Spending on a disease like cancer tends to follow a particular pattern.

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However, Simon Cousens, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, points out that such a pattern does not necessarily mean a disease outbreak is levelling off.

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Other illnesses including heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and hormonal problems can also disturb the normal pattern of sleep.

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The other cases do not show the sort of transmission pattern that normally gives away a genetic disease yet there is a bigger chance than normal that someone will suffer from Alzheimer's if relatives on his mother's side have also suffered.

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This pattern held when the researchers broke out the data by specific causes of death, including heart disease, lung disease, pneumonia, stroke, diabetes, infections, and even injuries and accidents.

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For instance, in the past several years, scientists have come to understand that a particular gene signature--a pattern of genes that are turned on and off--can be a powerful contributor to the disease Lupus, which causes swollen joints, fevers and rashes.

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