Check it out: Sunlight May Help Protect Men from Kidney Cancer

Visit the new MedlinePlus Health Topic page on finger injuries and disorders.You use your fingers and thumbs to do everything from grasping objects to playing musical instruments to typing on a keyboard. When there is something wrong with them, it can make life difficult... ... more

Visit the new MedlinePlus Health Topic page on fatigue.You ��re tired, weak, exhausted, weary, worn out. You have a lack of energy and as a result you feel distressed. You ��re not functioning as well as you should. It ��s called fatigue, and everyone feels it at times... ... more

Vitamins are substances that your body needs to grow and develop normally. Visit the new MedlinePlus Health Topic pages on: Vitamin AB VitaminsVitamin CVitamin DVitamin EVitamin K ... more

Watch a live webcast of surgery for esophageal atresia (a problem in infants) on March 11 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Also, browse through links to prerecorded webcasts of surgical procedures. These are actual procedures performed at medical centers in the United States. ... more

Sleep problems and sleep habits vary among different ethnic groups, according to a new national survey. But among all ethnicities, there remains a common denominator: Many of us simply don't get enough sleep. ... more

Reovirus is harmless to normal cells -- but it destroys many kinds of cancer cells. A new study in patients with prostate cancer takes the virus closer to being a new cancer treatment. ... more

A moisturizing cream whose active ingredient is the extract that gives Indian curry its distinctive flavor, smel,l and deep orange color may help fade fine facial lines, wrinkles, and aging spots. ... more

Kidney donors fare just as well as non-donors over the long term, according to a new study. ... more

New research confirms that giving flu shots to large numbers of school-age children can protect the community at large. ... more

While some researchers suggest the rising rates of melanoma may simply reflect a change in how doctors diagnose melanoma and the increased availability of skin cancer screenings, a leading dermatologist says the increase is real. ... more

Pregnant women are skimping on fruit and vegetables and gaining too much weight, according to a new Australian study. The research, in the journal Nutrition Dietetics ... more

Paracetamol may provide more than just pain relief to those at risk of developing heart disease, according to a new study led by Professor Michael Davies from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Free Rad ... more

Researchers at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute are now a step closer to deciphering a leading cause of blindness in the United States ndash; glaucoma. In a recent study, David Calkins, PhD, director of ... more

By managing to express the protein that enables red blood cells infected with the malaria agent Plasmodium falciparum to bind to the placenta and by deciphering its molecular mechanisms, a team of researchers has taken an important first step in the development of a vaccine against pregnancy-associated malaria. ... more

A professor of biochemistry who was researching protein kinase C gamma in the lens of the human eye found her work taking a fascinating turn when she discovered a correlation between the protein Coonexin46 and hypoxia -- a deficiency of oxygen which kills normal tissue cells. The researcher believes the findings will lead to serious advancements in treating retinoblastoma, a cancer that forms in the tissue of the retina. ... more

The surge of funds for bioterrorism preparedness over the past decade does not appear to be improving local public health resources in general, according to new research. However, the funding increase to health departments does spur epidemiologic activity that is key in detecting infectious disease risks, such as a surge in communicable disease like influenza or tuberculosis, at the local level. ... more

Obese patients with colon cancer are at greater risk for death or recurrent disease compared to those who are within a normal weight range, according to a new study. ... more

Men who engaged in domestic violence consistently overestimated how common such behavior is by two or three times, and the more they overestimated it the more they engaged in abusing their partner in the previous 90 days. ... more

A new study finds that skin transplant surgery is safe and effective for treating vitiligo. Researchers followed 23 patients for up to six months after surgery and found that the treated area regained on average 52 percent of its natural skin color. In eight patients with a specific type of vitiligo, the treated area regained on average 74 percent of its natural skin color. ... more

For more than half a century, products containing ion exchange resins have been used in patients with dangerously high levels of potassium. However, there is no convincing evidence that these products are actually effective, according to a new study. ... more

Three critical recommendations from a national workshop have been released to address deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, a growing public health problem estimated to affect nearly 1 million Americans each year. ... more

Immunizing children and adolescents with inactivated influenza vaccine resulted in reduced rates of influenza in their community compared to a similar community in which children did not receive the vaccine, suggesting that vaccinating children may help prevent transmission of the virus and offer protection for unimmunized community residents, according to a new study of Hutterite communities. ... more

An analysis of outcomes for live kidney donors in the US over a 15 year period finds they have similar long-term survival rates compared to healthy individuals who were not kidney donors, according to a new study. ... more

An analysis of comparative effectiveness studies finds that few compare medications with nonpharmacologic interventions, and few examine safety or cost-effectiveness, according to a new study. ... more

In a commentary in JAMA, hospitalist Alec B. O'Connor calls for more stringent Federal guidelines governing the approval of potential new drugs. He says the FDA should require studies comparing the effectiveness and safety of a new drug to an established first-line drug when considering a drug for approval. ... more

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome are at no greater risk of having polyps, colon cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases than healthy people undergoing colonoscopies, according to a new study. ... more

Neural activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex can predict whether an individual will still be upset on the day after a conflict with his or her partner, according to new research. The findings point to the brain region's role in emotion regulation, and suggest that greater activity in this area might lead to improvement in day-to-day mood. ... more

Removal of the ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy) while performing a hysterectomy is common practice to prevent the subsequent development of ovarian cancer. This prophylactic procedure is performed in 55% of all U.S. women having a hysterectomy, or approximately 300,000 times each year. A new article suggests that this procedure may do more harm than good. ... more

Scientists have known for several years that Hepatitis C, a common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer, also makes people three to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. In studying the insulin resistance of 29 people with Hepatitis C, Australian researchers have confirmed that they have high insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes. However, almost all insulin resistance was in muscle, with little or none in the liver, a very surprising finding given that Hepatitis C is a liver d ... more

Researchers in Canada have detected a novel oncolytic viral therapy against prostate cancer with use of a virus called the reovirus, according to a new study. ... more

