Health and Medical News Headlines for March 24, 2010

Pro-Obama groups plan health care ad blitz

Democratic legislators in 40 Congressional districts are about to see TV ads thanking them for their support of the health care reform bill the president signed into law Tuesday, Democratic officials told CNN.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 24 Mar 2010 | 12:58 am

The Defib Centre Opens Its Doors To Raise Awareness Of The Tragic Loss Of Life From Sudden Cardiac Arrest, UK

The Defib Centre Ltd, the Sussex-based sudden cardiac arrest information resource and authorised distributor of UK-manufactured HeartSine Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) has just launched. According to the British Heart foundation, sudden cardiac arrest kills more than 2,000 people in the UK every week. It is the UK's biggest killer, claiming more victims than lung cancer, breast cancer and AIDS combined. It is these appalling statistics that motivated Robin Shepherd, former Channel 5 and BBC1 Watchdog "back expert", to set up The Defib Centre...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 24 Mar 2010 | 12:00 am

Shunning health insurance can be costly

The health care law signed Tuesday by President Obama is projected to extend insurance coverage to roughly 32 million additional Americans, but what happens to those who don't get themselves covered by health insurance?

Source: CNN.com - Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 11:56 pm

Economic Scene: In Health Bill, Obama Attacks Wealth Inequality

The health care bill is the government’s biggest attack on economic inequality since it began rising in the 1970s.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 11:48 pm

Synthetic marijuana a growing trend among teens

The latest trend at teen parties isn't warm beer or prescription medicines pilfered from parents' medicine cabinets. Instead, increasing numbers of youths are turning to an herb-based product to get high, and unlike marijuana, it's perfectly legal.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 11:17 pm

GOP begins battle against changes

The Senate launched debate Tuesday on a House-passed bill to make changes in the hours-old health care reform law, with Republicans promising to use every parliamentary tool available to undermine or defeat the measure.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 11:06 pm

Child psychiatrists embrace videoconferencing telepsychiatry (Time.com)

Time.com - There aren't enough child psychiatrists. That's why many of them are using videoconferencing to reach adolescent and teen patients
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 11:00 pm

BIO Statement On Health Care Reform

Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) President and CEO Jim Greenwood released the following statement after passage of "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009" by the U.S. House of Representatives: "The health care reform bill passed by the House of Representatives last night includes key provisions that provide real solutions for our nation's health care challenges and real hope for patients living with debilitating diseases such as cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, HIV/AIDS and many rare diseases...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Mar 2010 | 11:00 pm

Dr. James Black, Pharmacologist Who Discovered Beta Blockers, Dies at 85

Dr. Black was a Scottish pharmacologist whose discovery of beta blockers and another class of drugs extended the lives of millions of people with heart and stomach disorders.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 10:54 pm

Market Chatter -- Corporate finance press digest

BANGALORE, March 24 (Reuters) - The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Wednesday:
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 10:33 pm

Market Chatter -- Corporate finance press digest

BANGALORE, March 24 (Reuters) - The following corporate finance-related stories were reported by media on Wednesday:
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 10:33 pm

Obama Signs Health Overhaul Into Law

The most sweeping social legislation enacted in decades became law after a festive, at times raucous, signing ceremony in the White House on Tuesday.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 10:20 pm

GMAC may sell factoring business to Wells Fargo-Bloomberg

March 24 (Reuters) - U.S. auto finance company GMAC Financial Services may sell its factoring business unit to Wells Fargo & Co , Bloomberg said, citing two people with direct knowledge of the matter...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 10:09 pm

Benefits And Side Effects Of Statins

A March 19 article in Time Magazine about the use of statins in women and a recent statement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the use of simvastatin in men and women have addressed both the benefits and side effects of statin therapy for elevated cholesterol values administered in an effort to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Over the last several decades, deaths due to coronary heart disease and stroke have declined substantially, in part due to the use of important new medical treatments, among which includes statin therapy...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Mar 2010 | 10:00 pm

Christian Science Church Seeks Truce With Doctors

The church has begun a campaign to redefine its methods as a form of care that anyone can use and that deserves to be covered by health insurance.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:50 pm

