A study presented Tuesday at Neuroscience 2015 in Chicago reveals that many autism genes may be associated with other medical and mental issues. Autism Speaks helped fund the study that highlights the effects of autism on the mind and body beyond the condition itself. The study also links autism with an increased risk for cancer, autoimmune disorders, heart disease and kidney problems.

Researchers say personalized medical approach should be used based on malfunctioning cells.

The study's authors spoke about the findings at a recent conference.

A study found that a small of Botox injected into the fat surrounding the heart prevented atrial fibrillation.

Two organizations showed a lot of heart earlier this month by teaming up to improve delivery of care for millions of Americans with AFib.

The symptoms of gestational diabetes typically go away once a woman gives birth.

A series of case studies will show patients and clinicians how drugs are approved for use.

Medicare enrollment is open every year between October 15 and December 7.

The American Diabetes Association believes that no one should go without lifesaving medication.

Several groups, including the Aerospace Industries Association, Research! America and United for Medical Research, sent a joint letter to Congress in a effort to advance responsible funding for medical research priorities and national security. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network President Chris Hansen said health of the nation's citizens and economy depends on medical research.

American Medical Association officials are applauding the efforts of President Barack Obama to quell opioid abuse. “We are extremely pleased that President Obama is undertaking initiatives to halt the nation's opioid crisis," AMA Chair-elect Patrice Harris said. “The AMA recognizes the severity of this public health epidemic and is fully committed to being an active partner in implementing solutions to combat it."

The Healthcare Leadership Council said recently it is backing passage of the proposed Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act pending action by the U.S. Senate. The measure would mandate that certain federal agencies share information on possible cyberthreats with private entities and state and local governments. Also included in the bill are strong patient confidentiality measures.

The American Heart Association (AHA) said it has a new awareness initiative that uses videos of patients telling their stories about living with atrial fibrillation (AFib). The expanded AFib awareness campaign focuses on cities where AFib rates are high — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle. It is estimated that 2.7 million to 6.1 million people in the U.S. have AFib.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) siad Friday it has approved Yondelis (trabectedin), a chemotherapy, for the treatment of liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma, specific soft tissue sarcomas (STS), that are not able to be removed by surgery or are advanced (metastatic). The treatment is indicated for patients who have received chemotherapy that contained anthracycline.

The head of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) applauded U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's recent call for a national commitment to end cancer. “We agree with Vice President Biden on the need for a ‘moon shot’ in this country to end cancer," ACS CAN President Chris Hansen said. Biden also called for more medical research and funding for cancer treatment development.

ALS ACT, The ALS Association, ALS Finding a Cure and the Translational Research Advancing Therapy ALS (TREAT ALS) Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS) clinical trials network said Friday they are calling for phase II clinical trial applications for innovative, high-potential treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS affects one in approximately 30,000 people in the U.S.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Opdivo (nivolumab) to treat patients with advanced (metastatic) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The treatment is indicated for patients whose disease progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Opdivo may help the body’s immune system fight the cancer cells  by blocking the cellular pathway PD-1/PD-L1.

An Autism Speaks grant has helped University of California Psychologist Jeffrey Wood do significant research to develop behavioral treatments for school-age children living with autism and anxiety. Research has confirmed that anxiety is very common among children who have autism. In fact, many autistic children deal with extreme anxieties and phobias.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Onivyde (irinotecan liposome injection), in combination with fluorouracil and leucovorin, to treat patients with advanced (metastatic) pancreatic cancer who have been treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy on Thursday. The FDA granted priority review and orphan drug designations for Onivyde.

Friends of Cancer Research Chair and Founder Ellen Sigal, a vocal advocate for updating the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's structure for the 21st century, has renewed her call for updating the agency. "The United States currently is using a regulatory framework for drugs and devices that was developed during the 20th century when iron lungs were still in use," she said.