Health and Medical News Headlines for January 13, 2010

Call to revamp alcohol labelling

The term "units of alcohol" should be scrapped in favour of centilitres of pure alcohol, the Tories say.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 13 Jan 2010 | 3:26 am

Green tea 'may block lung cancer'

Drinking green tea may offer some protection against lung cancer, say experts who have studied the disease in Taiwan.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 13 Jan 2010 | 2:26 am

Common blood-pressure drug also combats dementia (AFP)

AFP - A widely-prescribed drug to tackle high blood pressure and heart disease also appears to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, according to a large US study published on Wednesday.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 13 Jan 2010 | 2:12 am

Clubbers 'turn to new legal high'

People going to clubs are thought to be switching to the legal high mephedrone instead of taking ecstasy or cocaine, according to new research.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 13 Jan 2010 | 2:03 am

UPDATE 5-Rejecting censorship, Google threatens to quit China

* To discuss unfiltered search engine with Chinese govt
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 13 Jan 2010 | 2:02 am

China paper splashes nation's 'first gay marriage'

State press splashed a front-page photo of China's first publicly "married" gay couple on Wednesday -- the latest sign of new openness about homosexuality in a country where it has long...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 13 Jan 2010 | 1:58 am

Greying China: getting old before getting rich

At a nursing home in the suburbs of Beijing, 86-year-old Ma Shufan, still sprightly despite her advanced age, is thrilled to have friends. At her son's home, she likely would spend her days
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 13 Jan 2010 | 1:56 am

FACTBOX-Five facts about Inamori, poised to run JAL

TOKYO, Jan 13 (Reuters) - An aviation industry outsider, the 77-year-old Kazuo Inamori looks set to take on the daunting task of turning around an airline saddled with $16 billion in debt, mired in losses...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 13 Jan 2010 | 1:07 am

UPDATE 1-Matalan Xmas sales soar, sees further growth

LONDON, Jan 13 (Reuters) - British out-of-town fashion and homewares retailer Matalan posted strong Christmas trading, said it was well placed for continued growth and would accelerate investment.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 13 Jan 2010 | 1:01 am

UPDATE 2-Kyocera's Inamori may take over at troubled JAL

* $1.8 bln erased in 2 days, market cap now about $200 mln
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 13 Jan 2010 | 12:58 am

Poland doesn't plan to cede control of Lotos now

WARSAW, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Poland's Treasury does not plan to cede control over the No.2 refiner Lotos in the near future, Treasury spokesman said on Wednesday.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 13 Jan 2010 | 12:53 am

UPDATE 1-Poland may cede control of refiner Lotos - report

*May sell controlling stake to investor - report (Adds background, share performance)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 13 Jan 2010 | 12:36 am

Hynix shareholders say flexible on stake sale

SEOUL, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Creditors-turned-shareholders of Hynix Semiconductor Inc will be flexible on the size of a stake to be put up for sale to help the potential buyer, a lead shareholder said on...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 13 Jan 2010 | 12:30 am

Hynix shareholders say flexible on stake sale

Nursing Staff Commended For Commitment To Care As Britain Freezes, UK

The Royal College of Nursing acknowledged the commitment and determination of health care staff who are continuing to provide vital nursing care as the UK endures its worst cold weather in the last 30 years. RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said: "Nursing staff are facing extraordinary disruption and difficulty and we would like to take this opportunity to thank health care staff across the UK who are continuing to put their patients first...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 13 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

Hunting Fossil Viruses in Human DNA

A virus infected our monkeylike ancestors 40 million years ago, and its genes have been passed down ever since.

Source: NYT > Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 11:58 pm

Deals to Restrain Generic Drugs Face a Ban

A group of House lawmakers plans to ask Congress to block deals in which they say makers of name-brand drugs directly or indirectly pay generic makers to delay competition from cheaper generic alternatives.

Source: NYT > Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 11:48 pm

Labor Campaigns Against Tax on Health Plans

House and Senate Democrats are trying to iron out numerous differences in their bills, including a tax on high-cost coverage.

