Health and Medical News Headlines for July 17, 2010

Spanish Study Analyzes The Probability Of Surviving Nine Types Of Cancer

"The innovative factor contributed by our work is its relevance to population and measurement of relative survival, which enables us to discover survival related to cancer in a more precise way", MarÃa Dolores Chirlaque, main author of the study and researcher in the Epidemiology Service of the Department of Health and Consumption in Murcia, explains to SINC...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Helping Children Pick Healthier Foods

A new initiative to improve children's nutrition education and increase the amount of healthy foods available in schools is a collaboration among Penn State researchers; Pennsylvania's Departments of Health, Education, and Agriculture; Pennsylvania food manufacturers and food distributors; and school districts across the state. The project, led by Penn State and supported for two years by an $800,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seeks to improve children's understanding of nutrition and help them make smarter food choices...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Examining Human Immune Response To Virus At The Atomic Level

A team of biochemists has identified the molecular mechanism by which an immune response is triggered by the invading viruses, according to recent research. The results could eventually lead to new therapies for many different kinds of viral infections, from the common cold to hepatitis and AIDS, according to Dr. Pingwei Li, Texas A&M University's department of biochemistry and biophysics. "This work provided insight into how our immune system recognizes viral RNA at the atomic level," Li said...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

American Association Of Physicists In Medicine 52nd Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pa., July 18-22, 2010

Next week the city of Philadelphia will host the 52nd annual meeting of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the premier organization in medical physics, a broadly-based scientific and professional discipline encompassing physics principles and applications in medicine and biology...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Children In Good Shape Have Better Appetite Control And Energy Expenditure

Adolescents of ages between 12 and 17, with a good physical condition and regular physical activity present increased levels of insulin and leptin, which are hormones involved in the development of diabetes, appetite control and energy expenditure. This was the conclusion drawn from a study recently conducted at the Department of Physiology of the University of Granada. Further, after thorough analysis of a number of scientific studies, they also concluded that physical activity and physical condition are negatively associated with adolescents' body fat...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

First Results Of Largest Study Of Genomes And Cancer Treatments

The largest study to correlate genetics with response to cancer drugs releases its first results today. The researchers behind the study, based at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, describe in this initial dataset the responses of 350 cancer samples to 18 anticancer therapeutics. These first results, made freely available on the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity website, will help cancer researchers around the world to seek better understanding of cancer genetics and could help to improve treatment regimens...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Heat Wave Mortality Differs Between Countries

Heat waves may cause increased mortality but, until now, there has been no single scientific definition for the occasional bursts of hot weather that can strike during the summer months. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Environmental Health have created a definition that they use to document, for the first time, how heat wave mortality impact differs between European cities...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

New Way To Grow Adult Stem Cells In Culture May Lead To Treatment For Muscular Dystrophy

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have developed a technique they believe will help scientists overcome a major hurdle to the use of adult stem cells for treating muscular dystrophy and other muscle-wasting disorders that accompany aging or disease: They've found that growing muscle stem cells on a specially developed synthetic matrix that mimics the elasticity of real muscle allows them to maintain their self-renewing properties. "Cells don't normally exist in contact with a rigid cell culture dish," said Helen Blau, PhD, the Donald E. and Delia B...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Toxicity Increases With Combined Chemo/Radiation Treatments For Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Although the standard practice of treating patients with advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma using radiation and chemotherapy may reduce cancer deaths compared to patients treated with radiation alone, non-cancer related deaths and toxicity problems have been shown to increase, according to a recent study published online in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

New Radiation Mechanism May Ward Off Cancer, Oil Spills And Terrorism

Radiation similar to that used to treat cancer may someday help clean up environmental disasters such as the Gulf oil spill and detect explosive powder hidden underneath clothing. The novel radiation mechanism developed by University of Central Florida physicist Richard Klemm and a team of scientists in Japan also could help doctors more directly target cancer and many other diseases, reducing the impact of treatments on healthy parts of the body. The mechanism operates in the Terahertz gap - the range between microwave and infrared frequencies...

Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 17 Jul 2010 | 1:00 am

Dozens Arrested on Charges of Defrauding Medicare of $251 Million

Ninety-four suspects were indicted, and several doctors and nurses were among those arrested in Miami, New York, Detroit, Houston and Baton Rouge, La.

