Taser adds mobile phone monitoring tool to its arsenal

Stun gun maker Taser wants to help parents, not with jolts of electricity but with a tool which allows parents to effectively take over a child's mobile phone and manage its use. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 9 Jan 2010 | 12:54 am

Cancer Risks Debated for Type of X-Ray Scan

The plan for broad use of “backscatter scanners” at airports has raised questions about the safety of delivering small doses of radiation to millions of people.


Source: NYT > Health | 9 Jan 2010 | 12:06 am

UPDATE 3-JAL lenders to cave in to bankruptcy plan-sources

* State-fund plans Y600 bln credit line for bankruptcy-source
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 9 Jan 2010 | 12:03 am

Patient Money: For the New Year, Cost-Effective Options to Stop Smoking

Another new year, another resolution to stop smoking. Here are a variety of options to help smokers quit.


Source: NYT > Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 10:55 pm

Philippines prays for disaster-free year

Hundreds of thousands of people shed their footwear and prayed for relief from natural disasters Saturday in a religious procession across the capital of the mainly Roman Catholic...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jan 2010 | 10:36 pm

World first heart op for UK boy

A six-year-old boy has become the first person to have a heart valve widened using an MRI scan rather than X-ray imaging.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 10:31 pm

Baby Boomers Still Doing Drugs as Seniors (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, Jan. 8 (HealthDay News) -- Almost 5 percent of aging Baby Boomers in the United States are abusing drugs, a new government report shows.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:49 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 8, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:49 pm

Blood Pressure Drugs Might Fight Diabetic Retinopathy (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, Jan. 8 (HealthDay News) -- New research in mice suggests that some drugs used to treat high blood pressure might help prevent and treat a disorder that causes people with diabetes to lose their vision.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:49 pm

Japanese fisherman reels in largemouth bass, ties record

A Japanese man was credited Friday with reeling in the biggest largemouth bass, tying a record that has been in American hands for the past 77 years for the freshwater fish popular among...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jan 2010 | 8:57 pm

Without sunlight

A teenager's battle to keep away from UV radiation
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 5:59 pm

UPDATE 2-Target takes on celebrity chef, buys Smith & Hawken

* Launching Giada De Laurentiis for Target cookware, food
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jan 2010 | 5:33 pm

Coloured lasers may curb epilepsy

Coloured lights could be used to find treatments for brain disorders like epilepsy, early findings suggest.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 5:24 pm

Vital Signs: Mental Health: Deficiencies in Treatment of Depression

A new study reports that only about half of all Americans with depression receive care of any kind.


Source: NYT > Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 5:16 pm

Revealing posts promote cancer awareness

Facebook took a colorful turn this week, when its female users began posting cryptic status updates.
Source: CNN.com - Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 5:15 pm

Vital Signs: Risks: Loss of Bone Mass Linked to Contraceptive

A new study found that some women who use Depo-Provera experience significant loss of bone density in just two years.


Source: NYT > Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 5:13 pm

Researchers find fecal bacteria in soda fountains

It fizzes. It quenches. And it could also contain fecal bacteria.
Source: CNN.com - Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 4:37 pm

Doctor and Patient: Are Doctors Ready for Virtual Visits?

Telemedicine has the potential to improve care, but many doctors fear it will jeopardize the doctor-patient bond.


Source: NYT > Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 4:31 pm

UPDATE 1-Microsoft appeals Word patent case once more

* Will still adjust Word to comply with injunction (Adds i4i chairman comment)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jan 2010 | 3:47 pm

UPDATE 1-Green Mountain extends tender offer for Diedrich

Jan 8 (Reuters) - Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc said its unit Pebbles Acquisition Sub Inc extended its cash tender offer for Diedrich Coffee Inc by 20 business days.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jan 2010 | 3:46 pm

Childhood Maltreatment Linked to Migraine and Other Pain Disorders

A new survey finds emotional abuse to be the most common type of early maltreatment and links it and other types of abuse to migraine and other types of comorbid pain.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 3:41 pm

CORRECTED - UPDATE 4-Canwest looks to sell newspaper unit

(Corrects paragraph 4 to clarify that the C$25 million refers to an agreed discount, not the debtor-in-possession financing)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jan 2010 | 3:40 pm

CORRECTED - UPDATE 4-Canwest looks to sell newspaper unit

(Corrects paragraph 4 to clarify that the C$25 million refers to an agreed discount, not the debtor-in-possession financing)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jan 2010 | 3:40 pm

CES-UPDATE 1-Genachowski seeks clarity on Verizon mobile fees

LAS VEGAS, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski said on Friday that Verizon Wireless needs to more clearly explain its policies on fees it charges when customers...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 8 Jan 2010 | 3:27 pm

