Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza viruses. In people, common symptoms of influenza are fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, and weakness and fatigue.
HRT-breast cancer risk stays same, regardless of family history – HRT conveys no greater breast cancer risk to women with, versus without, a first-degree family history of breast cancer. – The risk of developing breast cancer due to taking hormone replacement therapy appears to be the same for women with a family history of the disease and without a family history, a University of Rochester Medical Center study concluded.
Substance Abuse Appears To Be an Important Factor in Increased Risk of Violent Crime By Persons With Schizophrenia – The increased risk of persons with schizophrenia committing violent crime may be largely mediated by co-existing substance abuse problems, according to a study in the May 20 issue of JAMA.
Could sleep be a critical component to maintaining a healthy body weight? – Body mass index (BMI) is linked to length and quality of sleep in a surprisingly consistent fashion, revealed by researchers on Sunday, May 17, at the American Thoracic Society’s 105th International Conference in San Diego.
GSK has received orders from several governments aiming to stockpile a new candidate A (H1N1) adjuvanted influenza vaccine as a precautionary measure – Company to manufacture the new vaccine, once virus seed is made available by the WHO. – GSK is committed to supporting governments and health authorities around the world to respond to the emergence of the new A (H1N1) influenza strain.
Genes that influence start of menstruation identified for first time – Two genes clarify the genetic control of female sexual maturation, and point to regulatory mechanisms involved in human growth and development. – Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School, along with collaborators from research institutions across Europe and the United States, have for the first time identified two genes that are involved in determining when girls begin menstruation.
Influenza A(H1N1) – update 31 – 39 countries have officially reported 8480 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. – As of 06:00 GMT, 17 May 2009, 39 countries have officially reported 8480 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Swine flu Influenza A H1N1 update 27, WHO – 33 countries have officially reported 5728 cases of influenza A. – Swine influenza (Swine flu) refers to influenza cases that are caused by Orthomyxoviruses. As of 06:00 GMT, 13 May 2009, 33 countries have officially reported 5728 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.
Embryo’s heartbeat drives blood stem cell formation – Clues about how blood forms could yield new strategies for treating blood diseases. – Biologists have long wondered why the embryonic heart begins beating so early, before the tissues actually need to be infused with blood. Two groups of researchers from Children’s Hospital Boston, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Harvard Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) -? presenting multiple lines of evidence from zebrafish, mice and mouse embryonic stem cells -? provide an intriguing answer: A beating heart and blood flow are necessary for development of the blood system, which relies on mechanical stresses to cue its formation.
Study shows chemotherapy improves survival among older breast cancer patients – The average age of a woman diagnosed with breast cancer is 63, so it is critical to have effective proven, therapies for an older patient population.
Subtle exposure to small pharmaceutical promotional items influences implicit attitudes toward marketed products among medical students. – Exposure to small promotional items from pharmaceutical companies, such as clipboards and notepads, appears to influence medical students’ unconscious attitudes toward the marketed product, according to a report in the May 11 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Allergic reactions to food can range from mild, itchy hives to anaphylaxis, the most severe reaction. Standardized clinical guidelines will help healthcare providers better diagnose food allergy, manage ongoing food allergy and treat acute food allergy reactions. – This week, May 10-16, marks Food Allergy Awareness Week, a time to focus public awareness on this growing health problem. Together with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), a patient and family advocacy group at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) encourage all Americans to help those affected by this life-limiting disease.
30 countries have officially reported 4694 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. – As of 06:00 GMT, 11 May 2009, 30 countries have officially reported 4694 cases of Swine flu or swine influenza A(H1N1) infection, as per WHO.
