(February 27, 2009 - Insidermedicine) From Boston - According to research in the journal Science, Alzheimer plaques may affect more than adjacent neurons in the brain. In a study of mice, researchers found that the beta-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer's also caused cells called astrocytes to become active. While the effect of this increased activity is unknown, astrocytes are very common in the brain, making up about half its volume.
 
From Baltimore - According to research in the New England Journal of Medicine, the antihypertensive drug propranolol may be an effective hemangioma treatment. In a study of 20 newborns, researchers found that propranolol caused hemangiomas to fade with remarkable speed. While usually harmless, severe hemangiomas can be permanently disfiguring, and may interfere with breathing or vision.

And finally, back to Boston - According to research in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, adding caffeine to sunscreen may reduce skin cancer risk. After previous studies showed that drinking coffee or tea had some protective effects, researchers studied caffeine as a potential topical treatment. They found that caffeine helps to eliminate cells damaged by UV light by causing them to self-destruct.

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