A full house isn't always a good thing, according to a new study that links high hospital occupancy to higher death rates for patients. High occupancy periods are a challenging time when more things can go wrong, authors say. Researchers evaluated records at 39 Michigan hospitals to study a set of factors that can affect hospital deaths. The large scale study can provide lessons for hospitals across the country. ... more

A single session of heat therapy using the ThermoMed device appears to be as effective as a 10-day intravenous course of sodium stibogluconate for the treatment of Leishmania major skin lesions, according to a new study. The randomized treatment trial involved 56 military personnel who contracted L. major while serving in Iraq. ... more

Mice are in many ways similar to Homo sapiens on a fundamental level. That is why the law in this part of the world only permits scientists to conduct research on human embryonic stem cells when they have "clarified in advance" their specific questions by using animal cells as far as possible. However, such tests are often pointless -- and sometimes even misleading, as a recent study demonstrates. ... more

Researchers have identified a new syndrome affecting potentially thousands of hospital inpatients. Coined SHAKE (Supplement-associated Hyperammonemia After C(K)achetic Episode), the condition, which results in altered mental status and difficulty walking, can be prevented by excluding high protein dietary supplements in a patients' diet if they have experienced poor eating for more than a week prior to their admittance. ... more

A research team has shown that the stem-cell rich periosteum sheath around bone can be used to mend serious bone loss faster and more simply than bone grafts. The researchers have developed an artificial periosteum that can be implanted in patients who have too little of the natural covering left. ... more

New findings may soon lead to an expansion of the drug arsenal used to fight HIV. ... more

Individuals with a certain type of genetic susceptibility to lung cancer face a greatly increased risk for the deadly disease with even a small exposure to cigarette smoke, a new study finds. ... more

There is a link between repeated anesthesia in children and memory impairment, though physical activity can help to form new cells that improve memory, reveals new research. ... more

Researchers are releasing results of a study this week that they say will help refocus the search for new drug targets aimed at preventing or reversing the devastating tissue inflammation that results after heart attack and stroke. ... more

The king cobra continues to weave its charm with researchers identifying a protein in its venom with the potential for new drug discovery and to advance understanding of disease mechanisms. ... more

Researchers are currently testing a new drug, flibanserin, which was developed as an antidepressant and affects neurotransmitters in the brain, to treat women with low sexual desire. However, experts are concerned about the side effects of this possible treatment. Now, a researcher has found evidence that a low-cost, risk-free psychological treatment is effective and may be a better alternative to drugs that have adverse side effects. ... more

A mathematical model can predict complex signaling patterns that could help scientists determine how stem cells in an embryo later become specific tissues, knowledge that could be used to understand and treat developmental disorders and some diseases. ... more

A new American Cancer Society study finds progress in reducing cancer death rates is evident whether measured against baseline rates in 1970 or in 1990. The study finds a downturn in cancer death rates since 1990 results mostly from reductions in tobacco use, increased screening allowing early detection of several cancers, and modest to large improvements in treatment for specific cancers. ... more

Rise and shine. Another day is under way. And of course, there is much to do. Our list is quite lengthy, in fact, starting with hustling one of the short people to the schoolhouse. To cope, we are brewing the required cup of stimulation. Meanwhile, the world keeps spinning and here are a few items to prove the point. Have a great day and stay in touch #8230; Merck And Sanofi-Aventis Merge Animal Health Units (Reuters) Astellas Likely To Pay More For OSI (Bloomberg News) Tennessee Judge Won #8217 ... more

The drugmaker failed to accurately reflect side effects of its Seroquel antipsychotic in an ad aimed at doctors, according to the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority. To be specific, AstraZeneca breached three points of the code by claiming its drug had #8220;a favourable weight profile across the full dose range �� compared with rival drugs, The Financial Times writes. The decision by the authority, which is the self-regulatory arm of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical ... more

The number of physicians using e-prescribing tools to prescribe meds and access a patient #8217;s drug benefit info and prescription histories is growing significantly, according to a report by Surescripts, which operates an e-prescribing network. A few findings: electronic requests for prescription benefit info grew from 79 million in 2008 to 303 million in 2009; prescription histories delivered to prescribers grew from over 16 million in 2008 to 81 million in 2009, and prescriptions routed el ... more

The US Supreme Court has agreed to determine whether a federal law on vaccine injuries shields vaccine makers from certain types of product-liability lawsuits. The court will review a Pennsylvania lawsuit filed by a couple who allege their 6-month-old daughter developed residual seizure disorder after being vaccinated with a DTP vaccine made by Wyeth. The parents maintain their daughter, who is now a teenager, has profound developmental impairments and will need care for the rest of her life, T ... more

The drugmaker is adding four new senior positions to #8220;promote highly ethical and compliant behaviors #8221; as part of a settlement of two shareholder lawsuits stemming from off-label promotion of its Zyprexa antipsychotic and other drugs. You may recall that last year, Lilly paid $1.4 billion to settle criminal and civil complaints (see here). Lilly is also upgrading policies and procedures #8220;to ensure that objective scientific inquiry, analysis and communication in matters affectin ... more

via pharmatimes.com Posted via web from Jack's posterous ... more

via pharmatimes.com Posted via web from Jack's posterous ... more

A new study that followed participants for 20 years shows both weight and risk for diabetes decreased for people in communities where fast food prices increased. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study, published in the March 8, 2010, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, also showed the reverse when fast food prices fell, then consumption, weight and diabetes risks rose... ... more

A new study from the US found that normal weight women in their 40s and older who drank a light to moderate amount of alcohol gained less weight and had a lower risk of becoming obese and overweight compared to their non-drinking counterparts... ... more

The collection of symptoms that is the metabolic syndrome - insulin resistance, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and a greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke - are all related to obesity, but, according to a review in the March 9th issue of the Cell Press publication Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, not in the way you probably think they are... ... more

