Health and Medical News Headlines for October 21, 2009

UPDATE 3-Ferrovial's BAA sells Gatwick airport at a loss

* Ferrovial's BAA appealing a UK competition ruling * Ferrovial shares down 4.2 pct
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 3:44 am

UPDATE 1-China's Volvo bid may stall over intellectual property

* Intellectual property concerns a major stumbling block
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 3:40 am

FACTBOX-BHP Billiton's huge Olympic Dam mine

Oct 21 (Reuters) - Key facts about BHP Billiton's Olympic Dam mine in southern Australia, which will not return to full capacity until the March quarter of 2010 after its main shaft was damaged following...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 3:13 am

UPDATE 2-Elan ups earnings guidance, Q3 cost cuts impress

DUBLIN, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Irish drugmaker Elan raised full-year earnings guidance after swinging to a profit in the third quarter, when tight cost control made up for sales growth falling short of expectations...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 3:09 am

UPDATE 1-Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions

Oct 21 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals involving European, U.S. and Asian companies were reported by 0900 GMT on Wednesday. (For Reuters columns on deals, click on...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 3:07 am

Indonesia power firm seeks to defer coal supplies

JAKARTA, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Indonesia's state power firm is negotiating with two coal producers, including a unit of PT Bumi Resources Tbk , to defer a contract to supply coal to a power plant in West...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 3:04 am

TABLE-MEDIVIR 3-month results

Oct 21 (Reuters) - 3 months to Sep 30 2009: Medivir AB (Millions of Swedish crowns unless otherwise stated)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 3:02 am

REFILE-Egypt's EFG-Hermes says not raising Bank Audi stake

CAIRO, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Egyptian investment bank EFG-Hermes said on Wednesday it was not planning to substantially increase its stake in Lebanon's Bank Audi above the 28 percent it already owns. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 3:00 am

'Weight loss lip balm' under fire

Health workers warn against trying a lip balm that the makers claim helps weight loss.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 21 Oct 2009 | 2:53 am

UPDATE 1-Taqa, partners invest 800 mln eur in gas storage

AMSTERDAM, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi National Energy Co (Taqa) said on Wednesday it had agreed with partners to invest 800 million euros ($1.2 billion) to jointly develop a gas storage project in the...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 2:30 am

Geely talks to buy Ford's Volvo unit stall - source

HONG KONG, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Geely Holding's discussions to acquire Volvo from Ford Motor Co have stalled over disagreements on intellectual property, a source close to the talks said on Wednesday. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Oct 2009 | 2:21 am

Is My Robot Happy To See Me?

People are social creatures. Robots â€¦ not so much. When we think of robots, we think of cold, metallic computers without emotion. If science fiction has taught us anything, though, it's that we crave emotion, even in our robots - think C-3PO or Star Trek's Data.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

Confirmation To Back Extension Of Treatment Window For Stroke To 4.5 Hours (ECASS III Study)

Research published from ECASS III has suggested that alteplase leads to better outcomes than placebo in stroke patients in the 3.0 to 4.5 hour window after a stroke. An article published Online First and in the December edition of The Lancet Neurology reports additional evidence to back the extension of the treatment window for stroke using alteplase to 4.5 hours.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

Scientists Make The Case For New Body Fat Assessment

The body mass index (BMI) has long been the yardstick in deciding who is at risk because of their weight. BMI is essentially a measure of density, identifying 'under-' and 'over-weight' risk groups. Recent studies however point towards a more sophisticated approach to the issue.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

For Management Of Hyperuricemia In Patients With Gout, Uloric (Febuxostat) Demonstrated Efficacy

Additional analysis showed that reduction and long-term maintenance of normal serum urate levels also reduced risk of future gout flares Data presented at the 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology highlight effects of baseline characteristics on achievement of seru
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

Study Examines Complications Of Thyroid Surgery In Older Patients

In a study of patients undergoing thyroid surgery performed by a single surgeon, older adults did not appear to have more complications than younger patients, according to a report in October issue of Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. The segment of the U.S.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

Aggressive Microdermabrasion Induces Wound-Healing Response In Aging Skin

Microdermabrasion using a coarse diamond-studded instrument appears to induce molecular changes in the skin of older adults that mimic the way skin is remodeled during the wound healing process, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

Emotional Response To Breast Cancer

Well-educated women and those who live alone are emotionally the hardest hit by breast cancer, according to the findings of a new Australian study announced during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

A Mobile, Four-Wheeled Platform, CYCLOPS May Help Refine And Enhance The Design Of Visual Prostheses

