Health and Medical News Headlines for September 23, 2009

Brits have had 'indirect sex' with 2.8 mln people (AFP)

AFP - The average British man or woman has slept with 2.8 million people -- albeit indirectly, according to figures released Wednesday to promote awareness of sexual health.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Sep 2009 | 4:12 am

Hope over new skin cancer therapy

Scientists have presented results of an experimental new drug which in early stage trials has significantly shrunk skin cancer tumours.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 23 Sep 2009 | 3:19 am

BiolineRX says drug helps schizophrenic cognition

TEL AVIV, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Israeli drug development company BiolineRX said on Wednesday results of a Phase 2b trial of its schizophrenia treatment BL-1020 demonstrate a positive impact on the cognitive...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 3:18 am

Roche's Avastin misses melanoma goal, after all

* Avastin shows promising trend in trial but not significant
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 3:15 am

CCB unit invests $14.6 mln in rubber stopper maker

BEIJING, Sept 23 (Reuters) - China Construction Bank (CCB) said on Wednesday that it had invested 100 million yuan ($14.6 million) in a rubber stopper company, in a bid to tap into China's booming healthcare...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 2:57 am

ONGC Videsh to increase Brazil block output by Dec

NEW DELHI, Sept 23 (Reuters) - ONGC Videsh, the overseas investment arm of India's Oil and Natural Gas Corp , expects crude oil output from its offshore block in Brazil to reach 40,000 barrels per day...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 2:47 am

Thailand's IRPC sees 2009 revenue at 170-180 bln baht

BANGKOK, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Thailand's IRPC said on Wednesday it aimed for 2009 revenue of 170-180 bilion baht ($5.07-$5.37 billion), assuming oil prices for the year fell in a range from $60 to $70...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 2:40 am

UPDATE 3-UK's Yell Group plans 500 mln stg cash call

* Trading in line with guidance; little improvement seen
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 2:31 am

UPDATE 1-Goldshield execs say MBO would be above 440p/share

* Execs say private equity funding secured for possible bid
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 2:31 am

CORRECTED-CNOOC says 09 Huizhou targets under pressure

(Corrects to clarify that target to raise production by 15 percent in 2009 is for the company's overall output, and not for Huizhou oilfield.)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 2:30 am

EU clears Novartis buy of Ebewe's cancer drug unit

BRUSSELS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - European Union antitrust regulators cleared Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG on Wednesday to take over Ebewe SP, the generic cancer drugs operation of Austria's Ebewe Pharma...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 2:30 am

FACTBOX - Major power projects in the Balkans

Sept 23 (Reuters) - After decades without investment in the power sector, Balkan countries are seeking partners to expand generation capacity to meet growing demand and potentially boost economic growth...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Sep 2009 | 2:25 am

Fat? Me?

Many who are obese do not realise it
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:59 am

Clarity due on assisted suicide

Guidelines on the assisted suicide law will be published this week to clarify when people are likely to be prosecuted.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:34 am

Democrats try to move on health bill; GOP objects (AP)

AP - Senate Finance Committee Democrats working on sweeping health care legislation are attempting a delicate juggling act: Making health insurance more affordable for millions of Americans while holding down spending.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:07 am

Safety Of Home Birth (McMaster Study)

Midwives in Ontario, Canada, have been providing care for expectant mothers in both home and hospital settings. They have been integrated into the provincial health-care system since 1994. A recent study by McMaster University researchers reveals that low-risk women giving birth with the assistance of midwives have positive outcomes regardless of where the delivery takes place.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

Anti-Tumor Activity In Mice Enhanced By Short-Term Stress, Stanford Study Shows

Public speaking, anyone? Or maybe a big job interview? Dry your palms and take a deep, calming breath; there may be a silver lining. Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that, at least in laboratory mice, bouts of relatively short-term stress can boost the immune system and protect against one type of cancer.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

Incyte Announces Positive Top-Line Phase IIb Results For Topical INCB18424 In Psoriasis

Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq:INCY) announced positive clinical trial results for a topical formulation of its lead janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, INCB18424, in psoriasis. These results were obtained from a multi-center three-month Phase IIb trial comparing three once-daily doses of topical INCB18424 to vehicle in 200 patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

Drug-Eluting Stents Proven Safe, Effective For PCI In Diabetics

Results of a multicenter study in Asia, demonstrating that drug-eluting stents are effective with a low rate of complications in diabetic patients, was presented at the 21st annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF).
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

Impax Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Results Of Phase II Trial Of IPX066, A Novel Formulation Of Carbidopa-Levodopa For Parkinson's Disease

Impax Pharmaceuticals, the brand products division of Impax Laboratories, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPXL) reported the positive results from a recently completed Phase II trial of its late-stage Parkinson's Disease drug candidate IPX066 In this cross-over trial, IPX066 reduced subjects' "off" time during waking hours by 2 hours compared to Sinemet (3.8 hours of "off" time for IPX066 vs. 5.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

