Check it out: Antidepressants May Be Helpful for Some Heart Patients: Study

Emotional stress can harm cardiovascular health, experts say, so boosting mental resilience may be key ... more

The negative effects of poorly controlled asthma symptoms on sleep quality and academic performance in urban schoolchildren has been confirmed in a new study. ... more

A novel approach to obstructing the runaway inflammatory response implicated in some types of asthma has shown promise in a Phase IIa clinical trial, according to U. S. researchers. ... more

Researchers say they have discovered specific chemical alterations in two genes that, when present during pregnancy, reliably predict whether a woman will develop postpartum depression. ... more

A new model of the brain's thought processes explains the apparently chaotic activity patterns of individual neurons. They do not correspond to a simple stimulus/response linkage, but arise from the networking of different neural circuits. ... more

Ten years after the Iraq war of 2003 a team of scientists based in Mosul, northern Iraq, have detected high levels of uranium contamination in soil samples at three sites in the province of Nineveh which, coupled with dramatically increasing rates of childhood cancers and birth defects at local hospitals, highlight the ongoing legacy of modern warfare to civilians in conflict zones. ... more

A new article describes the major role that Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) ��- an enzyme of cellular energy metabolism - �� plays in the regulation of the cellular senescence induced by the oncogene BRAF, which usually appears mutated in melanoma and other cancers. ... more

Scientists have bioengineered a novel molecule which has been proven to successfully kill tumor cells. ... more

Regardless of pain, social class or age, a woman is more likely to be prescribed pain-relieving drugs. A new study affirms that this phenomenon is influenced by socioeconomic inequality between genders. ... more

Australian scientists have charted the path of insulin action in cells in precise detail like never before. This provides a comprehensive blueprint for understanding what goes wrong in diabetes. ... more

In a striking, unexpected discovery, researchers have determined that vitamin C kills drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria in laboratory culture. The finding suggests that vitamin C added to existing TB drugs could shorten TB therapy, and it highlights a new area for drug design. ... more

A study of veterans at high risk for developing lung cancer shows that low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can be highly effective in helping clinicians spot tiny lung nodules which, in a small number of patients, may indicate the earliest stages of the disease. LDCT uses less than a quarter of the radiation of a conventional CT scan. ... more

The decision to limit life support in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) appears to be significantly influenced by physician practices and/or the culture of the hospital, suggests new findings. ... more

A team of researchers led by biologists at the California Institute of Technology has found that, in mouse models, the molecule microRNA-146a acts as a critical regulator and protector of blood-forming stem cells (called hematopoietic stem cells, or HSCs) during chronic inflammation, suggesting that a deficiency of miR-146a may be one important cause of blood cancers and bone marrow failure. ... more

Activating an enzyme known to play a role in the anti-aging benefits of calorie restriction delays the loss of brain cells and preserves cognitive function in mice, according to a new study. The findings could one day guide researchers to discover drug alternatives that slow the progress of age-associated impairments in the brain. ... more

The European Society of Human Genetics has issued guidelines for diagnostic whole-genome sequencing. Medscape Medical News ... more

The use of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis does not curb events, new research shows. Medscape Medical News ... more

Stronger adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet significantly reduces mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Medscape Medical News ... more

The gap in life expectancy between psychiatric patients and the general population widening, and poor physical health rather than suicide is the main culprit, new research shows. Medscape Medical News ... more

Particulate matter found in vials during routine quality checks prompts recall. News Alerts ... more

A new study finds 'pockets' of satisfaction in 23 practices that stress teamwork and noncomputer behavior like working side by side and talking face to face. Medscape Medical News ... more

The cabdriver pulled up to take me to the community hospital where I work several weeks each year. Settling into the back seat, I made my request before he reached the intersection: #8220;Could you please take 93 South? #8221; He was quick to ask me why, and I hesitated. I had taken this route dozens of times and had usually found it to be faster than the alternative, I said, but what if there was something he understood, with his superior highway smarts and his advanced navigation technology, ... more