Under a $7.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Rush University Medical Center is developing a novel program, called WISHFIT, to help pre-menopausal women reduce visceral fat through a sustained increase in physical activity and reduction in stress... ... more

Results of a clinical trial conducted in a largely self-contained religious community during the 2008-09 influenza season show that immunizing children against seasonal influenza can significantly protect unvaccinated community members against influenza as well. The study was conducted to determine if immunized children could act as a barrier to limit the spread of influenza to the wider, unvaccinated community, a concept known as herd immunity. ... more

A dietary supplement with anti-inflammatory properties appeared to modulate inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolism, with subtle effects detected by large-scale profiling of genes, proteins and metabolites. Reuters Health Information ... more

Analysis of IgE to peanut allergen components may be helpful in identifying peanut-sensitized subjects who are at risk for severe symptoms, according to a report in the February 8th issue of Allergy. Reuters Health Information ... more

Britain's GlaxoSmithKline said on Monday it was dedicating a facility in India to production of albendazole, part of a combined treatment for the elephantiasis-causing infection lymphatic filariasis. Reuters Health Information ... more

An initiative to get sugary drinks out of U.S. schools has begun to work, with diet beverages and smaller portions replacing some full-size, full-calorie varieties in school vending machines, organizers said on Monday. Reuters Health Information ... more

U.S. and Iranian officials, whose relations are normally fraught over Tehran's nuclear program, held a rare meeting at which a U.S. official told Iran they were ready to cooperate on fighting drugs. Reuters Health Information ... more

Europe is unlikely to see another wave of pandemic H1N1 flu soon but local epidemics are likely as winter returns to the Northern hemisphere, health officials said on Monday. Reuters Health Information ... more

More than 100 neurologists from 40 states will be on Capitol Hill this week explaining why change is important for specialists and their patients. Medscape Medical News ... more

Early results of a small study show that a new immunotherapy treatment is safe, and antitumor responses were detected. Medscape Medical News ... more

The risk of postoperative complications is not exacerbated by cholinesterase inhibitor therapy in elderly adults with dementia who receive general anesthesia during hip fracture surgery. Medscape Medical News ... more

In a study of young men who have sex with men, Gardasil was protective against anal lesions associated with HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Medscape Medical News ... more

Infliximab is effective, safe, and reasonably well tolerated in patients with plaque psoriasis who previously had a poor response to etanercept, according to results from the new PSUNRISE study. Medscape Medical News ... more

One fourth of women choosing breast cancer treatment do not achieve their preferred decision-making style. Medscape Medical News ... more

Nurses realize the importance of assessing patients for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, but most are not comfortable with their level of understanding about how to assess patients. Medscape Medical News ... more

A large randomized controlled trial suggests that the phosphodiesterase inhibitor cilostazol is more effective for the prevention of secondary stroke and has a superior safety profile. Medscape Medical News ... more

Drinking four or more cups of java per day is associated with an 18% lower risk of hospitalization for arrhythmias, new research shows. While the data are observational and researchers don't advocate for greater consumption, they say it is good news that coffee doesn't appear to be harmful to the heart's electrical system. Heartwire ... more

But no such link was seen for women, researchers say Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Kidney Cancer, Men's Health, Vitamin D ... more

People of all races say lack of shuteye affects their work, even sex lives Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Health Statistics, Sleep Disorders ... more

Physician group suggests how Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Safety, Winter Weather Emergencies ... more

Suggestions for healthier fare Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Page: Nutrition ... more

Doctors should do more to explain test results, researchers find Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Breast Cancer, Genetic Testing ... more

Researchers urge hospitals to vaccinate all children Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Childhood Immunization, Hepatitis B ... more

Vitamin D is vital in activating human defences and low levels suffered by around half the world's population may mean their immune systems' killer T cells are poor at fighting infection, scientists said on Sunday. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Immune System and Disorders, Vitamin D ... more

Discovery could lead to blood test that would aid prevention efforts, scientist says Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Page: Colorectal Cancer ... more

Those who abstain tend to gain the most, study finds, though reasons are unclear Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Alcohol, Weight Control, Women's Health ... more

Golfers playing in Vail, Colorado, at 2500 meters (roughly 8200 feet) above sea level, got significantly more burn protection from sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 70+ compared to one with an SPF of 15.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Page: Sun Exposure ... more

Doctors can postpone treatment in low-risk patients, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Page: Glaucoma ... more

Syndrome affects those given dietary supplements after not eating for a while, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Dietary Supplements, Patient Safety ... more

Analysis compared three strategies for preventing sudden cardiac death from stimulant medication Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Cardiac Arrest ... more

Study found if parent had brain attack by 65, chances of same quadrupled for their children Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Family History, Stroke ... more

Study finds benefits for the mind, not just the body Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Healthy Living, Memory ... more

Medication combination raises risk 10-fold, small study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Blood Thinners, Drug Safety, Stroke ... more

Despite increase in services, racial disparities persist, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Health Disparities, Heart Failure, Hospice Care ... more

New research suggests that the type of specialist a prostate cancer patient sees -- rather than the patient's own preference -- may determine the treatment he receives.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Page: Prostate Cancer ... more

People with Parkinson's disease face an increased risk of the most deadly type of skin cancer, new research confirms.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Melanoma, Parkinson's Disease ... more

U.S. researchers estimate that an 18 percent tax on pizza and soda can push down U.S. adults' calorie intake enough to lower their average weight by 5 pounds (2 kg) per year. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Nutrition, Obesity ... more

A program designed to boost doctor-patient communication and patients' compliance with treatment may not have the intended effects, a new study suggests.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Health Literacy, Talking With Your Doctor ... more

A deal to sell healthier drinks in U.S. schools has slashed the amount of fattening beverages offered to students, former President Bill Clinton said on Monday as New York leaders pushed for a soda tax to tackle obesity and budget shortfalls.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Children's Health, School Health ... more