Source: NYT > Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 11:14 pm

Popular Blood Therapy May Not Work

A rigorous study found that a procedure known as platelet-rich plasma and used to treat orthopedic injuries was no more effective than salt water injections.

Source: NYT > Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 11:11 pm

Economic Scene: Lack of Medicare Chief Is a Strike Against Reform

President Obama has not chosen anyone to lead Medicare, but the chief would oversee big parts of the health reform.

Source: NYT > Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 11:06 pm

Nurses Call On Government To Step Up Action On Alcohol Abuse

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) called on the government to step up action on alcohol abuse, as it welcomed recommendations by the Health Select Committee to introduce tougher measures to stem the rising tide of illness and premature deaths which result from excessive drinking. Dr Peter Carter, RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, said: "Today's report backs up the findings of a recent RCN/RCP survey which found that 88% of nurses and doctors do not think the current national alcohol strategy is effective...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Jan 2010 | 11:00 pm

Report Links Vehicle Exhaust to Health Problems

Researchers noted, however, that proving that air pollution from vehicles caused illness was difficult.

Source: NYT > Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 10:59 pm

Another chain pulls cadmium-tainted kids' jewelry (AP)

AP - A second international chain store said it is pulling from shelves jewelry that lab tests show contained high levels of the heavy metal cadmium, and Chinese regulators said they will investigate dangerous levels of the toxin in children's jewelry being exported to the United States. Also, a U.S. senator called for hearings.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Jan 2010 | 10:48 pm

Still Time To Get H1N1 Flu Vaccine, Urges Whitley, Leader Of Infectious Diseases Society

With several months left in the influenza season and growing supplies of vaccine, now is an opportune time to get vaccinated against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, says Richard Whitley, M.D., director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and current president of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). The reminder comes during National Influenza Vaccination Week, Jan...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Jan 2010 | 10:00 pm

Nobel Winner to Step Down as Chief at Sloan-Kettering

Dr. Harold E. Varmus said he would continue operating his laboratory after leaving the top job when a successor is named.

Source: NYT > Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 9:51 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 12, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Jan 2010 | 9:49 pm

Green Tea May Lower Lung Cancer Risk (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Jan. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Antioxidants in green tea appear to significantly lower the risk for developing lung cancer among smokers and nonsmokers alike, new research from Taiwan reveals.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Jan 2010 | 9:49 pm

With Pancreatic Cancer, Age Factors Into Familial Risk (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, Jan. 12 (HealthDay News) -- People with a family member who had pancreatic cancer before age 50 face a greatly increased risk for the disease, a new study has found.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Jan 2010 | 9:49 pm

Hypertension Linked To Dementia In Older Women

Older women with hypertension are at increased risk for developing brain lesions that cause dementia later in life, according to data from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS). The findings were published in the December 2009 online issue of the Journal of Clinical Hypertension. The research was conducted as part of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), the largest multi-site longitudinal study looking at health risks among postmenopausal women. WHIMS, which involves a subgroup of the women enrolled in WHI, looks at the influence of hormone therapy on thinking and memory...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Jan 2010 | 9:00 pm

Alzheimer's Society Comment On Government's Dignity In Care Campaign

Legendary talk show host, Sir Michael Parkinson has highlighted the importance of dignity in care for older people in a personal account of his year as the government's Dignity Ambassador. The report's publication comes as the government launches plans for a Dignity Action Day and a Â£50,000 Bright Ideas Grant (BIG) for innovative projects that encourage dignity in care. In his report, Sir Michael talks about his experiences of caring for his mother who had dementia. He also calls for an end to outdated stereotypes of older people that can be a barrier to quality care...

