Med Health News: August 2009

UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman Decries Continued Rape And Violence Against Women And Children In The Democratic Republic of the Congo

UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman met with victims of rape and violence in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They included a 15-year-old girl who she had met in 2006 during her first visit to this poverty and conflict-ravaged country. "In 2006, I met a 12-year-old girl who was attacked and brutally raped by four men," said Veneman.

Herbalife Family Foundation Launches Casa Herbalife Program In India

The Herbalife Family Foundation (HFF) has established a Casa Herbalife program at the SOS Children's Village in Bangalore, India to help support the center to provide good nutrition to children in need. Approximately 400 children are cared for at the Bangalore location, which is one of more than 40 locations throughout India where orphaned and abandoned children can grow in a family environment.

Xhale Awarded NIH / NIMH SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Phase II Grant For A Breath-Based Medication Adherence System

Xhale, Inc. has been awarded a $1.7 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant by the NIH National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to continue the development of SMART (Self Monitoring and Reporting Therapeutics), a breath-based medication adherence system for HIV/AIDS therapies. In 2007, NIH / NIMH awarded Xhale an SBIR Phase I grant to test the technical merit of SMART.

Patients With Skin-Disease Show Brain Immunity To Faces Of Disgust

People with psoriasis - an often distressing dermatological condition that causes lesions and red scaly patches on the skin - are less likely to react to looks of disgust by others than people without the condition, new research has found. University of Manchester scientists used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to compare the brains of 26 men, half of whom had chronic psoriasis.

Oral Steroid Use Tied To Bladder Cancer

DENVER â€" Prolonged oral glucocorticoid use may be associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, findings from a population-based case-control study suggest. The working hypothesis for the observed link is that the immunosuppression induced by prolonged use of oral glucocorticoids results in diminished immunosurveillance against growing tumors, Dr. Karl Dietrich explained at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.

IOM: 100 Areas Merit Comparative Effectiveness Research

A special panel convened by the Institute of Medicine has identified 100 areas ripe for study as part of a federal comparative effectiveness research program. The panel called on the federal government to use new research funding to compare treatments for atrial fibrillation, strategies to prevent falls among the elderly, and methods to prevent and treat methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), among others.

Health Of U.S. Workers Threatened By Job Insecurity

Persistent job insecurity poses a major threat to worker health, according to a new study published in the September issue of the peer-reviewed journal Social Science and Medicine. The study used long-term data from two nationally representative sample surveys of the U.S. population to assess the impact of chronic job insecurity apart from actual job loss. "Dramatic changes in the U.S.

Season Is No Excuse To Skimp On Produce

The produce section may be a bit bare this time of year, but that doesn't give anyone a free pass to skimp on fruits and vegetables. Dr. Jo Ann Carson, professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center, said the solution lies in choosing as much fresh seasonal produce as possible, then augmenting it with a mixture of frozen and canned offerings.

UAB's Dr. Whitley Chosen To Serve On President's H1N1 Swine Flu Working Group

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Richard Whitley, M.D., has been tapped to serve on the 2009-H1N1 influenza working group of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). The group is providing recommendations to U.S. President Barack Obama, through PCAST, on federal activities needed to respond to H1N1, or swine flu.

Moderate Drinking May Help Prevent Dementia

VIENNA â€" A drink or two a day seems to protect against the development of dementia in cognitively normal elderly adults, a study suggests. But moderate alcohol consumption doesn't improve thinking processes in those who already have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and heavy drinking can tip the scales from mild impairment to dementia, Dr. Kaycee M. Sink said at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease.

HealthNews Dozen: Most Popular Weight Loss Diets

Tell a room full of people about the intention to diet, and a room full of different suggestions will come out of it. There are diets for various purposes, ranging from toning up to losing more than a few pounds, from a concentration on the midsection to overall weight loss. And each diet plan has a different price range, convenience level, and lifestyle adjustment. To find the right one takes more than a friend’s reference; it takes some investigation and planning.

Healthy Tips For Back-to-school

Alexa Schmidt, Binghamton University's registered dietitian, offers the following health and wellness tips for college students. Tips for beating the 'freshman fifteen' -- Seek out campus resources. -- Sign up for an active gym class. -- Find the walking trails on campus or map out a route to do each day. -- Buy a pedometer and strive for 10,000 steps per day. -- Try a yoga class.

Are We Undergoing Too Many Tests Involving Radiation?

If you happen to be in the hospital for any kind of illness, you might want to think twice about which test they would like to perform to diagnose your problem. As Americans, we may be receiving too much radiation from medical tests whose value has not yet been proven.

Dollar Store Pregnancy Tests Are Worth the Buck

CHICAGO â€" Ultra-low-cost pregnancy tests seem able to detect human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) at the same low levels as tests costing many times the price. What's more, their results may be easier to read, according to a sampling of pregnancy test kits purchased from dollar stores throughout the Lehigh Valley, Pa., region by Dr. Sunaina Sehwani and associates at St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network in Bethlehem, Pa.

Abnormal QRS Duration Linked To Increased Risk Of Sudden Cardiac Death

QRS duration (QRSd) is one of several measures of heart function recorded during a routine electrocardiogram (ECG). It is a composite of waves showing the length of time it takes for an electrical signal to get all the way through the pumping chambers of the heart. Prolonged QRSd is a sign of an abnormal electrical system of the heart and is often found when the heart isn't pumping efficiently.

South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet is a weight-healthy lifestyle designed by Dr. Arthur Agatston, a cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami. Originally developed as a weight-loss plan for his overweight heart patients, he found additional health benefits that led to further diet research and refinement. Thus the South Beach Diet was born.

New Technique Shows Which Patients Will Benefit from Avastin for Brain Tumor Treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Avastin last month for the treatment of brain cancer. The powerful drug shrinks tumors by choking off their blood supply. However, about fifty percent of patients donâ€™t respond to the therapy, exposing them to unnecessary side effects and medication costing up to $10,000 per month. More »

Early Treatment off COPD May Increase Life Expectancy

Treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during early stages may slow the progression of the disease, and allow those who suffer from the illness to live longer and suffer less. New research on a promising anti-inflammatory drug, as well as a study on an already well-known anticholinergic drug, offer renewed hope for those who have been diagnosed with COPD.

Falls Lead to ED Visits by Nursing Home Residents

NEW ORLEANS â€" Falls are by far the most common reason for emergency department visits by nursing home patients, a national survey showed. After injuries from falling, which led to an estimated 14% of all nursing home patients' ED visits in 2004, the top reasons for a trip to the ED included chest pain and pneumonia (4.5% of visits each), psychiatric symptoms (3.7%), and cardiac conditions other than acute coronary syndrome (3.2%), Dr. Scott Wilber reported at the annual meeting of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.

Calculate Your Risk of Dying with New Online Tool

Are you dying to know how much time you have left? Wondering how you will meet your demise? A new website call DeathRiskRankings.com can give you some insight. The program, created by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, uses publicly available statistical information from the U.S. (CDC Wonder) and the European Union (Eurostat) to calculate the death risk rankings of up to 66 causes of death, including accidents, homicides, and various diseases, based on gender, age, race and geographic region.

Alternative Therapies for Eczema Treatments, With a Caveat

Despite having access to some of the best health care in the world, many Americans with the most common form of eczema, known as atopic dermatitis, have sought relief from â€œalternative medicines.â€ However, dermatologists caution that patients seeking alternative treatments to alleviate symptoms of this common, chronic, inflammatory skin disease marked by red, itchy rashes, risk developing more severe symptoms by delaying treatment. More »

The Zone Diet

The Zone Diet, created by Dr. Barry Sears, is a somewhat scientific approach to dieting, which at its core focuses on controlling the hormone levels in your body that are key to weight control and health. The basic tenet, in bold headlines on the Zone Diet website is that it “… is not a diet. It’s a healthy, balanced lifestyle.”

Weight Watchers Diet Program

Weight Watchers is another of the old-time standby diet programs, with over forty years in the business and an estimated 1 million followers across the globe at any given time. One of the reasons this weight loss plan has continued success is the focus on overall health: mental, emotional and physical. Weight Watchers provides the tools and support to change the way you eat and live.

PTSD Nearly Doubles Risk of Later Dementia

VIENNA â€" Post-traumatic stress disorder nearly doubled the risk of later dementia in large cohort of male veterans, a retrospective study has determined. The finding points to the importance of close follow-up for veteransâ€"or any patientâ€"with symptoms of the stress-induced disorder, Dr. Kristine Yaffe said at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease. â€œIt's critical to follow patients with PTSD and evaluate them early for dementia,â€ said Dr. Yaffe, director of the Memory Disorders Clinic at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Atkins Diet Plan

The Atkins Diet Plan gained popularity in 1972 with the publication of the book, Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution. Dr. Atkins, the founder and former Executive Medical Director of The Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine, was one of the first vocal proponents of a low-carbohydrate diet. Long a voice for nutritional medicine, that first book has spawned newly revised versions as well as diet variations such as the South Beach Diet.

Flu Precautions for Schoolchildren

With the H1N1 flu looming large over the fall sickness season with schoolchildren at a high risk for the disease, the need for a vaccine is growing. But with not enough of the vaccine to go around, new restrictions will have to be implemented. A recent article in the Chicago Tribune says that schools will be cracking down on flu-like symptoms to avoid any risk of contaminating the entire student body.

Targeted Therapy Delivers Chemo Directly to Ovarian Cancer Cells

With a novel therapeutic delivery system, a research team led by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center has successfully targeted a protein that is over-expressed in ovarian cancer cells. Using the EphA2 protein as a molecular homing mechanism, chemotherapy was delivered in a highly selective manner in preclinical models of ovarian cancer, the researchers report in the July 29 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. More »

Tuberculosis (TB) Drug Doses Too Low for Today's Obese Populations, Says Study

The typical dose of a medication considered pivotal in treating tuberculosis effectively is much too low to account for modern-day physiques, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers said.

The finding, reported online and in the August edition of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, is particularly important for those living in societies plagued by obesity, said Dr. Tawanda Gumbo, associate professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern and the studyâ€™s lead author. More »

News from the FDA

The Food and Drug Administration has approved dronedarone to help maintain normal heart rhythms in outpatients with a history of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. The agency approved the drug with the stipulation that its manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis, launch a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy aimed at educating health care providers about who should receive the agent. Appropriate patients include those â€œwhose hearts have returned to normal rhythm or who will undergo drug or electric-shock treatment to restore a normal heartbeat,â€ according to a statement from the FDA. Dronedarone is contraindicated in patients with severe heart failure.

