Drug Search and News

Waiting Room Gadget

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:11:00 +0000

As any parent knows, teens love texting. Now one doctor hopes to turn that habit into improved medical care. As this ScienCentral video explains, a new waiting room gadget may be the way to get reluctant teens to communicate with their doctors.

Tapping Tobacco to Cure Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:08:00 +0000

Newsweek: "When scientists at Stanford University looked around for a good way to grow a cancer vaccine, they realized they could do no better than the plant that has caused more cancers than you can count. They were not trying to develop a cancer vaccine such as Gardasil, which gives the body immunity against an infectious agent (in this case, the papillomavirus) that can trigger cancer (in this case, cervical). That's all well and good, but the true grail is a therapeutic vaccine, one that would prompt the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells and only cancer cells, or that would consist of antibodies that do so."

Mirrors Used to Explore How the Brain Interprets Information

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:49:00 +0000

NYTimes.com: "Whether made of highly polished metal or of glass with a coating of metal on the back, mirrors have fascinated people for millennia: ancient Egyptians were often depicted holding hand mirrors. With their capacity to reflect back nearly all incident light upon them and so recapitulate the scene they face, mirrors are like pieces of dreams, their images hyper-real and profoundly fake. Mirrors reveal truths you may not want to see. Give them a little smoke and a house to call their own, and mirrors will tell you nothing but lies."

Vaccine kick-starts immune response to cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:42:00 +0000

The Sydney Morning Herald: "Researchers have developed a plant-based cancer vaccine capable of kick-starting the body's immune response and being tailored to a patient's specific tumor type, according to a study.
While they have not yet determined whether the immune response is sufficient to destroy the cancer, the researchers are hopeful that the technique could one day lead to a cure for at lease some types of the deadly disease.
'This would be a way to treat cancer without side effects,' said senior author Ronald Levy of the Stanford University Medical Center."

Prostate Cancer Drug Breakthrough For Aggressive Form Of Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:32:00 +0000

Medical News Today: "A new trial drug called abiraterone has shown a high success rate at treating men with an aggressive, drug resistant, and often fatal form of prostate cancer. 70 to 80 per cent of the men on the trial experienced dramatic reductions in PSA (a protein marker for prostate cancer) and tumour shrinkage, even in tumours that had spread to bone and other tissue.

The study, which is published in the 21st July online issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology, was the work of researchers based at the Institute of Cancer Research (where the drug was discovered) and The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, and funded by Cougar Biotechnology, Inc of Los Angeles, California."

HealthWatch

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:00:00 +0000

Meg Oliver reports that where you live has a major impact on your health; too much sleep can increase the danger of stroke; and some young babies should be given low-fat instead of whole milk.

Adults need vaccines - but most of us don't get them

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:47:00 +0000

Daily Herald "When it comes to getting vaccinated against debilitating and deadly diseases, adults are notoriously lax. Most adults fail to take advantage of newer vaccines, such as one for shingles and another that protects against the virus linked to cervical cancer. Adults also are often unaware that their immunity may have waned from shots they had as kids, such as pertussis - or whooping cough - and forget whether they have had diseases such as chickenpox and measles. And they often skip recommended immunizations before traveling, even though diseases can crop up unexpectedly, such as a current outbreak of measles in Europe and Asia. Complicating matters: Adult vaccines often aren't covered or are only partially covered by insurance plans."

Magic mushrooms to treat cancer anxiety?

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:17:00 +0000

ZDNet.com: "In a 2006 study, U.S. researchers have shown that psilocybin, a substance contained in ’sacred mushrooms,’ produced substantial spiritual effects — when administered under controlled conditions. The scientists recently interviewed the volunteer subjects and they’ve noted that most of them ‘continued to say 14 months later that the experience increased their sense of well-being or life satisfaction.’ These lasting benefits of ‘magic mushroom’ therapy — which included a single dose — are giving new ideas to the researchers. Why not using hallucinogens to treat cancer-related anxieties?"

Curry ingredient fights skin cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:15:00 +0000

PakTribune: "ISLAMABAD: The compound that makes curry yellow could help fight skin cancer, U.S. researchers reported.
They said curcumin, found in the spice turmeric, interferes with melanoma cells.
Tests in laboratory dishes show that curcumin made melanoma skin cancer cells more likely to self-destruct in a process known as apoptosis."

Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis cuts risk of death for HIV-positive patients with TB in Zambia

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:59:00 +0000

Aidsmap "Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis significantly reduces the risk of death in HIV-positive patients being treated for tuberculosis, according to the results of a randomised controlled trial conducted in Zambia and reported in the online edition of the British Medical Journal. The study’s findings “provide a strengthened evidence base for the UNAIDS/WHO guidelines issued in 2000” that all individuals with symptoms of HIV in Africa should receive prophylactic therapy with co-trimoxazole, say the authors."

