Health and Medical News Headlines for February 25, 2010

Assisted death legal guidance due

Guidelines to clarify when someone should be prosecuted for assisting suicide in England and Wales are to be released.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 25 Feb 2010 | 1:41 am

Drug-resistant malaria 'growing'

Parasites are developing resistance to one of the most important anti-malaria drugs, according to experts.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 25 Feb 2010 | 1:13 am

US panel finds no good count of how many dairy avoiders really are lactose intolerant

WASHINGTON - Many people who think they cannot digest dairy products might do all right if they eat a small amount at a time, but surprisingly little is known about just how many have...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 25 Feb 2010 | 1:05 am

No time to exercise? No problem. Intense interval training could slash hours off your workout

LONDON - People who complain they have no time to exercise may soon need another excuse. Some experts say intense exercise sessions could help people squeeze an entire week's workout...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 25 Feb 2010 | 1:04 am

UPDATE 1-RBS loss shrinks, calls bad debt peak

LONDON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Royal Bank of Scotland shrank its 2009 operating loss to 6.2 billion pounds, still one of the largest European banking losses for the year, despite a jump in bad debts which...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 25 Feb 2010 | 12:42 am

Citi pvt bank, China conglomerate launch property funds

SINGAPORE, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Citigroup's private banking arm and conglomerate China Resources Group have launched two real estate funds that will invest in Chinese shopping malls and hope to raise about...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 25 Feb 2010 | 12:39 am

UPDATE 1-Philip Morris teams with Fortune in Philippines

* Philip Morris, Fortune Tobacco to create new firm PMFTC
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 25 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

New NICE Guidance On School-based Methods To Prevent Children And Young People Smoking

Public health guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published today (Wednesday 24 February) focuses specifically on school-based methods to prevent children and young people from starting to smoke. One in two long-term smokers will die prematurely as a result of smoking, and half of these deaths will be in middle age. Research shows that children who start smoking before the age of 16 find it harder to quit and are twice as likely to continue to smoke as those who begin later in life - and are more likely to be heavier smokers...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 25 Feb 2010 | 12:00 am

UPDATE 1-Market Chatter -- Corporate finance press digest

BANGALORE, Feb 25 (Reuters) - The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Thursday:
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Feb 2010 | 11:53 pm

UPDATE 1-Market Chatter -- Corporate finance press digest

BANGALORE, Feb 25 (Reuters) - The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Thursday:
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Feb 2010 | 11:53 pm

RPT-UPDATE 1-BNY Mellon sees Asia business doubling in 5 yrs

* Sees M&A opportunities in India, Australia, China
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Feb 2010 | 11:32 pm

Doping in sport more covert, small scale than in Ben Johnson's day: IOC official

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Doping in Olympic sport is more covert and small scale today than in Ben Johnson's era of the 1980s and 1990s, the head of the International Olympic Committee's medical...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Feb 2010 | 11:31 pm

UPDATE 2-Origin, Conoco in Australia gas jv with BG Group

* Origin, ConocoPhillips JV to sell gas into BG's LNG project
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 24 Feb 2010 | 11:26 pm

Vital Signs: Pregnancy: Some Depression Relief, Without Drugs

A study found that acupuncture designed specifically for depressive symptoms seemed to help pregnant women.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 11:15 pm

Vital Signs: Prevention: Older Women Are Not Likely to Benefit From Cervical Cancer Vaccine

The vaccine for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer, is used to prevent new infections, but those occur less frequently in women over 40, a study found.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 11:15 pm

New NICE Guidance Set To Help People With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Final guidance published today (Wednesday 24 February 2010) by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) means that another drug - certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) - can be considered for some people in England and Wales suffering with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease in which joints in the body become inflamed, causing pain, swelling and stiffness. It often affects the small joints of the hands and the feet, and usually both sides equally and symmetrically...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Feb 2010 | 11:00 pm

Vaccine Approved for Child Infections

The vaccine, Prevnar 13, is effective against more types of bacteria, particularly a virulent subtype called strain 19A.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 10:55 pm

Preparing in Great Detail for a Health Debate, and for Its TV Audience

From the seating arrangements to the camera positions and buffet lunch — not to mention the talking points — Thursday’s health care session has been carefully orchestrated.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 10:40 pm

Warning over salt levels in soup

Many soups sold in high street cafes and supermarkets may not offer the healthy option customers are seeking, a pressure group has warned.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 24 Feb 2010 | 10:40 pm

Health Executive Defends Premiums

The president of WellPoint told a House panel that the increase was justified by soaring costs, and that pending legislation could make the problem worse.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 10:36 pm

At Closing Plant, Ordeal Included Heart Attacks

A growing body of research suggests job loss can have profound health consequences for workers.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 10:29 pm

