Vidyya Medical News Service Podcasts

New Information about the Link Between Breask Cancer and Alcohol Drinking - Today's Top Story for 9 May 2008

Fri, 9 May 2008 09:34:37 -0500

At the recent American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting in San Diego, two new studies were presented that shed additional light on the alcohol-breast cancer connection, including one study that linked alcohol consumption with a significantly increased risk of the most common type of breast cancer. Even though these studies grabbed headlines, researchers stress that important questions remain unanswered, such as which women who drink are at greatest risk, and what biological mechanism(s) alcohol might trigger to cause breast cancer. In short, researchers are still accumulating evidence that can form the basis for personalized clinical recommendations. Interested in reading more medical news? Try the Vidyya Medical News Service at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i127.htm

Metabolomics: A Snapshot of Health Found in the Bottom of a Urine Cup - Today's Top Story for 7 May 2008

Fri, 9 May 2008 09:32:56 -0500

An international study has found that urine can offer an in-depth snapshot of what’s going on inside a person’s body. The results revealed differences between populations and uncovered relationships between several urine components and blood pressure

Interested in reading more medical news? Try the Vidyya Medical News Service at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i126.htm

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica (http://www.ramex.com), the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Is bipolar disorder overdiagnosed? - Today's Top Story for 6 May 2008

Tue, 6 May 2008 12:36:15 -0500

A new study by Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University researchers reports that fewer than half the patients previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder based on a comprehensive, psychiatric diagnostic interview--the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID). The study concludes that while recent reports indicate that there is a problem with underdiagnosis of bipolar disorder, an equal if not greater problem exists with overdiagnosis. The study was published online by the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Principle investigator Mark Zimmerman, M.D., will present the findings at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association on Wednesday, May 7. Or visit the Vidyya Medical News Service for more top stories at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i125.htm Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

The best medicines for kidney disease and hypertension may not work for a fourth of African-Americans

Mon, 5 May 2008 12:36:01 -0500

The best available treatment for chronic kidney disease from high blood pressure did not keep the disease from substantially worsening in about a fourth of African-Americans studied, according to long-term results of a National Institutes of Health study published April 28, 2008, in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

FDA Approves Amitiza : Only Drug in US for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation - Today's Top Story for 2 May 2008

Fri, 2 May 2008 09:31:46 -0500

Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Amitiza (lubiprostone) for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C) in adult women aged 18 and over. There is currently no prescription drug therapy for IBS-C. With this approval, Amitiza becomes the only FDA-approved medical treatment for IBS-C available in the United States.

Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088 or online at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm
For more information for health professionals visit: http://www.amitiza.com/hcp/

Get the complete prescribing information in today's issue of Vidyya: http://www.vidyya.com/11pdfs/amitizapi.pdf

Or visit the Vidyya Medical News Service for more top stories at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i122.htm

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Ouch! Shingles! - Today's Top Story for 1 May 2008

Thu, 1 May 2008 08:50:16 -0500

It’s an unpleasant part of childhood you can never really leave behind. Even when chickenpox is gone, the virus that causes it stays with you for life, hidden and inactive in your nerve cells. As you get older, the virus may make a second, unwelcome appearance and cause a painful disease called shingles. The second time around can be far more complicated and miserable than the first.

For additional news, please visit the Vidyya Medical News Service's Web site at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i121.htm

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Seasonal Viruses May Flow from Tropical Sources - Today's Top Story for 30 April 2008

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:24:01 -0500

Influenza virus strains that cause seasonal flu in temperate climates may emerge anew from tropical regions each year, according to a new study. Understanding how flu viruses evolve and spread is essential for making more effective future flu vaccines. Each year, influenza is estimated to cause 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Influenza type A, the most potent version of the virus, is responsible for seasonal epidemics in temperate climates during winter months. Researchers design flu vaccines to present our immune system with a part of the virus so that our bodies can recognize the real virus when it tries to infect us. But viruses accumulate mutations quickly so that our immune systems no longer recognize them. New strains of the virus thus emerge, requiring new flu vaccines to combat them.

Social Status Affects Your Brain - Today's Top Story for 29 April 2008

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:05:01 -0500

Scientists have identified brain regions that react to changes in how people perceive their social ranking. The findings could have implications for understanding how health and behavior are affected by social status.

