(January 23, 2009 - Insidermedicine) From Washington - The FDA has approved the first trial of embryonic stem cells in the U.S. Regulators have given a biotech company the go-ahead to conduct a trial on a treatment for those suffering from spinal cord injuries. The Phase I trial will establish whether the treatment is safe and will involve injecting spinal cord injury patients with cells derived from embryonic stem cells. If successful this treatment could transform the lives of thousands of people who are disabled by spinal cord injuries each year.

From Florida - According to research in The Lancet, women who are victims of abuse are at much higher risk of miscarriage. From a survey of over 2,500 women, researchers found that those who had experienced any kind of domestic abuse were 50% more likely to have had at least one lost pregnancy. It was noted that sexual abuse was associated most strongly with fetal loss overall, while emotional abuse was linked most strongly with multiple miscarriages.

And finally, from Germany - According to research in the European Journal of Heart Failure, female physicians provide better chronic heart failure treatment. In a study of over 1,800 patients, researchers found that women physicians were more likely to follow guidelines for drug choice and dose without regard for patient's sex. In contrast, male physicians were more likely to use fewer drugs at lower doses and misinterpret symptoms when the patient was a woman.

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