Need Obamacare insurance? No problem. Click or call the exchange in your state using your Obama-phone. Complete the 20+ page Obama-application for financial assistance. Once approved you pick an Obama-plan and then in just 12 easy payments you will be the proud owner of your new Obamacare health insurance plan. But wait. Paying for it (even after financial assistance) may be a challenge for some. For ordinary Americans deemed unbankable, those who don ��t have a traditional checking or savi ... more

Better slumber improved daytime energy and behavior, but not memory, learning, researchers say ... more

Researchers at USC have found that a class of pharmaceuticals can both prevent and treat Alzheimer #8217;s Disease in mice. The drugs, known as #8220;TSPO ligands, #8221; are currently used for certain types of neuroimaging. #8220;We looked at the effects of TSPO ligand in young adult mice when pathology was at an early stage, and in aged mice when pathology was quite severe, #8221; said lead researcher Christian Pike of the USC Davis School of Gerontology. #8220;TSPO ligand reduced measures ... more

Listen to the NLM Director's Comments on "Early Stroke Increases Mortality Risk". The transcript is also available. A stroke or mini-stroke before age 50 significantly increases a survivor ��s risk of death compared to stroke-free peers, suggests a study from Holland recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association... ... more

Visit the new MedlinePlus Health Topic page on overactive bladder. Overactive bladder is a condition in which the bladder squeezes urine out at the wrong time. You may have overactive bladder if you have two or more of these symptoms... ... more

In Honor of Memorial Day, see our veterans and military family health topic page. There are over two million active and reserve members of the U.S. military and over 23 million U.S. veterans. They face some different health issues from civilians. Likewise, their families may face some unique challenges... ... more

Exercise is great. How do you know how much is safe for your child? ... more

Losing weight when you're a parent can be a challenge. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming. With a little planning and these tips, you may find it easier than you think. ... more

Crankiness is just the tip of the iceberg. Getting enough sleep is as important for health as eating right and getting exercise. ... more

Here are seven foods that seem to be healthy but aren't great -- and some better choices. ... more

Narcotic pain relievers frequently used by patients with chronic lung condition, study finds ... more

Experts say biological changes or a lack of interest in self-care might be to blame ... more

High rates of obesity, heavy drinking, smoking and inactivity reported, but most people getting enough sleep ... more

Coming off meds sooner means fewer harmful side effects, study author says ... more

But expert notes questions about frequency remain ... more

Better slumber improved daytime energy and behavior, but not memory, learning, researchers say ... more

Children who have suffered maltreatment are 36 percent more likely to be obese in adulthood compared to non-maltreated children, according to a new study. The authors estimate that the prevention or effective treatment of seven cases of child maltreatment could avoid one case of adult obesity. ... more

The level of immunity to the recently circulating H7N9 influenza virus in an urban and rural population in Vietnam is very low, according to the first population level study to examine human immunity to the virus, which was previously only found in birds. The study has implications for planning the public health response to this pandemic threat. ... more

Prostaglandin analogues (PGAs) are often the first line of treatment for people with glaucoma. PGAs have long been associated with blurred vision, dryness, changes in eye color and other side effects. Now a new study has found that these drugs also cause upper and lower eyelid drooping and other issues that can interfere with vision. ... more

Researchers have identified a protein that stimulates a pair of "orphan receptors" found in the brain, solving a long-standing biological puzzle and possibly leading to future treatments for neurological diseases. ... more

Widely available in pharmacies and health stores, phosphatidylserine is a natural food supplement produced from beef, oysters, and soy. Now scientists have discovered that the supplement improves the functioning of genes involved in degenerative brain disorders, including Parkinson's disease and familial dysautonomia. ... more

A new study analyzes the potential usefulness of a new treatment that combines the benefits of angioplasty balloons and drug-releasing stents, but may pose fewer risks. ... more

Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke in early childhood are more likely to grow up to physically aggressive and antisocial, regardless of whether they were exposed during pregnancy or their parents have a history of being antisocial. ... more

An attack on glioblastoma brain tumor cells that uses a modified poliovirus is showing encouraging results in an early study to establish the proper dose level. ... more