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Rare Mutations Can Keep Blood Pressure Low - Today's Top Story for 28 April 2008

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:33 -0500

Scientists have identified rare variations in 3 genes that can protect against hypertension and its consequences, such as stroke, kidney disease and heart failure.

Interested in reading more medical news? Try the Vidyya Medical News Service at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i118.htm

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Uncovering Factors That Influence Premature Infant Health - Today's Top Story for 27 April 2008

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 10:03:52 -0500

Researchers have identified several factors that influence an extremely low birth weight infant’s chances for survival and disability. The findings will help physicians and families to choose the most appropriate treatments.

Interested in reading more medical news? Try the Vidyya Medical News Service at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i117.htm

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Understanding How Heart Muscle Forms

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 10:03:28 -0500

Synchronized pulsing of heart muscle cells allows the heart to pump blood through the body. A new study has identified a protein that helps organize the structures that produce the contractions in these cells. Researchers have long known that muscle cells have subunits called sarcomeres that create the contractions that make muscles move.

FDA strengthens safeguards for consumers of beef: Issues regulation on animal feeds with added safeguards against BSE

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:33:20 -0500

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week issued a final regulation barring certain cattle materials from all animal feed, including pet food. The final rule further protects animals and consumers against bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, also known as "mad cow disease").

New Form of Latex Good News for Health Professionals - Today's Top Story for April 24, 2008

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:31:23 -0500

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared for marketing the first device made from a new form of natural rubber latex, guayule latex. The product, the Yulex Patient Examination Glove, is derived from the guayule bush, a desert plant native to the Southwestern United States.

Traditional latex gloves are made from the milky sap of a rubber tree, Hevea braziliensis. The sap contains a protein that may trigger allergic reactions, especially after prolonged and repeated contact. Sensitized people may experience mild reactions such as skin redness, rash, hives, or itching. More severe reactions may include respiratory symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing spells and wheezing. Rarely, shock may occur.

For additional news, please visit the Vidyya Medical News Service's Web site at http://www.vidyya.com

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Higher Food Intake at Conception Could Mean Better Chance of Conceiving a Boy - Today's Top Story for 23 April 2008

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:23:04 -0500

A woman's diet around the time of conception may influence the gender of her baby, research suggests. The study suggests a high-calorie diet at this time - and regular breakfasts - might increase the odds of a boy.

Interested in reading more? Try the Vidyya Medical News Service at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i113.htm

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

FDA approves Cimzia to treat Crohn's disease - Today's top story for 22 April 2008

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:40:55 -0500

A new drug has been approved to help sufferers of Crohn's disease, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this week. Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) received approval for adults with moderate to severe Crohn's disease who have not responded to conventional therapies. This product was approved with a Medication Guide. For more information, visit the Vidyya Medical News Service at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i112.htm

Which Came First? The Stem Cell or the Skin Cell? Part 2 - Today's Top Story for 21 April 2008

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:38:42 -0500

Stem cell research pioneer James Thomson and colleagues at the University of Wisconsin have generated cells that appear to function like embryonic stem cells by “reprogramming” human skin cells. These cells could potentially be used to create different types of cells that can replace damaged cells in patients with diseases like diabetes or Parkinson’s. Interested in reading more? Try the Vidyya Medical News Service at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i111.htm Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Which Came First? The Stem Cell or the Skin Cell? Part 1 - Today's Top Story for 19 April 2008

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:45:11 -0500

Take skin cells, tweak them a bit, and they can become heart cells for a patient with chronic heart disease or insulin-producing cells for a patient with diabetes. Such cell-based therapies in which stem cells give rise to specific types of cells to repair damaged cells or tissues, also referred to as regenerative medicine, are still in the future. But two recent studies conducted by groups based at NCRR-funded National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) are helping to pave the way toward custom-made cells and tissues for patients.

Read this and other top stories at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i110.htm

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Clinical Trial to Test Herbal Remedy for Brain Cancer - Today's Top Story for 18 April 2008

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:24:30 -0500

Name of the trial:

Phase II Randomized Study of Adjuvant Boswellia Serrata and Standard Treatment Versus Standard Treatment Alone in Patients with Newly Diagnosed or Recurrent High-Grade Gliomas (CASE-CCF-7348). See the protocol summary at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/CASE-CCF-7348.

