New conduction patterns have been identified in the vertebrate cardiacconduction system which may lead to novel therapies for sudden cardiacarrest, according to an article released on May 12, 2008 in theopen-access journal PLoS Biology, a part of thePublic Library of Science family of journals.

Cells on their way to forming bone also produce an estrogen-like substance that mimics the naturally occurring female sex hormone estradiol, investigators at the Yale School of Medicine reported Monday in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Researchers hope such a molecule might provide some of the benefits but, hopefully, not the health risk of traditional hormonal therapies for menopause and bone loss.

Obesity rates appear high in most but not all ethnic groups in the United States, and extra weight is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and markers of sub-clinical heart disease, according to a report in the May 12 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The United States, along with many other countries, is experiencing an epidemic of obesity, according to background information in the article.

Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s (Ariz.) speech on Tuesday, during which he outlined his judicial philosophy and “pledged to nominate qualified judges who will leave the legislating to the people,” is not a “campaign plank” but “one of our nation’s core ideas,” Tony Perkins, president of the

Cancer Research UK has this week celebrated its inaugural Business Supporters’ Awards, in celebration of the contribution made by business to help the charity beat cancer. The event, held on Tuesday 6th May at the Royal College of Surgeons, London, brought together the charity’s biggest supporters from the world of business to recognise the very best in business and charity partnerships and to inspire future relationships.

As the first Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières(MSF) relief plane receives permission to land in Yangon tomorrow, Saturday, the international medical humanitarian organization has already intensified its emergency program. As MSF scales up, there is a need for more technical experts and further supplies in the coming days.

A new White House report says that many American teenagers who are depressed and use marijuana to alleviate their condition are more likely to make it worse and even risk developing more serious mental health problems such as schizophrenia, anxiety, and even suicide.

A commercial airplane carrying the first shipment of American Red Cross relief supplies touched down in Yangon, Myanmar, to assist survivors of cyclone Nargis. This newly arrived shipment includes an initial supply of 8,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets to help prevent the spread of malaria.

Over the last 30 years, researchers have made some impressive strides inbattling certain types of cancer. It’s estimated, for example, that 99% of prostate cancer patients will survive at least five years and 9 out of 10 breast cancer patients will too.* While the numbers may not be quite as big when it comes to pancreatic cancer, the numbers aresignificant. Having bought and rebuilt dozens of vintage juke boxes, Dr.

Chances are you or someone you know has had laser eye surgery to correct blurry vision. Now, doctors are using the procedure in a new way. In some cases, they’re not just helping patients see better, they’re actually preventing them from going blind. Mike Samogala says he’s never taken time with his kids for granted. Lately, those moments have meant even more. Just a few months ago, Mike was diagnosed with eye cancer. It came with no warning or symptoms.