Health Tip: Secondhand Smoke Can Harm Children (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Secondhand smoke is particularly dangerous to young children, whose lungs are still developing, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:49 pm

Clinical Trials Update: March 23, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:49 pm

New Inhaled Insulin Shows Promise for Diabetes (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, March 23 (HealthDay News) -- A new form of inhaled insulin appears to help people with diabetes who must use insulin, with fewer potential risks than an earlier form of inhaled insulin that is no longer on the market.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:48 pm

UPDATE 2-Samsung's Lee returns as chairman to boost growth

* Lee Kun-hee named chairman of Samsung Electronics as of Wed
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:26 pm

Caesarean Births in U.S. Reach 32%, Heightening Concern

Nearly one in three children in the United States are born by Caesarean section.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:20 pm

A Nobel Winner Is Reported to Be in Line for Cancer Post

Dr. Harold Varmus is said to be a leading contender to be the next director of the National Cancer Institute.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:20 pm

Health Law Requires Chains to Post Calorie Counts

A measure in the new health care legislation will create a national policy modeled on a requirement that has already taken effect in New York City.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:20 pm

Google users report erratic service in Beijing

BEIJING, March 24 (Reuters) - Users of Google Inc.'s search engines across Beijing reported erratic service on Wednesday, with the site sometimes failing to open, and some searches for even non-sensitive...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:12 pm

Deal to Cut Cost of Vaccines for Poor Nations

The agreement, with Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline, could save as many as 900,000 lives over the next five years.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:07 pm

Food Standards Agency Response To Consumer Focus Wales Report

The Food Standards Agency welcomes the publication of the Consumer Focus Wales report: 'Protecting consumers from E.coli O157'. This report refers to progress on work undertaken by the Food Standards Agency and others in implementing the recommendations made in the Pennington report (published last year) on the Public Inquiry into the E.coli outbreak in South Wales in 2005. We agree that while much has already been done, there is more still to do...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Mar 2010 | 9:00 pm

Acute Phase Dose Risperidone More Effective at Relapse Prevention in Maintenance Schizophrenia Than Reduced Dose Strategies

One year of maintenance risperidone administered at the initial therapeutic dose for acute schizophrenia is more effective at preventing relapse than dose reduction strategies in this patient population.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 8:41 pm

Accident And Emergency Benchmarking Launched

The Foundation Trust Network has launched the UK's first project to benchmark the performance of accident and emergency services. This will help NHS trusts to compare performance, and find efficient ways of working that will make better use of NHS funds. FTN Benchmarking, run in partnership with McKinsey & Company, analyses trusts' performance on quality (clinical outcomes); cost effectiveness; and the day-to-day running of the service. The project is timed to help trusts deliver improvements in A&E in time for winter when they will face increased pressures...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Mar 2010 | 8:00 pm

Drug Crackdown Said to Leave Nursing Home Patients in Pain

Nursing home groups prepare to tell a Senate panel that a Drug Enforcement Administration move is depriving frail patients of painkillers.

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 7:50 pm

UPDATE 1-Sinopharm H2 net lags forecast, eyes expansion

* 2009 net 845.8 mln yuan tops own f'cast of 840 mln yuan
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 7:41 pm

Reports suggest isotope shortage is forcing some facilities to reschedule tests

TORONTO - The critical shortage of medical isotopes appears to be forcing some clinics and hospitals to reschedule or cancel some imaging appointments, with shortages even arising with a...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 7:32 pm

X-rays 'can miss many fractures'

X-rays fail to spot up to nearly a third of fractures in the bones of the hip and pelvis, research suggests.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 23 Mar 2010 | 7:28 pm

High alcohol price 'benefits all'

Raising the minimum price of alcohol would have health benefits for all drinkers, not just heavy drinkers, say UK experts.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 23 Mar 2010 | 7:15 pm

TABLE-Sinopharm 2009 net profit up 44 pct

NOTE - Sinopharm Group is China's largest pharmaceutical products distributor. The company was listed in Hong Kong stock exchange on September 23, 2009.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 7:03 pm

