Dec

Environment, genetics, social behavior integrated into national health survey

CHAPEL HILL - Is marriage good for your health? How does environment affect obesity? How are personality and genetics linked to heart disease? Do genes influence illegal drug use and risky sexual behaviors?

New book by UNC physician criticizes ‘medicalization’ of everyday life

CHAPEL HILL -- A new book by a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine faculty member offers provocative observations on the health-care system, including his assertion that everyday life is becoming “medicalized.”

Drug combination slows progression of treatment-resistant bone marrow cancer

CHAPEL HILL - Combining a newly formulated drug with one that is already a standard treatment slows the progression of multiple myeloma, an advanced cancer of the bone marrow cells, according to a clinical trial led by a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine researcher.

High doses of lithium-like drugs may impair neuronal function

CHAPEL HILL - New laboratory research suggests that lithium and other drugs that inhibit a particular enzyme, GSK-3 beta, should be used with caution in treating Alzheimer's disease because too high a dose can impair, rather than enhance, neuronal function.

UNC researchers find clue to stopping breast cancer metastasis

Carol Otey, Ph.D. and UNC colleagues reduced the ability of breast cancer cells to migrate by knocking down the expression of a protein called palladin.

Pieces coming together in Parkinson's, cholesterol puzzle

A study led by UNC researchers in collaboration with colleagues in Virginia, Hawaii and Japan has found that low LDL levels were present in a group of men of Japanese ancestry long before these men were diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

People briefs: Wright receives achievement award from American Academy of Ophthalmology

Dr. John D. Wright Jr., associate professor of ophthalmology and pediatrics in the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, has received the Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The award recognizes Wright's contributions to the academy.