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have created a remote-controlled robot that is able to simulate the "visual" experience of a blind person who has been implanted with a visual prosthesis, such as an artificial retina. An artificial retina consists of a silicon chip studded with a varying number of electrodes that directly stimulate retinal nerve cells.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

Interactive 3D Visualisations Of Biological Molecules Integrated Into The Scholarly Literature

On October 20th 2009, PLoS ONE will feature an impressive new 3D molecular animation technology on five newly published articles. This represents the start of a new PLoS ONE collection entitled "Structural Biology and Human Health: Medically Relevant Proteins from the SGC" (also known as the 'Structural Genomics Consortium').
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

Supervised Exercise Therapy For Knee Pain Is Better Than Usual Care

A study published today on bmj.com reports that supervised exercise therapy is more effective at reducing pain and improving function than usual care for patients with severe knee pain. Knee pain is a common reason to visit the doctor. Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a condition in which pain occurs at the front of the knee during or after exercise.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Oct 2009 | 1:00 am

Senate Democrats Hit Snag With Doctor Payment Bill

Senate Democrats backed down from their effort to increase Medicare payments to doctors without offsetting any of the cost over the next 10 years.

Source: NYT > Health | 21 Oct 2009 | 12:27 am

Doctors Told to Give Flu Medicine Promptly

Federal health officials warned physicians not to rely on flu tests to make decisions about whether to treat sick patients.

Source: NYT > Health | 21 Oct 2009 | 12:23 am

In Shift, Cancer Society Has Concerns on Screenings

The American Cancer Society says screenings can come with a risk of overtreating many small cancers while missing cancers that are deadly.

Source: NYT > Health | 21 Oct 2009 | 12:22 am

Sheldon J. Segal, Who Developed Contraceptives, Dies at 83

Mr. Segal’s breakthroughs included Norplant, a surgically implanted long-lasting birth-control device that had a stormy history in the United States.

Source: NYT > Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 11:56 pm

Schools to Start Offering Swine Flu Shots

Information about the two forms of the vaccine is being sent home along with the consent forms.

Source: NYT > Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 11:53 pm

Square Feet: Westchester Slowly Lures Biotech Companies

Westchester County has drawn a number of biotech companies with its combination of highly educated workers and easy access to Manhattan.

Source: NYT > Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 11:34 pm

Cost-Cutting Helps Pfizer Overcome Lower Sales

The company slashed costs in manufacturing, marketing, research and development and more to produce a profit of $2.88 billion.

Source: NYT > Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 11:30 pm

At 75, George Hirsch Will Run New York City Once More

George Hirsch, the founding publisher of New York Magazine, plans to be at the starting line of the New York City Marathon.

Source: NYT > Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 11:23 pm

F.D.A. to Clarify Standards for the Front of Food Labels

The government said it wants nutrition labels to be more frank, and that could be a challenge for the Smart Choices program.

Source: NYT > Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 11:08 pm

Steps to Greater Accountability in Medical Education

The overseer of the accreditation group said he would make public a previously confidential listing of classes and companies that violated rules against commercial bias.

Source: NYT > Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 10:57 pm

Clues to Hypertension in Kids May Be Seen in Bones (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Oct. 20 (HealthDay News) -- New research links high blood pressure in children to bones that are more mature than average, suggesting that advanced bone age may predict cardiovascular problems.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 9:50 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Oct. 20, 2009 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 9:50 pm

Common Antioxidant Might Slow Parkinson's (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Oct. 13 (HealthDay News) -- A new look at some old data adds convincing evidence that high body fluid levels of the antioxidant urate slow the progressive nerve damage of Parkinson's disease.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 9:50 pm

School Meals Need to Get Healthier: Report (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Oct. 20 (HealthDay News) -- New guidelines are needed to improve the diets of U.S. school children, finds a new government report that would set maximum calorie counts for school breakfasts and lunches.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 9:49 pm

Sugar cereals are 'Smart Choices'? FDA not so sure (AP)

AP - Ever wondered how that "Smart Choices" sticker wound up on the front of Froot Loops or Cocoa Puffs?