Researchers have uncovered how to create nanoparticles using natural lipids derived from grapefruit, and have discovered how to use them as drug delivery vehicles. ... more

Researchers have found a way to create radioactive nanoparticles that target lymphoma tumor cells wherever they may be in the body. ... more

As many as 35 percent of Mexican young adults may have a genetic predisposition for obesity, said a University of Illinois scientist who conducted a study at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosw. ... more

Researchers have found that a class of pharmaceuticals can both prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease in mice. ... more

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) announced the appointment of five new members to the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research (NACNR), the institute's principal advisory board. Members of the council are drawn from the scientific and lay communities, embodying a diverse perspective from the fields of nursing, public and health policy, law, and economics. NINR, a component of the National Institutes of Health, is the primary federal agency for the support of nursing resear ... more

Declines among pregnant women and those of childbearing age are a particular concern. Medscape Medical News ... more

A survey of primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and primary care and mental health nurses show they responded differently to 2 identical clinical scenarios, 1 in a patient with schizophrenia. Medscape Medical News ... more

More than half of spinal and paraspinal infections tied to contaminated methylprednisolone acetate are in Michigan, the CDC says. Medscape Medical News ... more

A national study showed that the combination of school bullying and cyberbullying was associated with a 4-fold increased incidence of all suicide risk factors, including suicide attempts, in youth. Medscape Medical News ... more

Previously identified mutations in genes associated with obesity appear to differentially predict weight gain in men and women, a new 10-year study illustrates. Medscape Medical News ... more

Patients with low vitamin D levels had more hospitalizations and surgeries, researchers report. Medscape Medical News ... more

Full clinical outcomes presented at EuroPCR today "demonstrate low one-year mortality, low stroke rates, and low rates of aortic regurgitation and paravalvular leak, " investigators said. Heartwire ... more

The new sirolimus-eluting stent boasting a biodegradable polymer and a thin-strut design that is 25% thinner than the market-leading permanent-polymer stents looks similar to a market leader, at least on angiographic follow-up. Heartwire ... more

Investigators for a new SCAAR registry analysis point out that bivalirudin has been widely studied only against a combination of GP IIb/IIIa inhibition and heparin, but that heparin alone is cheaper and yielded similar 30-day mortality rates in this patient group. Heartwire ... more

All it did in a small randomized trial was to make the patients thirsty; it didn't do anything for weight loss or clinical stability. Heartwire ... more

Health Canada says concerns over potential contamination during the manufacturing process are behind the recall. News Alerts ... more

Should doctors be able to write? At first glance, this might seem like a question with an easy answer. Yes, you might say, doctors receive a doctorate and are trusted with communicating to and about people at critical moments in their lives. Or you could reply, No, they are scientists and so need to be functional communicators able to write basic notes and prescriptions, and anything more than that is professional frosting. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to resp ... more

One of my students told me about his experience at TEDMED, the future-oriented medical conference that bills itself as #8220;a celebration of human achievement and the power of connecting the unconnected in creative ways to change our world in health and medicine. #8221; He recounted how one speaker showed off the Remote Presence Virtual + Independent Telemedicine Assistant, which news outlets quickly dubbed the #8220;Robo-Doc. #8221; This high-priced gadget is designed to provide remote medic ... more

We've already noted that carriers seem to be actively avoiding the Exchanges due to go online in the next few months. Of course, that's for the individual market - the small group market must be doing gangbusters, though, right?Right?Turns out, maybe not:"The California Health Benefit Exchange has put out a call for general agents ... to recruit, train, supervise and support the retail agents that help the small employers that sign up for the state's Small Business Health Options Program (SH ... more

Emotional stress can harm cardiovascular health, experts say, so boosting mental resilience may be key ... more

For older patients with hypertension, heart failure, different problems will likely cause death, study finds ... more

Coming off meds sooner means fewer harmful side effects, study author says ... more

'Suicide contagion' occurs even among those who didn't know victim, study found ... more

Skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the U.S., and as summer is quickly approaching, Americans are encouraged to take a few simple steps to protect their health and prevent skin cancer throughout this upcoming season. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is calling the Friday before Memorial Day "Don't Fry Day" hoping to ... more

