U S C M A – United States Colombian Medical Association

US scientists have found a molecule that triggers the sensation of itching in mice. They say the finding solves a mystery about itching: it is not a low level of pain but a separately wired circuit with a direct line into the brain. If studies show the same is true of humans, the discovery could lead to new drugs to relieve symptoms in chronic itching condit […]

The American Heart Association recommends that people eat at least two servings of fish every week. The omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil are thought to have very good properties that can help prevent cardiovascular disease. Fish oils come from fatty fish, also called "oily fish". They are found in the tissue of these fatty fish, such as trout, tuna, […]

Frequent heartburn increases the risk of cancers of the throat and vocal cord among nondrinkers and nonsmokers, according to a new study. The research, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, also indicated that the use of antacids has a protective effect against these cancers, […]

Optical illusions have long been used in neuroscience to point out perceptions into how the brain functions, and now a visual test can detect impaired abilities to see large motions in high-IQ people, according to a new study. The finding, published in Current Biology reveals that people who have high IQ scores process sensory information differently...

According to new research carried out by scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, forty percent of medical students are unconsciously biased against obese people. The study, published in the Journal of Academic Medicine, revealed that doctors generally have an anti-fat bias which results in obese people not receiving the same level of respect as sli […]

An attack on glioblastoma brain tumor cells that uses a modified poliovirus is showing encouraging results in an early study to establish the proper dose level, researchers at Duke Cancer Institute report...

New research shows that craving drugs such as nicotine can be visualized in specific regions of the brain that are implicated in determining the value of actions, in planning actions and in motivation. Dr. Alain Dagher, from McGill University, suggests abnormal interactions between these decision-making brain regions could underlie addiction...

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have unraveled the molecular foundations of cocaine's effects on the brain, and identified a compound that blocks cravings for the drug in cocaine-addicted mice. The compound, already proven safe for humans, is undergoing further animal testing in preparation for possible clinical trials in cocaine addicts, the researchers s […]

US scientists have found a molecule that triggers the sensation of itching in mice. They say the finding solves a mystery about itching: it is not a low level of pain but a separately wired circuit with a direct line into the brain. If studies show the same is true of humans, the discovery could lead to new drugs to relieve symptoms in chronic itching condit […]

Widely available in pharmacies and health stores, phosphatidylserine is a natural food supplement produced from beef, oysters, and soy. Proven to improve cognition and slow memory loss, it's a popular treatment for older people experiencing memory impairment. Now a team headed by Prof. Gil Ast and Dr...

In addition, media outlets report that the nation's largest for-profit insurers will not participate in California's online marketplace. Eleven insurers have applied to operate plans in Colorado.

A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.

The Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago is the first federal appellate court to hear arguments in cases challenging the mandate that took effect last August. With dozens of similar lawsuits pending, many say the issue seems likely to land before the Supreme Court. The case brought by Hobby Lobby Inc. is considered the most prominent of these eff […]

This week's articles come from The New York Times, Salon, Slate, USA Today, and the Tampa Bay Times.

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including various status updates about state activity regarding the health law's online insurance marketplaces.

USA Today reports this optimistic view is offered by some industry analysts and health insurance officials. Meanwhile, Politico does a status check on the legal challenges to the health law's birth control mandate. News reports also track the latest regarding the Internal Revenue Service controversy and the overhaul.

Families USA Executive Director Ron Pollack tells CQ Healthbeat that the flap won't prevent a robust effort by the nonprofit group, Enroll America, to sign up the uninsured. Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney draws parallels to earlier allegations about President Barack Obama's birth certificate.

A selection of editorials and opinions on health care from around the country.

A selection of health policy stories from California, Kentucky, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Missouri.

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including reports about how the Medicaid expansion is shaking out in Virginia and Texas, as well as a report about the role health care is playing as the House attempts to negotiate an immigration reform measure.

Routine screening for coronary artery disease is of no value for adults with diabetes who have no symptoms of heart problems, says a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Older individuals with type 2 diabetes who have been hospitalized with severe low blood sugar levels seem to have a greater risk of developing dementia, new research suggests. at MUSC

Low-income women with diabetes who are pregnant or who recently gave birth face almost twice the risk of depression compared to women without diabetes, says a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Here is a wake-up call to the millions of American men and women with type 2 diabetes: Snoring at night or nodding off during the day may be symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea

Adding lentil soup and pasta to your diet may be the way to go if you have type 2 diabetes, based on a new study about the benefits of low-glycemic foods.

While less strict blood sugar control may be appropriate for some diabetes patients, most should adhere to the target goal of an A1C level of less than 7 percent that has long been recommended for reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications. A1C is a measure of blood glucose levels over the previous two or three months.

The rate of new cases of type 2 diabetes has nearly doubled in the United States in the last decade, with most new cases appearing in southern states, says a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report.