The team of six scientists are expected to reach a base camp at 18,000 feet Tuesday. They'll spend the next two weeks monitoring a group of climbers to study the effects of high-altitude.

Two Mayo Clinic researchers spent 10 days conducting physical tests on themselves and about 20 climbers at the base camp for Mt. Everest. The testing at 17,500 feet sheds light on how the body reacts to high altitudes, which mimics conditions that patients suffer from heart disease, obesity and aging.

Researchers working with mice have identified biological red flags that show who's more prone to developing the brain disease. The Minnesota Alzheimer's Association is hopeful but cautions "People aren't mice."

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic say heart attacks in Olmsted County dropped by one-third after Minnesota adopted a law banning smoking in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants. The leader of Mayo's study tells Reuters other risk factors -- cholesterol, blood pressure, obesity -- stayed the same, leaving the reduction in second hand smoke as the apparent explanation for the decline.

Researchers are calling for more screening for the disease after a new study shows scarring from the infection can develop into liver cancer. MPR reports the study could have particular impact on the Somali community, where hepatitis C is more prevalent than suspected.

The condition known by the acronym SCAD can lead to heart attacks that are often misdiagnosed. While most heart attacks involve plaque or other buildup in an artery, SCAD involves a torn artery in which a flap blocks blood flow. It seems to occur most often in young women, although more research is needed.

The Rochester clinic has agreed to partner its research efforts with the country in the hopes of speeding up medical breakthroughs. Mayo Clinic already had research agreements with companies in Sweden and the Czech Republic.