Health
Care of Body and Mind
NIH-sponsored research yields promising malaria drug candidate
A chemical that rid mice of malaria-causing parasites after a single oral dose
may eventually become a new malaria drug if further tests in animals and people
uphold the promise of early findings. The compound, NITD609, was developed by
an international team of researchers including Elizabeth A. Winzeler, Ph.D.,
a grantee of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID),
part of the National Institutes of Health.
Read more [US National Institutes of Health]
Q&A With a Child Psychiatrist About Treating Troubled Children
Are drugs appropriate for toddlers to take when they exhibit troubled behavior?
Read more [New York Times Health]
Testing the Bonds of Doctor and Patient
For Dr. Ruth Bergren and her colleagues taking care of HIV patients in New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina presented the ultimate test of the doctor-patient relationship.
Read more [New York Times Health]
Doctor and Patient: Tending to Patients During a Hurricane
Dr. Ruth Berggren was among a team of nurses and doctors that stayed with patients during Hurricane Katrina.
Read more [New York Times Health]
Study Shows SAMe May Ease Depression
A popular dietary supplement called SAMe may help depressed patients who don't respond to prescription antidepressant treatment, a new study shows.
Read more [New York Times Health]
Child’s Ordeal Shows Risks of Psychosis Drugs for Young
Powerful drugs are given to young children despite a lack of study on how they affect development.
Read more [New York Times Health]
Health Costs Passed On to Workers
The annual Kaiser survey of employer health benefits shows employers managed to keep costs down, but employees' premiums went up.
Read more [New York Times Health]
Do Fluorescent Lights Trigger Migraines?
Many people who suffer from migraines believe fluorescent lights are the culprit.
Read more [New York Times Health]
Lower blood pressure goal benefits African-Americans with chronic kidney disease, protein in the urine
On average, a lower blood pressure goal was no better than the standard blood pressure goal at slowing progression of kidney disease among African-Americans who had chronic kidney disease resulting from high blood pressure, according to results of the African-American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK), the largest and longest study of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in African-Americans. However, the blood pressure goal did benefit people who also had protein in the urine, which is a sign of kidney damage. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, appears in the Sept. 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Read more [US National Institutes of Health]
Recipes for Health: For the Vegetarians at the Cookout
Skip the veggie burgers and tofu “hot dogs.” Here are some excellent vegetarian dishes for end-of-summer picnics and barbecues.
Read more [New York Times Health]
Several West Nile Virus Infections And Deaths In Greece, Other Parts Of Europe Also Affected
Cases of human infection of West Nile virus (WNV) have been reported in Greece where 13 people have died and at least 140 have become ill, according to the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. Greek authorities say 32 patients are currently hospitalized. Several other countries in Europe are also affected, especially Central Europe and the Mediterranean area, according to the latest issue of Eurosurveillance. The publication adds that numerous animal cases have also been documented. A "single probable case" was reported in Portugal in July this year...
Read more [Medical News Today]
New TB Diagnostic Proves Effective, Expedient, Study Finds
A molecular test designed to easily diagnose tuberculosis (TB) and detect a drug-resistant form of the bacterium that causes TB can provide much more specific, sensitive and rapid results than currently available TB diagnostics, according to a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine. In a test involving 1,730 patients with suspected drug-sensitive or multidrug-resistant pulmonary TB, the Xpert MTB/RIF TB test successfully identified 98 percent of all confirmed TB cases and 98 percent of patients with rifampin-resistant bacteria in less than two hours.
Read more [US National Institutes of Health]
Diabetes 2 Drug Metformin May Protect Against Lung Cancer In Smokers
Two studies reveal that smokers may have a significantly lower risk of developing lung cancer and colorectal cancer with the drug metformin, which is commonly prescribed for diabetes type 2 treatment, the medical journal Cancer Prevention Research informs. Metformin, originally sold as Glucophage, is the first-line drug of choice for diabetes type 2 patients, especially those who are obese or overweight, as well as diabetes patients with normal kidney function. Metformin may have the following brand names: Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, or Riomet...