Jenny Craig Weight Loss Plan

You’ve seen all the celebrities touting the Jenny Craig Weight Loss Plan: Kirstie Alley, Valerie Bertinelli, Queen Latifah, even basketball star Baron Davis. What is the appeal of this program that attracts heavy hitters to espouse its virtues? Jenny Craig is both a diet and lifestyle program, intent on changing the way you eat, exercise, and live your life. The goal is to change the way you think and act, keeping in mind your overall body health.

HIV May Be Transmitted via Pre-Chewed Food

Researchers have uncovered the first cases in which HIV almost certainly was transmitted from mothers or other caregivers to children through pre-chewed food. The source of HIV in the pre-chewed food was most likely the infected blood in the saliva of the people who pre-chewed the food before giving it to the children. The researchers said their findings suggest that HIV-infected mothers or other caregivers should be warned against giving infants pre-chewed food and directed toward safer feeding options. More »

Onglyza, a New Type 2 Diabetes Drug Approved by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today approved Onglyza (saxagliptin), a once-daily tablet to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. The medication is intended to be used with diet and exercise to control high blood sugar levels.

The hormone insulin keeps blood sugar (glucose) levels within a narrow range in people who donâ€™t have diabetes. People with Type 2 diabetes are either resistant to insulin or do not produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. More »

Pregnant Women Should Take Greater Care of Novel H1N1 ("Swine Flu") Virus

A recent study indicates that pregnant women are more severely impacted by a new H1N1 flu virus and should seek immediate treatment with antivirals.

Pregnant women infected with 2009 novel H1N1 had a higher rate of hospitalization and greater risk of death than the general population due to the H1N1 flu.

The data collected and analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are the most comprehensive available to date on the impact of this novel H1N1 flu virus among pregnant women. More »

Phone Applications for Your Diet

For all of us on-the-go, maintaining a diet as well as staying on top of a busy schedule is as hard as balancing a book on top of your head while jogging down the street. Diet or exercise are usually the first ones to be thrown to the bottom of the list as stress deepens, the kids' schedules get more complicated, or the pressures of work performance get the better of your long days. Trying to eat healthy may add more of a burden for some and you may need an extra dose of determination and a few more hours in the day to prepare your meals.

Policy & Practice

The American Hospital Association and two other hospital organizations have agreed to accept $155 billion in reimbursement cuts for hospitals over the next 10 years as part of health care reform. In a deal negotiated by Senate lawmakers and announced by Vice President Joe Biden, hospitals would see reductions in their Medicare and Medicaid fees, in addition to $50 billion in cuts in programs that help pay for care to the uninsured. Some of the cuts would take effect only if reform reduces the uninsured population. The AHA suggested that the deal was as far as hospitals could go: Reimbursement couldn't be cut further â€œwithout damaging hospitals' ability to care for their communities.â€ Two groups that did not take part in the negotiations, representing public hospitals and children's hospitals, warned that cuts, if not carefully crafted, could hurt institutions caring for large numbers of Medicaid patients.

Indications

Dead celebrities may come and go, but the business of Elvis marches on. In June, more than 45 Elvis-related items from the estate of his personal physician, Dr. George â€œDr. Nickâ€ Nichopoulos, were sold in Las Vegas by Julien's Auctions. Highlights included empty prescription bottles (the pills were destroyed when the legality of selling them was questioned, Bloomberg.com reported), including one for Benadryl that was prescribed Aug. 15, 1977â€"the day before the King's death. Also on the auction block: a laryngeal scope that went for $1,792, and the medical bag that Dr. Nichopoulos used for house calls to Graceland. The medical bag sold for $16,000. The prescription bottles, which Julien's expected to fetch $800 to $1,200 each, went for $2,880 to $8,960. The members of the Bureau of Indications are, of course, huge fans. But the $28.50 we scraped together was not enough to nab our favorite item: the nasal douche Elvis used to irrigate his sinuses before concerts. It netted a cool $2,176.

Extend Cash Incentives To Nurses Who Want To Work In General Practice, Australia

The AMA wants the government cash incentive scheme designed to lure nurses back into the workforce to be extended to include nurses who want to work in general practice. It was reported this week (The Australian, 27 August 2009) that the Federal Government's program to bring nurses back into the workforce was failing to meet targets, with only 541 nurses recruited.

Predictive Tool May Help Determine Treatment Of COPD Patients

A new score, the ADO index, for predicting a patient's risk of dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) performs better than the current test and is much more applicable in clinical practice. It could help doctors target suitable treatment options to individual patients, finds an Article to be published in this week's COPD special edition of The Lancet.

Diabetes UK Needs You

We are looking for media volunteers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities to help us raise awareness of diabetes. A media volunteer is someone who is willing to be interviewed by a journalist. When there is a diabetes news story in the papers or on TV or radio, the story often includes an interview with a person with diabetes.

UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman Decries Continued Rape And Violence Against Women And Children In The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Herbalife Family Foundation Launches Casa Herbalife Program In India

Xhale Awarded NIH / NIMH SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Phase II Grant For A Breath-Based Medication Adherence System

Editorial, Opinion Piece Push For Community Awareness About HIV/AIDS

"We cannot write often enough about the terrible toll that HIV/AIDS is exacting on the United States," a Washington Post editorial states, adding, "More than 56,000 Americans become infected with HIV every year," and in Washington D.C., the "'generalized and severe epidemic' threshold is crossed when 1 percent of a local population is living with HIV/AIDS.

Health Reform Needed To End Disparities In Women's Coverage, Opinion Piece Says

"To be sure, no group is doing well under our network of private insurers," but "women fare particularly badly in terms of health, being more likely than men to leave a prescription unfilled; forgo seeing a needed specialist; and skip a medical test, treatment or follow-up," author Sharon Lerner writes in an opinion piece in The Nation.

Magic Johnson To Black Religious Leaders: Join HIV/AIDS Awareness, Prevention Efforts

Former National Basketball Association player Earvin "Magic" Johnson gave the opening address of the CDC's 2009 HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta, the Southern Voice blog "The Latest" reports. He "spoke frankly about being HIV positive for nearly 20 years," and discussed the impact black religious leaders have on addressing HIV/AIDS in the black community, according to the blog.

Pre-Eclampsia And Diet: New Link Discovered

A chemical compound found in unpasteurised food has been detected in unusually high levels in the red blood cells of pregnant women with the condition pre-eclampsia. These results are important because they suggest that the compound, 'ergothioneine', is an indicator of pre-eclampsia and may help scientists to understand the cause of the condition, which is currently unknown.

Despite H1N1 Flu Threat, Most Americans Haven't Increased Hand Washing

Worries about the H1N1 virus haven't changed most Americans' hand washing habits, says a national survey by Bradley Corporation, a leading manufacturer of commercial bathroom and locker room furnishings. In Bradley's first Healthy Hand Washing Survey, 54 percent said they "wash their hands no more or less frequently" in public restrooms since the H1N1 virus emerged.

CDC Official Calls For National HIV/AIDS Strategy To 'Strengthen' U.S. Response

"The severe and continued burden of HIV in this nation is neither acceptable nor inevitable. But, significant progress will require that we strengthen our national response," Kevin Fenton, director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, writes in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution opinion piece.

72 Year Old Physical Therapist Swims English Channel As Part Of Relay Team

Physical therapist Stanley V. Paris, PT, PhD, FAPTA, age 72, member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), successfully swam the English Channel as part of a four-person relay team on Thursday, August 6, 2009. Paris, who swam four times during the relay, helped bring the relay team to a victorious crossing of the English Channel in 13 hours and 25 minutes.

Infections Of Leisure New Edition

Many leisure activities, however enjoyable they may be, expose us to a growing list of pathogenic microbes, some new and many increasingly resistant to current therapies. The latest edition of the ASM Press book Infections of Leisure, Fourth Edition continues to compile information on leisure-associated infections into one unique, user-friendly volume, with updated data and new chapters.

Levels Of Nicotine Are Much Higher In Smokers' Cars Than Those Found In Bars And Restaurants

Research published ahead of print in Tobacco Control reports that levels of nicotine are much higher in smokers' cars than levels found in public or private indoor places and in restaurants and bars that permit smoking. Involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke accounts for thousands of cases of respiratory, cardiovascular, and cancer deaths every year in the US.

New Study Of House Health Reform Bill: Kansas Faces Over $373 Million In Medicare-Funded Nursing Home Cuts Over Ten Years

A new American Health Care Association (AHCA) analysis of the pending U.S. House health reform bill, combined with the impact of a recently-enacted Medicare regulation cutting Medicare-funded nursing home care by $12 billion over ten years, finds seniors in Kansas requiring nursing and rehabilitative care will face total funding cuts of $373 million over that same time period.

Increasing Awareness Of Off-Label Use Not Evidence Based

In a recent national survey, a substantial minority of physicians erroneously believed that certain off-label uses of prescription drugs were approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This mistaken belief could encourage them to prescribe these drugs, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting such use. "Off-label prescribing is common, but researchers have not always known why.

Calls To Study Health Benefits Of Nitrate, Nitrite

A Michigan State University researcher is challenging health standards that consider nitrates and nitrites in food to be harmful. Norman Hord's research suggests that although there are negative health effects associated with the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers and excessive nitrates in groundwater, nitrates and nitrites -- as they occur in plants -- may actually provide health benefits.

Yale Researcher Questions Federal Guidelines For Seasonal And Swine Flu Vaccines

With the seasonal flu season approaching and uncertainty over whether swine flu will become more severe, new research published by Yale School of Public Health has found that more people are likely to avoid illness if vaccines are given out first to those most likely to transmit viruses, rather than to those at highest risk for complications.

CRi Oosight Imaging System A Key To Breakthrough Gene Replacement Method With Potential To Prevent Inherited Mitochondrial Diseases

U.S. researchers using CRi's Oosight(TM) imaging system have developed a gene transfer technique that has potential to prevent inherited diseases passed on from mothers to their children through mutated DNA in cell mitochondria. The research, which demonstrated the technique in rhesus monkeys, appears in the Aug. 26 issue of the journal Nature. The group, headed by Dr.