Co-sleeping with a newborn increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) fivefold, a new study in BMJ Open suggests. The likelihood applies even if parents are not smokers, drinkers, or drug users - other factors that raise the risk of SIDS, according to the study led by the London School of Hygiene Tropical Medicine. A previous study conducted by a research team at the University of Calgary, Canada, suggests that premature infants born to mothers who smoke are at a higher risk for ... more

Variation in the gene MUC5B among patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis was associated with improved survival, according to a study published online by JAMA. The study is being released early online to coincide with its presentation at the American Thoracic Society international conference. "Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disease with a median [midpoint] survival of 3 years," according to background information in the article... ... more

Among patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring hospital admission, a 5-day glucocorticoid treatment course was non-inferior (not worse than) to a 14-day course with regard to re-exacerbation during 6 months of follow-up, according to a study published online by JAMA. The study is being released early online to coincide with its presentation at the American Thoracic Society international conference... ... more

For critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation, early tracheostomy (within the first 4 days after admission) was not associated with an improvement in the risk of death within 30 days compared to patients who received tracheostomy placement after 10 days, according to a study in the May 22/29 issue of JAMA. "A tracheostomy is commonly performed when clinicians predict a patient will need prolonged mechanical ventilation," according to background information in the article... ... more

Aggressive fluid and sodium restriction among patients who've been hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) appears to have no effect on weight loss or clinical stability, according to a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. A total of 75 patients hospitalized patients with ADHF participated in the study. Researchers assessed the effect that sodium and fluid restriction had on them. Heart failure is a serious condition which occurs when the heart is not pumping blood ... more

Among patients with stable coronary heart disease and mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia (MSIMI), 6 weeks of treatment with the antidepressant escitalopram, compared with placebo, resulted in a lower rate of MSIMI, according to a study in the May 22/29 issue of JAMA. "A robust body of evidence has identified emotional stress as a potential triggering factor in coronary heart disease (CHD) and other cardiovascular events," according to background information in the article... ... more

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Positively charged gold nanoparticles are usually toxic to cells, but cancer cells somehow manage to avoid nanoparticle toxicity. Mayo Clinic researchers found out why, and determined how to make the nanoparticles effective against ovarian cancer cells. The discovery is detailed in the current online issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry. #8220;This study identifies a novel mechanism that protects ovarian cancer cells by preventing the cell death or apoptosis which should occur when the ... more

An attack on glioblastoma brain tumor cells that uses a modified poliovirus is showing encouraging results in an early study to establish the proper dose level, researchers at Duke Cancer Institute report. The treatment, developed at Duke and tested in an ongoing phase 1 study, capitalizes on the discovery that cancer cells have an abundance of receptors that work like magnets drawing the poliovirus, which then infects and kills the cells. The investigational therapy, known as PVSRIPO, uses an ... more

Another in a series of threads regarding the ethical/professional issues that could involve a medical student and you or a family member as a patient. This thread is based on the book Professionalism in Medicine : A Case-Based Guide for Medical Students. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press; 2010 and from the website "Professionalism in Medicine" prepared by Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. This thread begins with a video dramatization of a vignette which is followed by a ... more

Another in a series of threads regarding the ethical/professional issues that could involve a medical student and you or a family member as a patient. This thread is based on the book Professionalism in Medicine : A Case-Based Guide for Medical Students. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press; 2010 and from the website "Professionalism in Medicine" prepared by Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. This thread begins with a video dramatization of a vignette which is followed by a ... more

Background: Generally, sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is performed in patients with clinically negative axillary lymph node (LN). This study was to assess imaging techniques in axillary LN staging and to evaluate the feasibility of SLNB in patients clinically suspected of axillary LN metastasis on preoperative imaging techniques (SI). Methods: A prospectively maintained database of 767 breast cancer patients enrolled between January 2006 and December 2009 was reviewed. All patients were offer ... more