Principal Investigator Dr. Glen Stevens, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Why This Trial Is Important

High-grade gliomas are among the most common and aggressive forms of adult brain cancer. Swelling of the brain (brain edema) is an often debilitating symptom of glioma and may continue to affect patients even if the tumor is surgically removed.

Read this and other top stories at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i109.htm

Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on the Top Story podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinions of our sponsor, RAmEx Ars Medica, the Vidyya Medical News Service or of Top Story. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

IV Iron an Important Adjunct for Patients with Chemotherapy-Related Anemia - Today's Top Story for 17 April 2008

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:19:11 -0500

Two studies in the April 1 Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) found that intravenous (IV) iron significantly improves hemoglobin levels in patients taking erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) for chemotherapy-induced anemia compared with ESAs alone or ESAs plus oral iron. Anemia occurs in up to 75 percent of cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatment in clinical trials, and ESA therapy has been found to correct the blood condition in only 50 to 70 percent of patients. Read this and six other stories of the day at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i108.htm , the home of the Vidyya Medical News Service. Information appearing on the Vidyya Medical News Service and on this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Seek professional medical help and follow your health care provider's advice.

Which came first? Patients abusing prescription drugs or lack of access to the drugs the patients needed to be pain free?

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:56:57 -0500

Take a look in your medicine cabinet -- do you spot prescription pain medication? If so, are you contributing to the nation's dramatic increase in irresponsible prescription drug use? According to the 2008 National Drug Control Strategies Report, 71 percent of prescription pain medication abusers obtained the drugs from family and friends. Among 12- to 13-year-olds, prescription drug abuse actually exceeds marijuana use.

How to help your patients meet the criteria for insulin pump treatment

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:32:38 -0500

While many health plan insurers will pay for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus to have an insulin pump, the criteria for approval is not always clear. Help your patients by listening to today's Podcast. You can read this story and six other stories of the day by visiting the Vidyya Medical News Service's Web site at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i106.htm

Apligraf: The Best Skin Therapy You've Never Heard of - Today's Top Story for 14 April 2008

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:25:50 -0500

Apligraf®, which has been approved by the FDA since 2000, is a unique, advanced biological skin repair therapy, and is created from biological ingredients found in healthy human skin. Which explains why it looks like a thin, circular piece of real skin. It is used to heal sores such as diabetic foot and venous leg ulcers that are not healing after 3-4 weeks, despite treatment with conventional therapies. Read about it in today's issue of the Vidyya Medical News Service at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i105.htm

What Really Happens When Your Brain Wakes Up - Today's Top Story for 13 April 2008

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:35:35 -0500

When a person sleeps, the brain hums slowly, like an idling automobile engine. The slower the engine idles, the deeper the sleep. As the engine is revved up, a person wakes up and—provided the foot remains on the accelerator—stays awake. Researchers at the NCRR-funded Center for Translational Neuroscience in Little Rock, Ark., have now discovered how that process works. During sleep, two parts of the brain, called the thalamus and cortex, take turns firing at rhythms below 10 oscillations per second. For a person to wake up, oscillations between the thalamus and cortex need to speed up to around 40 per second. In the past, researchers believed that sleep and waking were controlled by chemicals called neurotransmitters. But these chemicals, although crucial to brain functioning, might not create rhythms that are sufficiently fast to keep the brain awake and alert. Read this and other top stories at http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i104.htm

Vitamin D for the Heart

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:21:19 -0500

Many people know the human body needs vitamin D for strong bones. But a recent study suggests that the vitamin is also good for a strong heart. The research, published in the May 2007 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, hints that taking vitamin D supplements could have a positive impact on people’s health—but a single recommended dose might not necessarily be a good fit for everyone.

Health watch for patients: Protecting yourself from hepatitis

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:19:03 -0500

Hepatitis can make you feel as if you have the flu, but it’s a completely different disease. Flu is caused by viruses that attack your lungs and respiratory system; hepatitis is a liver disease. Some forms of hepatitis get better on their own. But others can inflict serious liver damage, and may even leave you needing a new liver.

