Adam DreamHealer’s Global Intention Heals Project proved that sending healing intentions changes the physiology of someone at a distance. Over 10,000 participants sent healing intentions at a time unknown to a volunteer who was monitored by a quantitative-EEG. The data was analyzed by world experts in the USA and Canada.
Vancouver, BC (PRWEB) November 25, 2009 -- Adam DreamHealer’s Global Intention Heals Project proved that sending healing intentions changes the physiology of someone at a distance. Over 10,000 participants sent healing intentions at a time unknown to a volunteer who was monitored by a quantitative-EEG. The data was analyzed by world experts in the USA and Canada.
On November 8 in Vancouver, B.C. Adam initiated the world’s largest intentional healing experiment. To focus intentions, Adam created a video clip of a specific visualization to be used by all participants, which consisted of lightning bolts creating activity in the subject’s brain.
The study found several intriguing differences when comparing quantitative EEG results in the 11-12 Hz range and in the 7.5-8 Hz range. The latter is an extremely interesting finding as these frequencies are referred to as Schumann Resonances, which have previously been hypothesized as being an aspect of the connectivity dynamic underlying remote or distant healing and are also associated with the Earth’s electromagnetic field as resonated by lightning strikes.
The 7.5 to 8 Hz frequency noted in the EEG at the time when participants sent intentions using lightning bolt visualizations is similar to actual lightning bolts. Participants created in the volunteer's brainwaves the same frequency as their visualized intention.
Intriguing Scientific Results from World's Largest Intention Healing Project: DreamHealer!!!!!!!!!!!
Seven-day event focuses on nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, nanomedicine and clinical tria!ls!!!!
SNM will hold its Conjoint Mid-Winter Meetings Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2010, at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, N.M. This year, SNM joins its annual Mid-Winter Educational Symposium with the 2010 Annual Meeting and Educational Symposium of the American College of Nuclear Medicine (ACNM), the Nanomedicine and Molecular Imaging Summit and the Clinical Trials Network Community Workshop. The seven-day event offers participants an outstanding range of scientific content that covers nuclear medicine, molecular imaging, nanomedicine and clinical trials.
"The mid-winter meeting has grown to include more exceptional educational and scientific content," said Michael M. Graham, Ph.D., M.D., president of SNM. "Attendees will find that they have more opportunities than ever before to earn educational credit, network with colleagues and learn from the top educators and innovators in the field."
Leading molecular imaging and nuclear medicine physicians and scientists, radiologists, cardiologists, radiopharmacists and technologists representing the world's top medical and academic institutions and centers will lead sessions. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 25 continuing education credits.
The ACNM Annual Meeting and Educational Symposium, which begins on Jan. 27, will feature lectures about the use of PET/CT in the brain and neck, genitourinary system, head and neck cancer and thyroid cancer.
SNM's Mid-Winter Educational Symposium, which begins on Jan. 30, will include numerous educational sessions, including the popular CT Case Review sessions, which include 100 cases and 16 credits. In a session titled "The Sharp Edges of Nuclear Medicine: See What's New," technologists will be introduced to the newest techniques in fusion imaging and imaging with a focus on patients with epilepsy.
Peter Herscovitch, M.D., chair of SNM's Scientific Program Committee, said, "We are very pleased about the quality of this year's educational program, which offers top-notch scientific content from some of the leaders in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging."
SNM's Nanomedicine and Molecular Imaging Summit, which takes place Jan. 31-Feb. 1, will provide a thought-provoking setting in which to examine key issues related to the rapid growth and evolving science of nanomedicine. The summit will delve into the cutting-edge field of nanotechnology, offering five sessions, followed by a roundtable and panel discussions.
The SNM Clinical Trials Network Community Workshop will provide hands-on training to physicians and technologists through the clinical research imaging technologist certification curriculum; multi-site imaging challenges for investigational therapeutics clinical trials; site qualification via the SNM Clinical Trials Network phantom program; multicenter clinical trials production; and site inspections.
"With expanded offerings and more days to fit in activities, SNM's Conjoint Mid-Winter Meetings will certainly be a fulfilling event for all who attend," said Graham.
"The mid-winter meeting has grown to include more exceptional educational and scientific content," said Michael M. Graham, Ph.D., M.D., president of SNM. "Attendees will find that they have more opportunities than ever before to earn educational credit, network with colleagues and learn from the top educators and innovators in the field."
Leading molecular imaging and nuclear medicine physicians and scientists, radiologists, cardiologists, radiopharmacists and technologists representing the world's top medical and academic institutions and centers will lead sessions. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 25 continuing education credits.
The ACNM Annual Meeting and Educational Symposium, which begins on Jan. 27, will feature lectures about the use of PET/CT in the brain and neck, genitourinary system, head and neck cancer and thyroid cancer.
SNM's Mid-Winter Educational Symposium, which begins on Jan. 30, will include numerous educational sessions, including the popular CT Case Review sessions, which include 100 cases and 16 credits. In a session titled "The Sharp Edges of Nuclear Medicine: See What's New," technologists will be introduced to the newest techniques in fusion imaging and imaging with a focus on patients with epilepsy.
Peter Herscovitch, M.D., chair of SNM's Scientific Program Committee, said, "We are very pleased about the quality of this year's educational program, which offers top-notch scientific content from some of the leaders in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging."