Flu Precautions for Schoolchildren

Why Save Bad Teeth? Dental 'Heroics' Unnecessary And Failure Prone

For years, it was common practice for dentists to perform repeat root canals and other procedures to save teeth compromised by extensive decay, gum disease and bone loss. Today, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) said times have changed and patients should forego prolonged dental heroics to save failing teeth and replace them with long-lasting dental implants.

Chemotherapy Resistance: Checkpoint Protein Provides Armor Against Cancer Drugs

Cell cycle checkpoints act like molecular tripwires for damaged cells, forcing them to pause and take stock. Leave the tripwire in place for too long, though, and cancer cells will press on regardless, making them resistant to the lethal effects of certain types of chemotherapy, according to researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Their findings, published in the Aug.

Improving The Health Of Latino Communities: New Mexico Groups Prepare For Policy Forum

Registration is now open for the Ninth Annual Binational Policy Forum on Migration and Health to be held on October 5-6, 2009 at the Hilton Santa Fe Resort at Buffalo Thunder in Santa Fe, New Mexico. More than 300 high-level representatives from federal, state, academic and community organizations from the United States, Mexico, Canada, South and Central American countries are expected to attend.

UAB's Dr. Whitley Chosen To Serve On President's H1N1 Swine Flu Working Group

Season Is No Excuse To Skimp On Produce

Health Of U.S. Workers Threatened By Job Insecurity

Healthy Tips For Back-to-school

Abnormal QRS Duration Linked To Increased Risk Of Sudden Cardiac Death

Early Treatment off COPD May Increase Life Expectancy

Influence: A Labor Leader's Return And The Blue Dogs' Campaign Cash

Health care lobbyists, industry groups and labor leaders continue to vie for influence as Washington braces for the health reform debate to return to town next month. The New York Times: Dennis Rivera, a once-powerful New York labor leader, vanished two years ago after stepping down from his post as chief of a 300,000-strong health care workers' union.

Destination Manchester For International Doctors

Manchester has been chosen to host a new state of the art centre to assess international medical graduates* before they work in the UK. From March 2010, the majority of doctors who want to work in the UK but graduated outside the European Economic Area will be assessed at the centre, which will be based at 3 Hardman Street, Manchester.

Statement From ASCO President Douglas W. Blayney, MD, On The Death Of Sen. Edward Kennedy

ASCO, along with millions of Americans, mourns the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy after his courageous battle with brain cancer. During his five decades of public service, Senator Kennedy was a champion for health care reform, sponsoring and passing a variety of legislative efforts to improve access to health care for all people in the United States.

BMJ Group Launches On-line Swine Flu Forum For Doctors Across The World

Responding to concerns from doctors in many countries, the BMJ Group has now made available a forum on pandemic flu though http://www.doc2doc.bmj.com - a new international on-line community for doctors. doc2doc provides answers to clinical questions, news about the latest research and forums for doctors to share information easily with each other.

Contrary To Insoluble Fiber, Soluble Fiber Is An Effective Treatment For Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The first trial in increasing dietary fiber in a primary care setting is published on bmj.com today. It reports that soluble fiber (psyllium) is an effective treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). On the other hand, insoluble fiber such as bran may worsen symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain and an irregular bowel habit.

Breast Cancer Drug Tamoxifen Appears To Raise Risk Of Developing New Type Of Tumor, Study Finds

Breast cancer patients taking a long-term course of the estrogen-blocker tamoxifen, which has been used widely to prevent recurrences of hormone-sensitive breast cancer, might have four times the risk of developing "an uncommon but aggressive" new tumor that is not estrogen-sensitive, according to a new study published Tuesday in the journal Cancer Research, the New York Times reports.

Obesity Ages the Brain and Reduces Life Span

Overall, about two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are either overweight or obese and about 6 percent are extremely obese, putting them at an increased risk for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, osteoarthritis, stroke, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea, respiratory problems and even certain cancers.

CVS Caremark Data Finds More Than 50 Percent Of Adults 45 Years And Younger Are Not Adherent To Cholesterol Lowering Medications

A study released today by CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS) found that more than 50 percent of patients under the age of 45 who are prescribed a medication to treat high cholesterol are not optimally adherent to their therapy. In fact, the data showed that 58 percent of adults between the ages of 18-34 are not taking their cholesterol lowering medications as prescribed.

Vets Can Quiz The UK's 4 CVOs At BVA Congress 09

The British Veterinary Association has secured a rare opportunity for vets across the UK to quiz the four Chief Veterinary Officers in a panel session at BVA Congress 24-26 September. The theme of Congress 09 is 'Together forever?' looking back at 10 years of devolution for Scotland and Wales and looking forward to the opportunities and threats of the future.

A Timeline Of Kennedy's Health Care Achievements And Disappointments

KHN provides a timelime detailing Sen. Edward Kennedy's involvement in the nation's health care policy. The article quotes the following: "Every American should be able to get the same treatment that U.S. senators are entitled to,' he wrote in Newsweek last month. 'This is the cause of my life'" (Evans and Schiff, 8/26). This information was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.

San Francisco Postpones Agency Cuts, Los Angeles AIDS Clearinghouse Closes

San Francisco health officials "have postponed cutting" contracts for HIV/AIDS programs "until mid-October in order to give the Board of Supervisors time to respond to" larger cuts to services made by the state, the Bay Area Reporter reports. Last week the California Office of AIDS notified local jurisdictions of how much funding they would receive after the state cuts.

H1N1 Flu In Turkeys May Spread

The detection of an H1N1 virus in turkeys in Chile raises concern that poultry farms elsewhere in the world could also become infected with the pandemic flu virus currently circulating in humans, FAO said today. Chilean authorities reported on 20 August that the pandemic H1N1/2009 virus was present in turkeys in two farms near the seaport of Valparaiso, Chile.

Mental Health Advocates Demand More Psychiatric Beds In North Carolina

Mental health advocates are calling attention to what they see as a need for more psychiatric beds in North Carolina. Indy Week reports that "WakeMed Health & Hospitals is the 800-pound gorilla of health care in Wake County." In addition, it's easily the county's biggest health organization and, its leadership argues, the hardest-working. But when WakeMed went to the N.C.

Are We Undergoing Too Many Tests Involving Radiation?

60-Year-Old Drug Shows New Promise For Inherited Cancer

Cancer Research UK-funded scientists have shown that an early chemotherapy drug invented in the 1940s has the potential to work against a genetic fault called HNPCC* which is linked to bowel and other cancers. The results are published in EMBO Molecular Medicine** today, (Thursday). HNPCC is a hereditary condition involved in around five per cent of all bowel cancer cases.

Reminders From Intelligent System Increase The Independence Of Those With Special Needs

A team of researchers from the University of Granada (UGR) has created a system with Artificial Intelligence techniques which reminds elderly people or people with special needs of certain everyday tasks. This system uses sensors distributed in the environment in order to detect their actions and mobile devices which remind them, for example, to take their keys before they leave home.

Blood Thinner Causes Stroke In Some Dialysis Patients

The blood thinner warfarin can prevent strokes in most individuals with abnormal heart rhythms, but the drug may have the opposite effect in kidney disease patients on dialysis, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The results suggest that warfarin should be prescribed with caution in patients with kidney failure.

Dodd Wrestles With HELP Chairmanship Decision As Officials Consider How To Fill Kennedy's Seat

"Grieving the loss of his close friend Ted Kennedy, Sen. Chris Dodd is also faced with one of the most significant political choices of his Senate career," Politico reports. "The Connecticut Democrat could grab Kennedy's gavel and assume the chairmanship of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, putting himself in the center of a historic health care debate at crunch time.

Kennedy Biographer Adam Clymer: Kennedy Shaped Obama's Health Agenda

Adam Clymer covered Congress as a Washington correspondent for the New York Times and the Baltimore Sun, beginning in 1963, the year after Edward Kennedy was elected to the Senate. He is the author of a remarkable biography, "Edward M. Kennedy," which captures the sweep and breadth of Kennedy's remarkable half century of public service in the Senate. KHN's Eric Pianin talked with Clymer.

Routine Circumcision Does Not Protect Against HIV For Men Who Have Sex With Men, CDC Study Finds

Although previous research in African countries has shown that circumcision helps reduce a man's risk of contracting HIV through heterosexual intercourse, a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests the procedure does not provide protection for men who have sex with men -- one of the groups most at risk for the virus in the U.S. -- the AP/Miami Herald reports.

Red Cross Survey Finds Overwhelming Majority Of Public Taking Steps Against H1N1 Flu Virus

A recent poll on the H1N1 flu conducted by the American Red Cross found that more Americans are taking or planning on taking extra measures to cover their coughs and sneezes with tissue (78%) or wash their hands more carefully (76%) to avoid getting the flu. The survey also found that 62 percent plan on being vaccinated against this new flu virus if one is offered.

"Dermastream" To Heal Bedsores And Chronic Ulcers

More than six million people in the U.S. suffer from persistent wounds - open sores that never seem to heal or, once apparently healed, return with a vengeance. The bedridden elderly and infirm are prone to painful and dangerous pressure ulcers, and diabetics are susceptible to wounds caused by a lack of blood flow to the extremities. "The problem is chronic," says Prof.

NMC Says Poor Practice Must Be Reported, UK

Following the recent report by the Patient's Association, the NMC has issued the following response. "Poor care is never acceptable. We have shared a public platform with the Patient's Association about this issue in the past. The NMC exists to improve standards of care and anyone who has concerns about the conduct of a nurse or midwife should speak to the person in charge or contact us.

What Is Agoraphobia? What Causes Agoraphobia?

A person with agoraphobia fears being in places where there is a chance of having a panic attack that people may witness, and getting away rapidly may be difficult. Because of these fears the sufferer will deliberately avoid such places - which may include crowded areas, special events, queues (standing in line), buses and trains, shops and shopping centers, and airplanes.

Is Endotoxin Receptor CD14 Rs2569190/C-159T Gene Correlated With Chronic Hepatitis C?

It is still unknown why the natural history of chronic disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), which currently infects 3% of the world's population, varies from mild in some patients to rapidly progressing in others. Age, sex, alcohol consumption and liver sensitivity to gut-derived bacterial endotoxins, were the early factors defined to enhance the risk of fibrosis progression.

Los Angeles Times Examines Ongoing Feud Between Operation Rescue Leader, Founder

The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday examined the relationship between Randall Terry, the founder of the radical antiabortion-rights group Operation Rescue, and Troy Newman, the group's current president. Although the two once had a close relationship, an ongoing feud over the ownership of the Operation Rescue name has "locked" them in an "increasingly nasty battle," the Times reports.

