All News

MADRID -- When it comes to therapy for Alzheimer's disease, if a phase II trial isn't all that's expected, try a phase III. So a drug company is moving ahead with studies of the GnRH analog leuprolide.

BOSTON -- Women have risen to considerable prominence since the 1970s as lead authors of research papers in top medical journals, but a clear gender gap remains.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Those pointers that residents get about avoiding the pain of infant circumcision aren't always taken to heart by the attendings who do the teaching.

MADRID, Spain -- An Alzheimer's drug transdermal patch appears to be as effective as capsules and eases compliance worries, researchers said here.

BOSTON -- Two common genetic variants appear to contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes for some patients with impaired glucose tolerance, found researchers here. But lifestyle moves seem to be able to combat the enhanced risk.

BETHESDA, Md. -- A simple blood test for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has identified sickle cell patients with pulmonary hypertension, researchers here reported.

BETHESDA, Md. -- Dietary supplements such as antioxidants, vitamins, and garlic do little if anything to prevent cancer, but antibiotics aimed at cancer-causing bacteria appear to prevent some tumors.

MILAN -- Erectile dysfunction may be masking latent ischemic heart disease, according to researchers here.

A 51-year-old woman is seen because of burning at the site of entry of a urethral (Foley) catheter. The catheter had been placed perioperatively for a cholecystectomy. No history of genitourinary difficulty or trauma to the area. A urine culture that revealed Escherichia coli led to a diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI), but the relationship between this infection and the physical finding was unclear.

LONDON -- For patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, phototherapy with long-wave ultraviolet light, despite its poorer safety record, combined with a psoralen-class drug, may be a better choice than short-wave UV therapy, researchers here said.

STANFORD, Calif. -- When the circulating nurse loses count, a sponge check with an RF-sensitive hand-held wand may save the day in the OR before closing.

BOSTON -- Regular exercise more than doubles the length of disease-free survival in patients treated for advanced colon cancer, according to investigators here.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The FDA has approved Gemzar (gemcitabine) in combination with Paraplatin (carboplatin) for treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer, Eli Lilly announced today.

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Beware the smooth-tongued Internet pitchmen touting so-called "dietary supplements" that allegedly treat erectile dysfunction and enhance sexual prowess, the FDA has warned consumers.

TORONTO -- Cigarettes take an exceptionally high toll on blue-collar men, according to investigators here and overseas.

DURHAM, N.C. -- The compelling urgency of coronary-bypass surgery before anticoagulant medication washes out must be weighed against increased bleeding risks and the potential benefits and economic impact of delaying surgery, said researchers here.

ATHENS -- Rising humidity may rival temperature extremes in boosting the risk of fatal heart attacks in patients 70 or older, according to a study here.

SIDNEY, Australia -- As windows on the heart, the eyes may see a risk of coronary heart disease death, according to an Australian study.