These and other foot disorders are 'highly inheritable,' study finds ... more

But at least one expert questions benefits of the alternative treatment ... more

Study found 21 percent higher chance of accident among those who slept less than 6 hours a night ... more

Study found shedding pounds reduced GERD symptoms among overweight, obese patients ... more

Test found specific changes to two genes predicted problem with 85 percent accuracy ... more

Researchers have for the first time used a novel form of MRI to identify crucial developmental processes in the brain that are vulnerable to the effects of premature birth. This new study shows that disruption of these specific processes can have an impact on cognitive function. ... more

While Huntington's disease (HD) is currently incurable, the HD research community anticipates that new disease-modifying therapies in development may slow or minimize disease progression. The success of HD research depends upon the identification of reliable and sensitive biomarkers to track disease and evaluate therapies, and these biomarkers may eventually be used as outcome measures in clinical trials. Biomarkers could be especially helpful to monitor changes during the time prior to diagnosi ... more

A Mediterranean diet with added extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts seems to improve the brain power of older people better than advising them to follow a low-fat diet, according to new research. ... more

Positively charged gold nanoparticles are usually toxic to cells, but cancer cells somehow manage to avoid nanoparticle toxicity. Researchers found out why and determined how to make the nanoparticles effective against ovarian cancer cells. ... more

Corporates cashing in on mental-health diagnosisAre you a disruptive person? Are you occasionally reluctant to part with possessions? Is your child defiant, or prone to temper tantrums? Are you grieving from the death of a close friend? Well, don ��t worry; you can get drugs for all of this soon.On Friday 17 May, the American Psychiatric Association published the fifth edition of its highly influential Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) �� the first major update in 13 y ... more

Corporates cashing in on mental-health diagnosisAre you a disruptive person? Are you occasionally reluctant to part with possessions? Is your child defiant, or prone to temper tantrums? Are you grieving from the death of a close friend? Well, don ��t worry; you can get drugs for all of this soon.On Friday 17 May, the American Psychiatric Association published the fifth edition of its highly influential Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) �� the first major update in 13 y ... more

Scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health have a new theory as to why a woman's fertility declines after her mid-30s. They also suggest an approach that might help slow the process, enhancing and prolonging fertility. ... more

Enforce basic rulesSource: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Motor Vehicle Safety, Teen Health ... more

But it was phased out because of side effects; newer version works, study notes Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Childhood Immunization, Whooping Cough ... more

These and other foot disorders are 'highly inheritable,' study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Family History, Toe Injuries and Disorders ... more

More research into factors behind trend, effects on outcomes is needed, study author says Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Health Disparities, Injuries, Women's Health ... more

New survey finds 1 in 7 products still claim an 'SPF' rating of 50 or higher Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Page: Sun Exposure ... more

Patients do just as well with medical residents and nurses, researchers say Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Critical Care, Health Facilities ... more

Those who heard well-loved tunes in study needed less sedation medicineSource: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Anxiety, Critical Care ... more

Men who get an older and less costly form of radiation after their cancerous prostates are removed fare just as well as men who get a new and expensive type of radiation, according to a new study.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Prostate Cancer, Radiation Therapy ... more

Study found 21 percent higher chance of accident among those who slept less than 6 hours a night Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Impaired Driving, Teen Health ... more

But each patient must make decision with doctor's input Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators, Sports Safety ... more

Study found shedding pounds reduced GERD symptoms among overweight, obese patients Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: GERD, Heartburn, Obesity ... more

But benefits of 'bronchodilators' tend to outweigh risks, specialist adds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Heart Diseases ... more

Older men with other illnesses may not live long enough to benefit from aggressive prostate cancer treatments, such as prostate removal or radiation, and they'd have to live with their side effects, says a new study.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Prostate Cancer, Seniors' Health ... more

Source: HealthDay - Related MedlinePlus Pages: Body Weight, GERD ... more

When Angelina Jolie announced that she #8217;d undergone a bilateral mastectomy to prevent the breast cancer for which a genetic mutation puts her at high risk, I found myself, as a doctor and as a woman, full of admiration and gratitude for her #8230; and also, in retrospect, for Betty Ford. In a single New York Times op-ed piece, Ms. Jolie used her celebrity to accomplish several things: she brought attention to the high prevalence of breast cancer; she brought attention to the availability ( ... more