SNM's Nanomedicine and Molecular Imaging Summit, which takes place Jan. 31-Feb. 1, will provide a thought-provoking setting in which to examine key issues related to the rapid growth and evolving science of nanomedicine. The summit will delve into the cutting-edge field of nanotechnology, offering five sessions, followed by a roundtable and panel discussions.
The SNM Clinical Trials Network Community Workshop will provide hands-on training to physicians and technologists through the clinical research imaging technologist certification curriculum; multi-site imaging challenges for investigational therapeutics clinical trials; site qualification via the SNM Clinical Trials Network phantom program; multicenter clinical trials production; and site inspections.
"With expanded offerings and more days to fit in activities, SNM's Conjoint Mid-Winter Meetings will certainly be a fulfilling event for all who attend," said Graham.
Young girls not influenced by thin, beautiful princesses in animated children's movies!!!
'The Princess and the Frog' and other movies can help parents start conversations with their children about weight, skin color and beauty
Even before they start school, many young girls worry that they are fat. But a new study suggests watching a movie starring a stereotypically thin and beautiful princess may not increase children's anxieties.
Nearly half of the 3- to 6-year-old girls in a study by University of Central Florida psychology professor Stacey Tantleff-Dunn and doctoral student Sharon Hayes said they worry about being fat. About one-third would change a physical attribute, such as their weight or hair color.
The number of girls worried about being fat at such a young age concerns Tantleff-Dunn because of the potential implications later in life. Studies have shown that young girls worried about their body image are more likely to suffer from eating disorders when they are older.
The encouraging news for parents is that taking their young daughters to see the new Disney film "The Princess and the Frog" isn't likely to influence how they perceive their bodies.
The UCF study, published online this week in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology, concluded that young girls' behavior or self-esteem did not appear to be influenced by video clips of the beautiful, thin princesses in animated children's movies. That's a sharp contrast to earlier studies showing how the self-esteem of older girls and women suffers after short-term exposure to thin, beautiful models on television and in the movies.
While the study found no short-term consequences for young girls, the media's portrayal of beauty likely is one of the strongest influences on how they perceive their bodies because children spend so much time watching movies and television, Tantleff-Dunn said.
That's why it's important for parents to use movies such as "The Princess and the Frog," which premieres Nov. 25 in New York and Los Angeles and Dec. 11 nationwide, to start conversations with their children about weight, skin color and their perceptions of beauty, she said. They can explain that princesses' tiny waists are not realistic for girls and that children don't need Cinderella's golden hair or Snow White's porcelain skin to look good.
"We need to help our children challenge the images of beauty, particularly thinness, that they see and idolize and encourage them to question how much appearance should be part of their self-worth," said Tantleff-Dunn, who directs UCF's Laboratory for the Study of Eating, Appearance and Health. "We should help them build a positive self-image with an appreciation for many different types of body attributes."
Criticism and teasing from parents, siblings and peers also shape how young girls perceive their bodies, Tantleff-Dunn said. And as their children's most important role models, parents also shouldavoid criticizing their own bodies.
During the study, each of the 121 girls was taken into a room with a "playmate" -- a trained research associate in her 20s who had experience working with children. After chatting for several minutes, the playmate asked each girl how she feels about the way she looks. Thirty-one percent indicated they almost always worry about being fat, while another 18 percent said they sometimes worry about it.
Half of the girls watched parts of animated children's movies such as Cinderella that featured young, beautiful characters and appearance-focused comments, such as Gaston telling Belle in Beauty and the Beast that she is "the most beautiful girl in town, and that makes her the best." The second group watched parts of animated children's movies such as Dora the Explorer and Clifford the Big Red Dog that do not contain any appearance-related messages.
In a room that featured a dress-up rack of costumes, a vanity, dinosaurs and more, children then spent about the same amount of time on appearance-related play activities, such as brushing their hair at the vanity, regardless of which set of movies they watched.
While older girls and women tend to compare their bodies to the models', younger children may be more likely to adopt the persona of the princesses while playing, the UCF researchers said.
Even before they start school, many young girls worry that they are fat. But a new study suggests watching a movie starring a stereotypically thin and beautiful princess may not increase children's anxieties.
Nearly half of the 3- to 6-year-old girls in a study by University of Central Florida psychology professor Stacey Tantleff-Dunn and doctoral student Sharon Hayes said they worry about being fat. About one-third would change a physical attribute, such as their weight or hair color.
The number of girls worried about being fat at such a young age concerns Tantleff-Dunn because of the potential implications later in life. Studies have shown that young girls worried about their body image are more likely to suffer from eating disorders when they are older.
The encouraging news for parents is that taking their young daughters to see the new Disney film "The Princess and the Frog" isn't likely to influence how they perceive their bodies.
The UCF study, published online this week in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology, concluded that young girls' behavior or self-esteem did not appear to be influenced by video clips of the beautiful, thin princesses in animated children's movies. That's a sharp contrast to earlier studies showing how the self-esteem of older girls and women suffers after short-term exposure to thin, beautiful models on television and in the movies.
While the study found no short-term consequences for young girls, the media's portrayal of beauty likely is one of the strongest influences on how they perceive their bodies because children spend so much time watching movies and television, Tantleff-Dunn said.
That's why it's important for parents to use movies such as "The Princess and the Frog," which premieres Nov. 25 in New York and Los Angeles and Dec. 11 nationwide, to start conversations with their children about weight, skin color and their perceptions of beauty, she said. They can explain that princesses' tiny waists are not realistic for girls and that children don't need Cinderella's golden hair or Snow White's porcelain skin to look good.