Read more [Medical News Today]
RPSGB And No Smoking Day Announce Alliance, UK
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is working in partnership with the charity No Smoking Day to help thousands of smokers to kick the habit and stop smoking on Wednesday, 9th March 2011. This year's "Time to Quit?" campaign will encourage and support smokers across the UK to start counting down to the 9th March, to quit smoking and start a healthier and wealthier life...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Together Teens And Neutrogena Raise $200,000 To Benefit Disaster Relief, Education And Environmental Charities
Neutrogena, the #1 dermatologist-recommended skin care brand, announced today that, with the help of teens across America, the Wave for Change campaign achieved its goal of raising $200,000 for communities in need. The donation will be divided among three causes in the US and globally, as determined by teens on Neutrogena's Facebook Page. Understanding their passion for positive social change, Neutrogena invited teens to show their support for the campaign by purchasing Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit products and the Wave® Sonic Power-Cleanser...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Dr. Tom Tooma Purchases Interest In All 12 Southern California TLC Laser Eye Centers, Changing Name To NVISION Laser Eye Centers
All 12 TLC Laser Eye Centers in Southern California are changing their names to NVISION Laser Eye Centers. The name change accompanies the sale of TLC Vision's interest in the 12 centers to Medical Director Dr. Tom Tooma to become a separate LASIK brand. The new brand will operate as NVISION Laser Eye Centers and will have the same 12 Southern California locations, same surgeons and staff. In fact, the only thing that will change is the name to reflect additional eye care services now available for Southern California residents...
Read more [Medical News Today]
BARDA Funds Development Of New Way To Treat Illness From Acute Radiation
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) today awarded a $153 million contract to Cellerant Therapeutics, Inc. of San Carlos, Calif., to continue developing a new way to treat an illness caused by exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation which can damage the body's cells - the type of radiation that would come from a nuclear blast. Under the contract, the company will continue development of a medication called CLT-008 that uses a special kind of cells called myeloid progenitor cells...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Siemens Executive Appointed President Of IVD Industry Connectivity Consortium
Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics announces Eric Olson's appointment as President of the IVD Industry Connectivity Consortium (IICC). Founded by the top worldwide in vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturers, IICC's mission is to create and ensure adoption of a unified connectivity standard to reduce the complexity and variability of data exchange between IVD testing and healthcare systems...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Therapeutic Workshops To Highlight Opportunities In Biotech At 9th Annual BIO Investor Forum
BIO today announced the preliminary set of speakers who will be featured on the Therapeutic Workshops during the 9th Annual BIO Investor Forum - a national meeting focused on investment trends and opportunities in the life-sciences with a focus on public and venture-stage growth companies. Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the 9th annual event will take place at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, Calif. on October 5-6...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Macmillan Responds To The New Energy Bill Announced In The Queen's Speech, UK
Responding to the new energy bill announced in the Queen's Speech, Mike Hobday, Head of Campaigns at Macmillan Cancer Support said: 'Whilst the mandatory support from energy companies will help some vulnerable people struggling with their fuel bills, it is vital that cancer patients are not left out in the cold. Cancer patients undergoing treatment are twice as likely to fall into fuel poverty as the general population and must be included in any new support schemes...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Tough Challenges Faced By London's NHS In Drive To Improve Quality And Increase Savings
A report by the NHS Confederation's London Relations Programme published outlines the significant challenges faced by the capital's health service. It says tough decisions will need to be taken if London's healthcare is to continue to improve during the financial downturn. The paper Capital challenge: improving healthcare in London highlights particular issues around health inequalities and variation in the quality of services in the capital...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Some African-Americans With Chronic Kidney Disease Benefit From Lower Blood Pressure Goal
On average, a lower blood pressure goal was no better than the standard blood pressure goal at slowing progression of kidney disease among African-Americans who had chronic kidney disease resulting from high blood pressure, according to results of the African-American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension (AASK), the largest and longest study of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in African-Americans. However, the blood pressure goal did benefit people who also had protein in the urine, which is a sign of kidney damage. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, appears in the Sept...
Read more [Medical News Today]
World Bank Calls For More Integrated Approach To Global Water Management
The World Bank on Tuesday issued a report (.pdf) calling for a more integrated approach to worldwide water management, PANA/Afrique en ligne reports (9/1). "We can't properly tackle global priorities of food security, renewable energy, adaptation to climate change, public health and urbanization unless we manage water better," Julia Bucknall, water sector manager for the World Bank, said, according to a World Bank press release (8/31). The report also reviewed the effectiveness of the World Bank's 2003 water strategy, VOA News reports (DeCapua, 8/31)...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Calif. Allows Safety-Net Coverage Cost Increases; Georgia Illegal Immigrant Dialysis Agreement Reached
The Los Angeles Times: "As state leaders blast giant health insurers for raising rates, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration has quietly allowed hefty increases for thousands of sick or jobless Californians who must rely on expensive safety-net coverage -- if they want insurance at all. To the frustration of policyholders, state regulators have given insurance companies permission to raise maximum premiums for most of the 20,000 Californians who depend on the coverage of last resort...
