Counselors Address Mental-Health Crisis in Developing Countries

Worldwide, more than 450 million people live with unmet mental health care needs. Wake Forest University Counseling Professor Donna Henderson co-developed a training course with easy-to-follow lessons that helps nonprofessional community volunteers in developing countries respond to mental health issues.

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A reporter's PressPass is required to access this story until the embargo expires on 11/24/2009 4:00 PM EST

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A reporter's PressPass is required to access this story until the embargo expires on 11/23/2009 4:00 PM EST

EMBARGOED

A reporter's PressPass is required to access this story until the embargo expires on 11/24/2009 4:00 PM EST

EMBARGOED

A reporter's PressPass is required to access this story until the embargo expires on 11/23/2009 4:00 PM EST

Sleep Apnea May Cause Heart Disease in Kidney Transplant Patients

Sleep apnea is common in individuals who receive a kidney transplant and is associated with increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN). Researchers found that kidney transplant patients are just as likely to have this sleep disorder as dialyzed kidney disease patients who are on the transplant waiting list. Therefore, both types of patients who have sleep apnea should be considered at high risk for developing serious heart-related complications.

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Cigarettes Harbor Many Bacteria Harmful to Human Health

Cigarettes are "widely contaminated" with bacteria, including some known to cause disease in people, concludes a new international study conducted by a University of Maryland environmental health researcher and microbial ecologists at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon in France.

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Toward Explaining Why Hepatitis B Hits Men Harder than Women

Scientists in China are reporting discovery of unusual liver proteins, found only in males, that may help explain the long-standing mystery of why the hepatitis B virus (HBV) sexually discriminates -- hitting men harder than women. Their study has been published online in ACS’ Journal of Proteome Research, a monthly publication.

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New On-Off “Switch” Triggers and Reverses Paralysis in Animals with a Beam of Light

In an advance with overtones of Star Trek phasers and other sci-fi ray guns, scientists in Canada are reporting development of an internal on-off “switch” that paralyzes animals when exposed to a beam of ultraviolet light. The animals stay paralyzed even when the light is turned off. When exposed to ordinary light, the animals become unparalyzed and wake up.

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Reflux Esophagitis Due to Immune Reaction, Not Acute Acid Burn

Contrary to current thinking, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) might not develop as a direct result of acidic digestive juices burning the esophagus, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found in an animal study.

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