The results of a paper published in the journal Chest (1) show that alcoholic and ex-alcoholic individuals have a higher risk of suffering from community acquired pneumonia. Although mortality did not differ significantly, an increase of the severeness of the disease was shown, and consequently, an increase of the morbidity and the complications was revealed. This study was conducted by the Pneumonia Multidiscipline Group of Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, led by Dr. Antoni Torres, from the Insti

Testosterone therapy does not cause adverse effects on the prostate in older men with hypogonadism, commonly known as low testosterone or low T, according to a clinical trial presented today at a national urology meeting in Atlanta. The study, which focused on direct measurement of testosterone in prostate tissues, carries important implications for the millions of men with low testosterone, who may benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. Results from the study were presented in two abstra

Patients with the nighttime breathing disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea who receive air through a mask while they sleep can significantly reduce their blood pressure, according to a study to be presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference on May 22nd.

“Sleep apnea can have significant consequences on a person’s physical health, and this study shows once again that treatment may lessen those risks,” said lead researcher Daniel Norman, M.D., Fellow in

Dartmouth physicians and engineers are collaborating to test new imaging techniques to find breast abnormalities, including cancer. Results from their latest study, which involved magnetic resonance-guided near-infrared imaging, appear in the May 22 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

“This paper is the culmination of five years of work to build a completely new type of imaging system, which integrates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near-infrared i

One extra chromosome, one damaged chromosome, or pieces of chromosomes missing. Eight children with four different disorders with autistic features all had one such aberration in their genes. This is shown in a dissertation from the Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University in Sweden.

The children in the study had Asperger’s syndrome, infantile autism, ADHD, and Rett’s syndrome. These are so-called autism spectrum disorders that all involve some form of contact disturbance. The

Is that salt marsh healthy? To answer this, Sea Grant biologists are cracking open common marsh snails and counting parasitic worms. Their claim: the more parasites, the healthier the marsh.

While the parasite hypothesis may conflict with conventional ideas about infectious disease and human health (malaria, for example, is caused by a parasite), the worms the scientists are investigating are not just any kind of parasite.

For one, these worms, known as trematodes, must

Recent discoveries at Mayo Clinic added two more cardiac genes to the list of potential links to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), increasing the possibility that genetic defects of the heart may cause up to 15 percent of SIDS cases. This research will be presented Friday at Heart Rhythm 2006, the 27th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society in Boston.

In the two recent separate studies, researchers examined caveolin-3 (CAV3) and the cardiac ryanodine recept

Giant tubeworms found near hydrothermal vents more than a mile below the ocean surface do not bother to eat: lacking mouth and stomach, they stand rooted to one spot. For nourishment, they rely completely on symbiotic bacteria that live within their bodies to metabolize the sulphurous volcanic soup in which they both thrive.

But the microscopic larvae of these giants are born bacteria-free, with a complete digestive system. Juveniles swim, hunt, and eat before permanently settl

Scientists of the University of Jaen are working in a project, pioneer in the world, to improve the treatment of hallucinations, by means of acting in the attention processes using virtual reality techniques. It is a project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Technology, carried out by the ‘Evaluación Psicológica’ group, focused on the development of psychological methods that complement pharmacological treatments in order to try to control psychotic symptoms.

Project leader

Researchers seek therapy for osteogenesis imperfecta, which can lead to hundreds of fractures in a lifetime

Jimmy Fox isn’t typical of a person with the genetic, “brittle bone” disorder osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). He lifts weights almost daily, participates in grueling wheelchair races, chops wood and enjoys hunting in rough backcountry.

Still, Fox, who owns a busy combination grocery store-gun shop in Cloverdale, Ore., is eager to participate in an Oregon H

Researchers here have learned how a derivative of vitamin E causes the death of cancer cells. The researchers then used that knowledge to make the agent an even more potent cancer killer.

The compound, called vitamin E succinate, or alpha tocopheryl succinate, is taken by some people as a nutritional supplement, mainly for its antioxidant properties. In addition, it has a weak ability to kill cancer cells, and it has been tested as a cancer chemopreventive agent.

The su

Patients have sometimes suffered decades without relief

(Combined Otolaryngological Spring Meeting, Grand Ballrooms A and B, Hyatt Regency Chicago, Ill; Presentation times for each study are 9:15 a.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. CT, Saturday, May 20.)

Rapid, uncontrollable eye movements that swish and thump as the eyes roll and blink. Bones that creak as the body moves. Sudden dizziness, loss of balance. Falling down after a loud noise, such as the sound of your own voice, a cough

Occupational exposure to lung irritants early in a young worker’s career can result in increased doctor visits for lung problems in later years, according to a study to be presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference on May 21st.
The study looked at four groups of apprentices: painters, machinists, electricians and insulators; all of these 348 apprentices were in their early 20s in 1988. The researchers evaluated medical records of the apprentices’ physician v

Children who are exposed to cats soon after birth may have an increased risk of developing eczema, according to a study to be presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference on May 21st.

Being exposed to two or more dogs at home suggested a slightly protective, but not significant, effect on children’s risk of developing eczema, said lead researcher Esmeralda Morales, M.D., Pediatric Pulmonary Fellow at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

The s

Study answers long-debated questions on fluid management in critical care

Results from the largest controlled clinical trial of fluid management methods in patients with severe lung injury provide important new information on the risks and benefits of patient care strategies currently used in the intensive care unit. The two studies that comprised the trial showed that for patients with acute lung injury or its more severe form, acute respiratory distress syndrome, less fluid

For the first time anywhere, researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have succeeded in observing and describing how damaged DNA is naturally identified.

The research sheds new light on understanding this molecular mechanism and is likely to aid in research on diseases involving DNA damage, including cancer.

An article regarding the work of the Hebrew University researchers appears in the current issue of the scientific journal Cell.

The researcher