Test reveals the risk of asthma is inherited and can be measured at birth

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:25:33 -0500

Risk for developing asthma is linked to variants in a gene called CHI3L1, which can be measured by checking levels of an inherited blood protein regulated by that gene, according to new research sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure may reverse atherosclerosis in adults with diabetes

Wed, 9 Apr 2008 12:43:03 -0500

Aggressively lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels below current targets in adults with type 2 diabetes may help to prevent — and possibly reverse — hardening of the arteries, according to new research supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. Hardening of the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis, is the number one cause of heart disease and can lead to heart attack, stroke, and death.

Drugs can make your patients FAT!

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 09:32:02 -0500

Atypical antipsychotic medications can cause metabolic syndrome in as little as six weeks among patients taking the drugs. The findings were presented at the 121st Annual Meeting of the American Physiological Society.

A large waist may equal early death for women

Mon, 7 Apr 2008 11:27:33 -0500

Women who carry excess fat around their waists were at greater risk of dying early from cancer or heart disease than were women with smaller waistlines, even if they were of normal weight, reported researchers from Harvard and the National Institutes of Health.

The need to smoke may be more genetic than habit-based

Sun, 6 Apr 2008 11:34:58 -0500

Scientists have identified a genetic variant that not only makes smokers more susceptible to nicotine addiction but also increases their risk of developing two smoking-related diseases, lung cancer and peripheral arterial disease. The research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Alzheimer's Vaccine Clears Plaques, But Does Nothing for Learning and Memory - Today's Top Story for 5 April 2008

Sat, 5 Apr 2008 12:03:41 -0500

A promising vaccine being tested for Alzheimer’s disease does what it is designed to do – clear beta-amyloid plaques from the brain – but it does not seem to help restore lost learning and memory abilities, according to a University of California, Irvine study.

HRT, Cancerous Tumor Microdeposits and Increased Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence - Today's Top Story for 4 April 2008

Fri, 4 Apr 2008 09:56:17 -0500

When do women say enough is enough? When do health professionals decide that a therapy isn't worth the risk? Long-term follow-up data from a randomized clinical trial indicate that, in women previously treated for breast cancer, use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly increases the risk of recurrence or contralateral breast cancer - a new cancer in the opposite breast. Published online March 25 by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI), the analysis shows a 2.4-fold increased risk of recurrence or contralateral breast cancer in women randomized to receive HRT to treat menopausal symptoms compared with women given the best, nonhormonal treatments for such symptoms.

Your Response to Stress is Not Necessarily in Your Control

Thu, 3 Apr 2008 11:26:09 -0500

Inherited variations in the amount of an innate anxiety-reducing molecule help explain why some people can withstand stress better than others, according to a new study led by researchers at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

NIH research suggests stimulant treatment for ADHD does not contribute to substance abuse later in life

Wed, 2 Apr 2008 11:25:08 -0500

The first study to explore the use of automated external defibrillator (AEDs) in the home has found that although the safe and easy-to-use devices are effective for certain types of cardiac arrest, they were underused. The Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial (HAT), a randomized international clinical trial, was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health.

Automated external defibrillators and CPR are equally helpful for sudden cardiac arrest in the home

Tue, 1 Apr 2008 11:45:52 -0500

Colorectal Cancer Means More Than Just Polyp Type Growths - Today's Top Story for 31 March 2008

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:25:02 -0500

Most colorectal cancers are thought to arise from polypoid adenomas - growths that protrude from the mucous membrane in the colon or rectum. A study from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System in Palo Alto, CA, published in the March 5 Journal of the American Medical Association adds to a growing body of evidence that nonpolypoid colorectal neoplasms (NP-CRNs) - abnormalities that can appear either flat or depressed relative to the surrounding membrane - can also contain precancerous or cancerous cells. Previous studies established the existence of NP-CRNs in Japan, but their prevalence and importance in other parts of the world has remained unclear.

Testing the most promising new cancer therapies for children

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:44:02 -0500

It is perhaps a good problem to have: Many more experimental cancer drugs enter clinical evaluation in adults each year than can realistically be tested in children, given the small number of children with cancer eligible for early-stage clinical trials.