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 7:49 pm

Sperm donor passed on sudden death heart defect (AP)

AP - A sperm donor passed on a potentially deadly genetic heart condition to nine of his 24 children, including one who died at age 2 from heart failure, according to a medical journal report.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 7:31 pm

White wines 'bad for the teeth'

Enjoying a glass of white wine on a frequent basis can damage the teeth by eroding the enamel, German researchers warn.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 20 Oct 2009 | 5:07 pm

IVF couples warned over drinking

IVF couples could significantly harm their chances of success if both partners drink the equivalent of six units a week, warn experts.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 20 Oct 2009 | 5:06 pm

Healthy lifestyle benefits those with diabetes (Reuters)

Reuters - Research presented Tuesday at the 20th World Diabetes Congress in Montreal provides further evidence that healthy behaviors reduce mortality in people with and without diabetes.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 3:33 pm

Data From 1.23 Million Patients Confirms Warfarin Increases Mortality in Trauma Patients

Warfarin use is rising in both older and younger patients. How much does the anticoagulant contribute to the risk of traumatic injuries?
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 3:22 pm

Omega-3s No Help to SSRI-Treated CHD Patients

The researchers suggest further study is still needed, as it is unclear whether higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids or setraline, longer treatment, or a different ratio of EPA to DHA would produce favorable results.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 3:22 pm

Thiazolidinediones Have a Role for Appropriate Diabetic Patients

After 10 years of clinical use of TZDs, "we are still at the beginning," and randomized controlled trials shed light on their use in appropriate diabetic patients, speakers at a diabetes symposium reported.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 3:22 pm

Just One-Third of Heart-Failure Patients Receive Aldosterone Antagonists

Just one-third of hospitalized HF patients who meet the criteria for an aldosterone antagonist receive the drugs upon discharge. On the plus side, few patients with contraindications are prescribed the medication.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 3:22 pm

Study: Heart failure drug guidelines often ignored (AP)

AP - Most hospitalized heart failure patients are sent home without widely recommended inexpensive pills, despite a program to get more doctors to follow treatment guidelines, a study suggests.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 2:01 pm

New info shows swine flu still hardest on young (AP)

AP - Swine flu continues to be most dangerous to kids and younger adults and is largely bypassing the elderly, according to the latest and most solid government health information.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 1:27 pm

Some Latina teens consider suicide

Twelve-year-old Francisca Abreu was anxious. It was February 20, 2007, and she laid her head down on her desk in her seventh-grade science class.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 1:19 pm

Med school enrollment edges up; 11th year in a row (AP)

AP - U.S. medical school enrollment is up for the 11th consecutive year as colleges seek to meet a growing demand for physicians.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 20 Oct 2009 | 12:21 pm

How to choose healthy, ocean-friendly fish

Salmon, tuna, and other fish are loaded with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, so they must be good for you, right? Not so fast--some types of fish have more mercury than others, and others are harvested from the ocean or farmed in a way that's harmful to the environment.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 12:08 pm

Rosuvastatin Cleared for Pediatric FH

The FDA has approved rosuvastatin for use in children aged 10 to 17 years old with familial hypercholesterolemia.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 11:53 am

MicroRNA Patterns Increase Understanding of Bladder Cancer Biology

Alterations in microRNA characterize urothelial cell carcinoma and hold promise for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 11:14 am

Dems push to reverse doctors' Medicare cuts

Top Democrats ramped up efforts Tuesday to reverse $247 billion in projected Medicare reimbursement cuts to doctors over the next decade.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 11:02 am

After Tonsillectomy, 3 Days and 7 Days of Antibiotics Are Equally Effective

Shortening the standard 7-day regimen of antibiotics to 3 days following tonsillectomy has no significant effect on postoperative pain or on resumption of normal diet and level of activity in children.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 10:57 am

Compromised Sense of Smell Improved by Steroid Treatment

In patients with postviral olfactory loss, olfactory function was significantly improved by treatment with glucocorticoids and mometasone nasal spray, with or without Ginkgo biloba, investigators in South Korea report.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 10:57 am

Hypoglycemia in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Linked to Long-Term Mortality

Hypoglycemia on admission for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is associated with a substantially increased risk of death both in the short and long terms, according to study findings presented Monday at the 20th World Diabetes Congress in Montreal.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 10:56 am

New Nanoparticle-Based PSA Assay Much More Sensitive Than Old Tests

A new nanoparticle-based bio-barcode assay for prostate specific antigen (PSA) is about 300 times more sensitive than currently used immunoassays and redefines what is considered an undetectable PSA, new research indicates.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 20 Oct 2009 | 10:56 am

German doctor tried for 13 deaths

A German doctor is on trial accused of killing 13 cancer patients in her care by giving them overdoses of pain-killing drugs.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 20 Oct 2009 | 9:52 am

Despite Detroit deaths, runner fatalities are rare

Three runners collapsed and died during the Detroit Marathon on Sunday. Although that news is shocking and frightening for runners and non-runners alike, such deaths are rare, experts say.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 9:22 am

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Still Questioned

The FDA last week approved two vaccines for the prevention of human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cervical cancer, genital warts and various genital cancers. Yet even some doctors question the benefit of the vaccine.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 20 Oct 2009 | 8:58 am

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