News, January 11, 2010

The BBC reports that at the Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics, located in Faenza, Italy, researches have developed a method to transform wood into a synthetic bone that is so like the real thing that real bone will fuse to the implant. The wood-based synthetic is also so strong and durable that once implanted, it does not have to be replaced. It has already been tested, successfully, on replacing joint in sheep. Unfortunately, according to experts, the new synthetic is at least five years away from being used in humans. Learn about current methods of joint replacement.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, smoking tobacco significantly increases a person's risk for developing Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). AMD is one of the most common causes of vision loss in later life. The study also found that alcohol consumption similarly increased the risk for AMD. Learn more about the disease.

The Stanford University School of Medicine announced that it will use a $3 million dollar grant to develop a continuing education program for doctors that is free of influence from drug companies. Although the grant comes from the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, it has no strings attached and Pfizer has guaranteed that it will stay out of the program's development. In a press release, medical school dean Dr. Philip Pizzo stated that "learning and teaching has to be free of marketing or influence and focused on truly improving the lives of the patients we serve and the students and physicians we educate." Pfizer's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall agreed: "Our multi-year support of Stanford’s efforts demonstrates our willingness to help redefine how CME is funded so that practicing physicians can get access to the latest science, presented in ways that unquestionably put the interests of the patient first and foremost.” 

A new study, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, showed that women who regularly practice yoga had lower amounts of cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in their blood than those who do not. IL-6 is a compound involved in the body's inflammatory response; lower levels of IL-6 tend to mean reduced inflammation in response to physical and psychological stress. Dr. Ron Glaser, one of the writers of the study, stated that the results indicate that yoga may act as an "intervention that might reduce risks for developing heart disease, diabetes and other age-related diseases.” What other health benefits can be had from yoga practice? Learn 10 good reasons to try yoga.

Written By: Elijah Wolfson