Source: NYT > Health | 17 Jul 2010 | 12:20 am

Brain Center at Columbia Gave Patients Impure Drugs

Columbia University doctors studying brain disorders routinely injected mental patients with drugs containing potentially dangerous impurities, investigators found.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 11:30 pm

Patient Money: Losing Weight the Smartphone Way, With a Nutritionist in Your Pocket

Many experts and consumers are excited about the new weight-loss apps available for iPhone, BlackBerry and other smartphones.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 10:50 pm

Drug Trials Test Bold Plan to Slow Alzheimer’s

A new type of Alzheimer’s drug study will, in the boldest effort yet, test the leading hypothesis about how to slow or stop this terrifying brain disease.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 10:44 pm

U.S. Health Reform Starts to Take Hold (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- Seniors whose drug costs push them into Medicare's "donut hole" and parents whose children are uninsurable due to pre-existing health conditions are among the first Americans to see tangible effects of the nation's historic health reform law.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 16 Jul 2010 | 9:48 pm

Kids Who Do Poorly in School More Likely to Become Bullies (HealthDay)

HealthDay - FRIDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- Youngsters and teens who lack social problem-solving skills are more likely to become bullies, victims or both, while those who also do poorly at school are even more likely to become bullies, according to a new study.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 16 Jul 2010 | 9:48 pm

Abused Children at Risk of Developing Psychiatric Disorders as Young Adults

Children who are maltreated are more likely to have subsequent psychopathology as young adults, including mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, according to a new study from New Zealand.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 9:09 pm

Animal Study Shows Potential of Universal Influenza Vaccine

A primer dose followed by a periodic booster could eliminate the need for annual influenza vaccinations.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 8:53 pm

Home Birth Study Findings Raise Controversy

Midwife associations take issue with a study that found home births to be associated with a 3-fold increased risk for neonatal mortality.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 8:41 pm

94 charged in Medicare scams totaling $251M (AP)

AP - Elderly Russian immigrants lined up to take kickbacks from the backroom of a Brooklyn clinic. Claims flooded in from Miami for HIV treatments that never occurred. One professional patient was named in nearly 4,000 false Medicare claims.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 16 Jul 2010 | 7:38 pm

Four Recommended Apps for Losing Weight

Some weight-loss programs to consider.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 7:30 pm

Obese Prefer Lifestyle Change Over Weight Loss Programs

Obese adults would rather join programs that encourage them to make healthy lifestyle changes to lose weight than attend commercial programs that focus solely on weight loss.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 7:27 pm

Australia's Healthscope considering two final bids -sources

SYDNEY, July 17 (Reuters) - Australian hospital group Healthscope has received final takeover bids from private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co and a consortium of TPG [TPG.UL] and Carlyle...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 7:16 pm

UPDATE 1-Telefonica, Televisa win in Mexico frequency tender

* Bidding on 1710 to 2170 MHz range ongoing (Updates with Telefonica quote)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 7:08 pm

Taking an Alternative Path in Fighting the Disease

While most Alzheimer’s research focuses on blocking amyloid and plaque, other scientists are concentrating on another protein, tau.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 6:55 pm

FDA says breast cancer drug did not extend lives (AP)

AP - Federal health scientists said Friday that follow-up studies of a Roche breast cancer drug showed that it failed extend patient lives, opening the door for it to be potentially withdrawal for use in treating that disease.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 16 Jul 2010 | 6:37 pm

History of dentistry

From blacksmiths to growing your own teeth
Source: BBC News - Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 6:35 pm

World Cup fans' HIV risk warning

Doctors are advising football fans who went to the World Cup in South Africa to check their HIV status if they had unprotected sex on their trip.
Source: BBC News - Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 5:40 pm

'Not enough good data' to back obesity drug, panelist says

Dr. David Edelson, a weight-loss specialist in Manhasset, New York, hears the stories of dozens of patients each day -- most of them grappling with serious weight problems, after a lifetime of obesity.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 5:06 pm

UPDATE 2-Slim, Azcarraga sell stakes in Mexican airline

* Indigo Partners LLC, one of new partners (Recasts with Volaris announcement, adds details on deal)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 4:37 pm

Fitness guru to military: 'Bring it'

Tony Horton is on a mission: to keep the military fit.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 4:14 pm

UPDATE 1-Epocrates files for $75 mln IPO

July 16 (Reuters) - Clinical information provider Epocrates Inc filed with U.S. regulators on Friday to raise up to $75 million through an initial public offering of common stock.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 4:06 pm

Telefonica, Televisa win in Mexico frequency tender

MEXICO CITY, July 16 (Reuters) - Spain's Telefonica, tycoon Ricardo Salinas and broadcasting heavyweight Televisa made ($230 million) in winning bids to acquire wireless frequencies in one of two tenders,...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 3:50 pm

Depression and Erectile Dysfunction Are Independent Risk Factors for Heart Disease

The presence of depressive symptoms increased the risk of cardiovascular events in men with erectile dysfunction, a new study shows.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 3:37 pm

