Health and Medical News Headlines for July 15, 2010

Vivus' weight-loss drug faces key U.S. test (Reuters)

Reuters - The first potential U.S. prescription weight-loss pill in more than a decade could move closer to market on Thursday if it can overcome safety hurdles that have plagued diet drugs for years and led to tepid sales despite the growing number of obese Americans.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 15 Jul 2010 | 3:10 am

Avandia Stays on the Market, But For How Long? (Time.com)

Time.com - Although a federal advisory committee recommended continuing sales of Avandia, the vote could still be a devastating blow to the troubled antidiabetes medication

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:30 am

Former Leaders Urge Alternatives To 'War On Drugs' In Lead Up To XVIII International AIDS Conference

Former presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso (Brazil), Ernesto Zedillo (Mexico) and Cesar Gaviria (Colombia) have announced their endorsement of the Vienna Declaration, the official declaration of the XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010) taking place from 18 to 23 July 2010. The Vienna Declaration seeks to improve community health and safety by calling for the incorporation of scientific evidence into illicit drug policies. The declaration was opened for endorsement by academics and members of the public on 28 June 2010...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

New Vitamin D Guidelines

New and updated guidelines on recommended vitamin D intake have been published this week in the online issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). Dr. David Hanley, professor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, and member of Osteoporosis Canada's (OC) Scientific Advisory Council, is the lead author of the paper on behalf of Osteoporosis Canada...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Community-Based Interventions For Childhood Obesity

Community-based interventions designed to prevent obesity in children seem to work best in those under the age of five, while there is evidence of some success in primary school children, but very mixed effects in adolescents, according to a leading expert in the field...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Surprising New Study Shows Cigarette Cravings Result From Habit, Not Addiction

Nicotine patches and gum are common - and often ineffective - ways of fighting cigarette cravings, as most smokers have discovered. Now a new study from Tel Aviv University shows why they're ineffective, and may provide the basis for more successful psychologically-based smoking cessation programs. In the new study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Dr...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Medicine Quality In Philippines And Region Strengthened With Philippine FDA's Accreditation

In an effort that will contribute to raising the quality of medicines in the Philippines and surrounding regions, the Laboratory Services Division (LSD) of the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has attained the internationally recognized accreditation for testing and calibration laboratories, International Organization for Standardization/ International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 17025:2005. The FDA celebrates this achievement with its partners who assisted the laboratory in earning accreditation, including the U.S...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Lifelong Doubling In Death Risk For Men Who Are Obese At Age 20 Years

Men who enter adult life obese face a life-long doubling of the risk of dying prematurely, new research has found. In a study presented at the International Congress on Obesity in Stockholm, researchers tracked more than 5,000 military conscripts starting at the age of 20 until up to the age of 80. They found that at any given age, an obese man was twice as likely to die as a man who was not obese and that obesity at age 20 years had a constant effect on death up to 60 years later...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Nearly 5 Percent Of Key West Population Exposed To Dengue Virus

An estimated 5 percent of the Key West, Fla., population - over 1,000 people - showed evidence of recent exposure to dengue virus in 2009, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health. After three initial locally acquired cases of dengue were reported in 2009, scientists from the CDC and the Florida Department of Health conducted a study to estimate the potential exposure of the Key West population to dengue virus. Dengue is the most common virus transmitted by mosquitoes in the world...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Progress Made In Addressing Food Marketing To Children, But Challenges Remain

The last six years have seen significant progress in efforts to curb the marketing of unhealthy food to children, with an increasing number of governments taking on the issue, but considerable challenges remain, a leading expert on the topic said. At the International Congress on Obesity in Stockholm, Tim Lobstein presented an analysis of the European policy landscape, undertaken as part of the European Commission's effort to gather evidence to support policy making on the marketing of foods to children...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Beta-Thalassemia: Gene Therapy Breakthrough

Italian scientists pioneering a new gene transfer treatment for the blood disorder Î²-thalassemia have successfully completed preclinical trials, claiming they can correct the lack of beta-globin (Ã�-globin) in patients' blood cells which causes the disease. The research, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, reveals how gene therapy may represent a safe alternative to current cures that are limited to a minority of patients...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

The Cause Of Parkinson's Disease May Be Revealed With The Help Of Skin Cells

Researchers are applying new stem cell technology to use skin samples to grow the brain cells thought to be responsible for the onset of Parkinson's disease, the UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN) annual science meeting heard. Dr Richard Wade-Martins, head of the Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, will explain how he and his team will be gathering data from over 1,000 patients with early stage Parkinson's disease and taking small samples of skin tissue to grow special stem cells - induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 15 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Experimental diet pill shows promise, little risk (AP)

AP - An experimental diet pill helped about half the people who tried it lose some weight and keep it off a year later, without the heart problems that some earlier drugs caused, a study found.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 15 Jul 2010 | 12:32 am

Koc Holding aims for 20 pct profit rise -paper

ISTANBUL, July 15 (Reuters) - Leading Turkish conglomerate Koc Holding targets an increase of 18 percent in its turnover and 20 percent in its operating profit this year, Dunya newspaper reported the...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 11:38 pm

F.D.A. Panel to Vote on Whether Avandia Should Stay on Market

The majority of panel members voted either to withdraw the diabetes drug Avandia or allow sales with controls.

