science newsletter: Science News SciGuru.com

Τετάρτη 25 Σεπτεμβρίου 2013

Science News SciGuru.com

Proton Therapy Cuts Side Effects for Pediatric Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Drug Fails to Reduce Diarrhea in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy
Important development in heart valve surgery
Researchers Harness the Immune System to Fight Pancreatic Cancer
Do anaesthetics trigger stress?

Proton Therapy Cuts Side Effects for Pediatric Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Posted: 25 Sep 2013 07:09 AM PDT

The precise targeting and limited dosing of radiation via proton therapy is proving to be an advantage in ongoing efforts to reduce treatment side effects among head and neck cancer patients, according to a new study of pediatric patients from researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The results were presented this week at the 55th annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) conference.

Drug Fails to Reduce Diarrhea in Patients Receiving Radiation Therapy

Posted: 25 Sep 2013 07:05 AM PDT

Sulfasalazine, a drug commonly prescribed to reduce diarrhea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, does not reduce diarrhea in patients receiving radiation therapy for cancers in the pelvic area a Mayo Clinic-led study has found. The study also found that the medication may be associated with a higher risk of diarrhea than a placebo when used during radiation therapy to the pelvis. The results were presented today at the American Society of Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

Important development in heart valve surgery

Posted: 25 Sep 2013 07:01 AM PDT

More patients with leaking heart valves can be treated using a metal device called a Mitraclip, which was formerly only used for uncomplicated heart valve leakage. An international team of researchers has shown that the method can also be used for more advanced valve diseases, which means that a larger number of patients who previously had no treatment option can now be helped.

Researchers Harness the Immune System to Fight Pancreatic Cancer

Posted: 24 Sep 2013 12:26 PM PDT

Pancreatic cancer ranks as the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and is one of the most deadly forms of cancer, due to its resistance to standard treatments with chemotherapy and radiation therapy and frequently, its late stage at the time of diagnosis.

Do anaesthetics trigger stress?

Posted: 24 Sep 2013 07:15 AM PDT

New research could improve the welfare standards of millions of fish used by scientists around the world. The study, published in PLOS ONE, is one of the first to formally assess the welfare implications of anaesthetics on fish. Researchers use fish to study the developmental origins of health and disease.