Interval training can cut exercise hours sharply (AP)

AP - People who complain they have no time to exercise may soon need another excuse.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 10:28 pm

Watch How You Hold That Crayon

In affluent areas, occupational therapists have taken their place among those helping successful students

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pm

NICE Instructs NHS On New Drug For Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma

New guidance published today (24 February) by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) will give a specific group of cancer patients access to a new drug on the NHS which could help extend their lives. The guidance recommends trabectedin (Yondelis) for the treatment of certain patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma. The NHS will now have three months to being implementing this new guidance. This recommendation was made possible after the drug manufacturer, PharmaMar, agreed to meet the costs of the drug for any treatment needed beyond the fifth cycle of treatment...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Feb 2010 | 10:00 pm

Health Tip: When Diaper Rash Needs a Doctor (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Diaper rash is usually managed and treated at home without a doctor's supervision. There are cases, however, when it's best to call a pediatrician.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 9:50 pm

Parents' Divorce Doesn't Harm College-Age Kids (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Feb. 24 (HealthDay News) -- University students whose parents have recently divorced are unscathed by the experience, an English study finds.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 9:50 pm

Clinical Trials Update: Feb. 24, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 9:50 pm

Extended-Release Mirapex Approved for Parkinson's Disease (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, Feb. 24 (HealthDay News) -- Mirapex ER (pramipexole dihydrochloride extended-release) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a once-daily option to treat early Parkinson's disease, drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim said in a news release.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 9:50 pm

Ask the Experts: Sex Addiction

Dr. Drew Pinsky, Mavis Humes Baird, Dr. Joe Kort, Maureen Canning and Bart Mandell answer reader questions about sex addiction.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 9:29 pm

New NICE Guideline Aims To Promote Consistent Safety Standards For Donor Breast Milk

New guidance published today (24 February) by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) aims to reinforce the safety of donor breast milk by making recommendations to maintain high standards of practice in specialist milk banks in the UK. New mothers can choose to donate their breast milk to a dedicated milk bank. It can then be used by hospitals that request it...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Feb 2010 | 9:00 pm

Corcept Therapeutics Initiates A Phase 1 Study Of Its Lead Selective Cortisol Receptor (GR-II) Antagonist -- CORT 108297

Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ: CORT), a pharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of drugs for the treatment of severe metabolic and psychiatric disorders, has begun dosing in the Phase 1 study of its next-generation selective cortisol receptor (GR-II) antagonist, CORT 108297. "The initiation of the Phase 1 study of our lead selective cortisol receptor antagonist, CORT 108297, marks the achievement of the first of Corcept's four key milestones for 2010, which were announced last month," said Joseph K. Belanoff, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Corcept...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Feb 2010 | 8:00 pm

Have Your Say On Equality And Diversity Plans - Health Protection Agency

People with an interest in equality and diversity issues are being encouraged to have their say on the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) new Single Equality Scheme. From now until 13th May, the scheme is under public consultation and Stephen Daniel, chair of the HPA's Equality and Diversity Group, wants people to get involved: "We are committed to providing a health protection service that recognises, respects and responds to the diversity of the communities we serve. In order for us to do that effectively, it's vital for us to listen to what people think about our plans...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Feb 2010 | 7:00 pm

Panel recommends annual flu vaccinations for all (AP)

AP - A government panel is now recommending that virtually all Americans get a flu shot each year, starting this fall.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 6:52 pm

Women and men travelers tend to get different illnesses (Reuters)

Reuters - World travel can make anyone sick but men and women tend to suffer different illnesses with women more prone to stomach problems and men at higher risk of fevers and sexually transmitted diseases, Swiss researchers found.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 6:08 pm

Vets Remind Owners To Protect Their Pets Before The Summer Holidays

It may seem like a never-ending winter in the UK, but vets are already looking forward to summer and reminding pet owners to find out about the requirements for taking their pets abroad in plenty of time. As the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) reaches its 10th anniversary on 28th February 2010, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) are advising pet owners to talk to their vets about the vaccinations and other treatments their animals will need to travel overseas and return to the UK...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Feb 2010 | 6:00 pm

Skin Deep: Vitiligo: Ignoring What Is Painfully Obvious

New methods, from topical creams to ultraviolet-light treatments to surgery, offer relief for a skin lightening disorder.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 5:55 pm

Museum Launches New Online History Resource For Schools - Royal Pharmaceutical Society Of Great Britain

The Museum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society has launched a brand new on-line resource for pupils at Key Stage 3 and 4. Health Histories uses primary source material to allow students to investigate pharmacy history in the 20th century. Written with the British Dental Museum, the project was inspired by the discovery that both pharmacy and dentistry get little mention in the history of medicine taught in secondary schools...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Feb 2010 | 5:00 pm

