Health and Medical News Headlines for July 2, 2010

Group to show car that can be driven by the blind (AP)

AP - Could a blind person drive a car? Researchers are trying to make that far-flung notion a reality.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 2 Jul 2010 | 4:03 am

Health overhaul may mean longer ER waits, crowding (AP)

AP - Emergency rooms are the only choice for patients who can't find care elsewhere. They may grow even more crowded under the nation's new health law.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 2 Jul 2010 | 4:01 am

UN food agency: Niger now an 'emergency operation' (AP)

AP - The World Food Program has declared its work in Niger an "emergency operation" after a survey found a sharp rise in malnutrition rates among young children.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 2 Jul 2010 | 3:56 am

Suicide watch

Swiss clinic Dignitas under growing pressure
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 2 Jul 2010 | 3:36 am

Missing out

Why more medical research should focus on children
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:15 am

Genetic Finding May Provide Test for Longevity

Scientists say they have identified genetic variants that predict extreme longevity with 77 percent accuracy.

Source: NYT > Health | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Thesis Highlights Differences Between Women And Men With A Primary Psychotic Episode

Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous disease, due to the fact that the reasons for its onset are varied, as are the reactions of patients who suffer from it. Some experts relieve that gender is an important factor in this heterogeneity. Ms Ana Catalan has presented her PhD thesis at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) on this topic, entitled Differences in the prognostic and clinical presentation as a function of gender amongst patients with a primary psychotic episode...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Low Vitamin D Linked To The Metabolic Syndrome In Elderly People

A new study adds to the mounting evidence that older adults commonly have low vitamin D levels and that vitamin D inadequacy may be a risk factor for the metabolic syndrome, a condition that affects one in four adults. The results were presented at The Endocrine Society's 92nd Annual Meeting in San Diego. "Because the metabolic syndrome increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, an adequate vitamin D level in the body might be important in the prevention of these diseases," said study co-author Marelise Eekhoff, MD, PhD, of VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Physical Activity In Teens Reduces Risk Of Cognitive Impairment In Later Life

Women who are physically active at any point over the life course (teenage, age 30, age 50, late life) have lower risk of cognitive impairment in late-life compared to those who are inactive, but teenage physical activity appears to be most important. This is the key finding of a study of over nine thousand women published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. There is growing evidence to suggest that people who are physically active in mid- and late life have lower chance of dementia and more minor forms of cognitive impairment in old age...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

New Strategy Developed By UM School Of Medicine That May Improve Cognition

For the first time, scientists have linked a brain compound called kynurenic acid to cognition, possibly opening doors for new ways to enhance memory function and treat catastrophic brain diseases, according to a new study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. When researchers decreased the levels of kynurenic acid in the brains of mice, their cognition was shown to improve markedly, according to the study, which was published in the July issue of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology. The study is the result of decades of pioneering research in the lab of Robert Schwarcz, Ph.D...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Key Enzyme In Fetal Heart Development Also Involved In Adult Heart Disease

Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have identified for the first time an enzyme that plays vital roles in both fetal heart development and in causing cardiac hypertrophy - an enlargement of the heart - in adults. The discovery could be used in the future to try to develop new treatments for heart disease...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Genetic Basis Of Alopecia Areata Established - May Soon Lead To New Treatments For Hair Loss Sufferers

A team of investigators led by Columbia University Medical Center has uncovered eight genes that underpin alopecia areata, one of the most common causes of hair loss, as reported in a paper in the July 1, 2010 issue of Nature. Since many of the genes are also implicated in other autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes - and treatments have already been developed that target these genes - this discovery may soon lead to new treatments for the 5.3 million Americans suffering from hair loss caused by alopecia areata...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Pathologists Call For New Training Program To Support Personalized Medicine

Doctors in the Department of Pathology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) have issued "A Call to Action" for the medical profession to catch up with the technology and business communities in the application of genomics to personalized health care...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Mild Hypothermia Can Reduce The Effects Of Sepsis On Oxygen Transport Around The Body And Could Be Used To Treat Patients In Hospital

Inducing mild hypothermia is easy to implement in clinical practice and may be a valuable tool in the treatment of human sepsis patients, say researchers at the University of Brest, France. Sepsis is an inflammatory response to infection and will often result in septic shock, which is the biggest cause of death in intensive care units. New research shows that the development of sepsis in rats living under hypothermic conditions was slower than in normal conditions and they survived much longer...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Secret Ingredient That Kills Bacteria Identified In Honey

Sweet news for those looking for new antibiotics: A new research published in the July 2010 print edition of the FASEB Journal explains for the first time how honey kills bacteria. Specifically, the research shows that bees make a protein that they add to the honey, called defensin-1, which could one day be used to treat burns and skin infections and to develop new drugs that could combat antibiotic-resistant infections...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

