Violence during childhood may impact kids’ DNA

Violence puts wear and tear on kids’ DNA — Exposure to Violence During Childhood is Associated with Telomere Erosion from 5 to 10 Years of Age – Children who have experienced violence might really be older than their years. The DNA of 10-year-olds who experienced violence in their young lives has been found to show wear and tear normally associated with aging, a Duke University study has found.

Obese men face higher risk of prostate cancer progression

Obesity linked to higher risk of prostate cancer progression – Even when treated with hormone therapy to suppress tumor growth, obese men face an elevated risk of their prostate cancer worsening, researchers at Duke University Medical Center have found.

Bariatric surgery better than dieting for glucose control

Bariatric surgery better than dieting for glucose control – Researchers have uncovered a new clue for why bariatric surgery is more effective than dietary remedies alone at controlling glucose levels. The study conducted at Duke University Medical Center and St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University.

Statins lower prostate cancer recurrence after prostatectomy

Statins associated with lower cancer recurrence following prostatectomy – Men who use statins to lower their cholesterol are 30 percent less likely to see their prostate cancer come back after surgery compared to men who do not use the drugs, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center. Researchers also found that higher doses of the drugs were associated with lower risk of recurrence.

Spouses who care for partners with dementia at higher risk of same fate

Older married adults whose spouse has dementia are at significantly higher risk for developing dementia themselves, compared to similar older married adults whose spouse never develops dementia. – Husbands or wives who care for spouses with dementia are six times more likely to develop the memory-impairing condition than those whose spouses don’t have it, according to results of a 12-year study led by Johns Hopkins, Utah State University, and Duke University.

MRSA infection increases hospital cost $60000 per patient

MRSA leads to worse outcomes, staggering expenses for surgical patients – Post surgical infections significantly increase the chance of hospital readmission and death and cost as much as $60,000 per patient, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers who conducted the largest study of its kind to date.

New biomarker predicts response to hepatitis C treatment

New Biomarker Predicts Response to Hepatitis C Treatment – Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified the first genetic marker that predicts response to hepatitis C treatments, and a single letter of DNA code appears to make a huge difference.

Binge drinking among older Americans – a study

Survey Reveals Binge Drinking Among Older Adults – One of the largest surveys of substance use has found a remarkable amount of binge drinking among older Americans, revealed by researchers at Duke University Medical Center in The American Journal of Psychiatry.

Osteoporosis drug may improve immune system

Osteoporosis drug may save lives by strengthening immune system – An osteoporosis drug zoledronic acid (Reclast) proven to save lives after hip fractures may do so by strengthening the body’s immune system, revealed by geriatrics researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

Pre cessation nicotine patch doubles quit success rate

Pre-Cessation Patch Doubles Quit Success Rate: Researchers Call for Labeling Changes – Using a nicotine patch before quitting smoking can double success rates, revealed by researchers at the Duke University Medical Center. This should be highlighted on nicotine patch labeling.

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