Grape Seed Extract May Lessen Cognitive Decline Associated with Alzheimer’s Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:56:00 +0000

Medinews: "A compound found in grape seed extract has been found to reduce plaque formation resulting cognitive impairment in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study was published in the June 18, 2008, issue of The Journal of Neuroscience. Lead study author Giulio Pasinetti, M.D., Ph.D., from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine (New York, NY, USA) and colleagues discovered that grape seed extract prevents amyloid beta accumulation in cells, suggesting it may block the formation of plaques. In Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid beta accumulates to form toxic plaques that disrupt normal brain function."

Drug prevents bone loss in prostate cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:55:00 +0000

Reuters: "CHICAGO (Reuters) - Amgen Inc on Monday said that a trial of its experimental drug denosumab showed that it can prevent osteoporosis in men being treated with prostate cancer drugs that can cause bone loss.
The three-year study of more than 1,400 men with non-metastatic prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy showed denosumab produced greater increases in bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and non-vertebral sites than a placebo."

Vaccinations For Adults

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 18:25:00 +0000

The largest measles outbreak in ten years left hundreds sick, many were not vaccinated against the illness. Very few adults get vaccinations at all. Maggie Rodriguez talks with Dr. Ian Smith.

FDA Issues Antibiotic Warning

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:20:00 +0000

A group of popular antibiotics has been slapped with an FDA warning for causing ruptured tendons. Russ Mitchell speaks with Dr. Emily Senay about what patients should know.

Is HPV Vaccine Safe?

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:29:00 +0000

The HPV vaccine Gardasil is said to be safe by the drug company Merck and the CDC. But families are wary of the vaccine after their loved ones became seriously ill. Sharyl Attkisson reports.

Cholesterol Drugs For Kids?

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:39:00 +0000

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that some kids should be given cholesterol-fighting drugs to ward off future heart problems. Tracy Smith talks with Dr. Emily Senay about the recommendation.....

Complaints cause cervical cancer vaccine scrutiny

noreply@blogger.com (Meister) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:37:00 +0000

CNN.com: "Gardasil has been the subject of 7,802 'adverse event' reports from the time the Food and Drug Administration approved its use two years ago, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Girls and women have blamed the vaccine for causing ailments from nausea to paralysis -- even death. Fifteen deaths were reported to the FDA, and 10 were confirmed, but the CDC says none of the 10 were linked to the vaccine. The CDC says it continues to study the reports of illness."

HPV Drug's Safety Scrutinized

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:34:00 +0000

The family of a paralyzed girl says Merck's HPV vaccine, Gardasil, is to blame. Tracy Smith talks with Dr. Holly Phillips about the safety of the drug.

Babies' Pain Often Not Known

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:11:00 +0000

Doctors disagree on how to manage an infant's pain and whether medication should be used. Dr. Sanjay Gupta reports.

Cuba approves, makes available lung cancer vaccine

noreply@blogger.com (Meister) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:55:00 +0000

Cuba approves, makes available lung cancer vaccine: "HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban scientists said on Tuesday the first vaccine to extend lives of lung cancer patients has been approved by Cuban authorities for use and is available in the island's hospitals.
The drug, CimaVax EGF, has been shown to increase survival rates on average four to five months and much longer in some patients, they said in a news conference at Cuba's Center of Molecular Immunology."

Skin Cancer Vanishes With Experimental Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:06:00 +0000

Researchers are reporting astounding new findings in the fight against melanoma, a deadly skin cancer. VOA's Carol Pearson reports the technique may also benefit other cancer patients as well.

Chinese weight loss secrets

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:22:00 +0000

Explore weight loss secrets from china in this episode of health and healing with Dr. Damon Noto

FDA warns against fake cancer cures - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it is cracking do...

noreply@blogger.com (Meister) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:26:00 +0000

FDA warns against fake cancer cures - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it is cracking do...: "WASHINGTON, June 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it is cracking down on the sale of products that fraudulently claim to prevent or cure cancer.
The products contain ingredients such as bloodroot, shark cartilage, coral calcium, cesium, ellagic acid, Cat's Claw, an herbal tea called Essiac, and mushroom varieties such as Agaricus Blazeii, Shitake, Maitake, and Reishi, the FDA said Tuesday in a news release."

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Inefficient in Preventing Alzheimer’s

noreply@blogger.com (Anton Small) — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:01:00 +0000

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Inefficient in Preventing Alzheimer’s: "Just one week after researchers from Boston University School of Medicine stated in a study that use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for five years was linked with a 24 percent reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, results of a clinical trial show that neither Celebrex nor naproxen (both belonging to the class of NSAIDs) preserves mental function.

Moreover, naproxen, which goes under the brand names Aleve and Naprosyn may even have a harmful effect on cognitive function it was found."

Antipsychotic drugs increase pneumonia risk in elderly patients

noreply@blogger.com (Meister) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:18:00 +0000

Reuters "NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older patients taking antipsychotic drugs are at increased risk of pneumonia, particularly during the first week after initiating treatment, Dutch researchers report in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society for April."