"Gait Compensation" Studied With The Help Of 3-Legged Dogs

The new research looked at walking and running techniques in dogs with fore-limb or hind-limb amputations, using a treadmill and a set of high-tech infra-red cameras. The scientists found different coping techniques or "compensation strategies", depending on which limb was missing, with absent fore-limbs proving more complicated. The study, part of an EU project to improve robot efficiency and usability, is intended to help develop robots that can adapt in the event of an "injury". The research was presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Meeting in Prague...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 2 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Reading sessions help Haiti children through quake trauma

When the first story began only a handful of kids sat on the wet ground, watching and listening intently as a woman read aloud to them in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Tabarre. Soon
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 2 Jul 2010 | 12:27 am

Reading sessions help Haiti children through quake trauma (AFP)

AFP - When the first story began only a handful of kids sat on the wet ground, watching and listening intently as a woman read aloud to them in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Tabarre.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 2 Jul 2010 | 12:27 am

Among Some, High Marks for Health Care Overhaul’s Beginnings

A new poll suggests a small increase in favorable views of the new health care law since May, but it is still unclear if many people will see tangible benefits before the November elections.

Source: NYT > Health | 2 Jul 2010 | 12:10 am

Judge Hears Arguments on Health Overhaul Challenge

The first legal challenge of the health care law was brought to federal court Thursday in Virginia, one of 21 states seeking to invalidate the law.

Source: NYT > Health | 2 Jul 2010 | 12:10 am

DEALTALK-Australia mining tax deal seen unlocking M&A pipeline

SYDNEY, July 2 (Reuters) - The Australian government's compromise mining tax deal is expected to unlock a stalled pipeline of mergers and acquisitions in the booming resources sector, although some political...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 1 Jul 2010 | 11:14 pm

Ecstasy a growing rave in Lebanon drug market

At the age of 13, Marwan learned to hide the little colourful pills in his socks as he strode past his supervisors at school. Two years later, he is a go-to man for ecstasy in the Lebanese...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 1 Jul 2010 | 11:05 pm

Cyclosporine Increases Risk for De Novo Cancer in Liver Transplantation

Compared with tacrolimus, cyclosporine treatment appears to be a significant risk factor for the development of de novo cancer in liver transplant patients, Dutch researchers report.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 10:33 pm

Eating Disorders, Addictions Tough to Treat in Teens (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- When it comes to treating eating disorders and addictions, the path to recovery may be even harder -- and less straightforward -- for children and teens than it is for adults, experts say.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 1 Jul 2010 | 9:49 pm

Clinical Trials Update: July 1, 2010 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of ClinicalConnection.com:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 1 Jul 2010 | 9:49 pm

Antibiotic May Up Risk of Dangerous Potassium Levels in Seniors (HealthDay)

HealthDay - THURSDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- A new study warns that seniors who take a common antibiotic combination for urinary tract infections are at increased risk of developing potentially life-threatening high potassium levels.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 1 Jul 2010 | 9:49 pm

UPDATE 1-Lions Gate adopts shareholder rights plan

July 2 (Reuters) - Lions Gate Entertainment Corp said late on Thursday that it has adopted a shareholder rights plan, in a move to deter billionaire Carl Icahn's hostile attempt to buy the independent...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 1 Jul 2010 | 9:44 pm

Genes predict living beyond 100

Scientists in the US have developed way of predicting how likely a person is to live beyond the age of 100.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 1 Jul 2010 | 9:12 pm

PRESS DIGEST - British Business Press - July 2

KNOC, South Korea's national oil company, has approached explorer Dana Petroleum with a 1.7 billion pound takeover offer. Dana's shares jumped four percent to 11.77 pounds after the group confirmed a...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 1 Jul 2010 | 8:51 pm

Pulse-Wave Velocity Is Independent Predictor of CV Events

A simple measure of arterial stiffness--pulse-wave velocity--is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events over and above existing risk factors, according to a new individual participant meta-analysis.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 8:21 pm

Extracting Sprint Fidelis Leads Can Be Safe in the Right Hands

Results from five centers that have extracted Sprint Fidelis ICD leads show that the procedure can be safely completed by experienced operators at high-volume centers, but the authors caution that this does not mean everybody with one of these potentially defective leads should have it removed.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 8:17 pm

BP Variability Is the Next Big Target in Hypertension

Hypertension doctors are digesting the latest research that indicates that large variability in blood-pressure readings between visits may be more important in terms of outcomes than the standard office test of mean BP.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 8:17 pm

Recipes for Health: Creamed Spinach

This classic dish makes a terrific complement to fish.