Source: HealthDay - Related MedlinePlus Pages: Radiation Exposure, X-Rays ... more

e mso 9]> 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false < ![endif]-->les deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> < ![endif]--> When I make rounds with my students and interns, I always try to sneak in a poem at the end. I think poetry is important because it helps convey the parts of the medical experience that don ��t make it into textbooks. It ��s important because it teaches creative thinking ��something of immense value t ... more

The biggest problem with today #8217;s push for electronic medical records is an archaic user interface. Physician Alexander Friedman, writing a scathing essay in The Wall Street Journal, agrees. Today #8217;s electronic medical records are written for the benefit of insurance companies, which scrutinize each doctor #8217;s note carefully for billing purposes. But, as Dr. Friedman astutely points out, #8220;thorough, efficient billing doesn #8217;t translate to better care. #8221; It #8217;s ... more

Originally published in MedPage Today by Kristina Fiore, MedPage Today Staff Writer Even though 90% of parents believe vaccines protect their children against disease, many are also concerned about potential adverse effects, a new survey found. More than half of survey respondents said they were concerned about vaccine safety profiles, particularly for newer immunizations, Gary L. Freed, MD, MPH, of the University of Michigan, and colleagues reported online in Pediatrics. And 12% of parents sa ... more

by Claudia M. Gold, MD In the Tony award winning play God of Carnage two couples meet in an elegant living room for an ostensibly civilized conversation about the aggressive act of one couple ��s child against the other ��s. The meeting soon degenerates to reveal the underbelly of conflict in the two marriages. Husband and wife hurl insults, precious items and even themselves with escalating rage. We see, as they attempt in vain to focus on the children ��s behavior, the proverbial ��elephant i ... more

by Toni Brayer, MD I went to my physical therapist yesterday for knee treatment and we talked about the fact that Blue Cross is cutting their reimbursement to the point that the cost of providing care will not even be covered. All I could do was lament with him and listen. One insurer even told him (the owner of the business) to just #8220;make the sessions shorter and don #8217;t give as much care. #8221; Clearly the insurance intermediaries, who never actually see a patient or deliver any car ... more

FoIB David Williams hosts this week's collection of insightful medblog posts, focusing on an unpleasant subject: pain and suffering. To avoid both, though, you should click on over and check it out. ... more

Another 1,000 words: [Hat Tip: Power Line] ... more

Regular readers may recall the sage words of WH Senior Advisor David Axelrod regarding the importance of passing "a bill, any bill:""[P]eople will never know what ��s in that bill until we pass it..." [ed: emphasis added]If ObamaCare weren't so (literally) deadly serious, this would be funny. But the former is, and the latter most assuredly isn't. Which hasn't stopped erstwhile Speaker of the House, San Fran Nan, from pronouncing (parroting?):"[W]e have to pass the bill so that you can find out ... more

I saw this the other day and forgot to get back to it for posting. But it's interesting enough to still post, albeit a bit belatedly. Officials from Göttingen hospital where the baby was born checked all available records of premature births worldwide, and were unable to find a viable birth of a boy at a lower weight. The smallest boy previously recorded weighed 10.4 ounces. Three girls - including one born in the US at just 244 grams - had survived lower birth weights. Via the Telegraph: ... more

Michelle Malkin calls our attention to conflicting signs on pro-life Democrat Rep. Bart Stupak's stance on Obamacare negotiations and aptly suggests that now's a good time to remind him of his words: "We are not just going to abandon it (stance against public funding of abortion) in the name of health care."Here's Stupak's contact info: 2268 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225 4735 (202) 225 4744 - Fax email It seems to me that there ought to be at least one Democrat wil ... more

From House Democrats' distrust of Senate Democrats, to Bart Stupak and his fellow pro-life Democrats, the fiscal moderates, and the hard-left Socialists wanting a government-run public option, with a little bit of luck and a lot of continued voter outrage, this miserable adventure should be coming to a (hopefully) "abrupt, and satisfyingly bad end very soon" (H/t - The Patriot Room): Susan Ferrichio writes: House Democratic leaders concede they do not have enough support to pass President Obama ... more

ReAL Action, a citizen-activist arm of Renewing American Leadership that says they are "dedicated to preserving Americas Judeo-Christian heritage by defending and promoting the three pillars of American civilization: freedom, faith and free markets," has posted this new video that appears to prove that Pelosi and Barack Obama are lying about abortion funding in Obamacare. Pages 2069 through 2078 of the Senate Health Bill provides for federal subsidies of abortion. (The official text of the Se ... more

If you're among the majority of Americans who, if asked, would express concern about the Washington Post's report that President Obama's proposed budget would add more than $9.7 trillion to the national debt over the next decade (CNN adds that of that amount, an estimated $5.6 trillion will be in interest alone), and who naturally assume that the Democratic leadership and President Obama is troubled by this jaw-dropping amount of national debt - brace yourself for a surprise. As Dennis Prager ... more

Our far-Left, liberal-progressive, wealth-redistribution, nanny state-seeking, job-busting, health care destroying, president will be corralling key Republican and Democratic senators on Tuesday whose support is critical for passing a climate change law, in an attempt to push climate change. And yes, as one might expect, "RINOcrat," "cap-and-tax" proponent, Senator Lindsey Graham (R - S.C.), along with far-Left Democrat John Kerry, and liberal independent Joe Lieberman are invited to the meetin ... more

Pay attention behind the wheel ... more

After 10 sessions, anxiety, depression and stress lessened, researchers say ... more

Study links intelligence test scores with key beliefs and male monogamy ... more

A common aftereffect of stroke ... more

Most don't know they have the disease, CDC says, upping risks for transmitting it to others ... more

Study of more than 80,000 who gave one up shows procedure carries few risks ... more

The problem? Available meds ignored in favor of drugs in the pipeline, review finds ... more

Therapy choice is influenced by physicians' preferences, research suggests ... more

