Pharmacology

In Men, Caffeine Is More Effective And Starts Working In 10 Minutes

A study headed by researchers from the University of Barcelona (UB) shows that caffeine has a greater effect on men than women, and that these effects start just 10 minutes after it is drunk. In addition, contrary to what was previously thought, it has als ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 22 2008 - 9:53pm

Honeybees Like Cocaine

Since its discovery in the 18th century, cocaine has been a scourge of western society. Strongly stimulating human reward centers in low doses, cocaine is extremely addictive and can be fatal in high doses. But this potent compound did not evolve to ensna ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 23 2008 - 1:12am

No Evidence For Fish Oil Benefit In Arrhythmias

Fish oil protects against deaths from heart problems, but doesn't provide a clear benefit in heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias), according a study published on bmj.com today. Consuming oily fish at least two to four times a week is recommended for pa ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 23 2008 - 8:24pm

New Evidence That People Make Aspirin's Active Principle

People can make their own salicylic acid (SA), the principal metabolite of aspirin. SA that gives aspirin its famous action on pain, fever, and inflammation is now looking like a star in its own "class" of bioregulators. ...

Blog Post - Hatice Cullingford - Dec 30 2008 - 1:51am

Bortezomib Cancer Drug Does Double Duty In Transplant Rejections

University of Cincinnati researchers say they have discovered a new therapy for transplant patients; targeting the antibody-producing plasma cells that can cause organ rejection.  Steve Woodle, MD, and colleagues found that a cancer drug. bortezomib, that ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 28 2008 - 2:54am

Do Plants Speed Up Recovery In Hospitals?

Contact with nature has long been believed to increase positive feelings, reduce stress and provide distraction from the pain associated with hospital stays and researchers now say they have confirmed the beneficial effects of plants and flowers for patien ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 29 2008 - 5:24pm

Light, Nanoparticles And The Future Of Smart Drug Delivery

Using tiny gold particles and infrared light, researchers have developed a drug-delivery system that allows multiple drugs to be released in a controlled fashion.  Such a system could one day be used to provide more control when battling diseases commonly ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 30 2008 - 11:33am

Grape Seed Extract Found To Kill Leukemia Cells In Laboratory Tests

An extract from grape seeds forces laboratory leukemia cells to commit cell suicide, according to researchers from the University of Kentucky. They found that within 24 hours, 76 percent of leukemia cells had died after being exposed to the extract. The in ...

Article - News Staff - Jan 1 2009 - 3:52am

Common Pneumonia Vaccine Does Not Prevent Pneumonia, Says Canadian Medical Association Journal Study

Commonly used pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines do not appear to be effective for preventing pneumonia, found a study by a team of researchers from Switzerland and the United Kingdom writing in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. In many industria ...

Article - News Staff - Jan 5 2009 - 5:49pm

Scientists 'Trick' Bone Marrow Into Releasing Extra Adult Stem Cells Into Bloodstream

Scientists can now call up stem cell troops to repair the body using new drug combinations.  They have basically 'tricked' bone marrow into releasing extra adult stem cells into the bloodstream, a technique that they hope could one day be used to ...

Article - News Staff - Jan 7 2009 - 10:59am