FDA makes recommendations on medical devices that treat blocked heart arteries

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:36:34 -0500

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach announced that the agency has issued draft guidelines to aid the development, testing and manufacture of coronary drug-eluting stents, devices used to treat blocked heart arteries.

Over the past few years, FDA and the clinical community have been closely monitoring these devices, including concerns over clot formation in some patients several years after implantation. The draft guidelines issued today—called an FDA guidance document—outline the agency's recommendations for pre-market clinical evaluation and post-market studies, which may provide data to better address this and other potential safety concerns.

Gene soup? More genes and more gene deletions responsible for schizophrenia

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:49:23 -0500

People with schizophrenia have higher rates of rare genetic deletions and duplications that likely disrupt the developing brain, according to studies funded in part by the National Institutes of Health.

Gene variant determines response to treatment for PCOS

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 10:59:50 -0500

NIH-sponsored researchers have discovered that women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are less likely to ovulate in response to a promising new drug treatment for the condition if they have a variation in a particular gene.

A link between antidepressants and type 2 diabetes

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:55:45 -0500

While analyzing data from Saskatchewan health databases, Lauren Brown, researcher with the U of A’s School of Public Health, found people with a history of depression had a 30 per cent increased risk of type 2 Diabetes.

Please visit http://www.vidyya.com for more

Infant mortality higher for boys than girls

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:57:40 -0500

Male infants in developed nations are more likely to die than female infants, a fact that is partially responsible for men’s shorter lifespans, reveals a new study by researchers from University of Pennsylvania and University of Southern California.

Heart attack symptoms in women differ than those in men

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:05:02 -0500

Chest pain or discomfort has long been seen as the most common early warning sign of a heart attack. But recent research has raised questions about whether this holds true for women. A new study looked at the available evidence and concluded that chest pain is the most common sign of heart attack for most women.

Living with Crohn's Disease

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:22:42 -0500

For the half-million Americans with Crohn’s disease, finding relief from abdominal pain and digestive problems is an ongoing challenge. Conventional therapies like steroids are often effective, but some patients find that they don’t do enough to calm their troubling symptoms.

Knitting prosthetic breasts - A solution to help patients take control

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:08:06 -0500

Women have more choices than ever when it comes to prosthetic breasts, however, most women still find available prostheses inadequate. One such woman has taken a crafty approach to the problem and created a thriving business. Her business also helps breast cancer survivors deal with the physical and emotional fall out of breast cancer.

How much protein do you need?

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:06:38 -0500

The idea of eating more protein has gained popularity in the past few years. Some people may think the way to build body muscle is to eat high-protein diets and use protein powders, supplements and shakes. But there’s no solid scientific evidence that most Americans need more protein. Most of us already get all we need. Some of us may even be eating much more than we need.

Researchers find possible cause of “chemo brain” in breast cancer patients

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:25:55 -0500

Thanks to early diagnosis and chemotherapy, more women survive breast cancer than ever before. However, following treatment, approximately 25 percent of survivors experience mild to moderate memory, concentration and cognitive problems known as “chemobrain”.

Mmmmm yak cheese: yummy and good for you

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:20:54 -0500

In a finding likely to get cheese lovers talking, researchers in Nepal and Canada report that yak cheese contains higher levels of heart-healthy fats than cheese from dairy cattle, and may be healthier. Their study is scheduled for the March 12 issue of ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a bi-weekly publication.

All about Ménière's disease

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:45:41 -0500

Ménière's disease is an abnormality of the inner ear causing a host of symptoms, including vertigo or severe dizziness, tinnitus or a roaring sound in the ears, fluctuating hearing loss, and the sensation of pressure or pain in the affected ear. The disorder usually affects only one ear and is a common cause of hearing loss. Named after French physician Prosper Ménière who first described the syndrome in 1861.

Cholesterol drug makes staph more vulnerable

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 12:06:49 -0500

An experimental cholesterol-fighting drug can also strip staph bacteria of their golden color and make the microbes more susceptible to killing by the immune system. The finding may lead to new options for battling Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which are increasingly resistant to antibiotics.