"We need to help our children challenge the images of beauty, particularly thinness, that they see and idolize and encourage them to question how much appearance should be part of their self-worth," said Tantleff-Dunn, who directs UCF's Laboratory for the Study of Eating, Appearance and Health. "We should help them build a positive self-image with an appreciation for many different types of body attributes."
Criticism and teasing from parents, siblings and peers also shape how young girls perceive their bodies, Tantleff-Dunn said. And as their children's most important role models, parents also shouldavoid criticizing their own bodies.
During the study, each of the 121 girls was taken into a room with a "playmate" -- a trained research associate in her 20s who had experience working with children. After chatting for several minutes, the playmate asked each girl how she feels about the way she looks. Thirty-one percent indicated they almost always worry about being fat, while another 18 percent said they sometimes worry about it.
Half of the girls watched parts of animated children's movies such as Cinderella that featured young, beautiful characters and appearance-focused comments, such as Gaston telling Belle in Beauty and the Beast that she is "the most beautiful girl in town, and that makes her the best." The second group watched parts of animated children's movies such as Dora the Explorer and Clifford the Big Red Dog that do not contain any appearance-related messages.
In a room that featured a dress-up rack of costumes, a vanity, dinosaurs and more, children then spent about the same amount of time on appearance-related play activities, such as brushing their hair at the vanity, regardless of which set of movies they watched.
While older girls and women tend to compare their bodies to the models', younger children may be more likely to adopt the persona of the princesses while playing, the UCF researchers said.
Breast Cancer News and Research!!!
Breast cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare. When breast cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, they are called metastases. There are different kinds of breast cancer. The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer. Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast, like the ducts or the lobes.
Pennsylvanians at-risk for H1N1 flu receive H1N1 vaccination!!!
Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that 100,000 Pennsylvanians at-risk for the H1N1 flu were vaccinated during the weekend at public health clinics held by the Department of Health and local health departments.
"With the federal government unable to provide accurate estimates and projections regarding the availability of H1N1 vaccine, distribution has been challenging," said Governor Rendell. "Overall, we are pleased with the H1N1 vaccine distribution process in Pennsylvania. Holding public clinics across the state over the weekend allowed us to provide vaccine to 100,000 individuals in the recommended priority groups who did not have previous access to the vaccine."
Staffing for 18 Department of Health clinics, which were held in easily accessible locations around the state, was provided through a well-organized collaboration that included more than 325 Department of Health staff, 150 emergency medical service providers and 200 community volunteers. Average wait time at these clinics was 12 minutes.
Delaware, Lancaster and Lehigh county clinics reached full capacity, with every available appointment scheduled. The Department of Health is holding additional clinics for individuals in the recommended priority groups in each of these counties today and tomorrow. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-PA HEALTH.
In addition to the 18 clinics offered by the Department of Health, vaccine was provided to the state's 10 county and municipal health departments.
As of today, the Centers for Disease Control has allocated 2,097,100 doses of H1N1 vaccine to Pennsylvania - which is far less than what was anticipated based on early estimates provided by the CDC. The vast majority of this vaccine has been distributed to 1,451 certified providers including physician's offices, schools, and hospitals around the state to vaccinate individuals in the recommended target groups at highest risk of getting H1N1 or severe complications.
As vaccine becomes available, the department will continue to fill orders for certified providers and local and county municipal health departments. The agency will also make H1N1 vaccine available at all 60 state health centers across the commonwealth to ensure access to those in the recommended groups. Beginning Monday, Nov. 30, citizens in the recommended target groups who do not have access to the vaccine can go to www.H1N1inPa.com to make an appointment online or call 1-877-PA HEALTH to set up an appointment.
Priority groups for receiving the H1N1 vaccination include pregnant women; persons six months to 24 years old; healthcare providers and emergency medical services personnel; parents, household members or caregivers of children under six months; and those under 65 with certain underlying medical conditions.
If the federal projections hold true, within the next few weeks the Department of Health expects to be able to move beyond the five target risk groups and make vaccine available to every Pennsylvanian who wants it.
"With the federal government unable to provide accurate estimates and projections regarding the availability of H1N1 vaccine, distribution has been challenging," said Governor Rendell. "Overall, we are pleased with the H1N1 vaccine distribution process in Pennsylvania. Holding public clinics across the state over the weekend allowed us to provide vaccine to 100,000 individuals in the recommended priority groups who did not have previous access to the vaccine."
Staffing for 18 Department of Health clinics, which were held in easily accessible locations around the state, was provided through a well-organized collaboration that included more than 325 Department of Health staff, 150 emergency medical service providers and 200 community volunteers. Average wait time at these clinics was 12 minutes.
Delaware, Lancaster and Lehigh county clinics reached full capacity, with every available appointment scheduled. The Department of Health is holding additional clinics for individuals in the recommended priority groups in each of these counties today and tomorrow. Appointments can be made by calling 1-877-PA HEALTH.
In addition to the 18 clinics offered by the Department of Health, vaccine was provided to the state's 10 county and municipal health departments.
