Health News for December 28, 2007

Farm women exposed to pesticides at greater risk of asthma
Farm women, who are exposed to some commonly used pesticides in farm work are at a greater risk of developing allergic asthma, according to a new study. ANI

Weight-based dosage increases hepatitis C treatment efficacy
A multicenter study called WIN-R on hepatitis C patients, showed that the treatment with weight-based drugs resulted in improved efficacy and lower relapse rates, mainly in African-Americans with most difficult-to-treat form of the disease. ANI

Acclaimed Indian-origin AIDS researcher passes away
Renowned Indian-origin researcher Opendra Bill Narayan, whose work included leading-edge research in producing a treatment for AIDS, passed away on 24 December following a heart attack. He was 71. ANI

Avastin, Taxol combo dramatically increases breast cancer therapy effectiveness
Indiana University researchers have successfully concluded the first ever trial involving the inclusion of an antiangiogenic agent called Avastin in breast cancer therapy with Taxol, suggesting that this agent raises the treatments effectiveness significantly. ANI

Protein behind overeating and obesity identified
Researchers, for the first time, have demonstrated in mice that a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critical in managing satiety, and is the main cause behind obesity and overeating. ANI

Treatment for non-cancer ailments improves survival rates of afflicted patients
A new study has revealed that treatment for non-cancer health issues, even after the diagnosis of the disease, may improve survival rates of cancer patients. ANI

Scientists zero in on inflammation and cancer link
Scientists following a cancer-targeting molecule called TRAIL have established a link between inflammation and cancer susceptibility through this receptor. ANI

Cone-Beam CT more accurate, faster than conventional mammography
Cone-beam breast CT is potentially more accurate and faster than the conventional 2D mammography method for detecting breast cancers, according to a new study. ANI