Anti-clotting Treatment Is Less Effective In Patients With A Genetic Variation, Says British Heart Foundation

In response to a study printed in JAMA about the anti-clotting drug Clopidogrel (1), British Heart Foundation (BHF) Cardiac Nurse Cathy Ross said: "Clopidogrel forms part of the important treatment to reduce risks after a heart attack. We have known for some time the Cytochrome P450 plays a significant role in the way we benefit from and metabolise drugs.

Children's Researchers Find Molecular Links Between Insulin Resistance And Inflammation

An exploration of the molecular links between insulin resistance and inflammation may have revealed a novel target for diabetes treatment, say scientists at the John G. Rangos Sr. Research Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Their findings were published earlier this month in the online version of Diabetes, one of the journals of the American Diabetes Association.

Asia Will Experience H1N1 Vaccine Shortage, WHO Says

A spokesperson for the WHO said on Tuesday that Asia will not have enough H1N1 vaccines for swine flu when cold weather hits, Reuters reports. Though China and Australia will soon begin H1N1 vaccine production, the doses will be reserved for the countries only, leaving the "rest of the region Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ unlikely to benefit," the news service writes.

Japanese Health Care: Lower Costs And Nearly No Bankruptcy

The New York Times, in a series of ongoing stories about health care delivery in other countries, interviewed John Creighton Campbell, of the University of Michigan and visiting researcher at the Tokyo University Institute of Gerontology who has studied Japan's health care system. Campbell talked about Japans's lower costs, shortcomings and what Americans can learn from the Japanese system.

Inherited Mitochondrial Disease Could Be Eliminated By New Technique

Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have developed an experimental technique with the potential to prevent a class of hereditary disorders passed on from mother to child. The technique, as yet conducted only in nonhuman primates, involves transferring the hereditary material from one female's egg into another female's egg from which the hereditary material has been removed.

Researchers Find Common Respiratory Virus Hijacks Lung Cells To Stay Alive

Approximately one-half of all infants are infected with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) during the first year of life, and almost all children have been infected at least once by the time they reach their second birthday. Researchers at West Virginia University have discovered what makes RSV such a severe and persistent illness. Senior author Giovanni Piedimonte, M.D.

A Better Test To Detect DNA For Diagnosing Disease, Investigating Crimes

Researchers in Singapore are reporting development of a new electronic sensor that shows promise as a faster, less expensive, and more practical alternative than tests now used to detect DNA. Such tests are done for criminal investigation, disease diagnosis, and other purposes. The new lab-on-a-chip test could lead to wider, more convenient use of DNA testing, the researchers say.

New Treatment Shows Promising Results In Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

A new treatment involving the intramuscular injection of an antisense molecule is safe and effective at increasing the production of the protein dystrophin-the absence of which causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). As such, this treatment could benefit a significant proportion of patients with DMD, concludes an Article published Online First and in the October edition of The Lancet Neurology.

University Of Queensland Researcher Discovers How The Mum-bub Bond May Cross Generations

We all know that parents tend to treat their children the way their parents treated them, but why? UQ PhD candidate and developmental paediatrician Dr Lane Strathearn may have found the answer in mothers' brains. Published online in Neuropsychopharmacology is a study which found mothers responded differently to their infant's facial expressions, based on their own history of attachment.

Clarifying Conflict Of Interest Disclosures In Clinical Trials

When enrolling patients in a clinical trial, researchers should disclose relevant financial relationships that might affect a patient's decision about participation, such as owning stock in the company that funds the study, or having a patent on the device being tested. It's a process many believe builds trust and fulfills a patient's right to know about financial conflicts of interest.

2-Day Symposium Raises Concerns About Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing

Companies are increasingly offering genetic tests directly to consumers to assess their risk for illnesses such as breast cancer or diabetes. These tests have raised concerns over whether people will receive adequate counseling -- given that the tests are not administered by health care providers -- and whether consumers' genetic information will be kept private, among other issues. On Aug.

Circumcision: On the Cutting Edge for AIDS Prevention or Is It Just Skin Deep?

After three large studies in Africa suggested that male circumcision can reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS from women to men by as much as 60 percent, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is seriously considering the promotion of circumcision of infant boys born within the United States.

Nuisance Or Nutrient? Kudzu Shows Promise As A Dietary Supplement

Kudzu, the nuisance vine that has overgrown almost 10 million acres in the southeastern United States, may sprout into a dietary supplement. Scientists in Alabama and Iowa are reporting the first evidence that root extracts from kudzu show promise as a dietary supplement for a high-risk condition - metabolic syndrome - that affects almost 50 million people in the United States alone.

NPR Reviews The Heated Debate Over The Creation Of Medicare And Medicaid

NPR gives a historical perspective on current reform efforts with an interview about the debate during the creation of Medicare and Medicaid. NPR reports: "One of the big fears among those crowding town hall meetings is that their coverage under Medicare will be cut. The public debate was almost as passionate 45 years ago when Congress was considering creating Medicare and Medicaid.

Vermont Right To Life Lobbying For State Fetal Homicide Law

The Vermont Right to Life Committee is pushing the state Legislature to create a law criminalizing "fetal homicide" in response to the death of a woman's twin fetuses in a car accident, Vermont Public Radio reports. The state is not investigating the accident as a fatal crash because a fetus is not considered a person under Vermont criminal law, VPR reports.

FDA Reviewing Reports Linking Weight Loss Drug To Liver Injuries

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced this week that it is reviewing reports of liver injury in people who took the weight loss drug orlistat, which is marketed as the prescription drug Xenical and over the counter (OTC) as Alli. However, the federal agency said in the meantime consumers should continue to use the product as prescribed or directed.

People Vary Widely In Ability To Eliminate Arsenic From The Body

Large variations exist in peoples' ability to eliminate arsenic from the body, according to a new study that questions existing standards for evaluating the human health risks from the potentially toxic substance. The study found that some people eliminate more than 90 percent of the arsenic consumed in the diet. Others store arsenic in their bodies, where it can have harmful effects.

Newsweek Profiles Abortion Provider LeRoy Carhart

Newsweek will publish a profile of LeRoy Carhart, one of the few abortion providers in the U.S. who performs the procedure later in pregnancy in its Aug. 31 issue. Carhart occasionally worked at George Tiller's clinic in Wichita, Kan., before it was closed following Tiller's death in May. Carhart's practice, the Abortion and Contraception Clinic of Nebraska, is located outside of Omaha.

Washington, D.C., Program Recruits Former Drug Dealers To Promote HIV Prevention

In a front-page story, the Washington Post reports that former drug dealers are working as counselors in Washington D.C.'s HIV hard-hit areas. "In wards 7 and 8 - where the HIV infection rates are among the highest in the District, where many of the city's ex-convicts live and where many of its arrests occur - former drug dealers are being recruited as HIV counselors ...

September Is Vision Safety Month At The Vision Center CHLA: Sports Eye Injuries A Leading Cause Of Blindness In Children

Sports-related eye injuries are a leading cause of blindness in school-age children, and if a young player receives a hard blow to the eye, they should be examined, even if there is no bleeding or pain. To educate the public about vision protection, The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is actively participating in "Sports and Home Eye Safety Month" this September.

Monitoring For Fever Can Help With Early Detection Of H1N1 - 'Swine Flu'

From summer camps to summer travel, the H1N1 influenza has taken a toll worldwide this season, and experts say the new flu strain is expected to be back in force this fall. Forty percent of Americans could end up being affected by the H1N1 flu, the CDC reported last month. Recently, the CDC elevated its H1N1 alert to pandemic status, its highest level.

Heat Forms Potentially Harmful Substance In High-fructose Corn Syrup

Researchers have established the conditions that foster formation of potentially dangerous levels of a toxic substance in the high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) often fed to honey bees. Their study, which appears in the current issue of ACS' bi-weekly Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, could also help keep the substance out of soft drinks and dozens of other human foods that contain HFCS.

Targeted Cancer Treatment Using Nanomaterials Developed By Argonne, University Of Chicago Scientists

Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago's Brain Tumor Center have developed a way to target brain cancer cells using inorganic titanium dioxide nanoparticles bonded to soft biological material. Thousands of people die from malignant brain tumors every year, and the tumors are resistant to conventional therapies.

Cellphones Cause Brain Tumors, Says New Report By International EMF Collaborative

A new report, "Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern, Science, Spin and the Truth Behind Interphone," was released today by a collaborative of international EMF activists. Groups affiliated with the report include Powerwatch and the Radiation Research Trust in the U.K., and in the U.S., EMR Policy Institute, ElectromagenticHealth.org and The Peoples Initiative Foundation.

Managing Children's Anxiety Before And After Surgery

The prospect of surgery for a child is a frightening unknown for child and parent alike, and the pre-operative process that most children go through only heightens their anxiety. Research on how hospitals can minimize the anxiety and trauma children face both before and after surgery was recently published in the journal Anesthesiology. Imagine you are a four-year-old.

New Study: State-by-state Impact Of Proposed Medicare Cuts To Skilled Nursing Facility Care For Seniors

A new American Health Care Association (AHCA) analysis of the pending House health reform bill, combined with the impact of a recently-enacted Medicare regulation cutting Medicare-funded nursing home care by $12 billion over ten years, finds seniors in fifteen states requiring nursing and rehabilitative care will face total funding cuts in excess of $1 billion over that same time period.

GOP Unveils Latest Salvo In Health Reform Battle: Seniors' Bill Of Rights

Republicans unveiled what they've termed the "Health Care Bill of Right for Seniors" Monday in an attempt to tailor their messages to the elderly, The Washington Post reports. "The Republican National Committee's 'bill of rights' includes calls to 'protect Medicare,' 'prohibit efforts to ration health care based on age' and 'ensure seniors can keep their current coverage.

Reports Warns Swine Flu Could Affect Half Of U.S. Population

A presidential panel released a report that says swine flu could infect up to half of the U.S. population. It warns that schools could be acutely affected and urges the release of vaccines and drugs in September. The Washington Post reports: "Swine flu could infect half the U.S. population this fall and winter, hospitalizing up to 1.

50 Percent Of Healthcare Workers In Hong Kong Refuse To Get The Swine Flu Vaccine

Research just published on bmj.com reports that about half of healthcare workers surveyed in Hong Kong say they would not be vaccinated against swine flu because of fears of side effects and doubts about effectiveness. Still, the authors underline that vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce illness and death linked with pandemic flu.