As of today, the Centers for Disease Control has allocated 2,097,100 doses of H1N1 vaccine to Pennsylvania - which is far less than what was anticipated based on early estimates provided by the CDC. The vast majority of this vaccine has been distributed to 1,451 certified providers including physician's offices, schools, and hospitals around the state to vaccinate individuals in the recommended target groups at highest risk of getting H1N1 or severe complications.
As vaccine becomes available, the department will continue to fill orders for certified providers and local and county municipal health departments. The agency will also make H1N1 vaccine available at all 60 state health centers across the commonwealth to ensure access to those in the recommended groups. Beginning Monday, Nov. 30, citizens in the recommended target groups who do not have access to the vaccine can go to www.H1N1inPa.com to make an appointment online or call 1-877-PA HEALTH to set up an appointment.
Priority groups for receiving the H1N1 vaccination include pregnant women; persons six months to 24 years old; healthcare providers and emergency medical services personnel; parents, household members or caregivers of children under six months; and those under 65 with certain underlying medical conditions.
If the federal projections hold true, within the next few weeks the Department of Health expects to be able to move beyond the five target risk groups and make vaccine available to every Pennsylvanian who wants it.
World's largest intentional healing experiment !!!
Adam DreamHealer's Global Intention Heals Project proved that sending healing intentions changes the physiology of someone at a distance. Over 10,000 participants sent healing intentions at a time unknown to a volunteer who was monitored by a quantitative-EEG. The data was analyzed by world experts in the USA and Canada.
On November 8 in Vancouver, B.C. Adam initiated the world's largest intentional healing experiment. To focus intentions, Adam created a video clip of a specific visualization to be used by all participants, which consisted of lightning bolts creating activity in the subject's brain.
The study found several intriguing differences when comparing quantitative EEG results in the 11-12 Hz range and in the 7.5-8 Hz range. The latter is an extremely interesting finding as these frequencies are referred to as Schumann Resonances, which have previously been hypothesized as being an aspect of the connectivity dynamic underlying remote or distant healing and are also associated with the Earth's electromagnetic field as resonated by lightning strikes.
The 7.5 to 8 Hz frequency noted in the EEG at the time when participants sent intentions using lightning bolt visualizations is similar to actual lightning bolts. Participants created in the volunteer's brainwaves the same frequency as their visualized intention.
Adam, best-selling author, states, "Intentions and thoughts influence health." As a molecular biologist and medical student, he wants to integrate the use of intentions into all modalities of healing, including allopathic medicine. This requires more scientific research, which Adam is proving to be a very achievable goal.
Since 2003 Adam has held large group healing sessions where the collective intention of the group creates the ideal environment for healing. Visualizations are powerful tools that help to focus intentions and they have helped thousands of people accelerate their own healing from around the world. This has inspired Adam to courageously pursue research through the Global Intention Heals Project.
To further understand the influence of group intention on human physiology, Adam plans to hold further Global Intention Heals Projects at his upcoming events, in addition to his two group healing sessions.
On November 8 in Vancouver, B.C. Adam initiated the world's largest intentional healing experiment. To focus intentions, Adam created a video clip of a specific visualization to be used by all participants, which consisted of lightning bolts creating activity in the subject's brain.
The study found several intriguing differences when comparing quantitative EEG results in the 11-12 Hz range and in the 7.5-8 Hz range. The latter is an extremely interesting finding as these frequencies are referred to as Schumann Resonances, which have previously been hypothesized as being an aspect of the connectivity dynamic underlying remote or distant healing and are also associated with the Earth's electromagnetic field as resonated by lightning strikes.
The 7.5 to 8 Hz frequency noted in the EEG at the time when participants sent intentions using lightning bolt visualizations is similar to actual lightning bolts. Participants created in the volunteer's brainwaves the same frequency as their visualized intention.
Adam, best-selling author, states, "Intentions and thoughts influence health." As a molecular biologist and medical student, he wants to integrate the use of intentions into all modalities of healing, including allopathic medicine. This requires more scientific research, which Adam is proving to be a very achievable goal.
Since 2003 Adam has held large group healing sessions where the collective intention of the group creates the ideal environment for healing. Visualizations are powerful tools that help to focus intentions and they have helped thousands of people accelerate their own healing from around the world. This has inspired Adam to courageously pursue research through the Global Intention Heals Project.
To further understand the influence of group intention on human physiology, Adam plans to hold further Global Intention Heals Projects at his upcoming events, in addition to his two group healing sessions.
Discovery of common trigger in cancer and normal stem cell reproduction!!!
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered, for the first time, a common molecular pathway that is used by both normal stem cells and cancer stem cells when they reproduce themselves.
In a paper to be published Aug. 7 in the journal Cell, Michael Clarke, MD, the Karel H. and Avice N. Beekhuis Professor in Cancer Biology, and his colleagues showed that breast cancer stem cells and normal breast stem cells turn down the creation of a specific group of cell signals when they are reproducing. Increasing the amount of one of these signals, called miR-200c, strongly suppressed the ability of both cancer stem cells and normal stem cells to divide and reproduce.
The discovery of a common regulatory pathway in both kinds of stem cells supports the idea that cancer stem cells and normal stem cells share fundamental properties. "This very strongly supports the cancer stem cell hypothesis," said Clarke, who is associate director of the Stanford Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Institute and a member of the Stanford Cancer Center. "A lot of people have speculated that there was this molecular link between these two kinds of cells (cancer stem cells and normal stem cells), but this is the first time we have actually identified it."
