Health and Medical News Headlines for December 11, 2008

Pregnant women 'can eat peanuts'

Food safety experts revise advice and say pregnant women do not have to avoid peanuts.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 11 Dec 2008 | 1:24 pm

Kids with obesity-linked gene like fattening foods (AP)

AP - Scientists may have figured out one reason some people reach for the french fries instead of an apple. It could be a gene that's been linked to an increased risk of obesity. A study of children found those with a common variation of the gene tend to overeat high-calorie foods. They ate 100 extra calories per meal, which over the long term can put on weight, said Colin Palmer, who led the study at the University of Dundee in Scotland.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 11 Dec 2008 | 12:34 pm

Daschle also to oversee new health reform office (AP)

AP - Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle will pull double duty in the Obama administration, where he will serve not only as the Health and Human Services secretary but also oversee a new White House Office of Health Reform.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 11 Dec 2008 | 12:33 pm

Hong Kong confirms outbreak of H5N1 strain of bird flu at chicken farm

HONG KONG - Hong Kong authorities confirm that the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu has caused an outbreak at a local chicken farm. Tests show three chickens found dead in the farm and...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 11 Dec 2008 | 12:30 pm

SCRIP, the Leading Pharmaceutical Magazine in the World Crowns Glenmark as the "Best Pharma Company in the World - SME" and the "Best Company in Emerging Markets" at the SCRIP Awards 2008 in London

Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 11 Dec 2008 | 12:14 pm

Vivus says obesity drug leads to 9 pct weight loss

LOS ANGELES, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Drug developer Vivus Inc said on Thursday the first of three late-stage trials found that obese patients treated with the highest dose of its experimental drug Qnexa on...
Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 11 Dec 2008 | 12:00 pm

Coalition to Salute America's Heroes(TM) Hosts Record Turnout of Wounded Veterans, Families for 2008 'Road to Recovery Conference & Tribute'

Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 11 Dec 2008 | 12:00 pm

CVBT Opens Two Additional Sites for Patient Enrollment for Phase II Heart Trial

Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 11 Dec 2008 | 12:00 pm

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Mourns Loss of Chairman Thomas A. Waltz

Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 11 Dec 2008 | 12:00 pm

Alimera Sciences Begins Pilot Study to Assess Safety and Efficacy of Iluvien(TM) in Patients With Bilateral Geographic Atrophy Due to AMD

Source: Infocious RSS raw feed - channel BNewsHealth | 11 Dec 2008 | 12:00 pm

Philips Ranks No. 1 In Overall Service Performance In Patient Monitoring Systems 2008 IMV Servicetrak™ Report

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today announced that customers have again rated Philips Healthcare No. 1 in overall service performance for Patient Monitoring Systems in the annual IMV ServiceTrak™ survey. The results of the 2008 IMV analysis also show Philips earning No. 1 rankings in overall manufacturer satisfaction and probability of repurchase for patient monitoring.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

High Pesticide Levels Found In Fruit-based Drinks In Some Countries Outside U.S. - Analytical Chemistry Journal

In the first worldwide study of pesticides in fruit-based soft drinks, researchers in Spain are reporting relatively high levels of pesticides in drinks in some countries, especially the United Kingdom and Spain. Drinks sampled from the United States, however, had relatively low levels, the researchers note.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

Survival Stable For Common Cancers In England

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics today show that survival continues to vary widely between different types of cancer. Over 96 per cent of men diagnosed in England in 2000-2004 with cancer of the testis survived five years, as did 81 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

Compound To Be Evaluated As Treatment For Restless Legs Syndrome

Synosia Therapeutics today announced the start of a proof-of-concept clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nitisinone (SYN-118), a potent and selective inhibitor of hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), as a treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a neurological disorder.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

Prolonged Overall Survival For Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Demonstrated By Data

The Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Foundation have announced that data presented at this year's American Society of Hematology (ASH) Meeting in San Francisco demonstrate that patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were treated with VIDAZA (azacitidine) had significantly increased overall survival compared to those treated with conventional care regimens (CCR).
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

