Doctors Advise Chemo Before Rectal Cancer Surgery
Administering chemotherapy and radiation before surgery for rectal cancer may not help patients live longer, but it produces fewer side effects than when it is given afterward, doctors reported on Wednesday.
Vioxx-Type Drugs May Not Have Same Risk
Pain relievers in the same class as Vioxx may not carry the same cardiovascular risk as the blockbuster drug that was withdrawn from the market three weeks ago, a U.S. regulator said on Wednesday.
Caesarean Birth May Raise Allergy Risk in Babies
Being born by Caesarean section may increase a baby's risk of suffering from food allergies and diarrhea in the first year of life, German doctors said on Thursday.
German Study Links Traffic Jams, Heart Attacks
In a study that gives new meaning to the concept of a "killer commute," researchers have concluded that people caught in traffic are three times more likely to suffer a heart attack within the hour than those who aren't tied up on the road.
Coke Vs. Pepsi Test Shows Logos 'Brand' the Brain
Whether people prefer Coke or Pepsi is not just a matter of taste. Knowing which one they are drinking apparently influences their preference, new findings suggest.
Adjustable Desks Help Productivity, Muscle Pain
Working at electrically adjustable desks that enable people to stand for a while at a computer appears to reduce muscle pain and boost productivity, new research shows.
Vitamin D May Help Arthritic Knees Function Better
Boston researchers report a link between low serum levels of vitamin D and decreased knee function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Nervous System Anomaly Seen in Gulf War Syndrome
Veterans with Gulf War syndrome appear to have subtle damage to the involuntary part of the nervous system, likely caused by low-level exposure to the chemical warfare agent sarin, according to a new study.
Cost, Stigma Are Barriers to Depression Treatment
Some people with depression may refuse treatment because of the associated stigma, but the majority may go untreated simply because it is too expensive, according to the findings of an international study.
Study: Pill Cuts Cancer, Coronary Risks
The same huge federal study that led millions of women to abandon use of hormones after menopause now provides reassurance that another hormone concoction — the birth control pill — is safe.
Man Undergoes Web-Arranged Transplant
A Colorado man underwent surgery for a new kidney Wednesday in what was believed to be the first transplant brokered through a commercial Web site — a transaction that has raised a host of ethical and legal questions.
Flu Shot Crisis Prompts Schools' Concerns
For millions of students and school workers who will miss flu shots this year, the advice is elementary: Wash your hands and stay home if you are sick.
Flu Vaccine in January Could Be Too Late
More flu vaccine is expected to be available for millions of Americans in January, but that could be too late.
Thai Tigers to Be Killed on Bird Flu Fears
Authorities will kill about 40 tigers believed to be sick with bird flu after 30 others died at a private zoo, officials said Wednesday.
Wis. Teen Diagnosed With Human Rabies
A teenager has been diagnosed as having a rare case of human rabies, only the second case in Wisconsin in nearly 50 years, health officials said Wednesday
The Changing Role of America's Pharmacists
Helping customers pick appropriate over-the-counter preparations to soothe minor coughs and colds, bee stings and poison ivy rashes is all in a day's work for Patty Johnston, a registered pharmacist.
Health Tip: A Shingles Source of Chickenpox
Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the chickenpox virus that remains dormant in people who had the virus as children or young adults.
Health Tip: Travelers, Be Wary of Cholera
While cholera has been virtually eliminated by modern sewage- and water-treatment systems in the industrialized world, travelers to parts of Latin America, Africa or Asia need to be cautious.
Betel Nut Tied to Head, Neck Cancers
There's a link between increased betel nut quid nut production and consumption and a substantial rise in the incidence of head and neck cancers among Taiwanese men, says a National Taiwan University Hospital study.
Insulin Drugs Help Treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Insulin-sensitizing drugs help both thin and heavy women with polycystic ovary syndrome, says a Virginia Commonwealth University study in the October issue of Fertility and Sterility.
Walking Kids Through Aftermath of Domestic Violence
A technique called emotion coaching can help parents help children surmount the effects of family violence, says a University of Washington study.
New Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation Shows Promise
A minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat atrial fibrillation -- the most common form of heart rhythm abnormality -- works as well as the traditional surgical treatment and takes half the time.
Tamoxifen Doesn't Increase Stroke Risk
Taking tamoxifen to treat breast cancer won't increase your risk of stroke.
Gene Variant Offers Asthma Protection
Researchers have identified a form of a particular gene that, when present, can help protect people from developing asthma.
