Saline Nasal Irrigation More Effective than Spray for Chronic Sinus Symptoms

November 29, 2007 | by

According to a new study in the latest issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery, saline irrigation treatments show greater efficacy versus saline spray for providing short-term relief of chronic nasal and sinus symptoms.

In the United States, 29.5 million people 18 years of age and older are affected by sinusitis [1]. Millions more are affected by other types of allergic and non-allergic rhinitis (meaning irritation and inflammation of the mucosal membrane of the nose). Some people can reduce symptom severity using medication, including antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics are frequently prescribed for acute and chronic sinusitis. However, their use far outweighs the predicted incidence of bacterial infection, suggesting that antibiotics are overprescribed for sinus infections. Regardless of the medication used however, for many patients, symptoms persist.

Common Therapy for Prostate Cancer May Promote Metastasis

November 14, 2007 | by

A study published in the journal Cancer Research last month suggests that the principle treatment for advanced prostate cancer may actually encourage prostate cancer cells to metastasize [1]. Researchers at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine focused on a gene called Nestin, which encodes an intermediate filament protein. Intermediate filaments are cytoskeletal or scaffolding structures found in cells that, in addition to maintaining cell shape, control a variety of cellular processes including proliferation, migration and survival [2]. Nestin gene expression also distinguishes stem cells from differentiated cells and has been shown to be activated in pediatric brain tumors and rhabdomyosarcomas (cancers that develop from skeletal muscle), central nervous system tumors and gastrointestinal stromal tumors [3-6].

Individual Genetics, Coffee Consumption, BRCA1 and Breast Cancer

October 19, 2007 | by

We’ve talked previously about the health benefits of coffee and the antioxidant compounds responsible for it’s bitterness. To add to the “perks” of coffee consumption, a recent report in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention suggests that caffeine protects against breast cancer in women that have a BRCA1 gene mutation [1].

Biodegradable Polymers for Drug and Gene Delivery

October 15, 2007 | by

In participation with Blog Action Day, an event where bloggers from around the world unite to put a single important issue on everyone’s mind – the environment – today’s article discusses recent advances in the use of biodegradable materials for drug and gene delivery.

Overweight Kids and TV: An Advertising Epidemic

October 4, 2007 | by

On Saturday afternoon, September 29th, 2007, the cable television channel Nickelodeon showed nothing for three hours to celebrate “Worldwide Day of Play”, encouraging children to get off the couch and be active. The “Worldwide Day of Play” is part of Nickelodeon’s “Let’s Just Play” campaign, in partner with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, to encourage kids to participate in active, healthy and playful lifestyles. The goal of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation is to create a new generation of healthy Americans by addressing one of the nation’s leading public health threats — childhood obesity.

So it should be simple, right? Don’t let kids spend so much time in front of the television … get them to be more active and they won’t be overweight. Or is there more to it? Let’s explore some of the science.