Health and Medical News Headlines for January 22, 2010

Thai poachers turn funghi farmers to save forests

Nuan Muangchan began to illegally log rosewood as a teenager, creeping at night into Thailand's largest national park and hiding from animals and rangers to smuggle out her loot. "One...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 22 Jan 2010 | 1:12 am

Study: Combat injuries not the leading reason US soldiers are medically evacuated from wars

LONDON - American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan were more likely to be medically evacuated for health problems such as a bad back than for combat injuries, a new study says. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 22 Jan 2010 | 12:55 am

Grant Funds New System To Diagnose And Treat Lung Cancer On-The-Spot

Scientists at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute in Houston received a research grant from the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) today to develop the first molecular image guided system to diagnose and treat small-cell peripheral lung cancer in one sitting. "Despite our best efforts to accurately diagnose and treat lung cancer, it is still the most common cause of cancer-related death in America," said Dr. Stephen Wong, principle investigator for the study and director of the Center for Biotechnology and Informatics at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 22 Jan 2010 | 12:00 am

Out of Bankruptcy, Genetics Company Drops Drug Efforts

The Icelandic gene-hunting company said it would continue its research and its gene-based diagnostics as a private company and would abandon efforts to develop drugs.

Source: NYT > Health | 21 Jan 2010 | 11:53 pm

If Bills Fail, a Quandary for Insurers

The health care legislation that could now die in the Senate might have helped the insurance industry over the long term.

Source: NYT > Health | 21 Jan 2010 | 11:49 pm

33 Haitian children head to new French families

A group of 33 Haitian children who have been adopted by French families left a school where they had sought shelter and headed to the Port-au-Prince airport. Aged between one and six...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Jan 2010 | 11:44 pm

Lebanese designers lace up for Paris couture catwalks

From the catwalks of Paris and New York to the red carpets of Cannes and the Oscars, Lebanese designers are taking the couture scene by storm, pitching the glamorous side of a country long...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Jan 2010 | 11:10 pm

Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation Approaching $1 Million Mark In Research Award Disbursements

The Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation has disbursed nearly $1 million in research awards for work on a breakthrough medical technology and is making more project funding available in 2010. The Foundation's initial ten awards - each worth approximately $100,000 - have advanced research and development of patient treatments using Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound (FUS). A non-invasive technology, FUS harnesses very high-frequency sound waves to perform procedures that could eliminate the need for surgery and radiation therapy...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Jan 2010 | 11:00 pm

Jerilyn Ross, Advocate for the Anxious, Dies at 63

A skilled therapist and exuberant optimist, Ms. Ross overcame her fears and helped others manage their own.

Source: NYT > Health | 21 Jan 2010 | 10:55 pm

Doctor and Patient: Offering Care for the Caregiver

For all the assertions about the importance of caring in medicine, doctors as a profession have been slow to recognize family members who care for patients at home.

Source: NYT > Health | 21 Jan 2010 | 10:37 pm

A New Search for Consensus on Health Care Bill

Lawmakers are weighing a pared-back approach that would be less ambitious and less contentious than earlier bills passed by Congress.

Source: NYT > Health | 21 Jan 2010 | 10:29 pm

California Democrats Revive Universal Health Plan

The bill would create a single-payer, universal health care system in the state.

Source: NYT > Health | 21 Jan 2010 | 10:24 pm

Simple Steps Prevent Life-Threatening Bloodstream Infections In Children

Pediatric hospitals can significantly decrease the number of bloodstream infections from central venous catheters by following some low-tech rules: Insert the catheter correctly and, above all, keep everything squeaky clean after that. Yearlong research by Marlene Miller, M.D. Ms.C., of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center and colleagues from other hospitals saw a 43-percent drop in the rate of bloodstream infections from catheters in 29 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) that focused on careful placement and basic daily cleaning of the devices...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Jan 2010 | 10:00 pm

Bharti CEO: expansion focus is on emerging markets

NEW DELHI, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Bharti Airtel Ltd , India's top mobile operator, continues to explore expansion in emerging markets on a priority basis, its chief executive said on Friday. The company was...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:53 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Jan. 21, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

New Test Catches Most Pancreatic Cancers Early (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers report they've developed a test that detects early-stage pancreatic cancer by measuring levels of a protein that's present in 90 percent of cancerous and precancerous lesions.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