The cancer stem cell hypothesis states that cancers are a collection of many different kinds of cells, only a very few of which create and sustain the cancer. These are the cancer stem cells, which share many traits with normal stem cells.
While most cells in the body cannot reproduce themselves, stem cells have the ability to do so, and can also create the cells that mature into various tissues. Blood stem cells, for instance, which reside in the bone marrow, have the ability to create new blood stem cells and also to create all the different types of mature blood cells.
While the current discovery is important evidence of how cancer stem cells operate, it does not automatically lead to new cancer therapies. "The problem is that if we attack cancer using this mechanism, it is also going to affect normal stem cells which are essential for our survival," Clarke said. But understanding how cancer cells sustain themselves may in the future offer new ways of attacking the disease. "The hope is that we can find nuances that distinguish between how normal stem cells renew themselves and how cancer stem cells do so, and then use those differences to attack only the cancer," said Clarke.
The research also demonstrates the power of conducting studies that zero in on cancer stem cells rather than screen all cancer tumor cells. In the past, for instance, scientists tried to gain insight into how cancer cells reproduce by looking at molecular signals in all the cancer cells in a tumor. But this molecular detective work did not reveal cancer stem cells' use of the miR-200c pathway, probably because signals from cancer stem cells were lost in a crowd of molecular signals from the far more numerous non-stem cells.
Clarke and his colleagues therefore isolated the cancer stem cells first and then did the analysis. Clarke noted that it is technically challenging to isolate cancer stem cells, which can be outnumbered by generic tumor cells 100 to 1, but the rewards can be dramatic.
By analyzing only stem cells, the link between the molecular signals that control reproduction in cancer stem cells and normal stem cells became apparent.
"If you are looking at all the cells in a tumor, it's like looking for a crying child lost in an auditorium of cheering people," Clarke said. "You can't hear the child crying until you remove everyone else from the auditorium, and then the sound will pop out."
Other Stanford researchers involved in the project were Yohei Shimono, PhD; Maider Zabala, PhD; Robert Cho, MD; Neethan Lobo, PhD; Piero Dalerba, PhD; Dalong Qian, PhD; Acting Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology Maximilian Diehn, MD, PhD; Huiping Liu, PhD; Sarita Panula, PhD; Eric Chiao, PhD; and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology Renee Reijo-Pera, PhD.
The research was supported by the California Breast Cancer Research Program of the University of California, the Fundacion Alfonso Martin Escudero, the Fulbright Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Morton Family Foundation and the Ludwig Foundation.
In a paper to be published Aug. 7 in the journal Cell, Michael Clarke, MD, the Karel H. and Avice N. Beekhuis Professor in Cancer Biology, and his colleagues showed that breast cancer stem cells and normal breast stem cells turn down the creation of a specific group of cell signals when they are reproducing. Increasing the amount of one of these signals, called miR-200c, strongly suppressed the ability of both cancer stem cells and normal stem cells to divide and reproduce.
The discovery of a common regulatory pathway in both kinds of stem cells supports the idea that cancer stem cells and normal stem cells share fundamental properties. "This very strongly supports the cancer stem cell hypothesis," said Clarke, who is associate director of the Stanford Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Institute and a member of the Stanford Cancer Center. "A lot of people have speculated that there was this molecular link between these two kinds of cells (cancer stem cells and normal stem cells), but this is the first time we have actually identified it."
The cancer stem cell hypothesis states that cancers are a collection of many different kinds of cells, only a very few of which create and sustain the cancer. These are the cancer stem cells, which share many traits with normal stem cells.
While most cells in the body cannot reproduce themselves, stem cells have the ability to do so, and can also create the cells that mature into various tissues. Blood stem cells, for instance, which reside in the bone marrow, have the ability to create new blood stem cells and also to create all the different types of mature blood cells.
While the current discovery is important evidence of how cancer stem cells operate, it does not automatically lead to new cancer therapies. "The problem is that if we attack cancer using this mechanism, it is also going to affect normal stem cells which are essential for our survival," Clarke said. But understanding how cancer cells sustain themselves may in the future offer new ways of attacking the disease. "The hope is that we can find nuances that distinguish between how normal stem cells renew themselves and how cancer stem cells do so, and then use those differences to attack only the cancer," said Clarke.
The research also demonstrates the power of conducting studies that zero in on cancer stem cells rather than screen all cancer tumor cells. In the past, for instance, scientists tried to gain insight into how cancer cells reproduce by looking at molecular signals in all the cancer cells in a tumor. But this molecular detective work did not reveal cancer stem cells' use of the miR-200c pathway, probably because signals from cancer stem cells were lost in a crowd of molecular signals from the far more numerous non-stem cells.
Clarke and his colleagues therefore isolated the cancer stem cells first and then did the analysis. Clarke noted that it is technically challenging to isolate cancer stem cells, which can be outnumbered by generic tumor cells 100 to 1, but the rewards can be dramatic.
By analyzing only stem cells, the link between the molecular signals that control reproduction in cancer stem cells and normal stem cells became apparent.
"If you are looking at all the cells in a tumor, it's like looking for a crying child lost in an auditorium of cheering people," Clarke said. "You can't hear the child crying until you remove everyone else from the auditorium, and then the sound will pop out."
