Tag Health & medicine

Technique moves practical Alzheimer diagnosis one step closer to reality

February 11, 2013

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health are moving closer to a significant milepost in the battle against Alzheimer's disease: identifying the first signs of decline in the brain.

Finding challenges accepted view of MS: Unexpectedly, damaged nerve fibers survive

February 5, 2013

Multiple sclerosis, a brain disease that affects over 400,000 Americans, causes movement difficulties and many neurologic symptoms. MS has two key elements: The nerves that direct muscular movement lose their electrical insulation (the myelin sheath) and cannot transmit signals as effectively. And many of the long nerve fibers, called axons, degenerate.

Waisman Center: Celebrating 40 years of advancing knowledge about developmental disabilities

January 24, 2013

From her perch as director of the Waisman Center, and with an insider’s knowledge of its work to advance our understanding of developmental disability and the people it affects, Marsha Mailick sees a hopeful microcosm of the best attributes of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Study advances treatment of respiratory failure in ALS patients

January 8, 2013

A new study, published online in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and conducted largely at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, shows the potential for two complimentary treatments - stem cell therapy and intermittent exposure to low oxygen - to preserve and even restore breathing capacity in rats with a condition similar to ALS in humans.

University Health Services: Time to get a flu shot

January 7, 2013

Over the past few weeks, Wisconsin has seen a significant increase in flu case numbers. The flu may be here but it’s not too late to protect yourself.

Telephone talks with nurse can reduce hospital re-admissions

December 6, 2012

Weekly telephone contact with a nurse substantially reduced hospital re-admissions for high-risk patients, according to results of a University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health study.

Class explores worldwide picture for AIDS, HIV

November 29, 2012

"This is an important time in HIV research," Matt Reynolds, an HIV researcher at University of Wisconsin–Madison, tells an undergraduate class on the Monday morning after Thanksgiving.

Study sees reduced C-section births in Amish Community

November 16, 2012

A birthing center set up specifically for women in a Wisconsin Amish community may point the way to reducing the high rate of cesarean-section births in the United States, according to a new study.

Meditation expertise changes experience of pain

November 15, 2012

Meditation can change the way a person experiences pain, according to a new study by UW–Madison neuroscientists.

Early stress may sensitize girls’ brains for later anxiety

November 11, 2012

High levels of family stress in infancy are linked to differences in everyday brain function and anxiety in teenage girls, according to new results of a long-running population study by University of Wisconsin–Madison scientists.

Short walks offer exercise benefit, change of scenery

October 25, 2012

Some campus walkers might balk at climbing Bascom Hill, but Mary Johansen tries to do it at least five times a day.

Tobacco research pioneer elected to Institute of Medicine

October 15, 2012

Dr. Michael Fiore, founder of the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has been elected to the Institute of Medicine, one of the nation’s most prestigious scientific organizations.

Tailored breast cancer screening model developed

October 11, 2012

How early and how often should women have mammograms? In theory, it's, "Annually, beginning at age 40." As of late, however, that answer has been up for debate - in part because of the risk of false positives, unnecessary biopsies, and the fear and anxiety that go along with such a diagnosis - and the answer has shifted to a more ambiguous, "It depends."

Vet med students ensure safe, speedy biosecurity check-in for dairy expo cattle

September 27, 2012

Scores of trailers will begin rolling into Madison on Friday, Sept. 28, delivering 2,500 show cows to the Alliant Energy Center for the upcoming World Dairy Expo. But to prevent the spread of disease among the cattle, the health status of each animal must be verified before they are unloaded. Fortunately, volunteer students from the UW–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine keep this process running as smoothly as possible.

UW team to test mobile apps to prevent substance abuse relapses

September 21, 2012

Can giving smartphones to people with substance use disorders improve the quality of care at the same time as it reduces health care costs? A team of scholars centered at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Dartmouth College thinks so, and has won a federal grant to create and test mobile apps to deliver tested treatment and relapse prevention tools through these devices.

UW team studies the mechanics of stronger bones

September 19, 2012

As human bones age, they undergo geometric changes and also lose minerals such as calcium that give them density and strength.

Campus flu shot clinics start Sept. 17

September 13, 2012

University Health Services (UHS) will again offer seasonal influenza immunizations (flu shots) for all registered students, faculty and staff. Just like last year, student flu shot clinics will be held at separate locations and dates from UW-employee clinics.

Reduced brain connections seen in people with generalized anxiety disorder

September 3, 2012

A new University of Wisconsin–Madison imaging study shows the brains of people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) have weaker connections between a brain structure that controls emotional response and the amygdala, which suggests the brain's "panic button" may stay on due to lack of regulation.

Neuro reunion shows off progress

August 28, 2012

They were brought together by some of the worst moments of their lives – but you’d never know, if you witnessed the hugs and snapshots and, yes, laughter, at the first-ever reunion of patients from UW Hospital’s Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit.

West Nile’s ‘super spreader:’ How about the American robin?

August 23, 2012

The 2012 outbreak of West Nile virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, promises to be the largest since the disease was first detected in the United States 13 years ago.