HUMAN genome sequencing is already helping researchers find new treatments for illness. Now an unusual case study suggests that the benefits of sequencing may be enhanced in combination with detailed blood tests.The case involves Michael Snyder, a geneticist who was both the lead author and the subj

CHICAGO — A drug that delivers a powerful poison to tumors without some of the side effects of traditional treatments can delay the worsening of breast cancer and also appears to substantially prolong lives, according to results of a study presented here Saturday.Besides representing an advance in t

CHICAGO — Taking periodic breaks from a commonly used treatment for prostate cancer could shorten men’s lives, researchers reported here on SaturdayIn a large study, intermittent hormonal therapy proved to be less effective than continuous therapy for certain men with metastatic prostate cancer.The

Doctors often order tests and recommend drugs or procedures when they shouldn’t — sometimes even when they know they shouldn’t. The problem has become so serious that such groups as the American College of Physicians, the ABIM Foundation, the National Physicians Alliance and a coalition of medical s

http://wapo.st/K7vTBPWhat’s in a name? That’s a question that experts are wrestling with as they prepare to revise the diagnostic manual that spells out the criteria for addiction and other substance-use problems.The catalyst for this discussion is a set of proposed changes to the Diagnostic and Sta

For the first time in 13 years, the Food and Drug Administration has put diet pills back on the market. Will you take them?If your doctor could offer a prescription pill to help you lose weight, would you take it?As more than a third of US adults struggle with obesity, a pill may seem like an easy a

About one in six children and teenagers are also obese, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association report which showed that obesity remains a significant problem in US society despite efforts to combat it.“Obesity prevalence shows little change over the past 12 years, although the

Concern over drug-resistant strains of TB is growing, with similar ‘incurable’ TB emerging in Italy and Iran. Doctors in Mumbai said 12 patients had a “totally drug resistant” form of the infection, and three have died.The Indian Health Ministry is investigating the cases and has sent a team of doct

The WHO report says there were over 26,000 measles cases in 36 European countries from January to October 2011.Western European countries reported 83% of those cases, with 14,000 in France alone.In England and Wales, there were just under 1,000 confirmed measles cases in that period – compared with

Experts, who studied more than 10,000 people across Europe, found those with the gene ABCC9 need around 30 minutes more sleep per night than those without the gene.The gene is carried by one in five Europeans, they say in their study, published in Molecular Psychiatry.The researchers said the findin