In the 1980s and 90s, Scotland was known for its alarmingly high suicide rate. But since 2000, suicide rates have fallen sharply. A study published in the online open access journal BMC Public Health found this reduction is associated with a significant drop in hangings as a means of suicide.Dr Cameron Stark led the research team from the Department of Public Health, NHS Highland.

Women’s participation in post-conflict nation-building is an important ingredient in achieving an equitable, peaceful and more prosperous society, according to a RAND Corporation study.While many policymakers and development agencies fear that pursuing a stronger role for women in nation-building “too soon” will lead to instability, RAND researchers say that the available information suggest otherwise.

Cancer researchers at the University of Minnesota and North Carolina State University have found that humans and dogs share more than friendship and companionship - they also share the same genetic basis for certain types of cancer. Furthermore, the researchers say that because of the way the genomes have evolved, getting cancer may be inevitable for some humans and dogs.Jaime Modiano, V.M.D., Ph.D.

A protein that is an early indicator of kidney dysfunction in adults may predict hypertension in black adolescents, Medical College of Georgia researchers have found.”Microalbuminuria, excessive amounts of albumin in the urine, is a common problem among diabetics,” says Dr. Gregory Harshfield, director of the Medical College of Georgia’s Georgia Prevention Institute.

UroToday.com - The tissue ablative techniques for renal tumor management continue to be in their investigational phase. This group highlights the technical limitations associated with cryotherapy of anteriorly located, endophytic tumors. These tumors are often not amenable to percutaneous CT guided cryotherapy and therefore are approached laparoscopically.

The authors evaluated the role of Celecoxib, an inhibitor of Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), which is a potent immune modulator in the treatment of urothelial cancer. PGE(2) is known to suppress both tumour antigen-specific helper T (T(H)1) cells and the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs).

UroToday.com - Female sexual dysfunction represents a new and underestimated field in urogynaecological research. Therefore, we provided an overview of the current literature to emphasize the growing importance and relevance of this widespread problem. In addition, it was the aim to provide evidence that definitions, prevalence, diagnostic protocols and therapeutic possibilities are confusing and not standardized.

UroToday.com- Shimada, et al in the December 2007 of The International Journal of Urology evaluated the surgical treatment for ureterocele with special reference to bladder reconstruction. They reviewed the medical records of 91 children who were diagnosed with a ureterocele and treated. The 91 patients spanned over 14 years. The initial treatment was a transurethral incision of the ureterocele.

UroToday.com - This study by Decramer, et al in the October 2007 issue of World Journal of Urology looked at non-invasive markers for ureteropelvic junction obstruction to predict the necessity of pyeloplasty. It evaluated both non-invasive urinary biomarkers for UPJ obstruction as well as proteomics. Proteomics is a large-scale study of protein structure and function and is often considered the next step in the study of biological systems after genomics.

UroToday.com - In a report in the January 2008 issue of Qualitative Health Research, an Oxford University team of sociologists led by Alison Chapple analyzed British men’s views and experiences regarding PSA screening.