Health and Medical News Headlines for October 25, 2008

Bishops call for bigger role for women in Bible reading

Roman Catholic bishops on Saturday called for women to be given a bigger role in reading from the Bible at religious ceremonies. Bishops attending a synod at the Vatican said
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 25 Oct 2008 | 2:32 pm

The Saturday Profile: In Mozambique, Singing a Song of Sanitation and Hoping to Change Habits

While Feliciano dos Santos, one of southern Africa’s leading musicians, sings about love and sorrow, he is better known for songs of a more peculiar sort.

Source: NYT > Health | 25 Oct 2008 | 12:28 pm

A Whole New Form Of Life Produced By Earlier Global Warming

Researchers from McGill University, along with colleagues from the California Institute of Technology, the Curie Institute in Paris, Princeton University and other institutions, have unearthed crystalline magnetic fossils of a previously unknown species of microorganism that lived at the boundary of the Paleocene and Eocene epochs, some 55 million years ago. Their results were published Oct.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 12:00 pm

Science In China: Special Issue On Advances In New Generation Internet Architecture Research

According to statistics, the Internet has become the most important information infrastructure of human society these days, accounting for 80% of human information exchange, and providing great strategic significance for social progress, economic development and national security.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 11:00 am

Norhealth Leads The Way For Public Health Information Systems

Norhealth is an interactive web-based health information system that has created a knowledge base for health promotion and prevention strategies in Norway. An article about Norhealth has been published in the September issue of Scandinavian Journal of Public Health.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 10:00 am

Stem Cell Research To Benefit Horse Owners And Trainers

In a potential breakthrough for the performance horse industry (such as racing and polo), Melbourne scientists are aiming to harness stem cells to repair tendon, ligament, cartilage and bone damage in horses.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 9:00 am

China, Vietnam seek sea border resolution "this year"

BEIJING, Oct 25 (Reuters) - China and Vietnam have agreed
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 25 Oct 2008 | 8:08 am

Long-Term Reproductive Success Results From Exposing Chicks To Maternal Stress

Do mothers purposely expose their offspring to their own stress? If so, why? The question arises because it is widely accepted that exposure to maternal stress during pre-natal development can have negative impacts on offspring following birth.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 8:00 am

A Study Explains Why Some People Have A Better Head For Languages

Learning a second language is usually difficult and often when we speak it we cannot disguise our origin or accent. However, there are important differences between individuals with regard to the degree to which a second language is mastered, even for people who have lived in a bilingual environment since childhood.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 8:00 am

Mouse Genes Guide Search For Human Anxiety Disorder Genes

We are all familiar with the question - "Are you a man or a mouse?" What if the answer is "a little of both"? Because of the power of molecular genetics research in animals and the maturation of animal models, the path to identifying genes involved in particular types of behavior, such as fear, is much clearer in animals than in humans.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 8:00 am

Alcohol: A Life Sentence

Every year, almost 4000 babies in Germany are born with alcohol-related defects. The mothers of these children have often drunk alcohol regularly during the pregnancy. The consequences are often devastating and commonly persist into adulthood.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 8:00 am

Experts Say Staph Is Common Problem for Athletes

Despite the recent reports of football-related staph infections, experts say they only highlight how prevalent infections are among professional athletes.

Source: NYT > Health | 25 Oct 2008 | 7:00 am

Artificial Pancreas Could Revolutionize Treatment Of Type 1 Diabetes

Researchers at the University of Virginia and sites across the globe are testing a computerized, subcutaneous system that could one day transform the way Type 1 diabetics manage their disease.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 7:00 am

Program Cuts Glucose Levels Among Its 14,000 Diabetes Patients

With diabetes a national epidemic and the prevalence of the disease as high as 18 percent in the South Bronx, a unique physician "pay-for-performance" program at Montefiore Medical Center has reduced blood sugar and cholesterol levels significantly among many of this borough's diabetes population.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Oct 2008 | 7:00 am

Medicare officials to review insurers' commissions (AP)

AP - Federal health officials said Friday they will soon address growing concerns about the lucrative commissions that some Medicare insurers plan to pay their agents and brokers this year.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 25 Oct 2008 | 6:29 am

Sales of Test for Ovarian Cancer Halted

Sales of the controversial blood test were halted after a warning from the Food and Drug Administration.

Source: NYT > Health | 25 Oct 2008 | 5:13 am

Special Pakistan stock purchase session delayed

ISLAMABAD, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Authorities have postponed a
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 25 Oct 2008 | 4:15 am

New MS Therapies Show Promise (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Oct. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Two medications may prove to be advances in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, researchers say.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 25 Oct 2008 | 3:48 am

Health Tip: Trick-or-Treating Safely (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Halloween can be great fun for children and parents alike. But parents still need to enforce some rules to help ensure a safe night of trick-or-treating.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 25 Oct 2008 | 3:48 am

Colon Cancer Drug Won't Help Those With Certain Gene Mutation (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Oct. 22 (HealthDay News) -- A new study suggests that people with advanced colon cancer who have a particular gene mutation won't benefit from the medication cetuximab (Erbitux).
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 25 Oct 2008 | 3:48 am

Medicare officials to review insurers' commissions

Federal health officials said Friday they will soon address growing concerns about the lucrative commissions that some Medicare insurers plan to pay their agents and brokers this year. ...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 25 Oct 2008 | 12:08 am