Treatment For Severe Respiratory Failure From Conditions Like Swine Flu Is Better When ECMO Is Part Of Treatment Than With Conventional Ventilation

Patients with severe acute respiratory failure (ARF) should be referred for treatment using extracorporeal membrane `oxygenation (ECMO), rather than using conventional ventilator management, to improve their chances of survival without disability. ECMO would be cost-effective in the UK and other countries with similar health care costs.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

For Treatment Of Chronic Total Occlusions, Drug-Eluting Stents Found To Be Safe And Effective

A multicenter study in Asia found drug-eluting stents effective with a low rate of acute complications in patients with chronic total occlusions (CTOs) undergoing PCI. Results of the study will be presented at the 21st annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF).
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

Spontaneous And Medically Induced Preterm Births Contribute Equally To The Rising Rate Of Preterm Births: Scottish Study

Research published this week in the open access journal PLoS Medicine shows that the rising rate of preterm birth in Scotland is as much a result of an increase in spontaneous preterm birth as it is of preterm birth that is medically-induced to avoid risking the lives of the mother and child.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

Pitt's Critical Care Medicine Experts Honor A Founder Of The Field

In celebration of his groundbreaking efforts that helped launch a new medical discipline, the Department of Critical Care Medicine (CCM) hosted a reception for Distinguished Service Professor Ake Grenvik, M.D., Ph.D., who has retired after a 40-year career at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

Increased Risk Of Death From Lung Cancer With Hormone Replacement Therapy

An article published Online First and in a future edition of The Lancet reports that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) using oestrogen and progestin increases the risk of death from lung cancer. This finding should be included into risk-benefit consideration for women considering HRT. It is especially essential for women at high risk of lung cancer.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Sep 2009 | 1:00 am

Flavors Banned From Cigarettes to Deter Youths

The ban is the first major crackdown on cigarettes since the Food and Drug Administration was given authority to regulate tobacco products.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Sep 2009 | 12:12 am

Vital Signs: Awareness: In Medical Schools, Some Rudeness Online

A study that looked at the posting of unprofessional content by medical students found the practice was more common than anticipated.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Sep 2009 | 12:01 am

Parties Clash on Long-Awaited Day for Health Bill

The Senate Finance Committee began work on a health proposal by its chairman amid Democratic optimism.

Source: NYT > Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 11:49 pm

Economic Scene: A System Breeding More Waste

Economists and researchers estimate that doctors’ fear of lawsuits leads to a large amount of wasteful treatment — up to $60 billion worth a year.

Source: NYT > Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 11:30 pm

Congressional Memo: G.O.P. Senator Draws Critics in Both Parties

Just as the health care debate has taken its toll on President Obama’s popularity, Charles E. Grassley’s long-iconic status in Iowa has suffered as he seeks a sixth term.

Source: NYT > Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 11:24 pm

Travelers’ Fee Can Help Fight Diseases

The extension of a United Nations program is expected to add hundreds of millions of dollars to a health program.

Source: NYT > Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 11:16 pm

War torn

Putting gravely-injured soldiers back together
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 22 Sep 2009 | 10:29 pm

Flu Can Raise Chances of Heart Attack (HealthDay)

HealthDay - MONDAY, Sept. 21 (HealthDay News) -- People suffering from the flu may be at higher risk for having a heart attack, especially those with heart disease and diabetes, British researchers report.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:49 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Sept. 22, 2009 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:49 pm

Leukemia Cells May Hide in Fat Tissue (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Sept. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Leukemia cells can hide in fat tissue to evade chemotherapy, which may explain why obese children with leukemia are more likely to develop chemotherapy resistance and have higher relapse rates, researchers say.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:49 pm

By Debbie's side

How assisted suicide rules will help this husband
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 22 Sep 2009 | 7:32 pm

Killer prostate cancer test hope

Scientists discover a protein that predicts survival from prostate cancer at diagnosis.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 22 Sep 2009 | 6:42 pm

'Deaths rise' with junior doctors

A small but statistically significant number of patients die each year when junior doctors start work in August, a study finds.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 22 Sep 2009 | 5:04 pm

The Science (and Art) of Depression Medication

Did you know that as much as some doctors and researchers like to think that medicine is a science, it is very much an art too?
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 3:24 pm

Survey: Med students reckless on Internet

In 2007, a resident surgeon snapped a picture of a patient's tattoo -- the words Hot Rod on his penis -- and shared it with colleagues, making international news when the story was leaked to the press. At least the resident didn't post the picture on the Internet.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 3:15 pm

Senate panel begins consideration of Baucus plan

Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Tuesday he will focus on health care costs as he offers changes to the compromise health care proposal he unveiled last week.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 3:14 pm

