(November 6, 2008 - Insidermedicine) From San Francisco - According to research presented to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, moderate coffee consumption may slow the progression of hepatitis C-related liver disease. In a study of nearly 800 adults with hepatitis C, researchers found that those who drank at least 3 cups of coffee per day had a 50% lower risk of liver disease progression over 3.5 years. Drinking tea had no influence on disease progression.

From St. Louis - According to research in the journal Nature, scientists have decoded the genome of a cancer patient. The patient was a woman in her 50s who died of acute myeloid leukemia. The scientists identified 10 mutated genes in cancerous tissue that were apparently involved in triggering the disease. This is the first human cancer genome to be sequenced and the findings may serve as the foundation for developing more effective ways to diagnose and treat this disease.

And finally, from New York - According to research in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, children living with smokers are more likely to be underfed. In a study of over 8,800 households, researchers found that, in households with at least one smoker, 17% of children were underfed, compared to only 9% of children in nonsmoking households. Families with at least one smoker may spend anywhere from 2% to 20% of their income on tobacco.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.