New findings from a Universite de Montreal and the Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida (VGTI) study, in collaboration with scientists from the NIH and the McGill University Health Center, may soon lead to an expansion of the drug arsenal used to fight HIV. The Canada-U.S. study published in the journal Nature Medicine characterizes the pivotal role of two molecules, PD-1 and IL-10, in influencing the function of CD4/T-helper cells and altering their ability to fight HIV... ... more

Seeing the letter A before an exam can improve a student's exam result while exposure to the letter F may make a student more likely to fail. This is the finding of a study published in the British Journal of Educational Psychology in March 2010. The study, carried out by Dr Keith Ciani and Dr Ken Sheldon at the University of Missouri, USA, investigated whether exposing students to the letters A or F before a test affected how they performed. Dr Ciani said: "The letters A and F have significan ... more

Experiences from the Holocaust led to the international community coming together and agreeing on the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Despite this, more cases of genocide occurred during the 20th century than during any other century.Research at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, shows that it is precisely these comparisons with the Holocaust that have often hindered intervention on the part of the international community... ... more

If Reform Fails The New York Times Any change as big as this is bound to cause anxiety. Republicans have happily fanned those fears with talk of "dangerous experiments" on the "best health care system in the world." The fact is that the health care system is broken for far too many Americans. And the country cannot afford the status quo (3/6)... ... more

Medicare payment issues including rising costs, caps on physical therapy and other outpatient services for some patients are in the news. The Dallas Morning News reports that Medicare Advantage plans with drug benefits are getting more expensive: "Seniors in those plans will pay an average of $39.61 a month this year in premiums, up 14.2 percent from 2009, according to Avalere Health, a Washington health advisory firm. In contrast, the average monthly premium for those plans rose by only 5.2 per ... more

A split among Democrats on abortion is threatening to derail efforts to overhaul the nation's health care system. The Hill reports that "lawmakers took sides over whether the final health care bill contains language that would allow people receiving government subsidized health care to obtain an abortion and a White House official accused abortion opponent Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) of being 'misinformed' about the Senate bill... ... more

They are considered to be the most important model organism for research into human biology: mice may look totally different, but they are in many ways similar to Homo sapiens on a fundamental level. For instance, an impressive 99 per cent of the mouse genes are matched by a corresponding sequence in the human genome. That is also why the law in this part of the world only permits scientists to conduct research on human embryo stem cells when they have "clarified in advance" their specific quest ... more

Is aggression always the best response to a challenge? Testosterone may not necessarily cause aggression but behavior can drive testosterone secretion. In an evaluation for Faculty of 1000, Robert Sapolsky highlights a study published in Nature which assessed how testosterone affects human behavior in a 'pro-social' situation - an environment where it is beneficial for a person to help someone else. In an 'Ultimatum Game', a 'proposer' is given power to decide how a sum of money is divided betwe ... more

New breakthrough treatments for the most common cancers could soon come from cutting-edge research into some of the world's rarest tumors. At the ESMO Conference on Sarcoma and GIST, to be held in Milan, Italy, on 9 and 10 March 2010, researchers and some of the world's leading experts will discuss exciting new science on sarcomas - a group of rare tumors found in muscle, blood vessels, deep skin tissues, nerves and the tissues around joints. Although these cancers only affect a relatively small ... more

Biologists at New York University and the University of Würzburg have identified, in greater detail, how the retina's cellular hardware is used in color preference. The findings, published in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), enhance our understanding of how eyes and the brain process color. Light can serve as an attractive or repulsive landmark for orientation - we identify an object or a light source at a certain location in visual space, then a ... more

Immune cells use a bungee-like nanotube to snare dangerous cells, according to new research funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). The findings by researchers from Imperial College London show that natural killer (NK) cells use this bungee, called a membrane nanotube, to destroy cells that could otherwise escape them. NK cells are the first line of defence against dangerous cells, such as tumour cells and cells infected with bacteria and viruses, and researchers are keen to understan ... more

Children with serious intestinal problems have to be fed intravenously. Systems exist that enable intravenous feeding to be carried out at home. Mr Inaki Irastorza, paediatrician at the Cruces hospital in Bilbao, spent some 15 years analysing how serious intestinal problems in children were treated at the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London. With the gathered data he has presented a highly novel PhD thesis at the University of the Basque Country... ... more

There's no doubt that meeting partners on the Internet is a growing trend. But can we trust the information that people provide about themselves via online dating services? And why is depression so dissatisfying in relationships? These two questions are explored in articles appearing in the latest issue of the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, published by SAGE. The authors also discuss their findings in a new podcast series: Relationship Matters... ... more

Investigators have developed a new mathematical approach to analyze molecular data derived from complex mixtures of immune cells. This approach, when combined with well-established techniques, readily identifies changes in small samples of human whole blood, and has the potential to distinguish between health and disease states. Led by Mark Davis, Ph.D., and Atul Butte, M.D., Ph.D., of Stanford University, Calif... ... more

Prostate-specific dietary supplements should not be taken during radiation therapy treatments because they have been shown to increase the radiosensitivity of normal prostate cell lines, leading to normal tissue complications, according to a study in the March issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO). Many prostate cancer patients choose to take nutritional supplements to improve or incre ... more

Immune cells ensnare dangerous cells that are on the run with a bungee-like nanotube, according to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study, by researchers from Imperial College London, shows that natural killer (NK) cells use this bungee to destroy cells that could otherwise escape them. NK cells are our first line of defence against dangerous cells, such as tumour cells and cells infected with bacteria and viruses. Researchers are keen to understand ... more

Thousands will unite for autism at the 8th annual Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Speaks at the Pasadena Rose Bowl, Saturday, April 24, 2010. Powered by volunteers and families with loved ones on the autism spectrum, this fundraising effort generates vital funds for autism research, awareness and family services. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder, with 1% of the population affected... ... more

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infects nearly 100 percent of humans in early childhood, and the infection then lasts for the rest of a person's life. Now, a team led by Peter Medveczky, MD, a professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at the University of South Florida (USF), has discovered that in some individuals, HHV-6 causes such a permanent infection by inserting or "integrating" its DNA into human chromosomes. From this harbor, the viral DNA cannot be eliminated by the immune system... ... more