On April 14, The United States Preventive Services Task Force concluded that women with an elevated risk of breast cancer �� who have never been diagnosed with breast cancer but whose family history and other medical factors increase their odds of developing the disease ��should consider taking one of two pills that cut that risk in half. The Task Force is an independent panel of medical experts who review the medical literature to estimate the pros and cons of preventive interventions. This i ... more

or at least the US Private Insurance system. It is an old rule of thumb that 20% of your population accounts for 80% of your claims. Hospitals account for 50% of all spending and most of the excessive cost and profit. PCIP found this out when they blew through their allotted 5 billion to quickly. Being from the Government and always looking to help they had a very effective solution; http://www.lifehealthpro.com/2013/05/17/feds-post-pcip-regs "The federal PCIP program run by the U.S. Departme ... more

As the Exchange Countdown Clock slowly - inexorably - winds down, our attention turns to the eternal question: "what's next?"Ostensibly, folks who plan on buying their new health insurance from one of the public Exchanges will turn to one of those new-fangled "Navigators" for help. After all, these folks are new to the insurance purchasing process, and need highly trained folks brimming with integrity and advanced insurance knowledge.Or maybe not:"At a private briefing with federal officials ... more

A couple of weeks ago The Hill reported that 48% of small business owners believe that PPACA will hurt their business. In the article there is a quote from President Obama about the impact this will have on small business. He said: "Some small businesses are being told their costs are going to go up, even though they're exempted from the law" or stand to benefit from it. I am a small business owner working within a large insurance agency. I have two employees and I provide benefits including me ... more

Medication use is a prime contributor ... more

Test found specific changes to two genes predicted problem with 85 percent accuracy ... more

Taking azithromycin for a year cut down on re-hospitalizations for disease flare-ups, study found ... more

Blacks less likely, Hispanics more likely than whites to undergo surgery as early treatment, study shows ... more

Report Backs Park Service Response to Yosemite Virus Outbreak Great Britain in Throes of Measles Outbreak /div ... more

High rates of obesity, heavy drinking, smoking and inactivity reported, but most people getting enough sleep ... more

Experts say biological changes or a lack of interest in self-care might be to blame ... more

Psychologist offers advice for coping with tragedies like the Oklahoma tornado ... more

Narcotic pain relievers frequently used by patients with chronic lung condition, study finds ... more

Problems included carelessness, difficulty staying awake, study finds ... more

According to new research published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, people who consume diets rich in fiber are at an increased risk of contracting Escherichia coli (E. coli) which can lead to O157:H7 infection and severe disease. Escherichia coli, which is also known as E. coli, is a bacterium that is found in the gut of endotherms (warm blooded organisms). Most E. coli strains are of no harm to human health, except for serotype O157:H7, which is a leading cause of food ... more

Brain power in older people at risk for vascular dementia seems to improve more from a Mediterranean diet with added mixed nuts or extra virgin olive oil than from a low-fat diet that is typically followed to prevent heart attack and stroke, according to the results of a Spanish trial. People on a Mediterranean diet consume virgin olive oil as their main source of fat, and eat lots of fruits, nuts, vegetables and pulses foods... ... more

Researchers in London have identified a mechanism through which vitamin D can significantly reduce the symptoms of asthma and suggest it may offer a new way to treat the debilitating condition, which in the UK alone affects around 5.4 million people and costs the NHS around £1 billion a year. Catherine Hawrylowicz of King's College London, and colleagues, write about their discovery in a paper published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology this month... ... more

RAND did us a huge favor here, documenting the shifts in styles of care and validating most of what we #8217;ve said anecdotally. http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR200/RR280/RAND_RR280.pdf Enjoy! Related posts: Some studies that I like to quote Wow! Very nice.... The Favor As a medical student in the GYN clinic in El... Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin. ... more

FDA ��s MedWatch Safety Alerts alert consumers to problems with quality or safety of medical products. The April listing includes products such as anti-seizure medications, multivitamin supplements, mattress covers, blood glucose meters and compounded drugs. ... more