Other Stanford researchers involved in the project were Yohei Shimono, PhD; Maider Zabala, PhD; Robert Cho, MD; Neethan Lobo, PhD; Piero Dalerba, PhD; Dalong Qian, PhD; Acting Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology Maximilian Diehn, MD, PhD; Huiping Liu, PhD; Sarita Panula, PhD; Eric Chiao, PhD; and Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology Renee Reijo-Pera, PhD.
The research was supported by the California Breast Cancer Research Program of the University of California, the Fundacion Alfonso Martin Escudero, the Fulbright Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the Morton Family Foundation and the Ludwig Foundation.
High salt intake poses greater risk for stroke and cardiovascular disease!!!
High salt intake is associated with significantly greater risk of both stroke and cardiovascular disease, concludes a study published on bmj.com today.
The link between high salt intake and high blood pressure is well established, and it has been suggested that a population-wide reduction in dietary salt intake has the potential to substantially reduce the levels of cardiovascular disease.
The World Health Organization recommended level of salt consumption is 5 g (about one teaspoon) per day at the population level, yet dietary salt intake in most Western countries is close to 10g per day (and much higher in many Eastern European countries).
Collaborative research conducted by Professor Pasquale Strazzullo at the University of Naples, Italy and Professor Francesco Cappuccio at the University of Warwick, UK analysed the results of 13 published studies involving over 170,000 people that directly assessed the relationship between levels of habitual salt intake and rates of stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Differences in study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias.
Their analysis shows unequivocally that a difference of 5 g a day in habitual salt intake is associated with a 23% difference in the rate of stroke and a 17% difference in the rate of total cardiovascular disease.
Based on these results, the authors estimate that reducing daily salt intake by 5 g at the population level could avert one and a quarter million deaths from stroke and almost three million deaths from cardiovascular disease each year. Furthermore, because of imprecision in measurement of salt intake, these effect sizes are likely to be underestimated, say the authors.
These results support the role of a substantial population reduction in salt intake for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, they conclude.
This study is a useful and welcome addition to the medical literature, and strengthens the case for population-wide salt reduction, says Professor Lawrence Appel from Johns Hopkins University, in an accompanying editorial.
The link between high salt intake and high blood pressure is well established, and it has been suggested that a population-wide reduction in dietary salt intake has the potential to substantially reduce the levels of cardiovascular disease.
The World Health Organization recommended level of salt consumption is 5 g (about one teaspoon) per day at the population level, yet dietary salt intake in most Western countries is close to 10g per day (and much higher in many Eastern European countries).
Collaborative research conducted by Professor Pasquale Strazzullo at the University of Naples, Italy and Professor Francesco Cappuccio at the University of Warwick, UK analysed the results of 13 published studies involving over 170,000 people that directly assessed the relationship between levels of habitual salt intake and rates of stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Differences in study design and quality were taken into account to minimise bias.
Their analysis shows unequivocally that a difference of 5 g a day in habitual salt intake is associated with a 23% difference in the rate of stroke and a 17% difference in the rate of total cardiovascular disease.
Based on these results, the authors estimate that reducing daily salt intake by 5 g at the population level could avert one and a quarter million deaths from stroke and almost three million deaths from cardiovascular disease each year. Furthermore, because of imprecision in measurement of salt intake, these effect sizes are likely to be underestimated, say the authors.
These results support the role of a substantial population reduction in salt intake for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, they conclude.
This study is a useful and welcome addition to the medical literature, and strengthens the case for population-wide salt reduction, says Professor Lawrence Appel from Johns Hopkins University, in an accompanying editorial.
JACR: Computerized support system provides solution to manage imaging utilization!!!!
Providing physicians with a computerized order entry/decision support system that provides immediate feedback regarding imaging appropriateness at the time of ordering may be an effective solution to managing imaging utilization, according to an article in the December issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, (JACR, www.jacr.org).
"Imaging exams are increasingly replacing more invasive, and often more costly, diagnostic techniques, and have redefined medical practice as a safer, less invasive and more accurate means of collecting diagnostic information," said Kathryn Keysor, Senior Health Policy Administrator for the American College of Radiology. "However, aside from this vast patient centered growth, imaging costs have been driven by the fact that many providers may not know which imaging exam is most appropriate for the patient indication they are observing or even when no scan should be performed at all. This, as well as incomplete patient histories and other factors, can lead to unnecessary and duplicate studies, which in turn drive up costs," said Keysor.
Many strategies have been employed to try to manage or decrease the utilization of imaging. "Strategies that offer the best return in the long run will be quality based and data driven and result in the continuous education of providers and patients," she said.
"A computerized provider order entry/decision support system that provides immediate feedback about appropriateness at the time of ordering is an education-focused method of utilization management. With this system, standardized indications are directed at each modality, symptom, and body part through the use of examination-specific "pick lists". An "appropriateness" score is presented to the requesting physician, along with scores for other imaging modalities that might be selected for the same indications. For examinations receiving very low scores, various barriers to ordering can be implemented. Physician performance with respect to appropriateness is tracked over time, and compared to his/her peers. Additionally, alerts about duplicative scans can avoid unnecessary patient radiation and other examination risks," said Keysor.
The radiology department at Massachusetts General Hospital uses a computerized order entry system. Their seven-year experience shows a reduction in the quarterly compound growth rate of 2.75 percent for outpatient CT, 1.2 percent for outpatient MRI, and 1.3 percent for outpatient ultrasound.