Two cases of meningitis C in N.S. children not linked; public health official

LUNENBURG, N.S. - The cases of two preschool-age children in Nova Scotia's Lunenburg County who tested positive for meningitis C are not connected. Public Health officials say they...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Oct 2008 | 11:38 pm

Alberta government opens 20 new addiction treatment beds for young adults

CALGARY - The Alberta government is opening 20 new addiction treatment beds specifically for young adults between 18 and 24 years old. Health Minister Ron Liepert says young men and...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Oct 2008 | 11:37 pm

Travellers warned about typhoid overseas after spike in B.C. cases

VANCOUVER, B.C. - B.C. health authorities say cases of typhoid fever in some areas of Metro Vancouver have jumped almost 50 per cent since 2007. The Fraser Health Authority says more...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Oct 2008 | 11:25 pm

Action call over maternal deaths

Targets to cut the number of women dying during pregnancy and childbirth are unlikely to be met, WHO says.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 24 Oct 2008 | 11:15 pm

Artery repair

How aneurysms are being treated using keyhole surgery
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 24 Oct 2008 | 11:15 pm

White adults who see discrimination often overweight (Reuters)

Reuters - Certain white adults who say they've been discriminated against in their daily lives are more likely to be obese than their peers who haven't perceived personal discrimination, a new study finds.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Oct 2008 | 11:14 pm

400 reports of baby rashes prompt clothing warning (AP)

AP - The government is warning parents about Carter's Inc. baby garments with tag-less labels after about 400 babies who wore the clothing developed rashes on their backs.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Oct 2008 | 10:11 pm

UPDATE 1-Thoratec warns of heart-pump failure; shares tank

Oct 24 (Reuters) - Shares of Thoratec Corp lost
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Oct 2008 | 10:02 pm

NJ's Star-Ledger cuts 40 pct of newroom staff-WSJ

NEW YORK, Oct 24 (Reuters) - The Star-Ledger in New Jersey,
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Oct 2008 | 9:59 pm

US lawmaker questions Google-backed spectrum plan

Friday joined a growing chorus asking the head of the Federal
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Oct 2008 | 9:48 pm

Candidate Genes Implicated in Schizophrenia

A Dutch study finds copy number variations in several neuronal function genes in schizophrenic patients.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 9:20 pm

Chest CT Recommended for Detecting Lung Metastasis in Head and Neck Cancer

Among high-risk patients with head and neck cancer, chest computed tomography may help detect disease progression involving the lungs.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 9:00 pm

Raised Blood Pressure/BMI in Midlife Predicts Heart Failure in Later Life

Higher blood pressure and body mass index in midlife increased risk for heart failure in later life; heart failure prevention strategies should be lifelong, the authors conclude.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 9:00 pm

Manual Physical Therapy, Exercise May Improve Neck Pain, Disability

In a randomized controlled trial, physical therapy and exercise for neck pain and disability were statistically significantly better than a program combining advice, mobility exercise, and ultrasound.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 9:00 pm

Patient-Physician Email Communication May Be Effective

A survey shows that patients prefer email communication with their physician, which takes less time for physicians than does telephone messaging.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 9:00 pm

Reducing Heart Rate in Hypertension Is Harmful -- or Is It Just Atenolol?

Slowing the heart rate with beta-blockers, particularly atenolol, in people with hypertension is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events and death, a new systematic review shows.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 9:00 pm

Study Finds 1 in 7 New Mothers Depressed Before, During, and After Pregnancy

A study of a large healthcare database found that approximately 1 in 7 new mothers are identified as having depression during at least 1 phase of pregnancy.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 9:00 pm

Beleaguered Nitromed Plans Exit From Bidil Business

The company has closed a deal to sell its only product to JHB Pharmaceuticals.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 6:30 pm

Pill camera works well in elderly (Reuters)

Reuters - The video camera-in-a-capsule has revolutionized bowel examinations, and now doctors in Greece have shown that advancing age does not compromise the success of the procedure.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Oct 2008 | 6:18 pm

FDA Committee Raises Bar on Radionuclide Imaging Requirements

The advisory committee is recommending higher standards for companies investigating radiopharmaceuticals that are able to detect amyloids to assist in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 6:00 pm

Cases: A Planet of Pain, Where No Words Are Quite Right

Until you belong to the imaginary club of Mothers Without Children, it is a secret planet of pain, all but invisible to the outside world.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Oct 2008 | 4:28 pm

Alemtuzumab More Effective Than Interferon Beta-1a, but Serious Safety Concerns Remain

Alemtuzumab is more effective than interferon beta-1a for the treatment of early relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis, reducing relapse and disability rates and restoring lost function. However, the monoclonal antibody is associated with serious safety concerns, including autoimmunity, which manifested as immune thrombocytopenic purpura in 3 patients, 1 of whom died.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Oct 2008 | 4:17 pm

'New prostate' grown inside mouse

Scientists have grown new prostate glands in mice, in another advance for stem cell technology.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 24 Oct 2008 | 4:07 pm

Iraq vets and PTSD: No simple answers

When Army Sgt. Kristofer Goldsmith returned home from four years of active duty in Iraq, he was a changed man: angry, depressed and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It was a long and painful journey to reclaim his life. Here is his story.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 24 Oct 2008 | 3:17 pm

Memory meltdown -- How to combat it

I'd barely crossed the threshold of middle age. As a journalist, I was invested in staying smart and quick, mistress of my good brain and sardonic tongue. But almost overnight, I found that I was missing critical information -- the names of people and places, the titles of books and movies.