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

Interim Study Data Indicate Improved Blood Pressure Management With Cardene(R) I.V. Compared To Labetalol In Patients With Acute Stroke

EKR Therapeutics, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company commercializing acute-care hospital products, today said that interim study data1 demonstrate that Cardene® I.V. (nicardipine hydrochloride) is significantly more effective than intravenous labetalol for the management of blood pressure (BP) in stroke patients. "Acute hypertension is generally associated with poor outcomes in the treatment of stroke patients," said Howard Weisman, EKR's CEO & President...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Jan 2010 | 7:00 pm

Stanford Adopts New Approach To Continuing Medical Education To Prevent Industry Influence

Stanford University School of Medicine has developed a new, industry-funded model for the continuing education of physicians that aims to improve patient care while ensuring that corporate donors do not exert influence over the curriculum. In September 2008, Stanford became the first medical school in the country to limit industry influence on continuing medical education programs by accepting industry support only for a broad range of activities, not for specific, designated programs...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Jan 2010 | 6:00 pm

Breast feeding for over six months could aid mental health (Reuters)

Reuters - Children who are breastfed for longer than six months could be at lower risk of mental health problems later in life, according to Australian research.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Jan 2010 | 5:30 pm

'No such thing' as safe cocaine

The myth that cocaine is a safe party drug should be dispelled, say UK experts, as a study links the drug to 3% of sudden deaths.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 12 Jan 2010 | 5:00 pm

Blood drug offers dementia hope

Researchers believe a drug used to lower blood pressure may be more effective against Alzheimer's disease than was thought.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 12 Jan 2010 | 5:00 pm

DSG & Pharmaceutical Company Engage In Global Effort In Early Detection Of Major Diseases

DSG, a leader in electronic data capture (EDC) has teamed up with a leading-edge pharmaceutical technology company to speed the early detection of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Diabetes. The focus is on developing molecular imaging products that are leading the way to the early detection of human diseases. DSG's eCaseLink™ EDC (Electronic Data Capture) supports three current clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Diabetes...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Jan 2010 | 5:00 pm

Antares Pharma And Population Council Announce Positive Phase 2 Trial Results

Antares Pharma, Inc. (NYSE Amex: AIS) and the Population Council today announced successful results from a dose-finding Phase 2 trial for a novel contraceptive gel containing the progestin Nestorone and estradiol (NES/E2) utilizing the Antares ATD (advanced transdermal delivery) gel system. Based on this successful data, the two parties continue to expect to partner with a worldwide or regional pharmaceutical company in order to commercialize this novel contraceptive gel. This first of its kind contraceptive gel may offer an attractive option for women...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Jan 2010 | 4:00 pm

WHO survey: Half of China's births are C-sections (AP)

AP - Nearly half of all births in China are delivered by cesarean section, the world's highest rate, according to a survey by the World Health Organization — a shift toward modernization that isn't necessarily a good thing.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Jan 2010 | 3:34 pm

ARCA Biopharma Receives Notice Of Allowance For Patent For Treating Heart Failure Patients With Bucindolol Based On Genetic Testing

ARCA biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABIO), a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically targeted therapies for heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases, today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its U.S. Patent Application Number 11/226,908 entitled "Methods for Treatment with Bucindolol Based on Genetic Targeting." The Notice of Allowance is the USPTO's official communication that the examination of the patent application has been successfully completed and that a patent will be issued...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Jan 2010 | 3:00 pm

China jewelry makers say toxic metal cuts costs (AP)

AP - For China's low-cost jewelry makers, it was an open trade secret: The metal cadmium is shiny, strong and malleable at low temperatures, regardless of its health hazards. And it's cheap.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Jan 2010 | 2:25 pm

Opinion: Ban McGwire from baseball

Mark McGwire deserves a ban from baseball more than any sympathy.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 2:24 pm

'Big' concerns surround new reality show

The Coles are the stars of "One Big Happy Family," a TLC reality show that documents their struggle to slim down and live a healthier lifestyle. But detractors say the show is potentially exploitative.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 2:15 pm

Politicians Say Cell Phones Cause Cancer

Politicians in Maine want to place warning on cell phones that they may cause cancer. Yet unnecessary warnings will cause fear, which makers of fraudulent "radiation absorbers" will take advantage of. And moose and lobsters from Maine are far more likel
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 12 Jan 2010 | 2:01 pm

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