Zimbabwe Cholera Outbreak Control And Health Sector Reform Urgently Needed

A widespread cholera outbreak, under-resourced and under-staffed health system, and inadequate access to safe drinking water and hygiene is threatening the wellbeing of thousands of Zimbabweans. As of 9 December, 16 141 suspected cases of cholera, and 775 resultant deaths (Case Fatality Rate of 4.8%), had been recorded since August in two-thirds of the country's 62 districts.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

Budget-Friendly Healthy Gift Ideas From The American Medical Association

Finding the perfect holiday gifts on a slimmed-down budget can be a challenge even for the most savvy shopper. To help make your money go further with gifts that have a healthy impact, the American Medical Association (AMA) suggests budget-friendly gifts that will help keep family and friends healthy all year long.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

ED Miliband Urged To Act On Autism And Winter Fuel Poverty, UK

The UK Autism Foundation has appealed to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to take urgent action and help families and adults with autism and Asperger's Syndrome who are faced with fuel poverty this Christmas.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

Advance In The Battle Against "gray Mold" - ACS Chemical Biology Journal

Scientists are reporting identification of the cluster of genes responsible for the toxins produced by "gray mold," a devastating plant disease that kills almost 200 different food and ornamental plants including tomatoes, strawberries and roses.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

Kohl Bill To Address Severe Impending Shortage In Health Care Workforce, USA

Today U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Herb Kohl (D-WI) introduced legislation to address the impending severe shortage of health care workers who are adequately trained and prepared to care for older Americans.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 11 Dec 2008 | 10:00 am

Vitamins Do Not Prevent Prostate Cancer, Study Finds (Time.com)

Time.com - Despite previous studies hinting that vitamins may provide protection against cancer, a spate of new studies says they offer no benefit

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 11 Dec 2008 | 9:30 am

Advisory Panel Weighs Conflict on Asthma Drugs

Dueling messages whipsawed a board, which will be asked to vote Thursday on whether to allow several popular drugs to continue to be marketed for asthmatics.

Source: NYT > Health | 11 Dec 2008 | 9:11 am

Carbon Dioxide (No S.U.V.’s) Detected on Distant Planet

Astronomers have detected carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of a planet 63 light-years away, but the planet is too hot for any possibility of life.

Source: NYT > Health | 11 Dec 2008 | 9:10 am

Diabetes Epidemic Signals an Increase in Blindness, Too

The number of adults suffering a common cause of blindness will triple by 2050, according to a new study.

Source: NYT > Health | 11 Dec 2008 | 9:01 am

Preparing for a Bioterror Attack, Assisted Suicide on TV and Bird Flu in Hong Kong

The latest health news from around the Web.

Source: NYT > Health | 11 Dec 2008 | 9:00 am

Bernard Ackerman, 72, Dies; Expert at Skin Diagnosis

Dr. Ackerman was a founding figure in the field of dermatopathology who trained a generation of doctors to recognize skin diseases under the microscope.

Source: NYT > Health | 11 Dec 2008 | 8:36 am

Study links diabetes and coeliac

Type 1 diabetes and the food intolerance disorder coeliac disease appear to share a common genetic origin, UK research suggests.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 11 Dec 2008 | 8:24 am

Panic attacks heart danger link

People who suffer from panic attacks have a higher risk of going on to develop heart disease, say scientists.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 11 Dec 2008 | 8:17 am

Panel Criticizes U.S. Effort on Nanomaterial Risks

In a sweeping critique, the federal government has been accused of not doing enough to identify potential health and environmental risks from engineered nanomaterials.

Source: NYT > Health | 11 Dec 2008 | 7:41 am

Ground Zero Lawsuits Are to Begin in 2010

The suits claim that workers suffered illnesses as a result of their exposure to dust at ground zero, and the first to be heard will involve people with the most severe health claims.

Source: NYT > Health | 11 Dec 2008 | 6:38 am

Baby girl born from full ovary transplant (Reuters)

Reuters - Doctors in St. Louis said they have successfully transplanted a full ovary from a volunteer, allowing her infertile twin sister to give birth to a healthy baby girl on November 11.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 11 Dec 2008 | 6:27 am

Doctor Raises Concerns Over Change in Heart Devices

Regulators are about to approve use of a critical new electrical component for heart devices without adequately testing for potential risks, a prominent cardiologist warned.

