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Mental-health guide accused of overreach

Written on May 19, 2013 by Alannah Glenny

Psychologist David Elkins had modest ambitions for his petition. He and his colleagues were worried that proposed changes to an influential handbook of mental disorders could classify normal behaviours as psychological conditions, potentially leading to inappropriate treatments. So they laid out their concerns in an open letter, co-sponsored by five divisions of the American Psychological Association in Washington DC. “I thought, ‘Well, maybe we’ll get a couple or maybe 30 signatures’,” says Elkins, an emeritus professor at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

But the letter, posted online on 22 October (go.nature.com/uhmvqq), touched a nerve.

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Stem cell therapy treats common pregnancy complication

Written on May 17, 2013 by Ava Gwynn

A new, placenta-based cell therapy may be effective at thwarting a common medical complication during pregnancy that can put both mother and child at risk, and in rare cases, cause death.

In a study conducted by Pluristem Therapeutics ($PSTI) and Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, researchers found that the Israel-based developers PLacental eXpanded (PLX) cells effectively improved several parameters of preeclampsia in animal models.

Preeclampsia occurs in approximately 6% to 8% of pregnancies worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

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Need for speed? Doc has training advice for Staten Island runners

Written on May 17, 2013 by Sebastian Cimitiere

By DR. THEODORE STRANGE

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For the last four weeks of your training, youve consistently and patiently built up your endurance. Your body has undergone gradual adaptations as youve increased your cardio base.

So where do you go from here?

Speed.

If you want to try and pick up your pace in the Advances 4-Mile Memorial Day Run, youll need to add a speed workout this week and next week. (If youre more concerned with just finishing the race, weve got you covered with an alternate workout for Wednesdays speed session.)

Generally, runners can improve their speed by landing on the balls of their feet as opposed to the heel or mid-foot when they race.

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Brain fitness matters in Canada: Upcoming talks in Toronto and Victoria

Written on May 15, 2013 by Ava Gwynn

Heads up: I’ll be in Toronto this Wednes­day and Thurs­day to speak  on “The Web as a Gym for the Brain” at mesh13, and to present our new book on How to Opti­mize Brain Health and Per­for­mance at Any Age at MaRS Dis­cov­ery Dis­trict. If you’re attend­ing either, please say Hello!

Will be back up in Canada on June 12th, in Vic­to­ria, BC, to deliver a keynote on How Can We Invest In Our Brains To Boost Inno­va­tion and Resilience, at the Con­fer­ence Board of Canada’s . It’s been fas­ci­nat­ing to ob

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People with congenital heart disease need physical activity, study suggests

Written on May 15, 2013 by Sebastian Cimitiere

Congenital heart disease (heart structural problems existing since birth) is estimated to affect more than 859,000 children and 850,000 adults in the United States.

According to the statement:

  • While some irregular heart beat conditions may require a restriction in physical activity, “for most, physical activity can be unlimited and should be strongly promoted.”
  • Most patients with congenital heart disease are relatively sedentary.

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PLOS NTDs Launches New Collection Focusing on Strongyloides

Written on May 11, 2013 by Ava Gwynn

PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases announces the launch of a new collection focusing on the human parasitic roundworm Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis). Containing nearly twenty research articles by nematode experts from across the globe, the collection kicks off with  new Viewpoints and Review articles that highlight the need for sustained action to fight this disease.

While recognized by the World Health Organization officially as an NTD, the nematode S. stercoralis has fallen under the radar of many campaigns for control of soil-transmitted helminths despite threatening hundreds of millions and killing thousands every year worldwide.

Dr.

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