Source: NYT > Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 11:30 pm

Alzheimer's Researchers Hit the Road to Bring Attention to National Funding Crisis

Chronic underinvestment in Alzheimer's disease research by the federal government has inspired the top US researchers to hit the road and raise awareness of this looming crisis.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 11:04 pm

Vivus' weight-loss drug faces key U.S. test

WASHINGTON, July 15 (Reuters) - The first potential U.S. prescription weight-loss pill in more than a decade could move closer to market on Thursday if it can overcome safety hurdles that have plagued...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 11:00 pm

Experts urge US to restrict drug Avandia (AFP)

AFP - A majority of members of a key advisory committee recommended that the US government allow diabetes drug Avandia to stay on the market with greater restrictions on its sale.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:44 pm

Goldman cuts India's HPCL to neutral

MUMBAI, July 15 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs said on Thursday it had downgraded Indian refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp to "neutral" from "buy".
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:42 pm

National Briefing | Plains: Nebraska: Judge Blocks Abortion Law

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a state law requiring mental health screenings for women seeking abortions.

Source: NYT > Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:29 pm

Health Plans Must Provide Some Tests at No Cost

The White House has issued new rules that involve coverage for many types of preventive care.

Source: NYT > Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:18 pm

IBM plans $100 mln China-focussed healthcare initiative

HONG KONG, July 15 (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp said on Thursday it will invest $100 million over the next three years in a research initiative with a special focus in China as Beijing...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:15 pm

Abu Dhabi preserves Muslim musical heritage (AFP)

AFP - Musicologists funded by Abu Dhabi are roaming Islamic countries in search of lullabies and children's songs, one of the first projects of a centre that aims to preserve the musical heritage of the Muslim world.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:12 pm

Nestlé Will Drop Claims of Health Benefit in Drink

The Federal Trade Commission said an ad campaign for Boost Kid Essentials was deceptive.

Source: NYT > Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:59 pm

Alzheimer's May Increase Seizure Risk (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, July 13 (HealthDay News) -- People with Alzheimer's disease appear to be at increased risk for seizures, researchers have found.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:48 pm

Community Programs Can Help Mothers Control Weight: Study (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- Community-based lifestyle programs help prevent weight gain and encourage physical activity in women with young children, a new study from Australia has found.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:48 pm

New Pill Found to Cut Weight With Few Side Effects: Study (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- A weight-loss pill called lorcaserin not only helps people drop pounds but does so with few side effects, new industry-funded research reports.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:48 pm

Redefining Alzheimer's Disease: NIA and Alzheimer's Association Float New Draft Diagnostic Criteria

Reports of 3 working groups were presented for the first time here at ICAD and will be posted online for initial comment from the community.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:43 pm

PRESS DIGEST - The Financial Times - July 15

U.S. lawmakers have added an amendment to an oil rig safety bill that could stop BP obtaining new offshore oil leases because of its poor safety record, if passed. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/777b82ac-8f81-11df-8df0-00144feab49a...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:04 pm

Reliance Comm may have to lower tower value-report

NEW DELHI, July 15 (Reuters) - India's Reliance Communications may have to lower the value of its tower assets being sold to GTL Infrastructure in view of a likely stake sale in the No. 2 Indian mobile...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 9:00 pm

Vodafone tests investors on possible A$ bond-funds

(For the latest Australia and New Zealand bond news, double click on [AU/CRD] and then double click on the ID number)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 8:31 pm

PRESS DIGEST - Thai newspapers - July 15

BANGKOK, July 15 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Thai newspapers on Thursday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 8:30 pm

APA prices A$300 mln 10-year notes at 240bp/swap

(For the latest Australia and New Zealand bond news, double click on [AU/CRD] and then double click on the ID number)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 8:25 pm

UPDATE 2-Apple to hold iPhone press conference Friday

* Growing flap about reception problems on iPhone 4 (Adds background on iPhone 4 controversy)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 14 Jul 2010 | 7:48 pm

Out-of-hours care firm criticised

A firm providing out-of-hours care in an area where a pensioner died after a painkiller overdose had "systematic" failings, the NHS regulator says.
Source: BBC News - Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 6:29 pm

3 new weight-loss drugs: Will they work?

