During pregnancy sometimes cardiovascular complications specific for pregnancy may arise. I'm talking about preeclampsia and gestational hypertension. Preeclamspia is hypertension arising in pregnancy (pregnancy-induced hypertension) in association with significant amounts of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia refers to a set of symptoms rather than any causative factor. In a recent prospective cohort study women who reported eating chocolate regularly from 1 tot 3 servings per week had a 50% or greater reduced risk of preeclampsia compared to those eating 1 or less servings/week. Moreover, The greatest rate of preeclampsia (4.5%) occurred among women who did not regularly consume chocolate in the first .....read more »

Amazing new technologies for arthritis, away with knee and hip replacement? Arthritis and injury grind down millions of joints, but few get the best remedy -- real biological tissue. Kevin Stone shows a treatment that could sidestep the high costs and donor shortfall of human-to-human transplants with a novel use of animal tissue. Related posts:Surgery’s past, present and robotic future The Future of Medblogging on the BlogWorld Expo Is the dutch kidney reality show a hoax? ..read more »

Often I will tell my residents that if you can't take care of yourself how do you expect to take care of your patients. Or in another way: the only difference between God and a doctor is that God knows he's not a doctor. These sound like cliches but there is some truth in them. In short doctors are just ordinary people with ordinary problems who can make mistakes and who should look after themselves. But how to take good care of yourself in a job as a doctor or even a resident? Working as a doctor can at times be .....read more »

Stressed? Take a few minutes to watch this musical rendition of Robert Sapolsky's book, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. The video is the latest creation from Tom McFadden, and his last as a Stanford human biology teaching assistant. McFadden has recently moved on to New Zealand, where he is studying science communication as a Rhodes Fulbright scholar. Thanks Scope Related posts:Stanford cardiologist answers your questions on YouTube Ask a Stanford Cardiologist via YouTube and Moderator How Do I Keep My Brain Were I Want It? ..read more »

As you probably may well know, your lipid profile is of importance for cardiovascular disease. Especially a high cholesterol level is considered to be a risk factor for coronary artery disease. The efficacy of cocoa in reducing blood pressure and other positive effects on cardiovascular risk factors have been discussed on this blog for some time now. Also a lot of hypothesis for the working of cocoa and how these positive effect of cocoa come about are frequently posted (Yes I like dark chocolate). Now wouldn't it be fun if chocolate also reduces the blood cholesterol level. A recent systematic review .....read more »

After putting up questions and voting for them this expert answers six most asked questions such as mitral valve prolapse or heart attack at young age and what can be done about it. Pacemakers and new developments, life style are other subjects, so enjoy. Excellent way of using web 2.0 for patient education? On moderator 97 people submitted 31 questions and cast 315 votes. Dr. Euan Ashley is a cardiologist and assistant professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. He studies the use of genetics to predict and treat heart disease, and he is an expert in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the leading .....read more »

William Li presents a new way to think about cancer treatment: angiogenesis, targeting the blood vessels that feed a tumor. The crucial first (and best) step: Eating cancer-fighting foods that beat cancer at its own game. Related posts:Cancer Research Blog Carnival #21 – National Cancer Research Month Genes and Brain Cancer Genetics of Cancer Resistance ..read more »

Amgen would like to invite healthcare professionals to visit http://angiogenesis.amgen.com, where the science of angiogenesis comes to life. Angiogenesis, a fundamental mechanism in normal development and cancer, involves multiple cellular regulators that include the angiopoietins, the VEGF family and other regulators. Amgen has developed an interactive website that will provide users with a cinematic experience through which to view the process of tumor vessel growth. This video is one of many featured on this site Excellent video with very nice graphics. Audience's choice for the Scientist Video Award 2009 Related posts:Can we eat to starve cancer? Genetics of Cancer Resistance Genes and Brain Cancer ..read more »

The morning report held every morning before 9.00 AM in our department of psychiatry is usually a pleasant and informative gathering of residents, faculty and medical students. To my opinion the important purpose of the morning report is mostly education but since recent also evaluating residents, discussing calamities and social interaction. The morning report is the social event for both residents and faculty. It's also the only time during the day most of the physicians are present in one room and daily tasks or changes in the daily schedule can be tackled. Morning report is scheduled every morning of a working .....read more »

Nathan Myhrvold and team's latest inventions -- as brilliant as they are bold -- remind us that the world needs wild creativity to tackle big problems like malaria. And just as that idea sinks in, he rolls out a live demo of a new, mosquito-zapping gizmo you have to see to believe Shooting mosquitos out of the sky with lasers, amazing. It's around 10 minutes of this video. Related posts:10 tips for creative thinking 5 Myths about Positive Thinking Love is Great for Creativity, Sex for Analytical Thinking ..read more »