Combo Test Might Spot Ovarian Cancer Early (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The ability to detect early-stage ovarian cancer may be improved by using contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with proteomic analyses of blood samples, a new study shows.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

1 in 5 U.S. Kids Has High Cholesterol (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Twenty percent of U.S. children and teens have abnormal lipid levels, an indication of too much bad cholesterol, too little good cholesterol or high triglycerides, federal health officials report.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

FDA Warns of Heart Risks With Diet Drug (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The weight-loss pill Meridia should not be used by people with a history of heart problems because the drug can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in such people, U.S. drug regulators said Thursday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

As Obesity Increases, So Does Stroke Risk (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Jan. 21 (HealthDay News) -- The more overweight you are, the more likely you are to have a stroke, a new study reports.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:50 pm

Fujitsu appoints new head to fill leadership void

TOKYO, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Fujitsu Ltd , Japan's biggest IT services firm, has appointed the head of its system products business as its next president, after months of deadlock that halted restructuring...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:48 pm

CORRECTED - CORRECTED-UPDATE 1-NAB step closer to clinching $12bln AXA deal

(Corrects first paragraph figure to $12 bln from A$12 bln)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:30 pm

Information For California Storm Victims And Evacuees

Health Net of California, Inc. is taking steps to help ensure that Health Net members who are victims and evacuees of the current California storms have access to prescriptions, critical Health Net information and services to help them cope with grief, loss, stress or trauma. "Our thoughts are with those who have had to evacuate the safety and comfort of their homes, or whose homes have been seriously damaged," said Steven Sell, president of Health Net of California...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Jan 2010 | 9:00 pm

'Bad boy' Gaultier throws bloodied boxers into fashion ring

Bad boy" of French fashion Jean Paul Gaultier lived up to his reputation Thursday, throwing swaggering macho models into a boxing ring as Paris kicked off four days of menswear shows. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Jan 2010 | 8:56 pm

WC crime story triggers free speech debate in S.Africa

Two self-confessed criminals appear on screen, one with a stocking over his head, threatening to rob tourists and stage shootouts with police during South Africa's football World Cup. ...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Jan 2010 | 8:43 pm

UPDATE 1-Lenovo Android phones unaffected by Google China spat

* Lenovo plans for Android-based LePhone to proceed in May
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 21 Jan 2010 | 8:43 pm

Aetna Launches New Team-Based Fitness And Nutrition Program To Help People Achieve Healthy Lifestyles

Aetna (NYSE:AET) today announced a new team-based fitness and nutrition program for employers nationwide that uses online social networking to encourage people of all health and fitness levels to work together with their colleagues to achieve their optimal health. Powered by Shape Up The Nation, Aetna Health Connections Get Active!SM is modeled after Aetna's own Get Active Aetna employee program. The program has been exceptionally successful among Aetna's own employees, with 57 percent of employees participating in the program in 2009...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Jan 2010 | 8:00 pm

Phoenix Controls Introduces Advanced Pressure Monitor For Critical Ventilation Applications

Phoenix Controls, a Honeywell International business, today announced the introduction of the Advanced Pressure Monitor II (APM2), a device that monitors very low differential pressure between rooms. The APM2 verifies directional airflow, and is used in critical ventilation applications such as vivarium research, chemotherapy preparations, hospital procedure rooms, and biocontainment facilities. The product is available today. Conceived with input from a wide range of users, the APM2 is designed to meet the broad needs of laboratory, life sciences and healthcare markets...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Jan 2010 | 7:00 pm

Don't Get Greedy: Registry Data Support Treating Culprit Lesion Only in Initial PCI for STEMI

The first long-term comparison of multivessel and culprit-only PCI in STEMI patients favors treating just the culprit lesion during the initial admission.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 21 Jan 2010 | 6:04 pm

New Study Shows ImmunoCellular Therapeutics' Lead Investigational Cancer Vaccine ICT-107 Targets Cancer Stem Cells

ImmunoCellular Therapeutics (OTC.BB: IMUC) today announced the results of a study in which it was shown that certain specific antigens are highly expressed on cancer stem cells (CSCs). This suggests that IMUC's lead cancer vaccine product candidate ICT-107, which targets those antigens, may effectively target not only the cells that make up the bulk of certain cancerous tumors, but also the CSCs that are widely believed to give rise to them and cause their recurrence...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Jan 2010 | 6:00 pm