Internists Remind Public To Get H1N1 Flu Shot

Joseph W. Stubbs, MD, FACP, president of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and a practicing internist, knows all too well that the number of people who get vaccinated against the flu typically drops after November. But flu viruses can circulate into February - even into the spring and summer. "National Influenza Vaccination Week (January 10-16) provides an important opportunity for physicians to remind people how important it is to get their H1N1 and seasonal flu shots," said Dr. Stubbs...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 3:00 pm

Tea may prevent endometrial cancer, but needs study (Reuters)

Reuters - Tea may protect against endometrial cancer, but more research is needed before it's clear if the antioxidant-rich beverage offers a real benefit, a recent analysis found.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 8 Jan 2010 | 2:40 pm

Statement On Health Select Committee Report On Alcohol

NHS Confederation chief executive Steve Barnett comments on today's recommendations by the Health Select Committee in its report on alcohol. "The NHS Confederation has already argued in its own report that alcohol is causing a growing health problem in the UK that is damaging lives as well as costing the health service billions every year. "Given the facts it is hard to escape the growing body of evidence behind the call made today for a national minimum unit price for alcohol...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 2:00 pm

Holistic Weight Loss - A Non-Diet Approach To Good Health

When your New Year's resolution to lose weight crumbles as fast as the cookie touching your lips, it's time to admit that diets don't work. More successful is a holistic approach to losing weight that lets you feel good about feeding your body the nourishment it craves. "By understanding the whole person, including emotional reasons for eating, stress triggers, medical history and physiological factors, we help each individual approach food in a whole new way," said Henri Roca, MD, medical director of Greenwich Hospital's Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 1:00 pm

Brain Imaging May Help Diagnose Autism

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) process sound and language a fraction of a second slower than children without ASDs, and measuring magnetic signals that mark this delay may become a standardized way to diagnose autism. Researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia report their findings in an online article in the journal Autism Research, published today. "More work needs to be done before this can become a standard tool, but this pattern of delayed brain response may be refined into the first imaging biomarker for autism," said study leader Timothy P.L. Roberts, Ph...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 12:00 pm

Hip Fracture Risk Elevated With Pernicious Anemia: Study

Patients with pernicious anemia have significantly higher risks for hip fracture, research shows, suggesting that clinicians need to carefully observe the bone health in such patients.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 11:22 am

Thoracoabdominal Calcifications May Predict Cardiovascular Mortality

In a cohort study, thoracoabdominal calcifications on radiography were significant predictors of cardiovascular and total mortality, especially in women with elevated C-reactive protein levels.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 11:22 am

How to help the homeless in the cold

The weather has turned dangerously cold in much of the country, putting homeless people at high risk of injury or even death. If you encounter someone and want to help, what should you do?
Source: CNN.com - Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 11:20 am

Personal Health: Options for Bone Loss, but No Magic Pill

Medications can help treat osteoporosis, but there is no guaranteed cure or a sure way to prevent all fractures.


Source: NYT > Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 11:11 am

Increasing Substance Abuse Levels Among Older Adults Likely To Create Sharp Rise In Need For Treatment Services In Next Decade

A new study done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that the aging of the baby boom generation is resulting in a dramatic increase in levels of illicit drug use among adults 50 and older. These increases may require the doubling of substance abuse treatment services needed for this population by 2020, according to the report. "This new data has profound implications for the health and well-being of older adults who continue to abuse substances," said SAMHSA Administrator, Pamela S. Hyde, J.D...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 11:00 am

"Cocktail" Of Cooperative Nanoparticles Seeks And Destroys Cancer Tumors

US scientists have developed a "cocktail" of nanoparticles that work together in the bloodstream to seek, stick to and kill cancer tumors. A paper describing the results of the project, which was funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, is to appear in a forthcoming print issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, PNAS, meanwhile an online version has been viewable since 28 December...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 11:00 am

Tackle science fraud, China urged

An editorial in the medical journal the Lancet has urged China's authorities to do more to prevent scientific fraud.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 10:26 am

CDC: Swine flu now widespread only in 1 state (AP)

AP - Swine flu infections continue to drop and only one state — Alabama — was reporting widespread cases last week.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 8 Jan 2010 | 10:17 am

Mind chemical 'controls choice'

Dopamine, a chemical which sets mood, could have a much wider-ranging impact on everyday life, research suggests.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 10:16 am

