parkinson's and pulmonary vascular disease. Although ultimately destined for the clinic, the technology looks likely to move quickly into use within clinical trials, as it can enable more effective monitoring of the impact of new drugs and treatments.

Nearly one in three British Columbia women over age 65 received inappropriate prescription medicines in 2013, according to a University of British Columbia study. One in four men of the same age received similar prescriptions.

"The effect of a patient's sex on the risk of inappropriate prescribing is of tremendous clinical and social concern," said Steve Morgan, professor in UBC's school of population and public health and principal investigator for the study.

According to the Vision Council of America, roughly 75% of adults in the United States require some form of vision correction. Yet only 10% of Americans wear contact lenses. Studies estimate that one in four initial contact-users finds the lenses uncomfortable and stops wearing them. Thus, increasing the comfort level of contact lenses and expanding the market is a continual objective in the vision industry.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, May 4, 2016 -- The survival rate of patients with hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis who respond well to antiviral therapies equals that of the general population, say investigators in the Journal of Hepatology.