Our news internship
As described in the job listing earlier this month, Nature Medicine is currently accepting applications for its science writing internship. Read more
Autism reaches record high levels in the US
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today reported that the number of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has risen to an estimated 1 in 88 (1.1%), up from 1 in 110 (0.9%) according to agency estimates released just two years. The prevalence figure is the highest since the CDC began its biennial nationwide survey of children ten years ago. Read more
As massive cancer databases come online, some still fret about target validation
Researchers today unveiled the two largest ever databases of information about cancer cells, which they say will help them and others test new chemotherapy treatments and speed them to the clinic. Read more
Greater oversight needed for genomic tests, experts say
With an eye to advancing ‘personalized medicine’, clinicians have tried to predict who will respond to certain therapies using biomarkers gleaned from tests that probe genomics, proteomics and other branches of biomedicine. But according to a report from the US Institute of Medicine (IOM), such ‘omics-based’ tests require greater regulatory oversight and more transparent data-sharing before they should be allowed to move from the lab to the clinic. Read more
Top Canadian biomedical prize goes to antibody pioneer
The immunologist who revealed the structure and function of the crucial Fc region of antibodies was one of the researchers recognized today by the Toronto-based Gairdner Foundation for his contributions to biomedicine. Jeffrey Ravetch (pictured), along with six leading scientists in the fields of genetics, neurobiology and infectious diseases, has received one of the prestigious Gairdner awards, which have been called the ‘Canadian Nobels’. The awards come with a hefty C$100,000 ($101,000) cash prize for each winner. Read more
VIDEO: ‘Resting state’ brain scans give diagnosis by default
Brain scans that map differences in how brain regions communicate while people lie idle in the imaging machine are providing a possible new way to diagnose attention disorders. Michael Milham of the Child Mind Institute in New York talks about the work being done on so-called ‘resting state’ brain scans and explains how they are expanding the field of functional MRI. Read more
Circumcision cuts prostate cancer risk—but only a bit
Scientists have found more evidence for yet another health benefit of circumcision for young males. In addition to reducing the risk of urinary tract problems, penile cancer and sexually transmitted infections, doctors might now add lower rates of prostate cancer to the mix. In a study of nearly 3,400 men, researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) in Seattle found that males who were circumcised before their first sexual encounter were somewhat less likely to develop prostate cancer in later life compared to uncircumcised men. Read more
Fluke’s testimony highlights broad uses of birth control, but pain applications go beyond ovarian cysts
The Affordable Care Act contraceptive coverage currently being debated in the US Congress could allow institutions that provide health insurance to opt-out of covering birth control pills for religious or moral reasons. Such policies have, in the past, raised difficulties for women prescribed the drugs for noncontraceptive uses, such as the treatment of pain from ovarian cysts. On 23 February, a law student at Georgetown University named Sandra Fluke testified before the US House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform that when insurance coverage doesn’t cover contraceptives, it can deny women such a friend of Fluke’s with polycystic ovarian syndrome access to birth control prescribed to treat the condition. Read more
Chimeras: bloodthirsty myth or genetic revolution?
NEW YORK — Chimeras, part one species and part another, have a long and violent history in the world of art and religion. But the way society views the mythical creatures is changing, thanks in part to the advent of genetic engineering. Read more
Update: More evidence that bone marrow swaps could improve organ transplant options
Drug-free kidney transplants could one day be an option even for people without immune-matched donors, according to a pair of papers published today. Read more
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