Source: NYT > Health | 1 Jul 2010 | 8:10 pm

UPDATE 1-KNOC approached Britain's Dana for takeover-source

* KNOC aims to ink a deal by end-2010, delayed from H1-source
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 1 Jul 2010 | 7:56 pm

New Immune System Clue to Low Back Pain

Researchers identify a substance that may trigger inflammatory process for herniated and degenerated discs.
WebMD Health News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 7:55 pm

Obesity Rate Swells in 28 States

Mississippi is ranked at number 1 with 33.8% of adults being obese.
WebMD Health News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 7:55 pm

Group Calls for Ban on Artificial Food Dyes

Consumer group says dyes offer no benefits to outweigh their risks.
WebMD Health News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 7:55 pm

Emergency Contraception May Reduce Fibroid Size, Bleeding

Unlike surgery, the morning-after pill can reduce fibroid size and bleeding without affecting fertility.
WebMD Health News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 7:55 pm

Rail route to Peru's Machu Picchu reopens

Rail service to Peru's main tourist attraction Machu Picchu, one of the world's most prized heritage sites, reopened after months of repairs since heavy rains cut off the site early this...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 1 Jul 2010 | 7:04 pm

Closing in on genes that help people live to 100 (AP)

AP - The oldest among us seem to have chosen their parents well. Researchers closing in on the impact of family versus lifestyle find most people who live to 100 or older share some helpful genes.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 1 Jul 2010 | 6:47 pm

Bicycling, Brisk Walking, May Help Control Weight in Overweight, Obese Women

In a study, bicycling, similar to brisk walking, was associated with less weight gain, and there was an inverse dose-response relationship, especially among overweight and obese women.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 6:46 pm

Cell Death Mediator SHP-1 Linked to Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy

Expression of SHP-1, a protein tyrosine phosphatase that mediates cellular death in conditions of hyperglycemia, may play a role in progression to diabetic retinopathy in patients with long-standing disease.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 1 Jul 2010 | 6:17 pm

Four supervisors charged in 2006 Massey mine fire

NEW YORK, July 1 (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors charged four mine supervisors on Thursday in a case stemming from a 2006 fire at a coal mine run by a unit of Massey Energy , the owner of a West Virginia...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 1 Jul 2010 | 6:16 pm

Sanofi-Aventis eyeing US deal of $20 bln-report

NEW YORK, July 1 (Reuters) - French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA is preparing an acquisition in the United States that may be worth $20 billion or more, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing people familiar...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 1 Jul 2010 | 6:05 pm

Sanofi-Aventis eyeing US deal of $20 bln-report

UK health body rejects Novartis kidney cancer drug (Reuters)

Reuters - Novartis AG's cancer drug Afinitor has been rejected for patients with kidney cancer by Britain's health costs watchdog, which says it is too pricey for the country's taxpayer-funded National Health Service (NHS).
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 1 Jul 2010 | 5:09 pm

Sugar, not just salt, linked to high blood pressure

Eating too much sodium can push your blood pressure into the danger zone. Now, researchers are reporting that eating too many sweets--or drinking too much soda--may have a similar effect.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 1 Jul 2010 | 4:46 pm

Drug Makers Shed 35,000 Jobs

The pharmaceutical industry ranks just behind government in terms of the high number of job cuts, a report says.

Source: NYT > Health | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:40 pm

Swine flu jab contracts 'flawed'

The UK handled the swine flu pandemic well but there are key lessons for the future, a report warns.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:11 pm

For Medicare, Whose Party Is It?

Experiments to change the way patient care is coordinated may involve Medicare, but how many conditions does the federal behemoth set for its participation?

Source: NYT > Health | 1 Jul 2010 | 3:05 pm

Public Swimming Pools: How Dirty Are They?

Public swimming pools have earned a bad rep as unsanitary – but is this reputation unfounded or well deserved?
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:48 pm

AP IMPACT: Millions of vaccine doses to be burned (AP)

AP - About a quarter of the swine flu vaccine produced for the U.S. public has expired — meaning that a whopping 40 million doses worth about $260 million are being written off as trash.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:17 pm

Chancellor's Other Stocks Come Under Scrutiny

After selling tobacco stock, the university official now faces more scrutiny for holdings in fast food and drug companies.

Source: NYT > Health | 1 Jul 2010 | 2:07 pm

Recovery summit prepares to combat oil disaster's human toll

A woman who'd lived two years after Hurricane Katrina in a 30-foot-long FEMA camper cried, calling herself "a survivor" and pleading with the audience to look out for one another. An official with a faith-based relief agency flew in from Washington, seeking jobs for the flood of volunteers who keep calling. An advocate for children reminded people not to overlook the oil disaster's youngest victims.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 1 Jul 2010 | 1:37 pm

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