Genetic link between breast density and breast cancer

Study reveals genetic link between mammographic density and breast cancer – A University of Melbourne study has revealed that certain breast cancer genetic variants increase mammographic density, confirming the link between mammographic breast density and breast cancer.

H1N1 influenza severity linked to Streptococcus pneumoniae

Severity of H1N1 influenza linked to presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae – The presence of the Streptococcus pneumoniae in samples that can be easily obtained in clinics and emergency rooms may predict risk of severe disease in H1N1 pandemic influenza.

Diabetes may weaken your bones

Diabetes weakens your bones – The inflammatory molecule TNF-a may contribute to delayed bone fracture healing in diabetics, revealed by researchers. Diabetes, a condition where the body either does not produce enough, or respond to, insulin, affects at least 171 million people worldwide, a figure that is likely to double by 2030.

Patients with acute lower back pain can be diagnosed by PCP

PCPs are front line defense in diagnosing serious illness in patients with acute lower back pain — ‘Red flag’ clinical features aid PCPs in screening patients for serious diseases. – Primary care physicians are front line defense in diagnosing serious illness in patients with acute lower back pain, revealed by researchers at The George Institute for International Health in Australia.

XMRV virus may cause prostate cancer in people

Researchers find first evidence of virus in malignant prostate cells in prostate cancer — XMRV retrovirus is associated with more aggressive tumors of prostate gland. – XMRV (Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus) — a type of virus known to cause leukemia and sarcomas in animals has been found for the first time in malignant human prostate cancer cells.

Stress may lead to obesity and heart disease

New research links social stress to harmful fat deposits, heart disease – Social stress could be an important precursor to heart disease by causing the body to deposit more fat in the abdominal cavity, speeding the harmful buildup of plaque in blood vessels, a stepping stone to the number one cause of death in the world.

Math may predict Herceptin response in breast cancer patients

Mathematical modeling predicts response to Herceptin in breast cancer patients. – Cancer researchers are turning to mathematical models to help answer important clinical questions, and a new paper in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, illustrates how the technique may answer questions about Herceptin resistance.

Allergy drug may reduce obesity and diabetes

Common allergy drug reduces obesity and diabetes in mice – Researchers have linked type 2 diabetes and obesity with immunology. These new research studies published in Nature Medicine, by Harvard Medical School researchers.

Hormone therapy may increase ovarian cancer risk

Regardless of the duration of use, the formulation, estrogen dose, regimen, progestin type, and route of administration, hormone therapy was associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer. – Compared with women who have never taken hormone therapy, those who currently take it or who have taken it in the past are at increased risk of ovarian cancer.

HIV progresses faster in women than in men

Study may explain why HIV progresses faster in women than in men with same viral load — Pathways related to elevated immune activation could lead to new treatment strategies. – One of the continuing mysteries of the HIV/AIDS epidemic is why women usually develop lower viral levels than men following acute HIV-1 infection but progress faster to AIDS than men with similar viral loads.

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