Scientists find gene that may regulate colon cancer
(Published: 3/22/2007, Reuters) Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have discovered a genetic mutation linked with
colon cancer that may work like a spigot, controlling the number of precancerous growths that develop and determining a person's
susceptibility to cancer.
One of the researchers, Arthur Buchberg, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Jefferson Medical College
described the finding as a gene "modifier," something that governs the individual's response to cancer.
"A cancer needs multiple mutations to go from a normal cell to a cancer cell. It needs multiple modifier genes to determine
the final severity. This is probably one of many modifier genes," Dr. Buchberg said.
The discovery gives scientists a new way to look for potential cancer diagnostic tests and treatments.
Microbiology and Immunology
Media Coverage:
Reuters
NBC News Channel
Health Day
UPI
Spinal-cord injuries in elderly soar
(Published: 3/22/2007, UPI) Spinal-cord injuries among U.S. adults over 70 has increased five-fold in the past 30 years,
as compared with younger spinal-cord-injury patients.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson's Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley
in Philadelphia say spinal-cord injuries in older patients have increased 60 percent since the early 1980s, but geriatric
spinal-cord-injury admissions have increased more than 580 percent during that same time period.
Neurological Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
Rehabilitation Medicine
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UPI
MedPage Today
Earth Times
Washington Times
Forbes
Health Day
The envelope, please: Med students meet fates 'Match Day' finally ends stress of finding residency program
(Published: 3/16/2007, News Journal) Cell phones ready, with spouses and parents waiting on speed dial, the fourth-year
students at Jefferson Medical College here began tearing open the nondescript-looking envelopes holding the answer to the
burning question that has caused sleepless nights, months of stomach-churning anxiety and what one student, Leon Shao of Newark,
called "a total stress ball."
Jefferson Medical College
Media Coverage:
News Journal(DE)
New Books Give Advice on How to Avoid Medical Mistakes
(Published: 03/02/2007, KYW Newsradio) A surgeon from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is out with two books that you
may not read, but which just might save your life.
Getting sick is bad for your health and sometimes medical mistakes make things worse. Dr. Lisa Marcucci knows full-well from
her own work in surgery that success is not just keeping your eye on the ball, but hundreds of them.
Department of Surgery
Media Coverage:
KYW Newsradio 1060AM
