A foundation created by American billionaire, Daniel K. Ludwig, will this year give six leading US institutions $20 million cash each, plus stock in a New York real estate holding company, to create Ludwig Centers.The $120 million plus gift, with further distributions from the Ludwig Fund over the next six years, should ensure that each Ludwig Center receives annual research funds of approximately $2 million in perpetuity.Mr. [click link for full article]

A new study has suggested a novel way of combating diseases related to the immune system, including cancer and autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes and arthritis. The study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, appears online in the journal Nature.T cells are produced by the body to fight infection. [click link for full article]

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects up to 20% of men in western cultures, 5% of whom experience significant physical symptoms. A study published in Journal of Forensic Sciences finds that sex offenders who suffer from OSA experience more harmful psychological symptoms than do sex offenders with normal sleep patterns. [click link for full article]

Men with overactive bladder and lower urinary tract symptoms who received a combination therapy were more likely to report improvement in symptoms than men who received only one medication, according to a study in the November 15 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on men’s health.Steven A. Kaplan, M.D., of Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, presented the findings of the study on 14-Nov-2006 at a JAMA media briefing on men’s health in New York. [click link for full article]

Treating advanced prostate cancer with radiation therapy after removal of the prostate gland reduces the risk of disease recurrence, but does not appear to significantly improve the length of survival, according to a study in the November 15 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on men’s health.Gregory Swanson, M.D. [click link for full article]

The cost of caring for U.S. adults with diabetes rose sharply between 1996 and 2003, a period in which the number of patients soared from 9.9 million to 13.7 million and the average annual inflation-adjusted treatment costs rose from $1,299 to $1,714, according to reports released recently by HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.The rising costs of prescription drugs accounted for much of the cost increase. [click link for full article]

The civil liberties of people with mental disorders could be severely compromised if the proposed legislation for England and Wales outlined in the Queen’s speech goes ahead, said Dr Tony Calland, Chairman of the BMA’s Medical Ethics Committee.He added:”It is essential that anyone with a mental health disorder can only be compulsorily treated if there is some clear health benefit linked to this action. [click link for full article]

Women tend to live longer with heart failure than do men, and they also tend to have a less severe form of the disease, which is characterized by reduced performance of the heart muscle, according to a study by Duke University Medical Center cardiologists. [click link for full article]

Commenting on the Nuffield Council’s new report on treating premature babies, Dr Tony Calland, the BMA’s Chairman of the Medical Ethics Committee, said:”Much of the Nuffield Council’s new report echoes existing best practice and the BMA’s advice. However the BMA is concerned about its core recommendations about time limits for providing intensive care treatment to premature babies. [click link for full article]

Columbia University Medical Center scientists presented the latest research findings in a wide range of cardiovascular areas at the 2006 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Chicago, Nov.12-15. Columbia’s groundbreaking medical research presentations at AHA this year included:NEW UNDERSTANDING OF MOLECULAR ROOTS FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATIONRobert Kass, Ph.D. [click link for full article]