A new study from the University of Michigan shows that caring for spouses, and others may help us live longer. The research shows there may be genuine health benefits associated with altruistic behavior.
Researchers at Caltech have developed a rapid, inexpensive means of screening for diseases such as cancer and heart disease. The device is expected to revolutionize blood testing by eliminating time and expense.
The Integrated Blood-Barcode Chip, or IBBC, was developed by lead researcher James R. Heath, the Elizabeth W. Gilloon Professor and professor of chemistry, in conjunction with Rong Fan, a postdoctoral professor, and graduate student Ophir Vermesh, and Leroy Hood, Institute Systems Biology president in Seattle Washington.
A new study published on Tuesday in the journal Pharmacotherapy lists 14 medications commonly prescribed for off-label uses that require additional testing to prove their safety and effectiveness for such uses, USA Today reports.
According to the study -- led by Randall Stafford, an associate professor of medicine at the Stanford Prevention Research Center -- although past research has "highlighted the substantial frequency of off-label drug use without good evidence, we have identified and prioritized specific drugs warranting attention" (Rubin, USA Today, 11/25).
HOYA ConBio, a global leader in dental and aesthetic lasers, today announced the launch of the VersaWave Specialty Er:YAG all-tissue dental laser. The advanced full-featured laser will debut at the 2008 Greater New York Dental Meeting, November 30 - December 3, 2008 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Drugs.com, the leading online resource for information about prescription medication and related health issues, today announced the launch of a new online tool that will revolutionize the way consumers can monitor and manage their own medications, to ultimately help reduce dangerous side effects and avoid unwanted drug interactions.
Study Says AIDS Could be Nearly Eliminated With Universal Testing, Treatment
WHO estimates that more than nine million people infected with HIV virus are not being treated with antiretroviral drugs because they don't have access to medications or they don't know they are infected with virus Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:24:40 +0200
At Least 25 Nigerian Children Die From Tainted Drugs
Nigeria's food and drug control agency (NAFDAC) says drug, sold under name 'My Pikin,' is designed to relieve pain caused by teeth coming in Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:45:58 +0200
Concern Grows Over Cholera Outbreak in Zimbabwe
Senior health official appeals for international aid to fight growing epidemic of cholera which has killed nearly 400 people Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:55:00 +0200
The Lake Forest Hospital announced today the addition of a new Imaging Center planned for the Prairie Glen Medical Center located in The Glen. The Center will open in 2009 and offer MRI, CT and X-ray imaging services.
The economists and financial experts always say Health Care is recession proof. Traditionally, health care stocks have performed better in a down-turn and people still get sick and need care and services.
Sen. Max Baucus’ white paper, Call to Action: Health Reform 2009, is on target and reflects a “thorough and comprehensive review of the current health care system’s flaws and needs,” according to Jim King, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians Board of Directors.
King praised the white paper in a letter sent to Baucus today. Noting, “Your proposal provides a thorough and comprehensive review of the current health care system’s flaws and needs,” King expressed support for several elements of the white paper:
New data indicate that 2.3 million people who participate in self-help groups for alcohol or illicit drug use currently abstain from use of these substances. Based on a nationwide survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the report offers other data highlighting the use and benefits of these groups.
Among the report’s notable findings:
• An annual average of 5 million persons aged 12 or older attended a self-help group in the past year because of their use of alcohol or illicit drugs
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today published a Final Notice of Revisions to its Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Guidelines).
Health Tip: Hide or Get Rid of Excess Hair
Title: Health Tip: Hide or Get Rid of Excess Hair Category: Health News Created: 11/26/2008 2:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 11/26/2008 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PDT
Health Tip: Blood Pressure Too High?
Title: Health Tip: Blood Pressure Too High? Category: Health News Created: 11/26/2008 2:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 11/26/2008 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PDT
Diabetics Spend Thousands More on Care
Title: Diabetics Spend Thousands More on Care Category: Health News Created: 11/26/2008 2:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 11/26/2008 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PDT
Health Highlights: Nov. 25, 2008
Title: Health Highlights: Nov. 25, 2008 Category: Health News Created: 11/26/2008 2:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 11/26/2008 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PDT
Exhaust From Railroad Diesel Linked to Lung Ailments
Title: Exhaust From Railroad Diesel Linked to Lung Ailments Category: Health News Created: 11/26/2008 2:00:00 AM Last Editorial Review: 11/26/2008 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PDT
Resveratrol counteracts a universal mechanism of aging
Researchers have discovered that DNA damage decreases a cell’s ability to regulate which genes are turned on and off in particular settings. This mechanism, which applies both to yeast and to mammals, might represent a universal culprit for aging. And the natural plant chemical, resveratrol, found in both red wine and supplements, so far has [...] Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:21:13 +0000
Short walk reduces chocolate cravings
Exeter.ac.uk - Researchers at the University of Exeter have found that a walk of just fifteen minutes can reduce chocolate cravings. The benefits of exercise in helping people manage dependencies on nicotine and other drugs have previously been recognized. Now, for the first time, newly-published research shows that the same may be true for food [...] Mon, 01 Dec 2008 03:17:36 +0000
Fragile X testing recommended for all ages
JAMA commentary urges testing of children, men and women for subtle effects of fragile X gene mutation.
