Health and Medical News Headlines for January 16, 2010

CDC: As many as 80 million infected by H1N1

As many as 80 million Americans were sickened by and another 16,000 died because of the H1N1 influenza virus between April 2009 and December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 16 Jan 2010 | 1:30 am

Creams Offering Lighter Skin May Bring Risks

Dermatologists nationwide are seeing people of Hispanic and African descent with severe side effects from the misuse of skin-lightening creams.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jan 2010 | 12:57 am

Narrow Senate Race Unnerves Democrats on Health Care

A Republican victory in Massachusetts could fracture the Democratic coalition behind health legislation, putting its approval in jeopardy.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jan 2010 | 12:56 am

F.D.A. Concerned About Substance in Food Packaging

In a shift, the Food and Drug Administration will study the health risks from bisphenol-A, or BPA, which is widely used in plastic bottles and food containers.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jan 2010 | 12:54 am

Conference & Workshops To Focus On Plastics' Role In Emerging Medical Devices

Plastics News Global Group is bringing its Plastics in Medical Devices 2010 conference to North America in April after hosting three successful such events in Brussels, Belgium. Plastics have long played a vital role in hospitals and operating rooms with medical disposables and related products. Now, the materials - in the hands of skilled designers and plastics processors - are helping to enable the new types of multifunctional delivery, dispensing and diagnostic devices so needed by doctors and pharmaceutical companies...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 16 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

In Health Talks, President Is Hands-Off No More

As House and Senate lawmakers try to reach agreement on a health bill, President Obama is often with them.

Source: NYT > Health | 15 Jan 2010 | 11:52 pm

Patient Money: When Hair Loss Strikes, a Doctor Is a Girl’s Best Friend

A prompt visit to the dermatologist can lead to diagnosis and treatment of your hair loss.

Source: NYT > Health | 15 Jan 2010 | 11:30 pm

Johnson & Johnson issues massive recall of Tylenol (AP)

AP - Johnson & Johnson issued a massive recall Friday of over-the-counter drugs including Tylenol, Motrin and St. Joseph's aspirin because of a moldy smell that has made people sick.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 15 Jan 2010 | 11:10 pm

HealthFocus(R) Study Reveals Information Gap Regarding Sodium Intake

A recent HealthFocus® International (HFI) study reveals significant confusion and concern among consumers regarding acceptable sodium levels in the foods and beverages they regularly consume. While nearly two-thirds (65%) of all consumers express some concern about sodium intake, 79% do not know the recommended daily intake of 1500-2400mg. An alarmingly low number of shoppers (29%) look for the sodium content consistently in each individual food they eat...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jan 2010 | 11:00 pm

Flexpoint Announces Use Of Sensors For Development Of An Infant Bed Covering

Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: FLXT) announced that they are working on the development of an infant bed cover using their patented Bend Sensor® design. The mattress will be used to monitor infants in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome ("SIDS"). Sudden infant death syndrome is the primary cause of death in healthy babies in the US. According to sidsfamilies...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jan 2010 | 10:00 pm

Health Tip: Thyroid Problems May Affect Pregnancy (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- The thyroid, a small gland at the base of the neck, helps regulate your body's metabolism, including how fast your heart beats.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 15 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 15, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 15 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

Blacks With Diabetes Urged to Cut Calories, Salt (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, Jan. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Blacks with diabetes who consume too many calories and too much sodium increase their risk for eye disease, a new study finds.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 15 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

Treating Low Growth Hormone in Childhood May Thwart Later Ills (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, Jan. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Treating growth-hormone deficiency in children could prevent memory defects in adulthood, new research in rats suggests.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 15 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

St. Jude Medical Showcases Latest Products At Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium 2010

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) today announced it will display and demonstrate products and technologies from the company's arrhythmia management portfolio at the 15th annual Boston Atrial Fibrillation (BAF) Symposium. The featured products reflect the company's continued commitment to the treatment of abnormal heart rhythms, including Atrial Fibrillation (AF). St. Jude Medical will feature products and technologies that aid physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias and cardiovascular disease in the U.S. and around the globe...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jan 2010 | 9:00 pm

US health agencies say more study needed on health effects of bisphenol-A

NEW YORK - U.S. health agencies said Friday research shows cause for concern over the chemical bisphenol-A's potential effect on children when used to make baby bottles and the linings of
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 15 Jan 2010 | 8:25 pm

