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University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston researchers have developed new vaccines to protect against West Nile and Japanese encephalitis viruses. The investigators created the vaccines using an innovative technique that they believe could also enable the development of new vaccines against other diseases, such as yellow fever and dengue fever, which are caused by similar viruses.

Researchers have discovered the genetic cause of a type of childhood epilepsy called childhood absence epilepsy, which accounts for 10-12 percent of epilepsy cases in children under age 16. The finding may explain why CAE mysteriously disappears in adulthood. In addition, the study may provide insight into developing treatments and cures for CAE and other forms of epilepsy.

A new vegetarian food that boosts the uptake of iron and offers a good set of proteins. The food, called tempe, is moreover a whole-grain product with high folate content. It is generally accepted in medicine that whole-grains reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and it is also believed that it protects against age-related diabetes and certain forms of cancer. The B vitamin folate is the natural form of folic acid and, among other things, is necessary for normal fetal development.

A new study investigated the association between short-term exposure to ambient fine particulate matter and the risk of stroke. Researchers found that recent exposure to fine particulate matter may increase the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular events.

Researchers have identified genetic markers in cancer cells that predicted the benefit of a novel cancer drug prior to chemotherapy. Specific genetic profile within tumor cells may indicate increased patient benefit from a particular drug.

Amyloid deposits in tissues and organs are linked to a number of diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type II diabetes, and prion diseases such as BSE. However, amyloids are not just pathological substances; they have potential as nanomaterials.

New research from the Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute about mutations in melanoma may bring a wellspring of hope to many patients. Researchers have discovered that there are several different kinds of DNA abnormalities that can occur in a gene called the KIT gene. These abnormalities are associated with different kinds of acral and mucosal melanomas, which are less common, but highly malignant forms of skin cancer.

Women who have more children are more likely to have missing teeth, according to a nationwide study of 2,635 women. Profound biological and behavioral changes related to pregnancy and child birth are likely to be a factor in tooth loss.

In a new study, Harvard School of Public Health researchers found evidence that elderly people in the US who have an active social life may have a slower rate of memory decline.

C-sections account for nearly all of the increase in US singleton preterm births. Between 1996 and 2004 there was an increase of nearly 60,000 singleton preterm births and 92 percent of those infants were delivered by a c-section. While singleton preterm births increased by about 10 percent during this time, the c-section rate for this group increased by 36 percent.