The Society for Nutrition Education (SNE) has partnered with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and American Society for Nutrition (ASN) to publish a position paper, "Position of the American Dietetic Association, American Society for Nutrition, and Society for Nutrition Education: Food and Nutrition Programs for Community-Residing Older Adults," focusing on access to safe and adequate food and nutrition services, including nutrition education, for the increasing number of older adults who ... more

"Chile launched a hepatitis and tetanus vaccination campaign Friday and doctors warned of outbreaks of diarrhea and infection among thousands of people displaced by the earthquake and the tsunami that heavily damaged or destroyed 36 hospitals and made garbage dumps of coastal towns and cities," the Associated Press reports. So far, no dysentery outbreaks or other communicable diseases had been reported, Chile's health ministry said, adding that it believed it had adequate amounts of tetanus and ... more

"Nearly 100 million women across Asia have 'disappeared' because of a huge and growing gender gap that has fatally deprived them of access to health care and food and has led to widespread abortions of female fetuses, according to a U.N. report released Monday," the Associated Press reports. The U.N... ... more

Poughkeepsie Journal: A new report on New York drug prices, "issued by the New York Public Interest Research Group, Consumers Union, the Center for Medical Consumers and AARP, looked at the price of the 10 most popular drugs found in the state's pharmacies provided through a Freedom of Information Law request. The analysis found a drastic price difference in the same drugs offered in different locations" (Campbell, 3/6)... ... more

A bill in the Virginia state legislature could upend a critical provision of the Democrats' health overhaul and open the door for a fresh battle over the federal government's power over states, The Boston Globe reports. "The Virginia Legislature this week is poised to become the first state to pass legislation that says citizens cannot be required to have medical insurance." Virginia joins "dozens of other states" that have floated similar measures that would ban the implementation of a federal ... more

The Associated Press: President Barack Obama will travel to Philadelphia today to "try to persuade the public to back his plan to remake the nation's health care system, while also urging uneasy lawmakers to cast a 'final vote' for a massive reform bill in an election year." Obama will then travel to St. Louis Wednesday. "Party leaders are narrowing in on a strategy that calls for House Democrats to go along with a health care bill the Senate passed in December. ... But full Democratic sup ... more

In a New York Times letter to the editor published on Monday, Guttmacher Institute President and Chief Executive Sharon Camp calls for the U.S. to "get serious about providing better health care and more educational and economic opportunities for black women." Responding to a recent Times article on antiabortion-rights groups' campaigns to target black women, Camps writes that "abortion within the African-American community should be discussed in its proper context... ... more

Washington, D.C., soon will become the first city in the U.S. to distribute female condoms at no charge, the Washington Post reports. Around 500,000 female condoms will be available within the next three weeks in beauty salons, convenience stores and high schools in parts of the city where a study found that large numbers of black heterosexuals engage in risky sexual behavior that raises their chances of contracting HIV. Shannon Hader, director of the D.C. HIV/AIDS Administration, said, "Anywher ... more

Sara Cordes, an assistant professor of psychology at Boston College, is among 118 outstanding early career scientists, mathematicians, and economists to be named Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellows for 2010, the Sloan Foundation has announced. The Sloan fellowship is a highly competitive award, with winners at 56 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada who are conducting research at the frontiers of physics, chemistry, computational and evolutionary molecular biology, computer sci ... more

Under a $7.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Rush University Medical Center is developing a novel program, called WISHFIT, to help pre-menopausal women reduce visceral fat through a sustained increase in physical activity and reduction in stress. The program itself will be designed by both Rush researchers and women in two Southside Chicago communities, Beverly and Morgan Park. These communities were the subjects of studies over the past 15 years that found a link between t ... more

New World hemorrhagic fevers are emerging infectious diseases found in South America that can cause terrible, Ebola-like symptoms. Current treatments are expensive and only partially effective. Now, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) researchers have discovered exactly how one type of New World hemorrhagic fever virus latches onto and infects human cells, offering a much-needed lead toward new treatments. "New World hemorrhagic fevers are nasty, serious, and often fatal diseases," says Steph ... more

A research team from the Laval Centre de sante et de services sociaux, Universite de Montreal and McGill University Health Centre has examined the benefits of greater collaboration between family physicians and community pharmacists for select patients. Published in the March 8 edition of the Canadian Medical Association Journal, the research project focused on patients with high levels of cholesterol who are at risk of cardiovascular disease. In all, 77 family physicians, 108 community pharmaci ... more

The U.S. 'race gap' in the commission of violent crime has narrowed substantially, yet persists - with murder arrest rates for African Americans still out-distancing those for whites - concludes a new 80-city study by the University of Maryland, Florida State University and the University of Oregon. While the gap had been cut by more than half in the 1970s, it grew again in the '80s with the advent of crack cocaine. The researchers find the gap most pronounced in communities with higher rates of ... more

The gene for a newly recognized disease has been identified thanks to the determination of an Amish father and the clinical skills and persistence of Indiana University and Riley Hospital for Children physicians in collaboration with physicians and researchers at the Clinic for Special Children in Lancaster County, Penn., which specializes in disorders of the Amish. The identification of the new multisystem autoimmune disorder and the recessive gene that causes it have been published early onlin ... more

When a romantic relationship ends, an individual's self-concept is vulnerable to change, according to research in the February issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (published by SAGE). Self-concept is defined as a person's sense of "me." Romantic partners develop shared friends, activities and even overlapping self-concepts. Using three studies, the researchers examined self-concept changes that can occur after a breakup. They found that individuals have reduced self-concept clari ... more

A new study suggests a trend toward developing hyperactivity among typically developing elementary-school-aged siblings of autistic preschoolers and supports the notion that mothers of young, autistic children experience more depression and stress than mothers with typically developing children... ... more