UCDavis.edu - Writing in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association, UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute researchers urge physicians to test for mutations of the fragile X gene in patients of all ages. That’s because, after decades of research, [...] Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:31:49 +0000
Drinking home brewed tea avoids tooth enamel erosion
Today the average size soft drink is 20 ounces and contains 17 teaspoons of sugar. More startling is that some citric acids found in fruit drinks are more erosive than hydrochloric or sulfuric acid - which is also known as battery acid. These refined sugars and acids found in soda and citrus juice promote tooth [...] Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:29:03 +0000
Improved dialysis - high efficacy hemodiafiltration
Chumtl.qc.ca - Suffering from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a growing number of patients at the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), have become the beneficiaries of a North American breakthrough: high efficacy hemodiafiltration (HDF).
An extracorporeal blood purification technique, HDF is indicated for ESRD patients. Since the HDF unit was introduced in CHUM’s Nephrology section, [...] Sat, 29 Nov 2008 00:08:19 +0000
Kalemia: The presence of potassium in the blood. The word "kalemia" is seldom used today although it is the basis for the terms for abnormally high blood potassium (hyperkalemia) and low blood potassium (hypokalemia). See also: Potassium balance.
MedTerms (TM) is the Medical Dictionary of MedicineNet.com. We Bring Doctors' Knowledge To You Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:00 PDT
Antioxidants 'cannot slow ageing'
Diets and creams which claim their antioxidant properties could cheat the advances of time may be worthless, researchers suggest. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:17:48 GMT
Web searches feed health fears
Health information online is breeding a generation of cyberchondriacs, say researchers. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:03:19 GMT
Drink-fuelled attacks alarm A&E
Reseachers at a hospital casualty unit say the proportion of facial injuries related to alcohol has doubled in 10 years. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:47:51 GMT
Group therapy 'beats depression'
Group-taught meditation is as effective as medication for stopping people slipping back into depression, say scientists. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:54:16 GMT
Heart disease 'reversed in mice'
Scientists have halted the advance of heart disease in mice - and even reversed some of its effects. Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:04:01 GMT
In a study of U.S. railroad workers, researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital's (BWH) Channing Laboratory and the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) found that individuals who were regularly exposed to diesel exhaust at work may have had an increased risk of dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These findings appear in the September 2008 issue of the British Medical Journal.
For patients with diabetes, thiazolidinediones (TDZs) are an oral treatment option for those who would otherwise have to resort to insulin shots to control their blood sugar levels. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) compared the outcomes of the two TDZs available on the market today and found that in the group of patients using rosiglitazone, there was a higher occurrence of death and a greater risk of congestive heart failure (CHF) in elderly patients, when compared with those using the other TDZ, pioglitazone.
The Lake Forest Hospital announced today the addition of a new Imaging Center planned for the Prairie Glen Medical Center located in The Glen. The Center will open in 2009 and offer MRI, CT and X-ray imaging services.
On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, Summa Health System will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its HIV Specialty Center for AIDS Research and Education (CARE) and offer free HIV testing to employees, patients and community.
In 1988, CARE began providing state-of-the-art consultation and treatment services to patients with HIV. As the only dedicated HIV center in the Akron community, Summa has served thousands of patients throughout the years with the latest approved and developmental treatment modalities in this rapidly changing specialty.
A growth hormone that had shown some promise for treating people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) showed no benefit in a new study published in the issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Two previous, shorter studies using growth hormone insulin-like growth factor-1, or IGF-1, to treat ALS had conflicting results. A North American study found that the drug was beneficial, while a European study found no benefit.
Scientists developing food allergy treatment
A team of scientists from across Europe are embarking on new research to develop a treatment for food allergy. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:08:13 +0100
Persistent pollutant may promote obesity
Tributyltin, a ubiquitous pollutant that has a potent effect on gene activity, could be promoting obesity, according to an article in the December issue of BioScience. The chemical is used in antifouling paints for boats, as a wood and textile preservative, and as a pesticide on high-value food crops, among many other applications. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:06:58 +0100
Study shows how shift workers can improve job performance and implement a realistic sleep schedule
A study in the Dec. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that the use of light exposure therapy, dark sunglasses and a strict sleep schedule can help night-shift workers create a "compromise circadian phase position," which may result in increased performance and alertness during night shifts while still allowing adequate nighttime sleep on days off. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:06:13 +0100
MRI shows new types of injuries in young gymnasts
Adolescent gymnasts are developing a wide variety of arm, wrist and hand injuries that are beyond the scope of previously described gymnastic-related trauma, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:05:41 +0100
MRI machines may damage cochlear implants
Patients with cochlear implants may want to steer clear of certain magnetic imaging devices, such as 3T MRI machines, because the machines can demagnetize the patient's implant, according to new research published in the December 2008 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:04:44 +0100