Ruptured Brain Aneurysms: New Treatment Option

Researchers in Finland have identified an effective new treatment option for patients who have suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm, a potentially life-threatening event. Results of the new study on stent-assisted coil embolization were published in the online edition of Radiology. An aneurysm is a bulge or sac that develops in a weak area of a cerebral artery wall.

The Immune System's Role In Bone Loss Uncovered By UCLA Scientists

Got high cholesterol? You might want to consider a bone density test. A new UCLA study sheds light on the link between high cholesterol and osteoporosis and identifies a new way that the body's immune cells play a role in bone loss. Published Aug. 20 in the journal Clinical Immunology, the research could lead to new immune-based approaches for treating osteoporosis.

Assembly Member Visits A&E With Royal College of Nursing Wales

Peter Black AM accompanied the Royal College of Nursing in Wales on a visit to University Hospital Wales Accident & Emergency Department recently. The purpose of the visit was information gathering. Mr. Black has been visiting all the A&E departments in Wales to meet with the staff, speak to them and obtain their views on the pressures in the system and how they can be alleviated.

Evidence To Support Social Mobility Scheme Limited

The evidence that a new government scheme to award grants to disadvantaged families will promote social mobility is limited, according to a paper published on bmj.com today. It comes just weeks after an independent report into social mobility found that top UK professions such as medicine and law are increasingly being closed off to all but the most affluent families.

Staff Continues Health Reform Heavy Lifting While Obama Vacations

The White House staff continues its tireless work on health care reform as President Obama vacations on Martha's Vineyard, The New York Times reports. "The president, who spent part of his morning on the tennis court and nearly all of the afternoon on the golf course, might be in touch by telephone with some key members of the Senate Finance Committee.

Long-term Tamoxifen Use Increases The Risk Of ER Negative Second Breast Cancer

While long-term tamoxifen use among breast cancer survivors decreases their risk of developing the most common, less aggressive type of second breast cancer, such use is associated with a more than four-fold increased risk of a more aggressive, difficult-to-treat type of cancer in the breast opposite, or contralateral, to the initial tumor. These findings by Christopher Li, M.D., Ph.D.

Liver Injuries Linked to Use of Popular Diet Drug Prompts FDA

Health risks gained may outweigh pounds lost by using weight loss drug orlistat. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Early Communication regarding an ongoing safety review of the drug after receiving a total of 32 reports of serious liver injury in patients taking orlistat.

Today's Selection Of Opinions And Editorials

Tax Penalties And The Health-Care Bill The Wall Street Journal Two tax provisions in the health-care bill voted on by the House Ways and Means Committee earlier this summer have gained significant attention. One would impose a surtax on high-income earners. The other would force individuals (or their employers) who do not have approved health-insurance plans to pay a tax penalty.

Flu Myths Keep People From Getting Important Vaccinations

Concerned over a possible second wave of the H1N1 swine flu outbreak this fall, health care officials are urging everyone to prepare for a busy flu season. The best way to prepare, of course, is by getting a flu vaccination. Another way to get ready is to separate fact from fiction with expert help from The Methodist Hospital and the U.S.

Developing High-Performance Wireless Sensors Networks

Several industries use wireless sensors, which can monitor chemical processes or equipment activity and then transmit the data over a wireless network. Still, many facilities that could benefit from the use of wireless sensors must continue to use a wired network instead, because the reliability, speed and security of the current generation of wireless sensors do not meet their needs. The U.S.

Veterans Receive False Health Scare

USA Today reports: "More than 1,800 Gulf War veterans were sent letters from the Veterans Administration this month informing them that they had Lou Gehrig's disease - a fatal neurological disease. But at least some of the letters - and the diagnoses - were a mistake." "Jim Bunker, president of the National Gulf War Resource Center, said VA officials told him the letters dated Aug.

Americans Must Find Better Options for Sweet Cravings

Americans must become more creative with their resolutions for sweet cravings, avoiding treats with added sugars. For the first time ever, the American Heart Association has released specific guidelines for daily limits of added sugars. Their recommendations are a significant reduction from the current average daily dose that Americans consume.

Democrats Talk Of Moving Reform Bill Without Republicans, Plan Rallies

Democrats are preparing to move ahead without Republicans on health care reform, a leading House Democrat said Monday, The Hill reports. "'I think that at some point everyone's going to see that the Republicans simply are not going to agree to any kind of healthcare reform that the insurance industry isn't supporting and that, reluctantly, we're going to have to do it without them,' said Rep.

Advocates Hope Homeless Will Receive Better Health Care

Advocates for the homeless are seeking to make sure that any health care reform measure meets the needs of these people who sometimes do not qualify for Medicaid. NPR reports on a Baltimore homeless clinic and notes: "Most homeless people in America are too poor to buy their own health coverage, but many also don't qualify for Medicaid, the government-run health program for the poor.

Promising New Treatment For Patients With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

An article published Online First and in the October edition of The Lancet Neurology reports that a new treatment involving the intramuscular injection of an antisense molecule is safe and effective at increasing the production of the protein dystrophin. The absence of this protein causes Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). This treatment could help a considerable proportion of patients with DMD.

Swine Flu-Related Death In Wales

A woman who tested positive for swine flu has died in Wales, the Welsh Assembly Government confirmed last Friday. The 55-year-old woman from Caerphilly County Borough was admitted to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport on 2 August. She had been ill with flu-like symptoms prior to her admission. She tested positive for swine flu on admission and received a course of antivirals.

What Are Symptoms? What Are Signs?

In medicine a symptom is generally subjective while a sign is objective. Any objective evidence of a disease, such as blood in the stool, a skin rash, is a sign - it can be recognized by the doctor, nurse, family members and the patient. However, stomachache, lower-back pain, fatigue, for example, can only be detected or sensed by the patient - others only know about it if the patient tells them.

Valuing Health Around The World: Are Differences Capturing Something Real?

Health care decision making is becoming increasingly reliant on measuring quality of life. How this is done, and whether differences between regions are true differences, or driven by methodology and sample selection is of great importance. It is common to consider any improvement in quality of life alongside life expectancy when assessing the impact of health care.

US Department Of Health And Human Services Grants Orphan Drug Status To BioCancell's Ovarian Cancer Drug

Tikcro Technologies (PK: TIKRF) announced that the United States ("US") Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") has granted orphan drug status to BioCancell's BC-819 drug, currently in Phase I/IIa clinical trials, for its use in treating ovarian cancer. Tikcro holds 36% of Biocancell (after conversion of notes and exercise of warrants), and 27% on a fully diluted basis.

Temptime's Freeze Indicators To Be Used On US H1N1 Vaccines

Temptime Corporation announced that its FREEZEmarkerÂ® temperature indicator has been selected for use on H1N1 vaccines scheduled to be distributed in the US later this year. "The H1N1 vaccine, like all vaccines, is temperature sensitive. The H1N1 vaccine should not be exposed to excessive heat and it must not be frozen. The primary risk identified by the CDC for H1N1 vaccine is freezing.

Boston Scientific To Webcast Conference Call Discussing Results Of Landmark MADIT-CRT Trial

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) will webcast its conference call discussing final results from the landmark MADIT-CRT trial on Tuesday, September 1, at 8:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. Barcelona time. The call will be hosted by Ray Elliott, President and Chief Executive Officer; Fred Colen, Executive Vice President and Group President, Cardiac Rhythm Management; and Arthur Moss, M.D.

Training Speech-Language Teachers To Aid Immigrant Children

Identifying and treating communication disorders in immigrant children is the focus of MOSAIC (Multiplying Opportunities for Services and Access for Immigrant Children), which will train future speech-language pathologists and other professionals to work with immigrant children who are learning to speak English as a second language (ESL). The program, funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S.

Fat In The Liver -- Not The Belly -- Is A Better Marker For Disease Risk

New findings from nutrition researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggest that it's not whether body fat is stored in the belly that affects metabolic risk factors for diabetes, high blood triglycerides and cardiovascular disease, but whether it collects in the liver. Having too much liver fat is known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Fast Tracked Research To Fight Swine Flu

Fourteen projects costing Ã‚Â£2.25 million have been fast tracked by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on behalf of the Department of Health for urgent national swine flu research. The priority studies will be launched this week and will provide vital clinical and scientific evidence that will inform the Government's response to the virus in the coming months.

ADHD Drug Abuse Prevalent Among American Teens

Every day, an estimated 2,500 American teens use a “legal” drug to get high for the first time. These drugs include opioids, which are most often prescribed to treat pain, and central nervous system depressants, used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders.

Cataract Surgery: AMA Conducts The Consultation That The Government Failed To Do, Australia

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, said that the AMA is surveying more than 500 ophthalmologists nationally to gather the evidence on the contemporary realities of performing cataract surgery in Australia. Dr Pesce said the AMA is doing the grassroots consultation with doctors that the Government failed to do before slashing Medicare patient rebates for cataract surgery in the May Budget.

Car Seats Lower Oxygen Levels Of Newborns

Car safety seats are one of the most effective ways to protect children from injury and death in the first years of life. For the best protection in a crash, car seats require infants to be placed in an upright position. However, this posture can partially compress the chest wall and reduce airway size, resulting in lower levels of oxygen.

San Leandro Outraged By Secret Sutter/County Deal To Close Hospital, California

Patients, nurses, and legislators reacted with disbelief and outrage to the announcement that Sutter Health will close San Leandro Hospital and transfer it to Alameda County. The announcement came the day after they were denied ownership of the facility. The Eden Township Healthcare District Board (ETHDB) voted Aug. 18 to deny Sutter's bid to purchase the hospital, which it currently manages.

Educating AIDS Patients About Food Safety

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health have received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to educate AIDS patients on food safety. The three-year, $600,000 award will be used to develop a better way to disseminate information to AIDS patients who are at high risk of developing infections from the foods they eat.

US Jury Awards $13.8m To Smoker's Daughter

A US jury has awarded a tobacco company to pay $13.8 million to Jodie Bullock, the daughter of a woman who died of lung cancer at the age of 64 and who had been a smoker for 47 years. The jury panel voted 9 to 3 in favour of the award, reported the Associated Press. At least one of the three jurors who voted against the award wanted the company to pay more, while others said the 13.

