Video

From Wisconsin - A study of nearly 5,000 people showed that those who smoke are nearly 50% more likely to develop macular degeneration, a degenerative change in the area of the retina that is responsible for central vision. On average, smokers develop macular degeneration at 69 years of age, 5 years earlier than those who never smoked. From San Francisco - Researchers may be able to determine which MS patients will respond to the treatment interferon beta and which will not, based on an analysis of their genetic material. In a study of over 200 MS patients with the relapsing-remitting type of the condition, a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms have been found to be linked with a better response to interferon beta. This is another step forward in the quest for personalized pharmacotherapy. And finally, from Minneapolis - Researchers have created a new heart by combining stem cells with the architecture of a rat heart that had stopped beating. The initial rat heart was treated with chemicals so that all its cells died and only its architecture - the valves and outer structure - remained, then stem cells were allowed to populate the heart. Within 2 weeks the cells formed a new heart which was able to beat, conduct electrical impulses and pump small amounts of blood. For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.