Acupuncture shows promise in improving rates of pregnancy following IVF

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:41:09 -0500

A review of seven clinical trials of acupuncture given with embryo transfer in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) suggests that acupuncture may improve rates of pregnancy. An estimated 10 to 15 percent of couples experience reproductive difficulty and seek specialist fertility treatments, such as IVF. IVF, which involves retrieving a woman's egg, fertilizing it in the laboratory, and then transferring the embryo back into the woman's womb is an expensive, lengthy, and stressful process.

FDA issues alert on Tussionex, a long-acting prescription cough medicine containing hydrocodone

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:05:31 -0500

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an alert today on the safe and correct use of Tussionex Pennkinetic Extended-Release Suspension in response to numerous reports of adverse events--including death--associated with the misuse and inappropriate use of this potent cough medication.

Personal counseling and web-based strategies show modest success for sustaining weight loss, according to NHLBI study

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:11:19 -0500

Adults who lost weight in a six-month program were able to keep at least some of the weight off for 2.5 years with the help of brief monthly personal counseling, according to a new study from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health. A Web-based intervention also helped participants keep the weight off for two years, but the benefit waned during the last six months of the trial.

Flu virus fortified in colder weather

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:58:45 -0500

A new finding may explain why the flu virus is more infectious in cold winter months than during warmer seasons.

Experimental drug dampens alcohol craving by blocking stress response - Today's Top Story for 11 March 2008

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 09:54:47 -0500

Blocking stress-related circuits in the brain can reduce the desire for alcohol in people who are trying to stop drinking, a small clinical study has found. The discovery may provide a new approach for developing alcoholism treatments. Read the transcript of this podcast and six other top stories of the day by visiting http://www.vidyya.com/vidyyav10i71.htm

Do we really know about antidepressants? Statins? Or any other drug?

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:49:36 -0500

Following last week’s study suggesting that new generation antidepressants aren’t all they’re cracked up to be, a special report in this week’s BMJ asks do we really know the truth about antidepressants? Or statins? Or any other drug on the market?

Computers detect Alzheimer's disease in brain scans

Sun, 9 Mar 2008 12:15:08 -0500

Computers can be trained to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in MRI brain scans, according to a new report. The finding could help doctors diagnose the disease earlier and more accurately than they can now, so treatment can begin earlier.

Newly Approved Generic Drugs - Today's Top Story for 8 March 2008

Sat, 8 Mar 2008 12:55:52 -0600

Each year, FDA approves scores of generic drugs that treat a variety of conditions and help consumers save money. Generic drugs cost about 20% to 70% less than their brand name counterparts. The Congressional Budget Office has reported that generic drugs save consumers an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion a year. Read this and six other top stories of the day by visiting http://www.vidyya.com

New Bacterium Found in Hairspray - Today's Top Story for 7 March 2008

Sat, 8 Mar 2008 12:54:57 -0600

Scientists in Japan have discovered a new species of bacteria that can live in hairspray, according to the results of a study published in the March issue of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

Quantity and frequency of drinking influence mortality risk

Thu, 6 Mar 2008 12:02:03 -0600

How much and how often people drink — not just the average amount of alcohol they consume over time — independently influence the risk of death from several causes, according to a new study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

WHI follow up study confirms health risks of long-term combination hormone therapy outweigh benefits for postmenopausal women

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 10:28:44 -0600

New results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) confirm that the health risks of long-term use of combination (estrogen plus progestin) hormone therapy in healthy, postmenopausal women persist even a few years after stopping the drugs and clearly outweigh the benefits. Researchers report that about three years after women stopped taking combination hormone therapy, many of the health effects of hormones such as increased risk of heart disease are diminished, but overall risks, including risks of stroke, blood clots, and cancer, remain high.

Newly identified genetic variations may affect breast cancer risk

Tue, 4 Mar 2008 10:40:20 -0600

Researchers have identified genetic variations in a region of DNA that may be associated with risk for breast cancer. Women with the variation have a 1.4 times greater risk of developing breast cancer compared to those without this variation. The study is one of several genome-wide association studies looking for breast cancer genes to be published this year by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, and their colleagues.

Increased allergen levels in homes linked to asthma - Today's Top Story for 3 March 2008

Mon, 3 Mar 2008 10:06:33 -0600

Results from a new national survey demonstrate that elevated allergen levels in the home are associated with asthma symptoms in allergic individuals. The study suggests that asthmatics that have allergies may alleviate symptoms by reducing allergen exposures inside their homes.

