A review study conducted by experts from the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute has demonstrated the effectiveness of methylphenidate, a drug so far only used on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), for treating this disorder in adults

STAFF | FEBRUARY 25TH, 2011

A group of researchers at the Institute for Biomedical Research of Barcelona is working on a pioneering treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis based on an innovative hypothesis: the transplant of type II pneumocytes, the cells that allow the lung to exchange gases

STAFF | February 11th, 2011

Doctors at Barcelona’s Bellvitge Hospital have put into practice an interactive video game as a therapeutic tool for helping patients with eating disorders and pathological gambling addictions. The game interacts with the emotions of patients, reinforcing their self-control, and can be used as a supplement to the usual psychological therapy for these disorders

STAFF | FEBRUARY 10TH, 2011

Barcelona’s Pompeu Fabra University and Hospital Clinic will work together to develop a scientific and technical infrastructure in the field of biomedical imaging systems applied to minimally invasive procedures and the management of biomedical information in Catalonia, with the goal of becoming a leader in Europe

STAFF | JANUARY 17TH, 2011

The Greek researcher based in Holland is one of the most recognized authorities on osteoporosis and bone metabolism. We interviewed him in Toronto, Canada, at an international congress on his area of expertise

JORDI MONTANER | DECEMBER 30TH, 2010

Last year, 844 organs were transplanted at hospitals in Catalonia, a country that leads the European effort in this area. What is now an established practice 40 years ago was an activity where researchers like Gil-Vernet and the Caralps brothers set the groundwork for organ transplant on the edge of the law

JORDI MONTANER | December 22nd, 2010

The technique used in the operation, carried out at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, does not require abdominal incisions, reducing the patient’s pain and recovery time. This is the first time in Europe and second in the world that such an operation is performed on a human. The patient was discharged three days after the operation

STAFF | DECEMBER 10TH, 2010

Stem cell cultures have been described by the press as the door that leads to personalized medicine, but there is still has a long way to go before this is a reality. To bring research to clinical practice, the University of Barcelona has decided to join forces with the August Pi i Sunyer Institute of Biomedical Research, the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and the Institute of Biomedical Research of Bellvitge to create the Cellular Therapy program (TCUB), a project where basic and applied science work hand in hand

ÀNNIA MONREAL | NOVEMBER 29th, 2010

The Spanish Cardiology Society (SEC) has announced an ambitious study of sudden death in athletes. The goal is to establish protocols for identifying at risk individuals, a measure that will benefit the nearly seven million federated athletes in Spain

JORDI MONTANER | NOVEMBER 24TH, 2010

It is not one of the easiest foods to introduce into a child's diet, but eating fish from an early age builds tolerance to the allergens responsible for hay fever and eczema. A Swedish study led by Emma Goksör presented this finding on the occasion of the annual meeting of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (EAACI)

JORDI MONTANER | NOVEMBER 16th, 2010

Some words, like 'doctor' or 'lawyer', are protected by law. Improper use can not be made of them. Should the words 'therapist' and 'therapy' also be added to this list to avoid confusion between health professionals and those who prey on the gullible?

NOVEMBER 11TH, 2010

The suspicion that children conceived through in vitro fertilization are less intelligent appears to be unfounded. Coinciding with the awarding of the Nobel Prize for Medicine to the creator of this technique, a study recently published in Human Reproduction indicates that test-tube children get above average exam results at school. The debate, in any case, is not over. The concept of intelligence is multifaceted and subject to many factors.

GONZALO CASINO | OCTOBER 26TH, 2010

A study published by an international consortium involving researchers from the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona paves the way for new treatments for the disease

STAFF | OCTOBER 18TH, 2010

The United Nations summit devoted to the analysis of the Millennium Development Goals, held in New York, was focused especially on the level of economic aid pledged by richer countries. However, little has been said about science, especially in two areas crucial to development, food and health.

XAVIER PUJOL GEBELLÍ | SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2010

The involvement of pharmaceutical companies in the definition of a disease is a proven formula for increasing the number of patients requiring medical care and treatment. The pharmaceutical industry defends its legitimate financial interests, but these interests can mean unnecessary health costs and a public health problem.

GONZALO CASINO | SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2010