Dynavax Reports Positive Findings From Detailed Safety Analysis Of HEPLISAVTM

Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: DVAX) will present for the first time a detailed analysis of safety data for HEPLISAV™, an investigational adult hepatitis B vaccine, including two major findings: - The safety profile of HEPLISAV was comparable to that of Engerix-B®, one of two currently licensed vaccines for the prevention of hepatitis B infection, and - There is no difference in autoimmune adverse events or laboratory markers of autoimmunity between subjects vaccinated with HEPLISAV and Engerix-B...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Mar 2010 | 7:00 pm

Doctors urge full car smoking ban

Smoking should be banned in all cars as well as in public places where young people congregate, UK doctors are urging.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 23 Mar 2010 | 6:48 pm

Advance Care Planning May Improve End-of-Life Care for Patient and Family

In a randomized controlled trial, advance care planning improved end-of-life care and patient and family satisfaction and reduced stress in surviving relatives.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 6:48 pm

Sinopharm H2 net up 43 pct, lags forecast

HONG KONG, March 24 (Reuters) - Sinopharm Group on Wednesday posted a 43 percent rise in second-half net profit, lagging expectations, as China's top pharmaceutical products distributor by market value...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 6:48 pm

MRSA Control Program Pays Long-Term Dividends in Paris Hospitals

A comprehensive approach lowered MRSA in hospitals with a high MRSA burden.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 6:46 pm

Curry ingredient shows promise against liver damage

LONDON (Reuters) - A compound found in the common curry spice turmeric appears to delay the liver damage that eventually causes cirrhosis, scientists said on Wednesday.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 23 Mar 2010 | 6:29 pm

Diabetes Services In Scotland Urged To Do More

As the number of people with diabetes in Scotland grows to 228,000, Diabetes UK Scotland is today urging NHS Scotland to meet the challenge to improve diabetes services and improve the health of people with diabetes. The "Better Diabetes Care Survey Report 2009" details findings of a survey completed by 1,000 people with diabetes, and shows that while there is praise for recent improvements in care, considerable concerns remain that there are significant gaps in services...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Mar 2010 | 6:00 pm

Health Care Reform Package Ready For President's Signature

Sunday, March 21, 2010, marked a historic day for people with lupus and other chronic diseases. The Health Care Reform package is projected to extend insurance coverage to approximately 32 million Americans (about 94% of Americans) who currently do not have health insurance as well as provide some much-needed protections for people with lupus and other chronic diseases. The House of Representatives passed H.R. 4872 and H.R. 3590 by a vote of 219-212 on March 21, 2010. H.R. 3590 was the Senate-passed health plan which will go to the President for his signature and H.R...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Mar 2010 | 5:00 pm

Lupus Foundation Of America Seeks Proposals To Advance The Understanding Of Pediatric Lupus, Neuropsychiatric Lupus, And Reproductive Health Issues

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) seeks grant proposals from researchers and investigators to help advance the science and understanding of pediatric lupus, reproductive health issues in people with lupus, and neuropsychiatric lupus, which affects the brain and peripheral nervous system. Advances in these areas of lupus research are critical to improving a patient's quality of life, yet remain poorly understood, and have been inadequately funded by the federal government, industry, and other organizations...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Mar 2010 | 4:00 pm

Top US psychiatrist calls for ethics cleanup (AP)

AP - American psychiatrists need to break away from a "culture of influence" created by their financial dealings with the drug industry, the head of the National Institute of Mental Health said in a leading medical journal.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 3:58 pm

Medicare to pay for "fillers" in HIV patients (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. Medicare program will pay for the use of facial filling treatments in certain HIV patients with sunken cheeks and other similar problems who are also depressed, the government said on Tuesday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 3:46 pm

Older women need 1-hour workouts to fend off flab (AP)

AP - Rev up the treadmill: Sobering new research spells out just how much exercise women need to keep the flab off as they age — and it's a lot.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 3:35 pm

Health timeline: What happens when

President Obama signed sweeping health care reform into law today. The Senate must now pass a package of changes that will reconcile the differences between Senate and House bills. If those changes are worked out, here is how health care reforms will affect you:

Source: CNN.com - Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 3:21 pm

Obesity tied to poorer colon cancer survival (Reuters)

Reuters - Obese people are known to have a higher risk of colon cancer. Now, a new study suggests they may have poorer long-term survival odds than their thinner counterparts if they do develop the disease.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 3:16 pm