A new study looking at sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and markers for Alzheimer ��s disease (AD) risk in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging adds to the growing body of research linking the two. ... more

Researchers have identified a potential new risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea: asthma. ... more

Gourmands and foodies everywhere have long recognized ginger as a great way to add a little peppery zing to both sweet and savory dishes; now, a study shows purified components of the spicy root also may have properties that help asthma patients breathe more easily. ... more

For the first time, scientists showed that targeting glucagon action in the brain may be a new frontier for regulating diabetes. ... more

A cocktail of non-pathogenic bacteria naturally occurring in the digestive tract of healthy humans can protect against a potentially lethal E. coli infection in animal models according to new research. ... more

A new study suggests less sleep per night is associated with a significant increase in the risk for motor vehicle crashes for young drivers. ... more

A new study of both computer-created and natural proteins suggests that the number of unique pockets �� sites where small molecule pharmaceutical compounds can bind to proteins �� is surprisingly small, meaning drug side effects may be impossible to avoid. ... more

Nearly 20 percent of kidneys that are recovered from deceased donors in the U.S. are refused for transplant due to factors ranging from scarring in small blood vessels of the kidney ��s filtering units to the organ going too long without blood or oxygen. But, what if instead of being discarded, these organs could be ��recycled �� to help solve the critical shortage of donor organs? ... more

Bacteria resistant to the antibiotic colistin are also commonly resistant to antimicrobial substances made by the human body, according to a new study. Cross-resistance to colistin and host antimicrobials LL-37 and lysozyme, which help defend the body against bacterial attack, could mean that patients with life-threatening multi-drug resistant infections are also saddled with a crippled immune response. ... more

Early-life exposure to traffic-related air pollution was significantly associated with higher hyperactivity scores at age 7, according to new research. ... more

http://www.pharmatimes.com/Article/13-05-21/NIHR_says_ ��it_s_OK_to_ask ��_about_clinical_research.aspx? ... more

The FDA says an experimental Merck drug, suvorexant, helps patients fall asleep but has worrisome side effects, including suicidal thinking. The FDA said company trials showed the pill consistently worked better than a placebo. But patients taking higher doses had an eight-fold increase in daytime drowsiness that interfered with driving. Four women had to stop a driving test. And over 12 months, eight cases of suicidal thinking or behavior were reported. It ��s possible the FDA will allow the dr ... more

http://www.pharmatimes.com/Article/13-05-21/NIHR_says_ ��it_s_OK_to_ask ��_about_clinical_research.aspx? ... more

The FDA says an experimental Merck drug, suvorexant, helps patients fall asleep but has worrisome side effects, including suicidal thinking. The FDA said company trials showed the pill consistently worked better than a placebo. But patients taking higher doses had an eight-fold increase in daytime drowsiness that interfered with driving. Four women had to stop a driving test. And over 12 months, eight cases of suicidal thinking or behavior were reported. It ��s possible the FDA will allow the dr ... more

Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese in adulthood than those who did not have the condition when they were young, a new long-term study has shown... ... more

Women who smoke while pregnant are at a higher risk of having daughters who become obese and/or develop gestational diabetes, according to a new study published in Diabetologia. The fact that smoking is harmful during pregnancy has long been known, however, studies that examined possible adverse effects that last until adulthood are scarce and outcomes have been inconsistent... ... more

Particulate matter in parenteral drugs has been recognized as a potential health hazard. ... more

Source: American Heart Association Related MedlinePlus Page: Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators ... more

Source: American Heart Association Related MedlinePlus Page: Heart Diseases ... more

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related MedlinePlus Page: Traveler's Health ... more

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related MedlinePlus Page: Skin Cancer ... more

Source: World Health Organization Related MedlinePlus Pages: Hemorrhagic Fevers, Traveler's Health ... more

