Novel Process Behind Heart Muscle Contraction Discovered

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Chicago were able to control heart muscle function in a new way after discovering the previously unknown role of two enzymes in heart muscle contraction, as detailed in the April 11 cover story of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Lovastatin Shown To Slow Progression Of Alzheimer's Disease

High cholesterol levels are considered to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease including stroke. Therefore, many cholesterol lowering drugs have been developed by pharmaceutical companies in recent years. One class of these drugs, statins, has been found to reduce the incidence of stroke and progression of Alzheimer's disease when prophylactically administered.

Scientists Reprogram Adult Mouse Skin Cells Into Embryonic-Like Stem Cells

Scientists have reprogrammed adult rat skin cells to become embryonic-like stem cells and alleviate Parkinson's disease in rats, according to a study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the Boston Globe reports..

Massachusetts Health Insurance Law Has Achieved Much; Health Care Leaders Need To Boost Cost Controls, Editorial Says

"While the success of" the Massachusetts health insurance law "is not assured, " the state "should be proud of accomplishing so much, so quickly, " a Boston Globe editorial states.

61 Of Workers Are Confident They Will Have Enough Money For Retirement, Down From 70 In 2007; Economy, Health Care Costs Major Concerns, Survey Find

U.S. residents are becoming increasingly concerned that they will be unable to save enough money to live comfortably during their retirement as a result of rising health care costs and the slowing economy, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute's annual survey, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Study Examines Use Of ED By Uninsured, Affluent Patients; Web Exclusives Feature Discussions With Dutch, German Health Officials;

"Are the Uninsured Responsible for the Rise in Emergency Department Visits in the United States?" Annals of Emergency Medicine: The study found that during a period in which the number of ED visits significantly increased, the proportion of uninsured patients visiting EDs dropped slightly, while visits by affluent patients and those who usually receive care in a physician's office rose sharply.

Quick, Simple Screening Tool For Alzheimer's Disease Developed By Texas Neuropsychologist

Early detection and diagnosis can help delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other memory problems. That's why Texas neuropsychologist Samuel Brinkman, Ph.D, developed the GrayMatters Assessment System (http://www.dementiascreening.com) - to provide a quick, accurate, and affordable tool for identifying Alzheimer's disease and other memory problems.

Looping Genes May Hold A Key To Understanding Breast Cancer

Another piece of the puzzle that is breast cancer has been found by University of Queensland researchers. Dr Melissa Brown, from UQ's School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, and her team have discovered how a particular gene associated with breast cancer behaves, which may lead to better testing for the debilitating disease.

Scalia Says Abortion Rights Not In Constitution, Judicial Nomination Process More Politicized

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told a group of students on Monday at the Roger Williams University Law School that there is nothing in the Constitution guaranteeing abortion rights and that the issue is best left to legislatures rather than the Supreme Court, the AP/Boston Globe reports.

Stopping A Cancer Trial Early: Is It For The Benefit Of Patients Or Industry?

New research has identified a growing trend for trials of new cancer treatments to be stopped prematurely before the therapies' risks and benefits have been properly evaluated.