Pharmaceutical companies could substantially reduce the expense of costly treatments for cancer and other diseases produced from mammalian or bacterial cells by growing these human therapeutic proteins in algae - rapidly growing aquatic plant cells that have recently gained attention for their ability to produce biofuels... ... more

Some anti-depressant drugs are associated with an increased chance of developing cataracts, according to a new statistical study by researchers at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and McGill University. The study, based on a database of more than 200,000 Quebec residents aged 65 and older, showed statistical relationships between a diagnosis of cataracts or cataract surgery and the class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs ... more

Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory at Stennis Space Center are supporting Haiti relief operations. The Marine Geosciences Division's Geospatial Sciences and Technology branch is providing a specially configured version of its patented NRL Tile Server and Geospatial Information Database (GIDB) that will host maps, imagery and other geospatial information for dedicated use in Haiti relief missions. This version of the NRL Tile Server and GIDB resides on computer systems at NRL-SSC. NRL sc ... more

An asthma program specifically tailored to teens could help those in rural areas manage their disease and avoid potentially fatal complications, Medical College of Georgia researchers say. Black males have a death rate from asthma that is six times greater than their white counterparts, and Dr. Dennis Ownby, chief in the MCG School of Medicine Section of Allergy and Immunology, believes asthma rates are as bad in rural areas as they are in inner cities. "The prevalence is probably the same in ru ... more

Schools are typically on guard against students who bully by inflicting repeated violence on other students. But technology has given rise to a relatively new form of bullying which inflicts emotional harm in a stealth manner, working through Web sites, chat rooms, e-mail, cell phones and instant messaging... ... more

The Johns Hopkins Hospital has again received the 2010 American Alliance of Healthcare Providers' (AAHCP) American Hospital of Choice Award. Johns Hopkins has been selected for this award seven times since the award's inception in 2002. The award is designed to find America's most customer-friendly hospitals based either on an extensive application process, or by a review of a facility's public communication and staff interaction with customers... ... more

Researchers at Yale School of Medicine have discovered that exposure during pregnancy to Bisphenol A (BPA), a common component of plastics, causes permanent abnormalities in the uterus of offspring, including alteration in their DNA. The findings were reported in the March issue of Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB J.). Led by Hugh S. Taylor, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology Reproductive Sciences at Yale, the study is the ... more

A new method of growing arteries could lead to a "biological bypass" - or a non-invasive way to treat coronary artery disease, Yale School of Medicine researchers report with their colleagues in the April issue of Journal of Clinical Investigation. Coronary arteries can become blocked with plaque, leading to a decrease in the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. Over time this blockage can lead to debilitating chest pain or heart attack. Severe blockages in multiple major vessels may require ... more

Physicians would be better prepared for the accelerating rate of scientific discovery - and more in step with the latest in patient-care - if they added an important tool to their medical bags: a plan for how to keep pace with emerging health-care advances. That is the finding of a national study published online in the journal Academic Pediatrics which examines whether pediatric residents know how to develop plans to ensure they'll keep abreast of current medical practice... ... more

A new mental health outreach programme set up after the 2005 London bombings has successfully identified and treated hundreds of survivors. After the 7/7 bombings in 2005 a group of clinical psychologists targeted nearly a thousand survivors of the attacks by painstakingly compiling hospital treatment records, police witness files and referrals from GPs. The need for this new method of reaching potential patients was evident after results showed that only 4% of patients contacted by the programm ... more

An award from the National Science Foundation will boost a Kansas State University professor's contribution to the study of proteins while also helping college and high school science teachers learn more about computational and structural biology. Jianhan Chen, an assistant professor of biochemistry, is receiving more than $670,000 as a CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation... ... more

An already promising initiative to assist start-up firms that commercialize technologies associated with the Quality of Life Technology (QoLT) Center is now expanding thanks to a three-year, $1.5 million Innovation Award from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Engineering Education and Centers. The QoLT Center, an NSF Engineering Research Center jointly run by Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, develops intelligent systems to improve daily living, parti ... more

Children with a parent who had a stroke, particularly by age 65, have an increased risk of stroke, suggesting parental stroke as an important new risk marker, according to a study in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers focused on 3,443 initially stroke-free subjects, all second-generation participants in the Framingham Heart Study. The participants' parents had reported 106 strokes by age 65, and subjects reported 128 strokes over the 40-year study... ... more

The DASH diet, combined with exercise and calorie restriction, improved mental functioning by 30 percent in overweight adults with high blood pressure compared to those who didn't diet or exercise, researchers reported in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association. The DASH diet emphasizes eating low-fat dairy products, foods low in cholesterol and high in carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables. The DASH diet comes from the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension trial, conducte ... more

A long-acting ACE inhibitor used to reduce blood pressure significantly decreased the risk for cardiovascular disease, including stroke, in normal weight, overweight and obese patients, according to research reported in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association. In the Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study (PROGRESS), the rate of cardiovascular disease declined by more than 25 percent in normal weight, overweight and obese patient groups... ... more

Evaluating children for underlying heart problems before prescribing stimulant medications can identify children at risk for sudden cardiac death, but electrocardiogram (ECG) screening is of borderline cost-effectiveness compared to current practice, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association... ... more

The BDA is proud to announce that the respected clinical expert Dr Avijit Banerjee has been confirmed to join the prestigious panel of speakers appearing at the 2010 British Dental Conference and Exhibition, to be held on the 20 - 22 May 2010 at the Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre (ACC). Dr Banerjee, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at King's College London (KCL) Dental Institute at Guy's Hospital, will be delivering a presentation titled Revolutions in car ... more

Scientists in Australia found that when they studied insulin resistance in people with Hepatitis C little or none of it was in the liver and nearly all the insulin resistance occured in muscle, which surprised them because Hepatitis C is a liver disease that not only leads to cirrhosis and cancer, but also makes people three to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. You can read about the study that led to these findings in the March 2010 issue of the journal Gastroenterology, whic ... more