RXi Pharmaceuticals And The University Of Massachusetts Medical School Announce Research Collaboration Focused On Ocular Disease

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Nasdaq: RXII), a biopharmaceutical company pursuing the development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics based on RNA interference (RNAi), today announced a collaboration with Shalesh Kaushal, M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS)...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jan 2010 | 8:00 pm

CDC: 1 in 5 Americans vaccinated against swine flu (AP)

AP - About 1 in 5 Americans have been vaccinated against swine flu, according to the government's first detailed estimates of vaccination rates against the new pandemic.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 15 Jan 2010 | 7:29 pm

UPDATE 2-U.S. OSHA fines Citgo for July Texas refinery blast

HOUSTON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Friday levied $236,500 in fines for safety violations found at Citgo Petroleum Corp's Corpus Christi, Texas, refinery...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 15 Jan 2010 | 7:14 pm

Dyax Launches HAE Hope, A New Online Resource For Patients With Hereditary Angioedema

A new, online resource is now available for patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE), their caregivers and physicians. The website, http://www.HAEHope.com, launched today by Dyax Corp. (NASDAQ: DYAX), offers resources to help patients and their families better understand and manage HAE, a rare, genetic disease characterized by episodes of severe and painful swelling. A number of features of HAE Hope are designed to help patients with HAE to better understand and manage the disease...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jan 2010 | 7:00 pm

Judge Orders F.D.A. to Stop Blocking Imports of E-Cigarettes From China

A judge said the Food and Drug Administration’s new tobacco division would be able to regulate e-cigarettes just as it does real cigarettes.

Source: NYT > Health | 15 Jan 2010 | 6:20 pm

Cardiovascular Systems Receives Conditional IDE Approval For ORBIT II Coronary Clinical Trial

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI) (Nasdaq:CSII), has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conditional Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of its Diamondback 360® System in the treatment of calcified coronary lesions. With this conditional approval, CSI is authorized to begin its pivotal trial, ORBIT II, in early 2010 and initially enroll up to 100 patients at as many as 50 U.S. sites. Dr...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jan 2010 | 6:00 pm

MGM bid deadline passes, most bids yet to come

NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Reuters) - First-round bids for the debt-ridden MGM studio were due Friday afternoon, but most of the bids are expected to trickle in through the weekend, sources familiar with the matter...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 15 Jan 2010 | 5:52 pm

MGM bid deadline passes, most bids yet to come

Class-action suit against chiropractors led by Alberta woman rejected

EDMONTON - A judge has ruled an attempted lawsuit against a chiropractor and the agency that regulates them doesn't meet the criteria needed to be certified as a class-action suit. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 15 Jan 2010 | 5:39 pm

Britain gets fourth Michelin three-starred restaurant

Britain got its fourth three-star Michelin restaurant on Friday as French chef Alain Ducasse's restaurant at The Dorchester Hotel earned the rare top ranking. Ducasse joins Heston...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 15 Jan 2010 | 5:31 pm

US CDC reports finding single case of a new swine flu; no sustained spread

TORONTO - U.S. health authorities have found a single case of human infection with another new swine flu virus. The Centers for Disease Control says a child from Iowa was infected last
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 15 Jan 2010 | 5:29 pm

Study 'explains screening errors'

American researchers suggest new strategies to cut search errors with cancers and airline baggage.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 15 Jan 2010 | 5:01 pm

DEALTALK-UPDATE 2-Kraft's Rosenfeld seen raising Cadbury bid

* Rosenfeld under pressure whether or not deal is done (Adds Wall Street Journal report about Hershey to raise bid)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 15 Jan 2010 | 5:00 pm

Cerus Corporation Reports Positive Outcome In European Study Of 7-Day INTERCEPT Platelets

Cerus Corporation (NASDAQ:CERS) announced today that INTERCEPT-treated platelet components were found to be effective for patient support following extended six and seven day storage in a clinical study conducted at four sites in Europe. These data further confirm the safety and therapeutic efficacy of platelets treated with the INTERCEPT Blood System, a pathogen inactivation treatment designed to protect against transfusion-transmitted diseases. "This study shows that INTERCEPT platelets remain therapeutically effective even after six or seven days of storage," said Dr...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jan 2010 | 5:00 pm

UPDATE 4-Cadbury investors look for higher Kraft bid

(Adds Wall Street Journal report about Hershey, Ackman's investment in Kraft)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 15 Jan 2010 | 4:59 pm