Study: Junk food tax could help fight obesity (AFP)

AFP - Taxing high-fat and sugary junk food is a more effective way to fight obesity than making healthy foods like fruit and vegetables more affordable, a study published Wednesday shows.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 4:52 pm

Expectations Mixed for Healthcare Summit

Will the bipartisan summit spark the momentum the White House needs to revive a sweeping overhaul of the system? Or will it mark the defeat of the cornerstone of President Obama's domestic policy agenda?
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 4:44 pm

Study: High-fat diets raise stroke risk in women (AP)

AP - A moment on the lips, forever on the hips? A bad figure is hardly the worst of it. Eating a lot of fat, especially the kind that's in cookies and pastries, can significantly raise the risk of stroke for women over 50, a large new study finds. We already know that diets rich in fat, particularly artery-clogging trans fat, are bad for the heart and the waistline.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 4:28 pm

US panel: Too little known on lactose intolerance (AP)

AP - Many people who think they cannot digest dairy products might do all right if they eat a small amount at a time, but surprisingly little is known about just how many have true lactose intolerance, a government panel concluded Wednesday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 24 Feb 2010 | 4:04 pm

Let Nurses And Midwives Do Their Job, Australia

The Australian Nursing Federation, Australian College of Midwives and Australian College of Nurse Practitioners are calling on the senate to pass legislation that allows eligible midwives and nurse practitioners access to MBS and PBS. ANF Acting Federal Secretary, Lee Thomas said the senate should not delay in passing legislation that would benefit many Australians. "We are calling for common sense here: pass this legislation and let these highly educated professionals do their job," she said...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm

FDA Approves Inhaled Aztreonam for Cystic Fibrosis

Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 3:40 pm

Congress May Delay Scheduled Medicare Pay Cut to March 28

CMS also could delay paying physicians in March to buy time for the congressional SGR fix if needed.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 3:38 pm

New Details on Potential Adverse Coumarin-Clopidogrel Interaction

The study showing an interaction between coumarin derivatives and the antiplatelet effects of clopidogrel has now been published.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 3:37 pm

Volume CTA Scanning May Slash Radiation Dose

CT angiography using a volume-scanning approach instead of helical scanning may reduce the patient's exposure to radiation by as much as 91%, according to results of a simulation trial.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 3:37 pm

Target Cancer: A Drug Trial Cycle: Recovery, Relapse, Reinvention

When patients on an experimental drug trial relapsed, researchers pushed pharmaceutical companies to collaborate.

Source: NYT > Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 3:20 pm

Virtual meetups spark real fitness

Everyday people with dreams of being fit connect on Sparkpeople.com, the Facebook of the weight-loss world.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 3:14 pm

Two Studies, 2 Conclusions About Duration of TB Prevention Therapy for HIV-Infected Patients

One clinical trial supports 6 months of protective therapy against tuberculosis (TB), whereas another indicates 36 months of TB prophylaxis for HIV-infected patients.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 3:14 pm

House Passes Bill Repealing Antitrust Exemption for Health Insurers

In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the US House of Representatives has passed legislation that would end health insurance companies' 65-year exemption from a variety of federal antitrust rules.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 3:07 pm

Cipriano Elected To Serve On National eHealth Collaborative Board

The American Nurses Association (ANA), the largest nursing organization in the U.S., is proud of the recent election of Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Special Advisor to the Chief Nursing Officer, University of Virginia Health System, to serve a two-year term as Director to the National eHealth Collaborative (NeHC). "ANA is very pleased that Dr. Cipriano will serve on the NeHC Board...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Feb 2010 | 3:00 pm

House kills insurance antitrust rule

The House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to repeal the antitrust exemption currently granted to health insurance companies.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 24 Feb 2010 | 2:55 pm

Experts Debate Future of Rosiglitazone in the Wake of Critical Senate Report

After the release of the Senate report last weekend, experts had varying opinions on the future of the drug. Some, including FDA officials, called for it to be pulled from the market, while others felt rosiglitazone still had a role in select patients. Overall, though, most felt the evidence favors pioglitazone when choosing one of the TZDs.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 2:55 pm

Cancer Pain is "Public Health Catastrophe" in Europe

Opioid analgesics are critical to effective relief of cancer pain. However, in some European countries, opioids are either not fully available or their use is heavily restricted, says a new report.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 2:23 pm

Unsupported Antipsychotic Use in Children Widespread

A significant proportion of children younger than 18 years in a state Medicaid population received a second-generation antipsychotic for conditions that have no published evidence supporting their use.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 24 Feb 2010 | 1:16 pm

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