In 2003, breast cancer incidence in the United States dropped sharply, and this decline may largely be due to the fact that millions of older women stopped using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in 2002, according to a new analysis led by researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. [click link for full article]

Last Super Bowl, a TV commercial lauded the power of Requip (ropinirole), the first drug approved to treat restless leg syndrome, a condition whose signature feature is creepy-crawly leg sensations that interfere with sleep and rest in nearly 1 of every 10 adults.But if taken too long, the drug can actually backfire, causing symptoms to worsen, say doctors who specialize in treating the condition. [click link for full article]

There’s good news for children growing up in bad neighborhoods in a comprehensive study led by nationally renowned University of Colorado at Boulder sociology Professor Delbert Elliott.The 8-year effort analyzing the successful development of children in different kinds of neighborhoods in Denver and Chicago found that children growing up in high-poverty neighborhoods were doing much better than expected. [click link for full article]

Experiments designed to test discrepancies in theoretical computational chemistry have turned up a barely two-angstrom difference that may lead to a new approach to locate and remove dangerous toxins such as perchlorate and nitrates from the environment.The research targets toxic groundwater contaminants that contain negatively charged ions known as anions (a-NI-ens), which are historically difficult to remove. [click link for full article]

Researchers have discovered a gene mutation which prevents the otherwise healthy carriers from sensing pain, after studying three related families with a rare genetic disorder in northern Pakistan.The research, published in the journal Nature, provides insight into the mechanics of pain and could lead to the development of more effective pain treatments. [click link for full article]

A multicenter study on treating common ear infections in children with ear tubes adds to a growing body of evidence that favors antibiotic ear drops over antibiotics swallowed in pill or liquid form in such cases, a UT Southwestern Medical Center researcher reports. [click link for full article]

The Burnham Institute for Medical Research (”Burnham”) has established an affiliation with the University of California, Santa Barbara led by internationally-renowned medical researcher Erkki Ruoslahti, M.D., Ph.D, the campus and the Institute has announced. Dr. Ruoslahti maintains his primary appointment as Distinguished Professor with the Burnham, and joins UCSB’s Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology as an adjunct Distinguished Professor. [click link for full article]

Nothing But Nets announced that the campaign’s efforts to fight malaria by delivering long-lasting, insecticide- treated nets (bed nets) to children and families throughout Africa were highlighted at today’s White House Summit on Malaria hosted by President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. Since May 2006, the Nothing But Nets campaign has raised over $1.7 million with average donations of 62 dollars. [click link for full article]

Hundreds of millions of city dwellers breathe air so polluted with chemicals, smoke and particles that it dramatically exceeds World Health Organization limits with major impacts on health and the environment.A major study on the state of air pollution in 20 of Asia�”s key cities shows that while there have been improvements in achieving better air quality, air pollution still poses a threat to health and quality of life of many people. [click link for full article]

The Society for Women’s Health Research announced the top five women�”s health stories of 2006 today, as selected by its scientific programs staff. The list covers advances in research of particular interest to women and new sex-specific treatments.⬜The public�”s attitude toward women�”s health has evolved greatly since the Society was founded in 1990,⬝ said Phyllis Greenberger, M.S.W, president and CEO of the Society for Women’s Health Research, a Washington, D.C. [click link for full article]