UPDATE 2-Fisker raises equity, clears US gov't loan hurdle

* Clears hurdle for $529 million of U.S. govt loans (Adds quotes from Fisker CEO, details, byline)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 15 Jan 2010 | 4:47 pm

Cardiac CT Angiography Points to Preclinical Atherosclerosis in HIV+ Men

Men with longer duration of HIV infection were more likely to have a higher prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis and a higher overall plaque volume.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 15 Jan 2010 | 4:38 pm

Court Declines to Hear ACC Medicare Payment Lawsuit

A Florida judge has slammed the door on the lawsuit, citing jurisdictional grounds. The ACC vows to fight on.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 15 Jan 2010 | 4:38 pm

Japanese Study Finds CT Plaque Analysis Predicts Post-PCI Myocardial Injury

Postprocedural myocardial injury is associated with both the total volume and fraction of low-attenuation plaque detected by multidetector tomography angiography, a new study shows.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 15 Jan 2010 | 4:38 pm

TAVI Has Low Acute Renal Injury Rate, Compares Favorably With Surgical Valve Replacement

The first comprehensive assessment of the incidence of acute renal injury following transcatheter aortic-valve implantation for severe aortic stenosis finds a low rate of this adverse effect, one that compares favorably with renal injury after surgical valve replacement.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 15 Jan 2010 | 4:38 pm

Majestic Research Finds Hematologists/Oncologists Expect To Change Multiple Myeloma Treatment Practices Due To ASH 2009 Data

In a study published by Majestic Research's Market Research Group (formerly Rood Research), it was found that many hematologists and oncologists who attended the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2009 Annual Meeting expect to change their multiple myeloma treatment practices, based on new data presented at the meeting. Of the hematologists and oncologists surveyed, 43% reported they expect to change their typical treatment protocol as a result of the meeting, with most planning to use more of either Revlimid, Velcade, or the two agents together in combination...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jan 2010 | 4:00 pm

First Genetic Map Of Malaria-Fighting Artemisia Annua Will Accelerate World's Most Important Medicinal Crop

Scientists at the University of York, UK, have published the first genetic map of Artemisia annua, a medicinal herb which is used for malaria treatment. The genetic map now makes it possible to speed up plant breeding of Artemisia; rapidly developing it into a high-yielding crop. This breakthrough is crucial if we want to meet the ever-growing demand for effective malaria treatments. Malaria, a preventable and treatable disease, is still responsible for an estimated nearly one million deaths every year globally...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jan 2010 | 3:00 pm

Shrieks, sadness inside makeshift hospital

The screams of wounded Haitians are nearly constant here at a makeshift hospital in the UN compound near the airport in Port-au-Prince. Here's a look inside.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 15 Jan 2010 | 2:11 pm

Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, St. Joseph Aspirin, Rolaids Recall

The moldy odor from the containers is to blame for the recall of 60 million over-the-counter products.
WebMD Health News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 15 Jan 2010 | 12:52 pm

Weekends Are Good For You, Study Finds

People often reported better moods, greater vitality, and fewer aches and pains on the weekend.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 15 Jan 2010 | 12:43 pm

Makeshift Hospitals in Haiti Providing Only Emergency Medical Care

Tent hospitals are providing basic emergency medical care; an inflatable hospital with surgical units and operating theatres is expected to arrive today and the US Navy's floating hospital is expected to dock next week.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 15 Jan 2010 | 11:57 am

Genetic Map for Herb Used in Malaria Treatment May Lead to High-Yield Crops

The first genetic map of a medicinal herb used in the best malaria treatments is being published to help scientists develop the species into a high-yielding crop and battle the mosquito-borne disease.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 15 Jan 2010 | 11:09 am

Could Vioxx Cousin Prevent Religious Fast Headache?

Every year, millions of observant Jews fast on their holiest day, Yom Kippur, and millions of Muslims fast for the month of Ramadan. And every year, as many as 40% of those who fast develop serious headaches.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 15 Jan 2010 | 11:09 am

Accord Reached on Insurance Tax for Costly Plans

The White House, Congressional leaders and labor unions said that they had reached agreement on a proposal to tax high-cost health insurance policies.

Source: NYT > Health | 15 Jan 2010 | 11:03 am

Spiriva HandiHaler Not Associated With Increased Stroke Risk

The FDA has further investigated the potential for cardiovascular adverse events with tiotropium bromide inhalation powder and reports no increased risk for stroke with the device.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 15 Jan 2010 | 10:14 am

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