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Scientists have known which genes are linked to inflammation, but now researchers have organized this information to develop a powerful tool to aid investigators in studying the genetics of inflammatory diseases.

Although some individuals with the inherited blood disorder sickle cell disease benefit from treatment with hydroxyurea, which increases fetal hemoglobin expression, it does not work for all sickle-cell patients. Now, hope for a new therapy has been provided by the observation that the anticancer drugs lenalidomide and pomalidomide were more effective than hydroxyurea at inducing HbF expression by red blood cells derived in vitro from CD34+ cells from both healthy and sickle-cell individuals.

Although most scientists believe tuberculosis emerged only several thousand years ago, new research reveals the most ancient evidence of the disease has been found in a 500,000-year-old human fossil from Turkey. The discovery of the new specimen of the human species, Homo erectus, suggests support for the theory that dark-skinned people who migrate northward from low, tropical latitudes produce less vitamin D, which can adversely affect the immune system as well as the skeleton.

By simply eating four or more servings of green salad a week and working in the garden once or twice a week, smokers and nonsmokers alike may be able to substantially reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, say researchers.

The social behavior of rats displaying schizophrenic tendencies is restored when they are treated with two new potential drugs that seem to have unique effects on dopaminergic signaling. Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder with symptoms that include hallucinations and delusions. Other common effects are social withdrawal, lack of initiative, dulled emotions, and difficulty in experiencing pleasure.

A new study shows that a common antibacterial chemical added to bath soaps is an endocrine disruptor that can alter hormonal activity in rats and in human cells in the laboratory -- and does so by a previously unreported mechanism. Called endocrine disruptors, or endocrine disrupting substances (EDS), such chemicals have been linked in animal studies to a variety of problems, including cancer, reproductive failure and developmental anomalies.

Commercially available blueberry and grape fruit punch delivers a bruising blow to prostate cancer, scientists have found. In mice with a human version of the disease it reduced the growth of tumours by 25% in just two weeks. Researchers believe the drink, Blueberry Punch, could have a similar effect in humans and want to see it tested in patients.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. among both men and women. Some of the newest technology available for the early detection and treatment of lung cancer is the new 64-slice the GE LightSpeed VCT scanner available at Sacramento HeartScan. Dennis R. Breen, M.D., F.A.C.C., of the Sacramento Heart and Vascular Institute, which operates Sacramento HeartScan, said that there's a lot of debate surrounding screening of the general population.

In the final days of November's Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Members of Congress called upon Honorable Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make a commitment to increase funding for lung cancer research and develop a coordinated plan to address the leading cause of cancer death among men and women. "We couldn't ask for a better initiative to round out our awareness efforts this month," said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, President and CEO of Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA). "We are so very grateful for the continued congressional engagement on this important issue.

Breast cancer patients might have a powerful incentive to avoid gaining weight: better odds of surviving the disease. New research suggests that for every 11 pounds a woman gains after being diagnosed with breast cancer, the chances of it proving fatal go up 14 percent. The study is by no means definitive, but gives the strongest evidence yet that controlling weight - a good idea any time in life - may be especially important after breast cancer.