Couple says they got the wrong embryos

When Carolyn and Sean Savage were told they were carrying another couple's child after IVF treatment, they were shocked. How they chose to handle the situation may surprise some.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 3:02 pm

Med students crossing the line on the Internet (AP)

AP - From Facebook to YouTube to personal blogs, future doctors are crossing the line and getting in trouble.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 22 Sep 2009 | 2:00 pm

Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Dialysis May Increase Risk for Chronic Dialysis but Not for Death

Hospitalized patients with acute kidney problems requiring dialysis are at increased risk of receiving chronic dialysis once discharged but do not have an increased risk for mortality.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 1:56 pm

FDA ban on flavored cigs takes effect (AP)

AP - The new federal ban on flavored cigarettes took effect on Tuesday, marking one of the first visible signs of the Food and Drug Administration's new authority to regulate tobacco.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 22 Sep 2009 | 1:21 pm

Tanning may up skin cancer risk for palest kids (Reuters)

Reuters - Very light-skinned children who tan in the sun develop significantly more moles than their peers who stay pale in the sun, new research shows.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 22 Sep 2009 | 1:19 pm

Findings: To Explain Longevity Gap, Look Past Health System

Researchers calculated that if deaths due to smoking were excluded, the United States would rise to the top half of the rankings for developed countries.

Source: NYT > Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 1:16 pm

Tobacco, Marijuana Use Decrease Blood Concentrations of HIV Drug

A study of HIV-positive patients finds that tobacco and marijuana smoking decreases blood levels of atazanavir, but no effect is seen on viral load or CD4 count.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 12:05 pm

Sore Lips, a Cinderella Adverse Effect of Chemotherapy

A study of the under-reported adverse effects of sore lips led one consultant oncologist to concoct a lip salve made from natural oils, which is now being tested in a clinical trial.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 11:38 am

US bans cigarettes flavored with candy, fruit, cloves (AFP)

AFP - Cigarettes flavored with fruit, candy or cloves became illegal in the United States on Tuesday under a new law aimed at cutting down on smoking, especially among children, officials said.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 22 Sep 2009 | 11:14 am

Declining Financial Skills in MCI Predict Subsequent AD

A new longitudinal study shows that a decline in the ability to handle personal finances may signal incipient conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 11:12 am

Students and H1N1 mingle on campus

The reminders are everywhere: Wash your hands. Use hand sanitizers. Stay away from class if you're sick. College students say they're reminded nearly daily about flu prevention, but are they heeding the message?

Source: CNN.com - Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 10:35 am

FDA: 'limited' benefit with tamper-proof OxyContin (AP)

AP - Federal health officials say a new version of the painkiller OxyContin that is designed to be harder to abuse offers some improvements over the original pill.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 22 Sep 2009 | 10:13 am

Combining Hysterectomy With Reconstructive Surgery Increases Complications

Women who undergo vaginal hysterectomy and reconstructive pelvic surgery during the same operation are more likely to have perioperative complications than those who undergo hysterectomy alone, new research shows.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 10:12 am

Integrase Inhibitor Shows Promise in Treatment-Naïve Patients With Drug-Resistant HIV Strains

The STARTMRK trial demonstrates sustained clinical benefit and fewer adverse effects with raltegravir than the gold standard HIV regimen containing efavirenz.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 10:08 am

Vital Signs: Screening: Value of CT Scans in Youths Is Questioned

A new study has found that many CT scans in children used to rule out head injury are unnecessary.

Source: NYT > Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:57 am

No Added Benefit for PCI in Older Patients With Stable Heart Disease

In older patients with stable coronary disease, adding percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to optimal medical therapy neither improves nor worsens their outcomes, new research shows.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:56 am

Exposure to Antiepileptic Drugs During Pregnancy Linked to Adverse Outcomes

New research suggests that it is largely the drugs used to treat epilepsy and not the condition itself that increase the risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:56 am

Surprised? Smoking Status Doesn't Predict Cardiovascular Death With Arterial Disease

Could it be good news for smokers? Current and past-smokers with coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral artery disease have less than half the cardiovascular mortality than never-smokers, the initial findings from a new study suggest.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:56 am

Observatory: In Bangladesh, Findings on Arsenic and Water

Wells that have been dug into relatively shallow aquifers produce drinking water with levels of arsenic far above those considered safe.

Source: NYT > Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:45 am

A Conversation With Martin Chalfie: Watching Life in Real Time

Martin Chalfie may have slept through the notification that he had won a Nobel Prize, but his career has been one of alert discovery.

Source: NYT > Health | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:44 am

Launch of European Academy of Cancer Societies Announced

The European Academy of Cancer Societies will strive to give knowledgeable and unbiased advice on matters of policy and priorities at the national, European, and global levels.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 22 Sep 2009 | 9:35 am

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