Here's the good news: Three new weight-loss drugs are on the horizon that could help overweight and obese people shed pounds. A Food and Drug Administration panel is meeting on Thursday to discuss one of the drugs, Qnexa, and the panel is scheduled to consider two more drugs, lorcaserin and Contrave, in the coming months.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 6:23 pm

Single Screening Question May Identify Drug Use in Primary Care

A single screening question accurately identified drug use in a sample of primary care patients, suggesting that it would be a useful screen in primary care.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 6:13 pm

FDA panel splits on diabetes drug

A Food and Drug Administration committee delivered a split recommendation on the diabetes drug Avandia on Wednesday, with most members voting to leave it on the market but urging tighter controls on the way it's prescribed.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 5:25 pm

UK 'superior' on end of life care

The UK has the best system for end of life care, a global study says.
Source: BBC News - Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 5:11 pm

Noisy knee prototype unveiled

UK-based researchers unveil a prototype device which scans the knees for signs of osteoarthritis.
Source: BBC News - Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 5:11 pm

Skin Deep: More Pressure on Organic Claims for Health and Beauty Products

Whole Foods will stop selling health and beauty products that say “organic” but aren’t certified.

Source: NYT > Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 5:02 pm

Helena school board gets earful on sex ed proposal (AP)

AP - A proposed sex education program that teaches fifth-graders the different ways people have intercourse and first-graders about gay love has infuriated parents and forced the school board to take a closer look at the issue.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 14 Jul 2010 | 4:40 pm

F.D.A. Panel Votes to Restrict Avandia

A majority of the federal panel recommends either yanking Avandia from the market or strictly controlling its sale.

Source: NYT > Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:52 pm

Rituximab May Not Be Superior to Cyclophosphamide for Severe ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

In a randomized trial, a rituximab-based regimen was not superior to standard intravenous cyclophosphamide for severe ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:43 pm

Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Change Usually Requires Combinations of Cognitive Approaches

A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association lays out which approaches can help patients reduce their risk factors and which approaches usually fail.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:43 pm

Sleep Apnea Linked to Heart Failure in Men, But Not Women

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of heart failure in men, but not in women. An association with coronary heart disease was less concrete and again seen only in men in this prospective, community-based study.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:31 pm

Cheney recovering from heart surgery

Former Vice President Dick Cheney recently underwent heart surgery and is recovering in a Virginia hospital, said a statement issued by Cheney on Wednesday.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:27 pm

High Rate of Psychiatric Disorders in Preschoolers During Transition to Kindergarten

A population-based study shows 21.6% of preschool-aged children have a psychiatric disorder with impairment during the transition to formal schooling, with almost 6% exhibiting risk for comorbidity.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:24 pm

Selective Cholesterol Screening Missing Kids Who Qualify for Drug Therapy

Using a family history of premature cardiovascular disease or premature hyperlipidemia to guide cholesterol screening in children misses a number of children who would be candidates for drug therapy, according to a new report. Universal screening, say researchers, would allow for earlier diagnoses of significant dyslipidemia and reduce the risk of future disease.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 3:16 pm

Rosiglitazone Meeting: Advisory Committee Delivers Mixed Message to FDA

Near the end of two days of exhaustive, often-polarized debate, 12 panel members said the drug should be withdrawn, with no other choice getting as many votes. But the other 20 votes were spread across three out of four other options, all suggesting that the drug could stay on the market, with certain provisions.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 2:42 pm

Many Lung Cancer Patients Stopped Smoking Years Before Diagnosis

The stigma that people did this to themselves is still attached to lung cancer, although the perception is challenged by a new study.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 14 Jul 2010 | 2:11 pm

Guns in Frail Hands

Guns signify independence to many frail seniors, including those with dementia, and often caregivers struggle with decisions about when to remove weapons from the homes of loved ones.

Source: NYT > Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 1:19 pm

Just a Cough, or Lung Cancer?

Dr. Derek Raghavan of the Cleveland Clinic responds to readers about detecting lung cancer at an early, and curable, stage.

Source: NYT > Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 1:13 pm

Your Poop Is Unique: Gut Viruses Different in Every Person

Like a fingerprint, the virus communities in the human gut are unique to each individual
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 11:00 am

Delay in Release of Study on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Prompts an Outcry

Sufferers fear that evidence of a link between their illness and a little-known retrovirus is being suppressed.

Source: NYT > Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:38 am

Is cholesterol testing for kids going too far?

Cholesterol tests may soon become as routine a part of childhood health care as vaccines. In recent years, a growing number of pediatricians have been pushing for all children to have their cholesterol checked, not just those who appear to be at risk for heart disease later in life.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 14 Jul 2010 | 10:33 am

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