FACTBOX-Oilfield services Q2 impact of Gulf/Mexico disaster

July 16 (Reuters) - The second quarter was far worse for companies that rent offshore rigs to oil companies than for firms that provide services for them while drilling, since rig contractors have nowhere...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 3:34 pm

UPDATE 1-Ecopetrol, KNOC to invest $120 mln in Peru

* Investment to reach $120 million (Adds details and quotes)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 3:17 pm

Giant 'super skimmer' no help with Gulf oil spill

HOUSTON, July 16 (Reuters) - A Taiwanese-owned "super skimmer" ship sent to help clean up the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has collected virtually no oil in two weeks of tests, a U.S. Coast Guard official...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 2:51 pm

Mexico's Televisa sells 25 pct stake in airline

MEXICO CITY, July 16 (Reuters) - Mexican broadcaster Televisa said on Friday it sold its 25 percent stake in local low-cost airline Volaris for $81 million.
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 2:47 pm

UPDATE 1-PT board has no decision on Vivo stake sale-sources

* Telefonica's 7.15 bln euro bid expires at midnight (Updates with background, PT share price)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 16 Jul 2010 | 2:26 pm

A Final Prescription

Advance directives often fail to prevent overtreatment at the end of life. A new type of legal document seems to work better.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 2:00 pm

Omega imbalance can make obesity 'inheritable': study (AFP)

AFP - Overeating combined with the wrong mix of fats in one's diet can cause obesity to be carried over from one generation to the next, researchers in France reported Friday.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 16 Jul 2010 | 1:54 pm

HIV infections plummet among young adults: UN report (The Christian Science Monitor)

The Christian Science Monitor - HIV infections among young adults have plummeted in 15 of the world's worst-affected countries, according to a new UN report that credits the improvements to positive changes in sexual behavior.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 16 Jul 2010 | 1:18 pm

Like 'Inception,' Scientists See Inside Dreamers' Minds

In the movie "Inception," the government has developed a way to enter people’s dreams. Is this technology possible?
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 1:10 pm

Lawmakers Seek Overseas Labor Data From Tobacco Company

A House panel seeks three years of reports from Philip Morris International on any abusive labor allegations overseas.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 1:01 pm

This Weekend's Recommended Reading

Life in the emergency room and the consequences of foreign aid for HIV/AIDs.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 12:55 pm

Actos Ads Jump on Avandia Woes

Takeda Pharmaceuticals launches a nationwide ad campaign for Actos within hours of F.D.A. action on a rival diabetes pill.

Source: NYT > Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 12:50 pm

FDA to Look Into Possible Cancer Risk With ARBs

The US FDA has become the latest regulatory agency to say it will investigate a possible link between angiotensin-receptor blockers and cancer.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 12:48 pm

Doctors, nurses joined Medicare scam, U.S. says (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. authorities charged 94 doctors, nurses and clinic owners with scheming to defraud the taxpayer-funded Medicare program out of $251 million, Attorney General Eric Holder said on Friday.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 16 Jul 2010 | 12:33 pm

Cost-Effectiveness Considerations to Restrict Access in the US?

Coverage decisions for cancer drugs that take into account cost effectiveness are associated with slower time to coverage and more restrictions.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 12:30 pm

Gastric Electrical Stimulation Helps Improve Diabetic Gastroparesis

An implanted device that sends electrical current to the stomach helps relieve diabetic gastroparesis, researchers say.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 11:51 am

Kids With Migraine Usually OK Psychologically

Contrary to common belief, children treated for migraine are not more likely to be psychologically maladjusted, according to a systematic review published online July 5th in Pediatrics.
Reuters Health Information
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 11:51 am

Air Pollution, Asthma Linked to Increased Suicide Risk

Two studies link increased suicide risk to difficulties in breathing -- one shows an increase in suicides associated with air pollution, a second shows an increase in suicides for teens with asthma.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 16 Jul 2010 | 11:20 am

Economics Harnessed to Study Drug Cravings

Those who crave alcohol willing to spend more on their favorite beer.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 10:41 am

Would you get an Alzheimer's test?

Now that there are tests in the works for early detection of brain injury due to Alzheimer's, children of parents with Alzheimer's ponder whether they would want to know their risk.

Source: CNN.com - Health | 16 Jul 2010 | 8:56 am

WHO criticizes Amnesty report into NKorea health (AP)

AP - The World Health Organization found itself Friday in the strange position of defending North Korea's health care system from an Amnesty International report, three months after WHO's director described medicine in the totalitarian state as the envy of the developing world.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 16 Jul 2010 | 8:08 am

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