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The goal of developing reliable genetic tests to guide lung cancer treatment has taken a step forward. Researchers recently evaluated the ability of five high-risk genetic profiles, or signatures, to predict the likelihood that cancer would recur in patients whose non-small cell lung cancer was caught early and surgically removed.

Heart patients often experience lasting problems with memory, language and other cognitive skills after bypass surgery. However, these problems aren't caused by the surgery itself or the pump used to replace heart function during surgery, a new study suggests. The findings may lead to better approaches to prevent cognitive decline regardless of which treatment heart disease patients receive.

A simple blood test may be able to detect lung cancer in its earliest stages with unprecedented accuracy, according to new research. The possibility of developing a non-invasive test to distinguish cancerous from benign lesions in the lungs has enormous implications, not just for the world of medicine, but for every individual patient who has gone through the harrowing experience of having to wait for conclusive biopsy results after preliminary testing.

Domestic violence can happen to men, not only to women. Phone interviews with 420 randomly sampled adult male Group Health patients surprised researchers. They found 5 percent of the men had experienced domestic violence in the past year, 10 percent in the past five years, and 29 percent over their lifetimes. "We want abused men to know they're not alone," he said.

Sleeping sickness affects more than 50,000 people around the world, mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by the Trypanosoma parasite, which is transmitted by the tsetse fly. A team of CNRS researchers has identified a new protein within the parasite, the absence of which prevents the parasite from being able to feed itself and causes it to die. This work is of considerable importance, as it offers the potential of promising therapeutic strategies to fight the disease.

The "21 for 21" ritual, where 21st birthday revelers attempt to down 21 alcoholic drinks, is highly prevalent among college students, according to new research. In the largest study of its kind, researchers have determined that many college students drink to excess on their 21st birthdays and potentially jeopardize their health.

A sophisticated new surgical technology holds promise for future painless and scarless surgery with shorter recovery times than laparoscopic surgery. New research supports the safety and efficacy of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) using new tools and robotic applications.

An herb used in traditional medicine by Middle Eastern countries may help fight pancreatic cancer. Researchers have found that thymoquinone, an extract of nigella sativa seed oil, blocked pancreatic cancer cell growth and killed cells by enhancing programmed cell death. The findings suggest that thymoquinone could eventually have use as a preventative in those who have had surgery and chemotherapy or who are at risk of developing cancer.

A new study has found that swimming pools in remote Aboriginal communities can dramatically reduce rates of skin, ear and chest infections. Skin infections are of major concern because they can lead to chronic heart or kidney disease later in life.

It has long been known that prolonged exposure to the suns harmful UV rays can lead to Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. An unanswered question, however, is why some people are more likely to develop melanoma than others. Despite years of research and clinical development, melanoma incidences continue to rise around the world. According to the National Cancer Institute, the percentage of people in the United States who develop melanoma each year has more than doubled in the past 30 years.