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society today announced the appointment of Helen Gordon as Chief Executive of the new Professional Leadership Body. Mrs Gordon will join the Society on the 1st of July. Mrs Gordon comes to the Society from her current position as Chief Executive of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Prior to leading the RCOG for the past five years, Mrs Gordon was Chief Executive of Queen Mary's Sidcup NHS Trust from 2000-2005. RPSGB President, Steve Churton said: " ... more

ACSH rsquo;s Jeff Stier wrote an article for the Daily Caller warning about the upcoming trial in which exaggerated health claims may extract money from funds set aside for those claiming to be suffering from conditions related to the World Trade Center wreckage ... ... more

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) to treat spasticity in the flexor muscles of the elbow, wrist, and fingers in adults. Spasticity is common after stroke, traumatic brain injury, or the progression of multiple sclerosis. ... more

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) to treat spasticity in the flexor muscles of the elbow, wrist, and fingers in adults. Spasticity is common after stroke, traumatic brain injury, or the progression of multiple sclerosis. ... more

A new study that followed participants for 20 years shows both weight and risk for diabetes decreased for people in communities where fast food prices increased. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study, published in the March 8, 2010, issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, also showed the reverse when fast food prices fell, then consumption, weight and diabetes risks rose... ... more

The collection of symptoms that is the metabolic syndrome - insulin resistance, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and a greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke - are all related to obesity, but, according to a review in the March 9th issue of the Cell Press publication Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, not in the way you probably think they are... ... more

Scientists in Australia found that when they studied insulin resistance in people with Hepatitis C little or none of it was in the liver and nearly all the insulin resistance occured in muscle, which surprised them because Hepatitis C is a liver disease that not only leads to cirrhosis and cancer, but also makes people three to four times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes... ... more

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The exercises below have been adapted from a ProBlogger post. Most of the names have been modeled after popular social media services such as Twitter, RSS, Blogger, etc,1. Cyber Squats. Set your chair aside for a few minutes and instead move to a semi-squat position with thighs parallel to the floor. Hold for 1 minute.2. RSS Raises. As you ��re sitting at your desk, straighten your knees and lift your legs out in front of you.3. Ten Minute "Move it!" Break. Alternate jogging in place with jumpin ... more

One in three early stage breast cancer patients who received genomic testing when deciding about treatment options felt they did not fully understand their discussions with physicians about their test results and their risk of the disease recurring, a new study has found... ... more

Another weapon in the arsenal against cancer: Nanoparticles that identify, target and kill specific cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. Led by Carl Batt, the Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor of Food Science, the researchers synthesized nanoparticles shaped something like a dumbbell made of gold sandwiched between two pieces of iron oxide... ... more

Warning sign for potential anticancer approach One treatment being investigated as an adjuvant for anticancer immunotherapies is the use of molecules that trigger the proteins TLR7 and TLR8. For example, the TLR7 stimulant imiquimod is used for the treatment of skin cancer and metastatic melanoma... ... more

New breakthrough treatments for the most common cancers could soon come from cutting-edge research into some of the world's rarest tumors... ... more

Immune cells ensnare dangerous cells that are on the run with a bungee-like nanotube, according to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study, by researchers from Imperial College London, shows that natural killer (NK) cells use this bungee to destroy cells that could otherwise escape them... ... more

A new method of growing arteries could lead to a "biological bypass" - or a non-invasive way to treat coronary artery disease, Yale School of Medicine researchers report with their colleagues in the April issue of Journal of Clinical Investigation. Coronary arteries can become blocked with plaque, leading to a decrease in the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart... ... more

Contact: Karen Honey press_releases@the-jci.org 734-546-5242 Journal of Clinical Investigation Tumors that grow to a certain size need to form new blood vessels if they are to acquire the oxygen and nutrients that are essential for their continued growth and spread to other sites. Although the molecules and signaling pathways that control this new blood vessel growth are potential targets for the treatment of cancer, they have not been completely defined. Using mouse models of cancer, Jadwiga Ja ... more

Contact: JAMA/Archives Media Relations mediarelations@jama-archives.org 312-464-5262 JAMA and Archives Journals Many important clinical and basic scientific advances have been made in the past five years in the field of neuro-oncology, according to an editorial and several articles in the March issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. #8220;Clearly, investigators in this field are innovative, and progress is being made on several fronts in understanding the molecular ... more

Contact: Karen Honey press_releases@the-jci.org 734-546-5242 Journal of Clinical Investigation One treatment being investigated as an adjuvant for anticancer immunotherapies is the use of molecules that trigger the proteins TLR7 and TLR8. For example, the TLR7 stimulant imiquimod is used for the treatment of skin cancer and metastatic melanoma. However, new research, performed by Isabelle Cremer and colleagues, at INSERM U872, Paris, suggests that such approaches should be developed with caution ... more

Contact: Gina DiGravio gina.digravio@bmc.org 617-638-8480 Boston University Medical Center (Boston) Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have identified a new syndrome affecting potentially thousands of hospital inpatients. Coined SHAKE (Supplement-associated Hyperammonemia After C(K)achetic Episode), the condition, which results in altered mental status and difficulty walking, can be prevented by excluding high protein dietary supplements in a patients #8217; diet if th ... more

But the move would not increase competition among health plans, said an insurance industry association, citing nonpartisan research. ... more

The Public Health Council is meeting on Wednesday, March 10 from 9-12 a.m. at their usual location, 250 Washington Street, Boston, 2nd Floor (meeting agenda (pdf)). Included on the agenda are a summary of H1N1 activities and an update on Limited Service Clinics in Massachusetts. When limited service clinics (like CVS ��s MinuteClinics) were [...] ... more

[Note: today's guest blog is by Deborah Banda, State Director, AARP Massachusetts] At AARP, we hear countless heartbreaking stories from our members who can #8217;t get affordable health care coverage or who can ��t afford their prescription drugs. We know that health care is among the most important and personal economic issues they face. AARP is fighting for [...] ... more