In cases of Type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells fail to appropriately regulate blood glucose levels. Research has suggested that this results from two simultaneous problems: the improper functioning of pancreatic beta cells and the impairment of insulin’s actions on target tissues, including the liver, fat and muscles. [click link for full article]

More than two thirds (69%) of sexually active New York City teens use condoms, compared to 63% nationwide, according to a new survey of public high school students. But too few sexually active girls are using the pill and other hormonal contraceptives to prevent unplanned pregnancies. The full report — Teen Sexual Activity and Birth Control Use in New York City — is available here (PDF). [click link for full article]

In the largest study of its kind, Mayo Clinic researchers have shown that women who had one or both ovaries removed before menopause faced an increased long-term risk of cognitive impairment or dementia, compared to women who retained their ovaries. However, women who had both their ovaries removed but were treated with estrogen until at least age 50 did not have any increased risk. [click link for full article]

Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr Valentin Fuster, MD, PHD, Editor-in-Chief, was one of two outstanding clinical scientists recently awarded the Gold Medal of the European Society of Cardiology. Dr. Fuster was chosen for both his outstanding work in the field of atherosclerosis as well as his contribution to health education particularly in third world countries during his Presidency of the World Heart Federation. [click link for full article]

Touching stories of living donor transplantation are continuously happening in hospitals. One of these stories is reported recently in the World Journal of Gastroenterology because of its shining significance in hepatology. This article is going to bring comfort to many families.It is about a desperate patient brought to Dr. Tatsuki Ichikawa in the Nagasaki University Hospital, Japan in 2004. This patient was quite a challenge for Dr Ichikawa. [click link for full article]

Studies show that abused or neglected children are more likely to be arrested for delinquency and violent crimes, both as juveniles and as adults. They also commit more offences and are younger when they’re first arrested. [click link for full article]

Elsevier, a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services is pleased to announce the formation of a publishing partnership with the Tissue Viability Society, an organization representing more than 1000 wound care specialists in the UK.Under the agreement, Elsevier will assume publication of the Journal of Tissue Viability, official journal of the Tissue Viability Society ( [click link for full article]

More than 3% of the world population is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The outcome of HCV infections is either self recovery or chronic hepatitis, and many of the chronic infections will develop into liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Since there is no cure for chronic hepatitis C, nor is there any approved vaccine for this virus, hepatitis C is currently a major health problem worldwide.Twenty to fifty percent of HCV infected patients recovers spontaneously. [click link for full article]

Women who have mutations in the BRCA genes, which are the most common familial mutations known to confer a higher risk of developing breast cancers, are no more likely to die from their disease than non-carriers, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine. [click link for full article]

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) announcement that cold and flu products containing pseudoephedrine / ephedrine will remain available for sale over the counter from pharmacies is an opportunity for pharmacy to demonstrate it can confidently manage supply of these products. [click link for full article]