Obama signs health bill into law

US President Barack Obama signs his landmark healthcare bill in a ceremony at the White House, saying it is "desperately needed".
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 23 Mar 2010 | 3:02 pm

Health reform coming to burgers, tans too

The health care bill signed into law Tuesday by President Obama is the nation's most sweeping social legislation in four decades. But it also will directly affect anyone who eats at chain restaurants and those who tan indoors.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 3:00 pm

Nurses Congratulate ACTU President Sharan Burrow, Australia

The Australian Nursing Federation has congratulated ACTU President Sharan Burrow after she was nominated unopposed for an international union leadership position this week. ANF Federal Secretary Ged Kearney said she wished Ms Burrow all the best as General Secretary of the Brussels-based International Trade Union Confederation. "Sharan has done an extraordinary job for the ACTU, and I know she will continue to achieve great outcomes for workers on the international stage," she said...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 23 Mar 2010 | 3:00 pm

Women With MI Less Likely to Get Cath Procedures

Women's adjusted MI mortality rate would be in line with men's if they received comparable treatment, a French study suggests.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 2:55 pm

Not Yet Closed? PFO-Migraine Link Probed in Two New Studies

Two new studies, including an oral presentation at the recent ACC meeting, are offering new hints that in appropriately selected patients, closing a patent foramen ovale can lead to migraine improvement or even cure.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 2:55 pm

Replacing Saturated Fat With Polyunsaturated Fats--Not Carbs--Reduces CHD Risk

The findings, say investigators, highlight the importance of replacing saturated fat with healthy food choices, such as fish and vegetable oils, in order to get the heart-protective benefits of a low-saturated-fat diet.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 2:55 pm

Certain Pre-CABG CRP Levels May Be Linked to Increased Risk for 5-Year Mortality Rates, Hospital Stay

C-reactive protein levels as low as 3 mg/L were associated with increased 5-year mortality rates in patients undergoing routine coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 2:50 pm

C Difficile Surpasses MRSA as the Leading Cause of Nosocomial Infections in Community Hospitals

A new analysis reveals that since 2007, Clostridium difficile has resulted in more infections than methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), although MRSA is more likely to cause mortality.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 2:39 pm

Sting of parent's death lasts long

Most adults who as children lost parents say they'd trade a year of their life for one more day with their departed parent, a new survey has found.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 2:30 pm

Early Termination of Clinical Trials May Overestimate Treatment Effects

In a meta-analysis, truncated randomized controlled trials were associated with greater effect sizes than trials not stopped early, especially in smaller studies.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 2:01 pm

Physical Activity Linked to Less Weight Gain in Women With Normal BMI

This study also shows that women who successfully maintain normal weight and gain less than 2.3 kg during 13 years average approximately 1 hour per day of moderate-intensity physical activity.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 23 Mar 2010 | 2:00 pm

Mephedrone 'likely to face ban'

The government's chief drugs adviser indicates the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) may recommend a ban on mephedrone.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 23 Mar 2010 | 1:51 pm

Really?: The Claim: Eat Six Small Meals a Day Instead of Three Big Ones

Can eating numerous small meals throughout the day help you lose weight?

Source: NYT > Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 12:21 pm

Health care reform: How it might work for real people

About 32 million Americans who don't have health insurance will get access to coverage when the $940 billion health care plan takes effect.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 12:00 pm

U.N. urges global water purification

Contaminated and polluted water now kills more people than all forms of violence including wars, according to a United Nations report released Monday that calls for turning unsanitary wastewater into an environmentally safe economic resource.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 23 Mar 2010 | 11:33 am

Children with cancer often use alternative medicine (Reuters)

Reuters - Many children undergoing treatment for cancer use herbal remedies, vitamins or other types of alternative therapies, a new research review suggests.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 10:29 am

US law to make calorie counts hard to ignore (AP)

AP - A requirement tucked into the massive U.S health care bill will make calorie counts impossible for thousands of restaurants to hide and difficult for consumers to ignore. More than 200,000 fast food and other chain restaurants will have to include calorie counts on menus, menu boards and even drive-throughs.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 23 Mar 2010 | 10:18 am

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