Brought to you by MedPage Today. 1. Medical Home Transition Long but Worth It. The path to becoming a patient-centered medical home is long, rough, and varies for each practice, but getting there is essential to providing high-quality, affordable healthcare to all Americans. 2. Any Bed-Sharing Puts Baby at Risk for SIDS. Bed-sharing is associated with a five-fold increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) among younger infants even if their parents don #8217;t smoke, use alcohol, or t ... more

One of the world's biggest challenges is improving global healthcare in developing countries. However, according to the World Bank Group President Dr Jim Yong Kim, although there's been progress in improving global health over the past twenty years, the failure to address "the gritty business of actually delivering health care in developing countries", is causing ineffective and inefficient health care for many... ... more

A research program that should eventually allow all cancer patients to have access to genetic testing has been launched with £2.7 million ($4 million) funding from the Wellcome Trust. The program, involving the Institute of Cancer Research, London, The Royal Marsden, the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics and Illumina Inc, aims to find a way to allow more cancer genes to be tested in more people. Mutations in some genes, referred to as cancer predisposition genes, considerably raise the ... more

Boys who are diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are twice as likely to become obese in adulthood than those who did not have the condition when they were young, a new long-term study has shown. The finding, published in the journal Pediatrics, revealed that men who have childhood ADHD were more likely to have a greater body-mass index (BMI) and obesity - even when they no longer experience symptoms of the condition. Among these men, socioeconomic status did not matte ... more

Women who smoke while pregnant are at a higher risk of having daughters who become obese and/or develop gestational diabetes, according to a new study published in Diabetologia. The fact that smoking is harmful during pregnancy has long been known, however, studies that examined possible adverse effects that last until adulthood are scarce and outcomes have been inconsistent. A study led by the University College London (UCL) in the UK suggested that children born to women who smoke during pregn ... more

Better than low fat option for those at risk of vascular dementia A Mediterranean diet with added extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts seems to improve the brain power of older people better than advising them to follow a low-fat diet, indicates research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. The authors from the University of Navarra in Spain base their findings on 522 men and women aged between 55 and 80 without cardiovascular disease but at high vascular ris ... more

The increase is due to more cases of eating disorder not otherwise specified rather than rises in either bulimia or anorexia More people are being diagnosed with eating disorders every year and the most common type is not either of the two most well known--bulimia or anorexia--but eating disorders not otherwise specified (eating disorders that don't quite reach the threshold to be defined as anorexia or bulimia), shows a study published online in BMJ Open... ... more

Rates of sudden infant death would plummet if parents avoided bed sharing, advise authors Bed sharing with parents is linked to a fivefold increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), even when the parents are non-smokers and the mother has not been drinking alcohol and does not use illegal drugs, according to a large analysis published online in BMJ Open... ... more

New research indicates that women's reproductive function may be tied to their immune status. Previous studies have found this association in human males, but not females. The study appears in the American Journal of Human Biology. An animal's energetic resources must be carefully allocated, said University of Illinois anthropology professor Kathryn Clancy, who led the new research. The body's first priority is maintenance, which includes tasks inherently related to survival, including immune fu ... more

Working with lab mice models of multiple sclerosis (MS), UC Davis scientists have detected a novel molecular target for the design of drugs that could be safer and more effective than current FDA-approved medications against MS. The findings of the research study, published online in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine could have therapeutic applications for MS as well as cerebral palsy and leukodystrophies, all disorders associated with loss of white matter, which is the brain tissue that carri ... more

Many women in Texas who are found to have an abnormality on routine mammogram or discover a lump in one of their breasts end up having an old-fashioned surgical biopsy to find out whether the breast abnormality is malignant. Since 2001, national expert panels have recommended that the first course of action for women with breast lumps or masses should be minimally invasive biopsy. Minimally invasive biopsies are most commonly done under ultrasonographic or X-ray guidance, with either a fine need ... more

In the race to protect society from infectious microbes, the bugs are outrunning us. The need for new therapeutic agents is acute, given the emergence of novel pathogens as well as old foes bearing heightened antibiotic resistance. Shelley Haydel, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute has a new approach to developing effective, topical antibacterial agents - one that draws on a naturally occurring substance recognized since antiquity for its medicinal properties: clay... ... more