Boost Minimum Training, Don't Reduce It - UNISON Tells Commission, UK

UNISON, the UK's leading public sector trade union, is urging the Care Quality Commission* to ensure training requirements in health and social care are boosted, rather than remove minimum standards. The union, along with it's members who work as inspectors in the Care Quality Commission, is warning that cutting minimum training standards could leave people with a lower standard of care.

Mitotic Release Of Chromatin-Binding RNA Gives Insight Into X Chromosome Silencing

Early in development, mammalian female cells counteract their double dose of X chromosomes by coating one of them with a large RNA named XIST. The RNA binds to the same X chromosome from which it is transcribed and initiates a series of events leading to the chromosome's permanent silencing. In the August 24, 2009 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology, Hall et al.

'Seeing' New Proteins Involved In Memory With The Help Of Fly Eyes

With more than 1,500 eyes, not much escapes the fruit fly's sight. Now, a new research report in the journal GENETICS, describes how researchers from the United States and Ireland used those eyes to "see" new proteins necessary for memory. In addition to shedding light on this critical neurological process, the study also provides information on a form of mental retardation in humans.

States Pass Laws To Expand Parents' Ability To Insure 20-Somethings

Wall Street Journal reports: "As Washington wrestles with health-care reform, states have been busy passing their own laws to allow many young adults to remain longer on a parent's health insurance. In June, New York's governor signed one of the most recent measures -- a law allowing families to keep children up to age 29 on their employer-provided insurance, even if they aren't students.

The Sonoma Diet

The Sonoma Diet, created by Connie Gunderson R.D., Ph.D., is a diet plan that promotes using smaller plates and portions while enjoying Mediterranean-style foods as the way to a slimmer waist and healthier lifestyle. The diet is not meant to be one of deprivation and avoidance. You can still enjoy a glass of wine and favorite foods, just in a moderate amount.

WHO Appeals For Donated, Low-Cost H1N1 Vaccines

The WHO's flu chief Keiji Fukuda on Saturday called upon wealthy nations and vaccine manufacturers to donate H1N1 (swine) flu vaccines to developing countries, the Associated Press reports. "It is clear that the poorest countries in general are just the most vulnerable to any number of diseases, and so it is a big concern," Fukuda said during a H1N1 symposium in Beijing.

Health Care Profiles: Kennedy, Daschle And Kratovil

News reports this weekend explored some prominent personalities in health reform, as well as a new one. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., continues to battle brain cancer at home, but his illness has taken on symbolic proportions in the debate. Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., dropped out of a bid to lead the debate for Democrats, but has kept a hand in the scrum. Sen.

National Dialysis Treatment Program Under Fire; Criticized As Too Costly, Risky

Kidney dialysis treatment in the U.S. is costly and has high death rates, but it doesn't have to be that way, USA Today reports: "The vast majority of the more than 350,000 Americans on dialysis are treated in centers, where three treatments a week, three or four hours each, is the norm - not because it's optimal but because that's the way it has been done for nearly four decades.

Northwest Region's HMOs Show Co-Ops In Action

The idea of consumer-owned health cooperatives has become a hot topic in the health overhaul debate, and the Seattle Times reports on a model for these co-ops that already exists in Seattle. There, Group Health Cooperative has insured patients since 1947, using innovations such as paying doctors salaries and focusing on preventive care to help keep costs down and quality high.

MS Society Statement - Molecule Found In Brain May Protect From Damage Caused By MS

The MS Society, the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting everyone affected by multiple sclerosis (MS), has responded to the news issued by the University of Bristol concerning the study of Galanin in MS. The exact role of galanin in MS, and its potential as a treatment for MS, is still not certain but further research should clarify this.

Impaired Transport In Neurons Triggers Prion Disease

A new study shows that nervous system integrity and axonal properties may play a key role in prion diseases. The findings, from researchers at the Rudolf Virchow Center and the Institute of Virology of the University of WÃƒÂ¼rzburg, expand our understanding of the development of prion disease and suggest novel targets for therapeutic and diagnostic approaches in its early stages.

Men Can Get Breast Cancer, Too: Students Launch Alliance To Raise Awareness Among Both Genders

Even men can get breast cancer. That's the message a non-profit organization formed by a group of Florida State University students and their instructor wants people to know. The Alliance for Breast Cancer Awareness in Women & Men is the result of the work of graduate students in two communication classes taught by William J.P. Smith Jr.

Disparities In Cancer Care Reflect Hospital Resources

Hospitals that treat more black cancer patients have worse survival rates on average for patients with breast and colon cancer, regardless of race, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. The research helps explain why African-Americans with breast or colon cancer are less likely than white patients to survive the disease.

Breakthrough Uses Light To Manipulate Cell Movement

One of the biggest challenges in scientists' quest to develop new and better treatments for cancer is gaining a better understanding of how and why cancer spreads. Recent breakthroughs have uncovered how different cellular proteins are turned 'on' or 'off' at the molecular level, but much remains to be understood about how protein signaling influences cell behavior.

Terrence Higgins Trust Runners Get 'hot And Sweaty' To Raise Awareness Of HIV In Bristol Half Marathon

A team of staff and volunteers from HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) will be running the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday 6th September. The team aim to raise awareness of HIV by wearing customised 'I'm getting hot and sweaty for Terrence Higgins Trust' T-shirts and red ribbons as they complete the 13.1 mile challenge.

Study Links Fetal Fibronectin Testing With Changes In Management Decisions For Symptomatic And Asymptomatic Women At Risk For Preterm Birth

Hologic, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, announced the publication of the first of its kind study evaluating the impact of fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing among both symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women at risk for preterm birth.

Safety Concerns Over The Collapse Of Smart Mobile Hoists

Users of mobile hoists, designed to assist in lifting and moving people with disabilities, are urged to be vigilant following reports of collapse during use due to incorrect assembly. Since January 2009, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has received reports of minor injuries and one fatality following the collapse of the Smart mobile hoist during use.

Cardiac Arrhythmias May Be Responsible For Sudden Death In People With High Cholesterol

Cholesterol can affect the flow of the electrical currents that generate the heart beat, according to a study from two UBC cardiovascular researchers funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon. The research team has just published the important discovery about the causes of cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats) in one of the world's leading scientific journals.

Is Winter To Blame For Type 1 Diabetes?

Researchers from Finland have found a correlation between new cases of Type 1 diabetes and winter months. The study analysed data of 31,000 children from 105 diabetes centres across 53 countries found a correlation between the season and the onset of Type 1 diabetes. Of the 42 centres that exhibited this seasonal trend, 28 centres had peaks of diagnosis in winter and 33 had troughs in summer.

Smoking May Worsen Malnutrition In Developing Nations

A new study finds that smokers in rural Indonesia finance their habit by dipping into the family food budget - which ultimately results in poorer nutrition for their children. The findings suggest that the costs of smoking in the developing world go well beyond the immediate health risks, according to authors Steven Block and Patrick Webb of Tufts University.

Labor Unions Boost Campaign Contributions In N.C.

The Charlotte Observer reports: "Labor unions trying to shape the nation's health care debate have poured millions of dollars into the campaign coffers of N.C. congressional lawmakers in recent years. Since 2003, unions have spent $3.4 million to elect allies from the Tar Heel state to the U.S. House and Senate. Nearly all of it has gone to Democrats.

Cell's Ribosomes Captured At Work, Could Aid In Molecular War Against Disease

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have for the first time captured elusive nanoscale movements of ribosomes at work, shedding light on how these cellular factories take in genetic instructions and amino acids to churn out proteins. Ribosomes, which number in the millions in a single human cell, have long been considered the "black boxes" in molecular biology.

Health Coverage Issues Around The Country

News from around the country includes a lawsuit over Medicaid in Alaska, a health care mandate in California and the future of a multimillion-dollar contract for uninsured children in Mississippi. McClatchy/The Anchorage Daily News reports: "Some disabled, ill and elderly Alaskans are suing over a temporary ban that prevents them from getting help in their home through Medicaid.

Benefits Of Long-Term Exercise, Healthy Eating Habits In Young Adults

Despite mounting public health concerns about obesity and persistent social pressures dictating that slim is beautiful, young women in their '20s consistently exercise less than young men. And young black women showed significant declines in exercise between 1984 and 2006, according to a University of Michigan study to be published in the October issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

HealthNews Dozen: Ways to Decrease Medical Insurance Hassles

Dealing with insurance companies to sort out coverage details, bills, and options is something that most people dread. It can involve hours on the telephone, numerous forms and e-mails, requests and denials, and red tape that make people’s heads spin. While not all processes involving health insurance are complicated and frustrating, those that are can leave people feeling hopeless and financially strapped.

What Is Vitamin D? What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a steroid vitamin, a group of fat-soluble prohormones, which encourages the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous. People who are exposed to normal quantities of sunlight do not need vitamin D supplements because sunlight promotes sufficient vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Five forms of vitamin D have been discovered, vitamin D1, D2, D3, D4, D5.

Sabril Approved By FDA To Treat Spasms In Infants And Epileptic Seizures

Sabril (vigabatrin) Oral Solution has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat infantile spasms in children ages 1 month to 2 years. Sabril is the first drug in the United States approved to treat the disorder, characterized by a severe type of seizure that usually appears in the first year of life, typically between ages 4 months and 8 months.

Three Steps For Healthy Feet

We ask a lot of our feet, we take them for granted and scarcely give a thought to how best to keep them healthy until something goes wrong. In this month's Harvard Health Letter, there is a four page article about how feet work and "three steps" on how to look after them from Dr. James Ioli, chief of podiatry at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and colleagues.

CIGNA Team Ready To Roll In The Fight Against Cancer

Nearly 100 members of the CIGNA (NYSE: CI) Health Awareness Tour team will walk, bike and run into Blue Bell Sunday to help raise money and awareness for cancer prevention. CIGNA's team will take part in the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Livestrong Challenge, which includes a 5K run/walk and 10-, 20-, 40-, 70- and 100-mile bike rides taking off from Montgomery County Community College.

Heat Stress In Older People And People With Chronic Diseases

People over the age of 60 are the most vulnerable to heat waves, with 82% to 92% more deaths than average occurring in this age group. Risks for heat-related illness or injury - such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps - are also heightened in people with obesity, heart disease, diabetes and respiratory conditions as these decrease the body's ability to adapt to temperature changes.