"This is a time-efficient and cost-effective process that can be used in inpatient, outpatient and emergency care settings. CPOE with decision support has proven to be an effective approach to imaging utilization and should be explored further," she said.
The December issue of JACR is an important resource for radiology and nuclear medicine professionals as well as students seeking clinical and educational improvement.
"Imaging exams are increasingly replacing more invasive, and often more costly, diagnostic techniques, and have redefined medical practice as a safer, less invasive and more accurate means of collecting diagnostic information," said Kathryn Keysor, Senior Health Policy Administrator for the American College of Radiology. "However, aside from this vast patient centered growth, imaging costs have been driven by the fact that many providers may not know which imaging exam is most appropriate for the patient indication they are observing or even when no scan should be performed at all. This, as well as incomplete patient histories and other factors, can lead to unnecessary and duplicate studies, which in turn drive up costs," said Keysor.
Many strategies have been employed to try to manage or decrease the utilization of imaging. "Strategies that offer the best return in the long run will be quality based and data driven and result in the continuous education of providers and patients," she said.
"A computerized provider order entry/decision support system that provides immediate feedback about appropriateness at the time of ordering is an education-focused method of utilization management. With this system, standardized indications are directed at each modality, symptom, and body part through the use of examination-specific "pick lists". An "appropriateness" score is presented to the requesting physician, along with scores for other imaging modalities that might be selected for the same indications. For examinations receiving very low scores, various barriers to ordering can be implemented. Physician performance with respect to appropriateness is tracked over time, and compared to his/her peers. Additionally, alerts about duplicative scans can avoid unnecessary patient radiation and other examination risks," said Keysor.
The radiology department at Massachusetts General Hospital uses a computerized order entry system. Their seven-year experience shows a reduction in the quarterly compound growth rate of 2.75 percent for outpatient CT, 1.2 percent for outpatient MRI, and 1.3 percent for outpatient ultrasound.
"This is a time-efficient and cost-effective process that can be used in inpatient, outpatient and emergency care settings. CPOE with decision support has proven to be an effective approach to imaging utilization and should be explored further," she said.
The December issue of JACR is an important resource for radiology and nuclear medicine professionals as well as students seeking clinical and educational improvement.
Vicor Technologies announces implementation of ASP distribution model in cardiology practice!
David H. Fater, CEO of Vicor Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: VCRT), today announced the beta test installation of the company's application service provider (ASP) distribution model in a U.S. cardiology practice.
Vicor Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on the commercialization of innovative, non-invasive medical devices and diagnostics using its patented, proprietary PD2i® nonlinear algorithm and software to stratify patients at risk of sudden cardiac death and trauma victims in need of lifesaving intervention.
Vicor's ASP distribution model enables the seamless collection and transmission of patient ECG data to the Vicor server for analysis. Upon completion of analysis of the ECG data by Vicor's PD2i Analyzer™, the physician receives an electronic medical record and report of the PD2i Analyzer™ results. Additionally, the ASP distribution model records physician use to Vicor's website to enable automated monthly billing of physicians using its PD2i Analyzer™.
"The implementation of our ASP distribution model for beta test in an actual cardiology practice marks a milestone in our journey to commercialization," stated Mr. Fater. "This is the first step toward actual revenue generation from data analysis, as outlined in our strategic plan, and we are extremely gratified to have a major U.S. cardiology practice serving as our beta test site," Mr. Fater concluded.
Vicor anticipates completion in the near future of programming of a distribution model to be used in the collection of patient ECG data during paced exercise and controlled maneuvers, which use is reimbursable under existing CPT codes.
Vicor Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on the commercialization of innovative, non-invasive medical devices and diagnostics using its patented, proprietary PD2i® nonlinear algorithm and software to stratify patients at risk of sudden cardiac death and trauma victims in need of lifesaving intervention.
Vicor's ASP distribution model enables the seamless collection and transmission of patient ECG data to the Vicor server for analysis. Upon completion of analysis of the ECG data by Vicor's PD2i Analyzer™, the physician receives an electronic medical record and report of the PD2i Analyzer™ results. Additionally, the ASP distribution model records physician use to Vicor's website to enable automated monthly billing of physicians using its PD2i Analyzer™.
"The implementation of our ASP distribution model for beta test in an actual cardiology practice marks a milestone in our journey to commercialization," stated Mr. Fater. "This is the first step toward actual revenue generation from data analysis, as outlined in our strategic plan, and we are extremely gratified to have a major U.S. cardiology practice serving as our beta test site," Mr. Fater concluded.
Vicor anticipates completion in the near future of programming of a distribution model to be used in the collection of patient ECG data during paced exercise and controlled maneuvers, which use is reimbursable under existing CPT codes.
New study reveals that dentists can help detect patients with cardiovascular disease!!
Dentists can help to identify patients who are in danger of dying of a heart attack or stroke, reveals a new study from the Sahlgrenska Academy. Thanks to the study, six men who thought they were completely healthy were able to start preventive treatment in time.
"Dentists are really proud of their profession and feel no need to encroach upon doctors' territory," says senior dental officer and professor Mats Jontell at the Sahlgrenska Academy. "However, we wanted to find out if we as a profession could identify patients at risk of cardiovascular disease."
The study involved 200 men and women over the age of 45 who did not have any known cardiovascular problems. During a routine visit to their normal dentists in Borås and Gothenburg they were also checked out for known risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
"These risk factors are not normally manifested in the mouth, which is why the dentists went beyond their normal check-up routine," says Jontell. "They also took the patients' blood pressure and checked total cholesterol and blood sugar levels."
