'Mad cow' proteins successfully detected in blood
A method for identifying Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, has been cleared for diagnostic use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The test, known as the Gamma Phage Assay, was modified by scientists at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) to improve its performance and reliability when used with clinical specimens. The original...Health of coral reefs detected from orbit
Australian researchers have found Envisat's MERIS sensor can detect coral bleaching down to ten metres deep. This means Envisat could potentially monitor impacted coral reefs worldwide on a twice-weekly basis. Coral bleaching happens when symbiotic algae living in symbiosis with living coral polyps (and providing them their distinctive colours) are expelled. The whitening coral may die wit...More kidney cancer is detected and treated early, yet death rate rises
The number of cases of kidney cancer has been rising over the last two decades, and new research from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center shows that this increase is driven largely by the detection of small, presumably curable, kidney masses. But even though the rising incidence has been paralleled by greater use of surgery for kidney cancer, this trend has not led to fewer peo...Heart problems detected better with a Cardiac MRI
Every year, more than 5 million people go to the Emergency Room(ER) with chest pain which has persisted for 20 to 30 minutes. Most receive an ECG and other standard tests to determine if they are having a heart attack or other serious heart problems. However, ECGs can be completely normal even when a heart attack is taking place. ECGs are also sometimes unable to identify unstable angina,...Hearing loss can be detected by simple screening
Researchers have studied evidence on hearing loss in older people and have found that 25 to 40 percent of those aged 60 and older are hearing impaired. Doctors while examining older patients must check for hearing loss, for this may be easily remedied. The condition can lead to depression, social isolation and decrease in functional ability. There are several reliable tests to detect hear...Ankylosing spondylitis may not be detected in children
Childhood ankylosing spondylitis may be more common than thought of and may remain undetected because of this//, says a new study in US. Ankylosing spondylitis or arthritis of the spine is a disease that may affect young children. Children who suffer from pain in their joints and stiffness for a long time must be medically examined for spinal arthritis as timely medical intervention ma...Oral Cancer Can Be Detected By Saliva Test
Oral Cancer is a common condition in India where beetle and tobacco chewing is a common habit//. It has now been found that certain bacteria’s excessive presence may give an early warning of cancer of the mouth. A report published in the Open Access journal, Journal of Translational Medicine has found that patients suffering from oral cancer (usually called squamous cell carcinoma)...