Genetic Screening Helps Get Target Drugs to Lung Cancer Patients

During the last decade there has been an explosion of knowledge about what cancer is and how it can be treated. As a result, scientists have developed new drugs known as targeted molecular therapies designed to zero in on the mechanisms that supply blood to tumors and promote their growth and division, which spares healthy tissue, causes fewer side effects, and improves quality of life. These drugs have been studied in clinical trials over a number of years and some have been approved by the FDA and are available for use.

Routine Circumcision In Baby Boys To Stem Spread Of HIV Being Considered By US Health Officials

US health officials are considering whether to promote routine circumcision for all baby boys born in the country as a way to reduce the spread of HIV; a topic that is giving rise to considerable debate in anticipation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's official draft recommendations on the subject that are due out at the end of the year.

Mandelson Praises NHS Following Prostate Operation

Lord Peter Mandelson, who is the UK's First Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, was full of praise for the NHS as he left hospital at the weekend following surgery for what was believed to be an enlarged prostate. Lord Mandelson, who is 55, underwent surgery at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, on Friday and left on Saturday.

Two Key Pathways In Adaptive Response Identified By UCSF Researchers

UCSF researchers have identified the two key circuits that control a cell's ability to adapt to changes in its environment, a finding that could have applications ranging from diabetes and autoimmune research to targeted drug development for complex diseases. The new findings are featured as the cover story in the August 21, 2009 issue of the journal Cell and are available online at http://www.

WHO Recommends Against Using Homeopathic Treatments For HIV, TB, Malaria, Influenza, Infant Diarrhea

The WHO has warned that people with conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria should not rely on homeopathic treatments, the BBC reports. The agency was responding to a June letter (full text available here), in which researchers from the Voice of Young Science Network called on the agency "to condemn the promotion of homeopathy for treating TB, infant diarrhoea, influenza, malaria and HIV.

Medical Fraud Creates Unknown Amount Of Waste

Lawmakers seek a reduction in the amount of money lost each year to medical fraud. Meanwhile, two Miami doctors are convicted of Medicare fraud. NPR reports: "In the midst of the health care debate, there's a point of certainty. Everyone - Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives - would like to see health care fraud wiped out.

Study Examines Adverse Events Associated With Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

An analysis of the adverse events reported following distribution of quadrivalent human papillomavirus recombinant vaccine since 2006 indicates that adverse event rates were consistent with pre-licensing data and expected background rates of other vaccines, with the exception of a higher proportion of reports of fainting and blood clots, according to a study in the August 19 issue of JAMA.

Smokeless Tobacco Increases Risk Of Heart Attack And Stroke

People who use smokeless tobacco products like snus have a slightly higher risk of having a fatal heart attack or stroke, according to research published on bmj.com today. In the past few decades there has been an increase in the number of people in Europe and North America using smokeless tobacco, particularly among people younger than 40.

Rotavirus Vaccine Induced Diarrhea In Child With Severe Combined Immune Deficiency

An article appearing in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI) examines the first reported case of persistent shedding of the rotavirus vaccine in a patient with severe combined immune deficiency (SCID). The authors report a case of a 9-month-old infant girl who was examined in the hospital after a history of faltering growth and chronic diarrhea.

Post-Prostatic Massage Examination For Prediction Of Asymptomatic Prostatitis In Needle Biopsies: A Prospective Study

UroToday.com - In the August issue of the Journal of Urology, a group of Turkish investigators assess the leukocyte count in post-prostatic massage just prior to prostate biopsy for utility in the differential diagnosis of an elevated PSA. Leukocytes are often reported as present in prostate biopsy specimens, and suggest that inflammation contributes to the elevated PSA.

Increase In Visceral Fat During Menopause Linked With Testosterone

In middle-aged women, visceral fat, more commonly called belly fat, is known to be a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but what causes visceral fat to accumulate? The culprit is likely not age, as is commonly believed, but the change in hormone balance that occurs during the menopause transition, according to researchers at Rush University Medical Center.

Genetically Engineered Bacteria Are Sweet Success Against IBD

For the first time, scientists have used a genetically engineered "friendly" bacterium to deliver a therapy. The treatment is for bowel disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, which affects one in 400 people in the UK and for which there is no cure. The bacterium Bacteroides ovatus activates a protein when exposed to a specific type of sugar, xylan.

Palliative Care Experts Focus On Comfort Before Death

Palliative care specialists study how to manage a patient's last months to give comfort. One expert says end-of-life consultations are just what Americans need to deal with death. The New York Times reports on "palliative care specialists, who have made death their life's work. They study how to deliver bad news, and they do it again and again.

Chair Of The Royal College Of Physicians' Tobacco Advisory Group Responds To ONS Report On Stop Smoking Services In England

Commenting on new figures from the ONS on cessation services in the UK, Professor John Britton, Chair of the Tobacco Advisory Group, said: "It's excellent to see that nearly three-quarters of a million smokers tried to quit through the NHS last year. That a quarter of a million were successful represents up to 125,000 fewer deaths from tobacco-related diseases.

The Gambia Introduces Vaccine Against World's Leading Vaccine-Preventable Child Killer

Minister of Health Dr. Mariatou Jallow administered the first dose of the pneumococcal vaccine to Gambian children at a rural clinic outside Banjul. Joined by the Gambia's Vice President, Mrs. Isatou Njie-Saidy, Dr. Jallow and hundreds of Gambian citizens celebrated this historic event, which marks the first step in the rollout of the Gambia's national pneumococcal immunisation programme.

BMI Of Texas Bariatric Surgeons Selected As National Training Center For REALIZE Gastric Band

The Bariatric Medical Institute of Texas ("BMI of Texas") announced surgeons Mickey Seger and Terive Duperier have been selected by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. as one of the five training sites in the U.S. to host a preceptorship for the Ethicon Endo-Surgery REALIZEâ„¢ Adjustable Gastric Band. The REALIZEâ„¢ Adjustable Gastric Band, which was approved by the U.S.

Questions Abound About Prevention And Costs

The New York Times Prescriptions Blog reports: "When politicians talk about prevention and health care, they are prone to sweeping statements about how preventive services not only keep people healthy but also save money. ... Nearly 40 percent of all deaths in the United States every year are a result of smoking, poor diet, lack of exercise or alcohol abuse.

Is Taking Antidepressants Safe During Pregnancy?

Women who are taking antidepressants are faced with a very difficult choice when they become pregnant, and for many of them the risks vs. benefits of continuing the treatment are not very clear, according to the findings in the joint report from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Psychiatric Association.

IsoRay Announces FDA Clearance Supporting Enhanced Loading And Delivery Methods For The Treatment Of Lung, Head And Neck, And Other Tumors

IsoRay, Inc. (Amex:ISR) announced that it has received clearance from the FDA for its Premarket Notification, [510(k)] for Proxcelanâ„¢ Cesium-131 Brachytherapy Seeds enabling the company to preload Cesium-131 into flexible braided strands and surgical mesh. This FDA clearance allows IsoRay to market Cesium-131 seeds for use in the treatment of cancers well beyond the current prostate market.

World Expert Reviews New Evidence On Alcohol Treatment

Professor Gerhard Gmel, a world leading expert on alcohol problems, and a newly appointed Visiting Professor at the University of the West of England, will give a free public lecture on Monday 2 November 2009 on: 'The Impact of Brief Treatments for Problem Drinkers'. The lecture will take place in Room 1F11, Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, Bristol BS16 1DD at 19.00.

Sun Exposure May Trigger Auto Immune Disease in Women

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight may be associated with the development of certain autoimmune diseases, particularly in women, according to a study by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health. More »

Major Depression Suffered By More Than One Third Of Homeowners In Foreclosure, Penn Study Shows

The nation's home foreclosure epidemic may be taking its toll on Americans' health as well as their wallets. Nearly half of people studied while undergoing foreclosure reported depressive symptoms, and 37 percent met screening criteria for major depression, according to new University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine research published online this week in the American Journal of Public Health.

University Of Queensland Law Academic Calls For Abortion Law Reform, Australia

Abortion laws in Queensland are out of date and in urgent need of reform, according to a University of Queensland law academic. UQ's TC Beirne School of Law Associate Professor Heather Douglas said the state's abortion laws, largely drafted in 1899, were a mess and the oldest in the country. "The current position leaves Queensland Police in charge of abortion.

UnitedHealth Group Will Cover Administration Of H1N1 Vaccine

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) announced that the company will cover the administration of the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine for its members whose health benefit plans cover immunizations, and also cover the administration of the vaccine for members whose plans currently do not include immunizations and do not plan to in the future. "In light of the U.S.

Autistic Children Struggle With Smiles

Autistic children struggle to understand the meaning behind a smile. This is the finding of a study published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology online, today, 21st August 2009. Eight boys diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder ranging in age from 5 to 15, took part in the study carried out by Professor Lucy Johnston from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand.

Researchers Confirm That Genes Increase Risk Of Lung Cancer In Smokers

UK researchers who searched the DNA of over 5,000 smokers and non-smokers have found more evidence that inherited genes can increase a smoker's risk of developing lung cancer and also decide the type of cancer that develops. The study was the work of researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research and is published in the 15 August issue of Cancer Research.

NHS Could Save Half A Billion - RCN Responds To Boorman, UK

Responding to today's publication of the interim findings of the Boorman review, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) called for better preventative measures to help the wellbeing of NHS staff. Highlighting the Ã‚Â£555 million that could be saved he also called for a step change in the way the NHS manages health and wellbeing.

AVMA Report To Congress Disputes Pew Commission Study

The nation's largest veterinary association today released to Congress a scientific response that disputes several of the findings and recommendations made in a report released last year by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production. In a letter sent with the AVMA's response to members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Dr.

NIH Director Collins Says Religion Will Not Influence Agenda

NIH Director Francis Collins on Monday said that his evangelical Christian faith will not undercut his decisions on medical science and research, the AP/Washington Post reports. In an interview with the Associated Press on his first day at work, Collins said, "The NIH director needs to focus on science," adding, "I have no religious agenda for the NIH.

Research Reveals How Mercury Becomes Toxic In The Environment

Naturally occurring organic matter in water and sediment appears to play a key role in helping microbes convert tiny particles of mercury in the environment into a form that is dangerous to most living creatures. This finding is important, say Duke University environmental engineers, because it could change the way mercury in the environment is measured and therefore regulated.