The risk of a fatal cardiovascular disease was calculated using a software known as HeartScore. The dentists felt that twelve men had a ten per cent risk of developing a fatal cardiovascular disease over the next ten years and advised them to see their doctors. Six of the twelve were subsequently prescribed medication to lower their blood pressure.
"Dentists regularly see a very large percentage of the Swedish population, and if there is sufficient interest they could also screen for cardiovascular risk factors which, untreated, could lead to a heart attack or stroke," says Jontell.
"Dentists are really proud of their profession and feel no need to encroach upon doctors' territory," says senior dental officer and professor Mats Jontell at the Sahlgrenska Academy. "However, we wanted to find out if we as a profession could identify patients at risk of cardiovascular disease."
The study involved 200 men and women over the age of 45 who did not have any known cardiovascular problems. During a routine visit to their normal dentists in Borås and Gothenburg they were also checked out for known risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
"These risk factors are not normally manifested in the mouth, which is why the dentists went beyond their normal check-up routine," says Jontell. "They also took the patients' blood pressure and checked total cholesterol and blood sugar levels."
The risk of a fatal cardiovascular disease was calculated using a software known as HeartScore. The dentists felt that twelve men had a ten per cent risk of developing a fatal cardiovascular disease over the next ten years and advised them to see their doctors. Six of the twelve were subsequently prescribed medication to lower their blood pressure.
"Dentists regularly see a very large percentage of the Swedish population, and if there is sufficient interest they could also screen for cardiovascular risk factors which, untreated, could lead to a heart attack or stroke," says Jontell.
Health-boosting tips from realbuzz.com!!!!
There are many ways you can improve your health, and just a few small changes can give big results. But there always seems to be conflicting advice concerning what is good for us, and the right ways to improve our health.
So, the realbuzz.com team has compiled a list of 25 health-boosting tips which we believe to be pretty much incontrovertible! Doing a combination of our suggested activities will boost your health and improve your lifestyle and well-being - so try them out.
1. Reduce your fat intake. The effects of fat on our arteries and general health are pretty well known, so you should try to reduce your fat intake by changing your cooking methods. Try grilling, baking, steaming or poaching, rather than frying.
2. Improve your sleep. If you're having trouble sleeping, try cutting out alcohol or caffeine and other stimulants before you go to bed, as this can help you to nod off and get a good night's sleep. Also, adding a few drops of lavender oil onto your pillow at night has been shown to have relaxing effects.
3. Cut down on your salt intake. To reduce the impact of salt on your blood pressure, cut down on your salt intake. We suggest using herbs and spices such as oregano, nutmeg and paprika to season your food, rather than always adding salt. You may eventually find that you don't need to add salt at all!
4. Enjoy a glass of wine. Drinking just one or two glasses of wine a day is thought to cut your risk of heart disease by up to a third. Make sure you go for red or rose variety, as they contain much higher levels of antioxidants than your average glass of white wine.
5. Be good to your bones. A diet high in calcium and vitamin D will lead to strong bones and healthy nerves and muscles. Good sources of calcium and vitamin D include egg yolk, broccoli, oily fish and direct sunlight.
To see the next 20 tips to improve your healthy lifestyle, head to http://bit.ly/5eUnl5
And that's not all; the realbuzz.com team has been delving deeper, looking at healthy ways to get the most out of your sex life. How many calories could you burn in a 20-minute sex session? Do you know what activity will increase the blood flow to your loins? What's the perfect libido boosting breakfast? What vegetable can contribute to a better sex life?
So, the realbuzz.com team has compiled a list of 25 health-boosting tips which we believe to be pretty much incontrovertible! Doing a combination of our suggested activities will boost your health and improve your lifestyle and well-being - so try them out.
1. Reduce your fat intake. The effects of fat on our arteries and general health are pretty well known, so you should try to reduce your fat intake by changing your cooking methods. Try grilling, baking, steaming or poaching, rather than frying.
2. Improve your sleep. If you're having trouble sleeping, try cutting out alcohol or caffeine and other stimulants before you go to bed, as this can help you to nod off and get a good night's sleep. Also, adding a few drops of lavender oil onto your pillow at night has been shown to have relaxing effects.
3. Cut down on your salt intake. To reduce the impact of salt on your blood pressure, cut down on your salt intake. We suggest using herbs and spices such as oregano, nutmeg and paprika to season your food, rather than always adding salt. You may eventually find that you don't need to add salt at all!
4. Enjoy a glass of wine. Drinking just one or two glasses of wine a day is thought to cut your risk of heart disease by up to a third. Make sure you go for red or rose variety, as they contain much higher levels of antioxidants than your average glass of white wine.
5. Be good to your bones. A diet high in calcium and vitamin D will lead to strong bones and healthy nerves and muscles. Good sources of calcium and vitamin D include egg yolk, broccoli, oily fish and direct sunlight.
To see the next 20 tips to improve your healthy lifestyle, head to http://bit.ly/5eUnl5
And that's not all; the realbuzz.com team has been delving deeper, looking at healthy ways to get the most out of your sex life. How many calories could you burn in a 20-minute sex session? Do you know what activity will increase the blood flow to your loins? What's the perfect libido boosting breakfast? What vegetable can contribute to a better sex life?
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