Pharmacy Staff Battling The Snow To Deliver To Housebound Patients, UK

Pharmacy staff throughout the UK are going the extra mile to deliver vital medicines to patients in their homes in spite of the heavy snow. All year round thousands of community pharmacies run prescription collection and delivery services to help people who find it difficult to leave their home. The freezing weather has put this service to the test, and community pharmacy staff have been out battling the blizzards to make sure that the medicines reach the people who need them...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 10:00 am

University Hospitals Case Medical Center Testing Gene Therapy For Alzheimer's Disease

University Hospitals Case Medical Center is one of 12 sites conducting the first Phase 2 clinical trial of a gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study uses a viral-based gene transfer system called CERE-110, which is designed to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF) into the brain. University Hospitals (UH) is the only site in the Midwest for the study. The study is sponsored by a contract to Case Western Reserve University from the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) through a grant from the National Institute on Aging in association with Ceregene, Inc...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 10:00 am

Light Therapy Investigated as Alternative for Focal Seizures

Preliminary work suggests that a small UV-emitting diode might be useful in focal epilepsy as an alternative to drugs or surgery.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:42 am

Drug benefit expanded to 1 million more seniors (AP)

AP - In case the prospect of nearly $4,000 in prescription assistance isn't enough to perk up low-income seniors, the government is using '60s singer Chubby Checker to publicize "the twist" in the Medicare drug program.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:41 am

UK 'to offload swine flu vaccine'

The government makes plans to offload millions of swine flu vaccine doses amid predictions a pandemic "third wave" is unlikely.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:28 am

Imatinib Ineffective for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), imatinib did not improve either survival or lung function in a phase II trial.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:24 am

Tuberculosis Patients at Increased Risk for Ischemic Stroke

Patients with tuberculosis are 52% more likely to experience an ischemic stroke in the next 3 years than are people without tuberculosis, researchers report in the February issue of Stroke. By contrast, tuberculosis patients are not at elevated risk for hemorrhagic stroke.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:24 am

Combined Sigmoidoscopy Plus Fecal Immune Test Better Than Either Test Alone

When colonoscopy is not possible, combining sigmoidoscopy and a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) would be superior for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening than either method alone, Japanese researchers say.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:24 am

Longer Surgeries Mean More Infections, Longer Hospital Stays

The longer an operation, the greater the risk that a patient will have infectious complications and spend extra days in the hospital, according to a new study.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:24 am

Prevalence of Pediatric Eczema Varies Widely Around the World

Data from more than a million children in 97 countries shows that eczema prevalence varies widely, but that the condition is common in both developing and developed countries.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:24 am

U.S. FDA to Take New Look at Anemia Drugs

U.S. regulators plan to ask outside experts to re-evaluate the use of Amgen Inc and Johnson & Johnson anemia drugs when given to patients with chronic kidney disease.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:24 am

Child's cancer does not raise divorce risk: study (Reuters)

Reuters - Despite some concerns to the contrary, new research suggests that dealing with a child's cancer does not generally raise parents' risk of divorce.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:18 am

Personal Best: Treat Me, but No Tricks Please

Some physical therapy has been proved to work, “but there is a lot of voodoo,” an expert says.


Source: NYT > Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:10 am

Scientists Are Available To Comment On Autoimmune And Autoinflammatory Diseases

Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases are a major health issue. The National Institutes of Health reports that up to 23.5 million Americans are afflicted. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association reports the number is closer to 50 million. Scientists and clinicians at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston can address the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions, as well as the latest advances in research. Sandeep K. Agarwal M.D., Ph.D...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 9:00 am

Medical alchemy

Scientists find a way to turn rattan wood into bone
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 8:40 am

Medical drink, imaging show Alzheimer's promise

Two studies published this week may hold promise for people who will develop Alzheimer's or are in the early stages of the disease.
Source: CNN.com - Health | 8 Jan 2010 | 8:16 am

Trauma Center At SLU Hospital Receives ACS Verification

The trauma center at Saint Louis University Hospital has been verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACSCOT). This achievement nationally recognizes the trauma center's dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients. The verification makes the SLU Hospital trauma center the first dual state certified and America College of Surgeons' verified Level I trauma center in the region, with the hospital holding Level I trauma certifications in both the states of Missouri and Illinois...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 8 Jan 2010 | 8:00 am

Twins joy for widow two years after husband's death

A woman has given birth to twins after she had fertility treatment using the frozen sperm of her late husband after he died of cancer.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 5:26 am

Size what?

Why are people's feet getting so much bigger?
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 5:14 am

'Smoked' flavour food concerns

European Food Safety Authority says one of the flavourings used to smoke meat, cheese or fish, may be toxic to humans.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 8 Jan 2010 | 5:00 am