Read more [Medical News Today]
The Horizon Foundation For New Jersey Receives Grant To Increase The Number Of Advanced Degreed Nurses In New Jersey
The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey announced that it has been chosen as one of nine foundations nationwide to receive funding from Partners Investing in Nursing's Future (PIN), a unique national initiative to help find innovative ways to create an effective nursing workforce appropriate in size and equipped with the specific skills necessary to meet the changing demands of the 21st century patient population...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Why Does Anxiety Target Women More? FSU Researcher Awarded $1.8M Grant To Find Out
Anxiety disorders afflict women twice as often as men, but estrogen might not be the reason. Testosterone, though, could be. That is one of the preliminary findings in the lab of Florida State University researcher Mohamed Kabbaj, associate professor in the College of Medicine. He recently was awarded a five-year, $1.8 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to investigate the sex differences in anxiety. His research team also is working to identify the role of a gene called zif268. "It's a very important molecule," Kabbaj said...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Will Extra Protein And Exercise Help Dialysis Patients?
University of Illinois scientists will learn whether protein supplements and cycling during treatments can help dialysis patients fight cardiovascular disease and retain physical function, thanks to a $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Patients with kidney failure face many health problems...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Report Finds Some Donated Malaria Drugs Are Being Stolen, Resold In Africa
Some of the malaria drugs given to Africa by international donors are "being stolen and resold on commercial markets," according to a study to be released Thursday in the journal Research and Reports in Tropical Medicine, the Associated Press reports. "During three periods from 2007 to 2010, American and British experts bought malaria medicines randomly from private pharmacies in 11 African cities. Of the 894 samples, they found 58, or 6.5 percent, were supposed to have been donated to government hospitals and clinics," according to the news service...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Global Agricultural Experts Meet For FANRPAN Regional Conference
More than 200 agricultural experts from around the world are meeting in Windhoek, Namibia, for the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network's (FANRPAN) regional conference, New Era/allAfrica.com reports (Sasman, 8/31). The meeting will "address African priorities on food security and climate change and its impacts on agricultural development, natural resource management and rural livelihoods," according to a FANRPRAN press release (undated)...
Read more [Medical News Today]
LFA Participating In Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) To Fund Critical Research, Education Programs, Support Services And Advocacy Initiatives
The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) encourages current and retired federal employees to direct pledges to the Lupus Foundation of America (CFC #10566) during the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) which kicks off this Wednesday, and runs through December 15, 2010...
Read more [Medical News Today]
American Lung Association Supports Individuals Dealing With Lung Disease Through Online Caregiving Coordination Service
The American Lung Association is offering a free-of-charge, online caregiving coordination service called "My Fighting for Air Community" to support individuals affected by acute and chronic lung diseases. As an organization dedicated to public health, the American Lung Association will offer this online service through Lotsa Helping Hands to support the more than 37 million people in the US who suffer from chronic lung disease every day. This includes more than 24 million adults and children with asthma, 13...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Students Learn To Shop Healthy, Smart On Supermarket Tours
For many students away from home for the first time, college marks the first time they begin shopping, cooking and eating for themselves. Figuring out how to prepare quick yet healthy meals on a budget can be a daunting task, and the allure of fast take-out food often leads to the dreaded "Freshman Fifteen." To help students figure out a healthy meal plan, Student Health Services has begun offering tours of the local Fresh Grocer supermarket...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Study: Preemptive Surgery May Help Prevent Cancer For Some Women
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that women with a gene mutation linked to breast and ovarian cancer face lower risks of developing such cancer after receiving mastectomies or having their ovaries removed, The Wall Street Journal reports. The study, which involved 2,482 women, "provides the most concrete evidence to date about the benefit of undergoing such preventative surgeries in women who carry mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes...
Read more [Medical News Today]
Sorell Family Practice Wins RACGP Tasmania General Practice Of The Year Award 2010, Australia
Sorell Family Practice in Sorell, 25 km north-east of Hobart, has been named the winner of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Tasmania General Practice of the Year Award 2010. The General Practice of the Year Award recognises the outstanding work of general practices, the commitment of the practice to ongoing quality improvements, the standard of facilities offered to patients and staff and the services offered to the local community...
Read more [Medical News Today]
URAC Opens Second Stage Of Its Patient Centered Health Care Home Program For Public Comment
URAC announced a call for public comment on the second set of toolkits for its new Patient Centered Health Care Home (PCHCH) Program. The program, comprised of an integrated series of three educational toolkits, will help health care practices follow a step-wise process in their journey to becoming a PCHCH. Comment on the first toolkit, the Health Care Practice Assessment Toolkit, closed on August 12, 2010. This call for comment focuses on the second and third PCHCH Toolkits: the Patient Survey and Performance Measures Toolkits, and are available for review and comment here...
Read more [Medical News Today]
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