Respect For The Appendix

The lowly appendix, long-regarded as a useless evolutionary artifact, won newfound respect two years ago when researchers at Duke University Medical Center proposed that it actually serves a critical function. The appendix, they said, is a safe haven where good bacteria could hang out until they were needed to repopulate the gut after a nasty case of diarrhea, for example.

APTA Provides Home Repairs For Local Resident Through Rebuilding Together Alexandria

The American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) Board of Directors and senior staff teamed up today with Rebuilding Together Alexandria, a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates the homes of low-income homeowners, to conduct home repairs for a 92-year-old resident in Old Town. "This is a great opportunity for our organization to give back to the community," said APTA CEO John D. Barnes.

Pollution From Homes Linked To 50 Percent More Water Pollution Than Previously Believed

They say there's no place like home. But scientists are reporting some unsettling news about homes in the residential areas of California. The typical house there - and probably elsewhere in the country - is an alarming and probably underestimated source of water pollution, according to a new study reported at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Vanderbilt Joins National Consortium To Develop New Cancer Therapies

Vanderbilt University has been selected as one of 10 centers in the nation to participate in the Chemical Biology Consortium (CBC), a major new initiative to facilitate the discovery and development of new agents to treat cancer. As one of four Chemical Diversity Centers, Vanderbilt's role in the consortium will be to synthesize and optimize new compounds as potential cancer therapeutics.

Co-op Proposal Continues To Draw White House Defensiveness, Liberals' Ire

The Hill reports on Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' backpedaling on comments she made Sunday that a public option "isn't essential" to a reform package: "'Here's the bottom line. Absolutely nothing has changed. We continue to support the public option that will help lower costs, give American consumers more choice and keep private insurers honest,' Sebelius said.

HSE Warns Construction Companies After Deaths Of Two Workmen, UK

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding construction companies of the financial penalties of not carrying out full risk assessments or ensuring their staff are properly trained - after the sentencing of a crane company for health and safety breaches. On Friday 31 July 2009, the crane company WD Bennett's Plant & Services Ltd was fined Ã‚Â£125,000 and ordered to pay costs of Ã‚Â£264,299.

Cost-Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery Assessed

NEW ORLEANS â€" Although not cost-saving, bariatric surgery appears to be a good value for the money, the results from a large single-center study showed. â€œThe long-term cost-effectiveness of bariatric surgery will largely depend on the natural history and extent of late postsurgical complications and costs,â€ Dr. William H. Herman said at the annual scientific sessions of the American Diabetes Association.

AARP Loses Members Over Reform Stance As Other Stakeholders Speak Out

CBS News "has learned that up to 60,000 people have cancelled their AARP memberships since July 1, angered over the group's" support of Democratic health care proposals. "Many are switching to the American Seniors Association, a group that calls itself the conservative alternative Ã¢â‚¬Â¦ 'I think that probably the seniors are most upset with cuts in Medicare,' said ASA President Stuart Barton.

Key Factor That Stimulates Brain Cancer Cells To Spread Identified By NIH Researchers

Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have found that the activity of a protein in brain cells helps stimulate the spread of an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In a move toward therapy, the researchers showed that a small designer protein can block this activity and reduce the spreading of GBM cells grown in the laboratory.

Unlocking The Secret Of The Bladder's Bouncers

Researchers at Duke University Medical Center may have a new way to stop and even prevent the urinary tract infections (UTIs) that plague more than a third of all adults, some of them repeatedly. The researchers have discovered how cells within the bladder are able to sense the presence of E. coli bacteria hiding within compartments in the bladder's own cells.

Medical Astrology: Health by Your Zodiac Sign

Medical astrology—the practice of an astrological sign ruling over a specific body part—may be keeping you healthy. Adapted from the book by Stephanie Gailing, Planetary Apothecary: An Astrological Approach to Health and Wellness, check out which regions of the body are taken over by your sign and which foods will support your health:

Taxing Job-Based Health Benefits Would Hit Working Families Hardest

As the debate over health care reform continues to unfold in town hall meetings and on Capitol Hill, a new study by two Harvard researchers has found that taxing job-based health benefits would heavily penalize insured, working families. The study, titled "The regressivity of taxing employer-paid health insurance," appears in the August 19 online edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.

The ABCs Of Starting School

In the coming weeks, many children will start school for the first time. For most, it is an exciting and positive experience, but for some the transition can be challenging. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) offers parents the following tips to help reduce the anxiety associated with starting school. Answer any questions your child may have about school before classes begin.

Intelerad Receives FDA Clearance For Its PET/CT Image Fusion Module

Intelerad Medical Systems, an industry-leading PACS solution vendor, is pleased to announce it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market and distribute its PET/CT Image Fusion product. This 510(k) clearance ensures that the PET/CT Image Fusion functionality can now be sold as a fully integrated module within Intelerad's signature IntelePACS solution.

New Method For Gene Expression Experiments Akin To Watercolor Painting In Water

The new "micropatterning" method is useful in gene expression studies, which essentially turn genes on or off in cells in order to help researchers understand the function of those genes. "If you take a brush with watercolor paint and move it around in a dish of water, you usually just wash away the paint in the water and get no picture.

Blogs Comment On Myths About Health Care Reform, Ryan-DeLauro Bill, Other Topics

The following summarizes selected women's health-related blog entries. ~ "The Truth About Abortion and Health Reform," NARAL Pro-Choice America, Blog for Choice: Presidential adviser David Axelrod "had a good idea" when he sent an e-mail on Aug. 13 urging supporters "to forward his message to friends and family as a way to combat false statements about health reform," according to the blog entry.

Efforts To Create Treatment Guidelines Are Often Complicated

The development of treatment guidelines for illnesses such as diabetes is a complicated process. The New York Times reports: "The goal [of creating guidelines] is to improve treatment and, at the same time, save money. But setting guidelines that are good for every patient... can get messy, with some experts warning that a big national plan of this sort poses risks.

OPTIFAST: The Serious Solution to Weight Loss

OPTIFAST, whose formal tagline is “the serious solution for weight loss,” is a comprehensive diet program in which you are medically monitored in a highly structured program. The OPTIFAST program has been clinically proven to help people lose weight and keep it off. Aiming to treat the whole person, it combines support, counseling, lifestyle education, medical monitoring, and meal replacement to get people back to a healthy weight and lifestyle.

Sleep Apnea Increases Risk of Premature Death

People who suffer from severe breathing disorders during sleep, including sleep apnea, have been shown to have an increased risk of premature death. In fact, severe sleep apnea elevates the risk of an early death by 46 percent, according to a team of U.S. researchers.

Research Shows Why Low Vitamin D Raises Heart Disease Risks In Diabetics

Low levels of vitamin D are known to nearly double the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes, and researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis now think they know why. They have found that diabetics deficient in vitamin D can't process cholesterol normally, so it builds up in their blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Mount Sinai First In U.S. To Perform Non-Surgical Technique That Eliminates A Major Underlying Cause For Heart-Related Stroke

Physicians at The Mount Sinai Medical Center were the first in the country to perform a non-surgical procedure using sutures to tie off a left atrial appendage (LAA), which is the source of blood clots leading to stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). AFib is the most common sustained heart-rhythm disorder in the United States. The procedure was performed Wednesday by Vivek Y.

An Investigation Into The Immune Response To Wheat Offers A Clue To The Elusive Cause Of Type 1 Diabetes

Scientists at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and the University of Ottawa have discovered what may be an important clue to the cause of type 1 diabetes. Dr. Fraser Scott and his team tested 42 people with type 1 diabetes and found that nearly half had an abnormal immune response to wheat proteins. The study is published in the August 2009 issue of the journal Diabetes.

Current Clinical Evidence For Using Cranberry Juice To Combat Urinary Tract Infections Is 'Unsatisfactory And Inconclusive', According To Raul Raz

"An apple a day..." Not all medical problems require a state-of-the-art solution, and it would be nice to think that products from the corner shop could treat a widespread and uncomfortable ailment. Cranberry juice and related products have been touted as a simple solution for urinary tract infections, but Raul Raz, a member of F1000 Medicine, finds little to support this claim.

People Really Do Walk In Circles When There Is Nothing To Guide Their Way

With nothing to guide their way, people attempting to walk a straight course through unfamiliar territory really do end up walking in circles, according to a report published online on August 20th in Current Biology, a Cell Press publication. Although that belief has pervaded popular culture, there has been no scientific evidence to back it up until now, according to the researchers.

New Metabolic Safeguards Against Tumor Cells Revealed By Study

Cells don't like to be alone. In the early stages of tumor formation, a cell might be pushed out of its normal home environment due to excessive growth. But a cell normally responds to this homeless state by dismantling its nucleus, packing up its DNA, and offering itself to be eaten by immune system cells. Simply put, the homeless cell kills itself.

Pregnancy Weight Gain Guidelines Might Raise Risk Of Large, Heavier Infants, Study Finds

The recommended weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy can increase women's risk for giving birth to infants that are large for gestational age -- LGA -- or have excessively high birthweights -- known as macrosomia -- according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reuters reports.

Oral Steroid Use Tied To Bladder Cancer

IOM: 100 Areas Merit Comparative Effectiveness Research

Obama Calls For Veterans' Health Care Expansion

President Obama Monday included health care in a speech at the Veterans of Foreign Wars' national convention Monday, The Arizona Republic reports. "'Since there's been so much misinformation out there about health-insurance reform, let me say this: One thing that reform won't change is veterans' health care,' Obama told the crowd of a few thousand mostly older veterans and family members.

COBRA Rolls Double As Subsidy Makes Coverage More Affordable To Laid-Off Workers

"A federal subsidy designed to make health insurance more affordable for laid-off workers has led to a doubling in the number of people who have opted to continue their former employer's coverage," USA Today reports. The subsidy, created by the federal stimulus package, covers 65 percent of COBRA premiums for workers who were laid off between Sept. 1, 2008 and the end of this year.

Mercury-Tainted Fish Found in U.S. Streams

The next time you go to your favorite restaurant and decide to order the new fish entrée, you might want to think twice. Researchers have detected mercury contamination in every one of hundreds of fish they have sampled from 291 freshwater streams in the United States.

IOM Report To Be Released Sept. 1 On Tackling Childhood Obesity At The Local Level

What steps have public officials in your state or community taken to combat childhood obesity? The percentage of American adolescents who are obese has tripled in just 35 years. Local governments play a crucial role by shaping environments that make it either easy or hard for families to find fresh fruits and vegetables, play outdoors, walk, and otherwise eat healthy and be physically active.