Source: NYT > Health | 11 Dec 2008 | 5:51 am

Health Tip: Having Sex Despite Illness (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- People who have a chronic illness -- which may include heart disease, diabetes or asthma -- may have ongoing pain or fatigue that can hinder a healthy sex life.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 11 Dec 2008 | 4:49 am

Clinical Trials Update: Dec. 10, 2008 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of CenterWatch:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 11 Dec 2008 | 4:48 am

Scientists ID Enzyme Causing Brain Cell Death (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- An enzyme believed to play a role in the death of neurons in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases has been identified by U.S. researchers.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 11 Dec 2008 | 4:48 am

Obesity is a Family Affair (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Dec. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Although genetics likely play a role in whether or not someone becomes overweight or obese, a family's lifestyle also has a major impact on the chances of a teenager winding up overweight, a new study shows.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 11 Dec 2008 | 4:48 am

Internet-Based CME Leads to Good Evidence-Based Clinical Choices

Physicians who participate in selected internet-based continuing medical education (CME) activities are more likely to make evidence-based clinical decisions than their counterparts who do not participate in these types of CME, according to new research.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Dec 2008 | 4:29 am

Man's genes 'key to baby's sex'

A study of hundreds of years of family trees suggests a man's genes may play a role in him having more sons or daughters.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 11 Dec 2008 | 1:29 am

Gene 'triggers unhealthy eating'

People who carry a gene variant linked to obesity eat an average of 100 extra calories per meal, research suggests.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 11 Dec 2008 | 1:03 am

About 1 in 9 US kids use alternative medicine (AP)

AP - Just like their parents, kids are taking herbal supplements from fish oil to ginseng, a sign of just how mainstream alternative medicine has become. More than one in nine children and teens try those remedies and other nontraditional options, the government said Wednesday in its first national study of young people's use of these mostly unproven treatments.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 10 Dec 2008 | 11:11 pm

Provoking debate

'TV death' reignites issue of assisted suicide
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 10 Dec 2008 | 11:11 pm

Rosiglitazone May Be Useful for Resistant Primary Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

In a phase 1 trial, rosiglitazone therapy was safe and well tolerated, offering a rationale for evaluating the efficacy of rosiglitazone as an antifibrotic agent for primary FSGS.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 10 Dec 2008 | 11:05 pm

Obesity-Associated Gene Variant May Play Role in Controlling Food Choices

A study in Scottish children has shown that a variant of the FTO gene influences energy intake and increasing preference for energy-dense foods rather than altering energy expenditure.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 10 Dec 2008 | 10:56 pm

Generic drug prices falling in US (AP)

AP - Finally, a little good health care news for consumers: U.S. prices for generic prescription drugs, which already cost as little as one-third what their brand-name cousins do, have been getting cheaper and likely will keep doing so.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 10 Dec 2008 | 10:30 pm

FDA Panel Asks: Are Asthma Drugs Safe?

Serevent, Symbicort, and Foradil are the focus of a triple FDA panel meeting investigating their safety.
WebMD Health News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 10 Dec 2008 | 10:17 pm

Mediterranean Diet Plus Mixed Nuts Reduces Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in PREDIMED

The beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet on the metabolic syndrome occur without changes in exercise habits, energy expenditure, or weight loss, report investigators.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 10 Dec 2008 | 10:00 pm

ACS, Deep-Vein Thrombosis Linked to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

A study shows that patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have an increased risk for acute coronary syndrome and deep-vein thrombosis and such patients should be assessed for vascular disease.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 10 Dec 2008 | 10:00 pm

ASH 2008: Eltrombopag Offers "Important New Option" in ITP

The just-approved drug produces responses in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura who are refractory to other treatments.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 10 Dec 2008 | 10:00 pm

Women With STEMI Fare Worse Than Men

Men and women had nearly the same in-hospital death rate for acute myocardial infarction, but women were twice as likely to die if hospitalized for a more severe type of myocardial infarction.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 10 Dec 2008 | 10:00 pm

Blogs : Humor pages | Norkay's Blog | Kids Stories | Indian Recipes | Database Tech Blog

Sundries : World Video Clips | Songs Clips | Indian Video Clips |