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A Kaiser Permanente study in Diabetes Care that found diabetes before motherhood more than doubled in six years among 175,249 teenage and adult women. This is the largest and most diverse study to examine gestational diabetes as well as pre-pregnancy type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Previous studies looked only at gestational diabetes. 52% of the women in study were Hispanic, 26% were White, 11% were Asian/Pacific Islanders and 10 % were African-American.

Ants may be an unwelcome intruder at picnics, but they could soon be a welcome guest in your medicine cabinet. Chemists in China report identification of substances in a certain species of ants that show promise for fighting arthritis, hepatitis, and other diseases.

Children who attend day care or play groups have about a 30% lower risk of developing the most common type of childhood leukemia than those who do not, according to a new analysis of studies investigating the link. The research is the first comprehensive analysis of studies investigating the association between social contact and childhood leukemia.

Researchers have discovered that deletions or mutations within the TFAP2A gene result in the distinctive clefting disorder Branchio-Oculo-Facial syndrome. This rare disorder is characterized by specific skin anomalies involving the neck and behind the ear, eye abnormalities, a typical facial appearance, and frequently cleft lip and palate.

Researchers have developed reliable methods based on DNA analysis to assess the concentration and viability of anthrax spores after prolonged storage. The techniques and data are essential steps in developing a reliable reference standard for anthrax detection and decontamination.

Researchers have used gene therapy to safely restore vision in three young adults with a rare form of congenital blindness -- Leber congenital amaurosis. Although the patients have not achieved normal eyesight, the preliminary results set the stage for further studies of an innovative treatment for this and possibly other retinal diseases.

A new hybrid hearing aid/cochlear implant device designed for patients who can benefit from both is being evaluated by otolaryngologists, as part of a national study.

Lumpectomy or breast conservation surgery is the most common type of breast cancer surgery currently performed. A new report examines advances plastic surgeons have made in breast reconstruction to repair the damage left when cancer is removed.

Consumers are increasingly being marketed a broad range of genetic tests. Paternity tests at the local drugstore ... Personal genome mapping ... Gene tests to predict future baldness. With ongoing genetic discoveries and technology improvements, more genetic tests are available than ever before. How can consumers make informed decisions about genetic tests? To help address some of the important questions raised about Direct-to-Consumer genetic testing, the American College of Medical Genetics has developed the ACMG 2008 Policy Statement on DTC Genetic Testing.

The latest class of drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are better than standard anti-inflammatories, according to a new study. Analysis of the combined results of thirteen trials showed that anti-TNF± drugs, given at recommended doses, were better than the usual treatments, such as methotrexate, for treating RA. Patients who had previously seen little benefit from methotrexate alone showed a better response with combined anti-TNF± plus methotrexate therapy.