Mild Emphysema Tied to Subclinical LV Diastolic Dysfunction in Population-Based Study

The findings have implications for the workup of patients presenting with dyspnea for whom heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is one potential diagnosis, according to researchers.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:57 pm

Stressful Caregiving Can Increase Stroke Risk, Especially Among Men

African American men under the most stress had the highest stroke risk.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:55 pm

Canadian Transcatheter-Valve Series Offers Insights Into Highest-Risk Patients

While it is impossible to compare the transfemoral and transapical outcomes from the nonrandomized, multicenter study, investigators note that the survival rates for both groups were similar at one and two years.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:49 pm

Cell 'surfing' aids virus spread

Some viruses may be able to accelerate by helping each other find uninfected cells to attack, scientists say.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:25 pm

Malnutrition higher among babies born to India's child brides (AFP)

AFP - Babies born to child brides in India run a higher risk of malnourishment compared to those born to older mothers, says a paper appearing on Friday.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:18 pm

Leukaemia cell breakthrough hope

Scientists believe they have made an important breakthrough in attempts to treat a form of childhood leukaemia.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:16 pm

High-Intensity Aerobics Improves Cognitive Performance in MCI, Especially for Women

A high-intensity, supervised aerobic exercise program improves cognitive performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, with effects most pronounced in women despite comparable gains in fitness and body fat reduction.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:14 pm

Combat wounds not the leading cause of evacuations (AP)

AP - American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan were more likely to be medically evacuated for health problems such as a bad back than for combat injuries, a new study says.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:04 pm

Smokers with cancer could quit and double survival (AP)

AP - People with early lung cancer who quit smoking could double their chances of surviving, a new study says.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:01 pm

Sibutramine Now Contraindicated in Patients With a History of Cardiovascular Disease

Based on an additional review of data from a large randomized trial, the FDA is recommending that patients with a history of cardiovascular disease should avoid sibutramine.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:00 pm

TruTouch Technologies Announces Successful Clinical Testing Of Next-Generation Finger-Touch Intoxication Detection System

TruTouch Technologies, a pioneer in non-invasive biometric intoxication detection systems, today announced that it has successfully carried out human clinical trials of its newest finger-touch detection system for alcohol intoxication, in collaboration with Lovelace Scientific Resources. The trial is intended to support continued product commercialization and new technology development for the device, called TruTouch 2000...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Jan 2010 | 5:00 pm

Positron Sells Attrius™ PET Scanner

Positron Corporation (OTCBB:POSC) a molecular imaging solutions company focused on Nuclear Cardiology, announced today the sale of its AttriusTM PET scanner to Manhattan based, Gramercy Cardiac Diagnostic Services, owned by prominent New York City cardiologist, Dr. Peter Rentrop. The Attrius™ is the only PET scanner on the market optimized for myocardial perfusion imaging...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 21 Jan 2010 | 4:00 pm

Lower Birth Weights for Full-Term Babies

Full-term birth weights decreased on an average of 1.83 ounces from 1990 to 2005, a study finds.
WebMD Health News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 21 Jan 2010 | 3:04 pm

U.S. Babies Are Getting Smaller

Birth weights for full-term babies are on the decline, a new study suggests.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 21 Jan 2010 | 3:03 pm

Study finds US birth weights inch down a bit (AP)

AP - U.S. newborns are arriving a little smaller, says puzzling new Harvard research that can't explain why. Fatter mothers tend to produce heavier babies, and obesity is soaring. Yet the study of nearly 37 million births shows newborns were a bit lighter in 2005 than in 1990, ending a half-century of rising birth weights.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 21 Jan 2010 | 3:01 pm

PSivida CEO To Discuss Ocular Drug Delivery In Diabetic Retinopathy At 6th Annual Diabetes Conference January 22 In London

pSivida Corp. (NASDAQ:PSDV)(ASX:PVA)(FF:PV3), a leader in the development of tiny, sustained-release drug delivery technologies, with two of the only three ophthalmic sustained-release delivery products approved by the FDA for treatment of back of the eye diseases, announced that its chief executive officer, Dr. Paul Ashton, will discuss ocular drug delivery in diabetic retinopathy during a presentation at the 6th Annual Diabetes Conference in London, on Friday, January 22. In his presentation Dr...