Measles Returns
from The New York Times
There has been an upsurge of measles cases in the United States, mostly because of parents’ misguided fears of vaccinations. The number is still relatively small — but climbing. More

Gene Linked to 'Dry' Macular Degeneration
fromThe Washington Post
Scientists from the United States and China have identified the first gene directly associated with the onset of severe "dry" macular degeneration, one of two forms of age-related macular degeneration that currently threatens the vision of up to nine million older Americans. More

Joint Commission to Develop Hospital Standards for Culturally Aware Care
from Health Imaging News
A new grant from the Commonwealth Fund will be used by the Joint Commission to revise and develop accreditation standards for culturally competent patient-centered care in hospitals across the United States. More

Rabies Vaccine Supply Situation
from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Due to an increased demand placed on RabAvert vaccine supplies, Novartis will require health providers to obtain a confirmation code from state or local health departments before releasing vaccine doses for postexpsoure prophylaxis to ensure adequate risk assessments at the local level. More

Gene that Causes Childhood Cancer Neuroblastoma is Found
from The Wall Street Journal
Scientists have discovered gene mutations that are the main cause of the inherited version of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma. In addition, the researchers found that the same mutations play a significant role in high-risk forms of non-inherited neuroblastoma, the more common form of the disease. More

New Approach to Better Understanding Therapy for Strokes
from The Ohio State University Medical Center
Researchers at The Ohio State University Medical Center’s Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute are the first to report a minimally invasive technique to re-enact the occurrence of stroke. More

Study Suggests Missing Gene May Impair Appetite Control
from USA Today
Some obese children and adults who eat excessively may be missing a gene for a brain chemical involved in controlling appetite, according to a recent study in New England Journal of Medicine. More

Scientists Identify New Drug Target Against Virulent Type Of Breast Cancer
from Science Daily Magazine
Tumor cells in a particular subset of breast cancer patients churn out too much of a protein called ErbB2 - also often called HER2 - which drives the cells to proliferate unchecked. Patients unlucky enough to be in this group -about one in four - have poorer prognoses and clinical outcomes than those who don't. More