The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week reported the results of a study based on a 2006 survey of four US states that suggests ten per cent of adult Americans are not getting enough daily rest or sleep.The study is published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) dated the 29th of February.

Many of the greatest inventions in modern medicine were developed by physicists who imported technologies such as X rays, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultrasound, particle accelerators and radioisotope tagging and detection techniques into the medical domain. There they became magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scanning, nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, and various radiotherapy treatment methods.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Little Rock in Arkansas has urged members to not donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure because it provides funding to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings and education to women visiting Planned Parenthood clinics, the AP/Google.com reports.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, can affect nearly any part of the body, including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, nervous system, and brain. Along with joint pain, muscle pain, unexplained fever, extreme fatigue, and skin rashes, neurologic and psychiatric events often accompany this autoimmune disease. Depending on the study, between 37 and 95 percent of SLE patients experience signs and symptoms of neuropsychiatric (NP) disease.

A chronic autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by persistent inflammation of the synovial membrane and progressive joint destruction. Beyond loss of mobility, sufferers face a high risk of heart failure. An inflammatory cytokine known for contributing to the development of RA, tumor necrosis factor a (TNFa) has also been implicated in cardiovascular disorders. Inhibition of TNFa has opened promising new treatment options for RA patients.

Although rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is more predominant in women, the reasons for this are unclear. Many studies have examined the effects of estrogen on the risk and severity of RA, but the results are conflicting and controversial.

Alpharma Inc. (NYSE: ALO), a global specialty pharmaceutical company, announced that a New Drug Application (NDA) has been submitted for EMBEDA”, a pharmacological abuse-deterrent, extended-release morphine product candidate. “Today’s announcement is an important one for all stakeholders in Alpharma,” commented Dean Mitchell, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Eosinophilic esophagitis, an inflammatory condition known as EE that often mimics reflux and can cause refusal to eat, affects about 1 in 2000 children in the United States and its prevalence is growing. Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children report that treatment with oral or swallowed/sprayed steroids results in significant patient improvement, but that if discontinued relapse is common.

A new website, http://www.medicalconditionsatschool.org.uk, is being launched at the Education Show by Asthma UK, The Anaphylaxis Campaign, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Diabetes UK, Epilepsy Action and the Long-Term Conditions Alliance, to provide vital resources that will help schools create a safe environment for children living with a medical condition.

A new study provides valuable insight into a previously undescribed mechanism that regulates a prominent cancer-associated protein. The research, published by Cell Press in the February 29th issue of Molecular Cell, will enhance understanding of the fundamental processes that contribute to breast cancer.