NHLBI issues first U.S. von Willebrand Disease clinical practice guidelines - Today's Top Story for 2 March 2008

Sun, 2 Mar 2008 10:05:28 -0600

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health, issued the first clinical guidelines in the United States for the diagnosis and management of von Willebrand Disease (VWD), the most common inherited bleeding disorder. The guidelines include recommendations on screening, diagnosis, disease management, and directions for future research.

Vitamins and the Risk of Lung Cancer - Today's Top Story for 29 February 2008

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 10:15:56 -0600

Vitamin supplements do not protect against lung cancer, according to a study of more than 77,000 vitamin users. In fact, some supplements may even increase the risk of developing it.

Jazz on the brain

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 10:55:07 -0600

A pair of Johns Hopkins and government scientists have discovered that when jazz musicians improvise, their brains turn off areas linked to self-censoring and inhibition, and turn on those that let self-expression flow.

Age-related dementia on the decline

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:50:32 -0600

Rates of cognitive impairment among older Americans are on the decline, according to a new study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) comparing the cognitive health of older people in 1993 and 2002. Higher levels of education were associated with better cognitive health.

Finding the roots of hair loss

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:04:10 -0600

A healthy individual loses around a hundred hairs a day. Nothing to worry about as long as they are constantly replaced and the losses occur evenly around the whole scalp. But when hair loss goes well beyond this level it can become quite a problem for those affected – not only superficially in terms of looks but also psychologically.

Experimental drug for osteosarcoma improves overall survival

Sun, 24 Feb 2008 10:22:16 -0600

Patients with osteosarcoma who received the experimental drug mifamurtide (L-MTP-PE) along with chemotherapy fared better than patients who received chemotherapy alone, researchers are reporting. Osteosarcoma is a rare but often fatal cancer of the bone. The disease typically affects children and young adults, and no new therapies have been introduced in two decades.

Is less more in patient management of care? Highly involved patients don't always see better health outcomes

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:26:07 -0600

Patients who prefer to be highly involved in their treatment don't necessarily have better luck managing chronic health conditions, a new study suggests. Be sure to visit the Vidyya Medical New Service website for more information http://www.vidyya.com

Antioxidants not a cure all - no help in development of children with Down's syndrome

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:46:18 -0600

Giving children with Down’s syndrome antioxidants and nutrients does not help their condition improve at all, according to a study published 21 February 2008.

Smoking’s effects on genes may play a role in lung cancer development and survival

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:30:04 -0600

Smoking plays a role in lung cancer development, and now scientists have shown that smoking also affects the way genes are expressed, leading to alterations in cell division and regulation of immune response. Notably, some of the changes in gene expression persisted in people who had quit smoking many years earlier.

Memories, stolen by stress hormones, at least in rodents

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:17:09 -0600

Diabetes is known to impair the cognitive health of people, but now scientists have identified one potential mechanism underlying these learning and memory problems. A new National Institutes of Health (NIH) study in diabetic rodents finds that increased levels of a stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland disrupt the healthy functioning of the hippocampus, the region of the brain responsible for learning and short-term memory. Moreover, when levels of the adrenal glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone (also known as cortisol in humans) are returned to normal, the hippocampus recovers its ability to build new cells and regains the "plasticity" needed to compensate for injury and disease and adjust to change.

Study identifies new patterns of brain activation used in forming long-term memories

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:57:51 -0600

Researchers at New York University and Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science have identified patterns of brain activation linked to the formation of long-term memories. The study, which appeared in the journal Neuron, also offered an innovative and more comprehensive method for gauging memories. It asked subjects to recall the content of a television sit-com, which more accurately simulated real-life experiences because it required retrieving material that occurs in more complex settings than typically exist in a laboratory environment.

Protein in tick saliva prevents HIV-1 from attaching to T cells

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:07:46 -0600

The HIV-1 virus cripples the human immune system by targeting white blood cells called T cells that form the body’s first line of defense in fighting infections. A recent study by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows that a protein found in the saliva of deer ticks prevents the HIV-1 virus from attaching to the surface of T cells, which is the critical first step in the virus’ attack strategy.

Breast Cancer Genetic Testing Ready for Primary Care - Today's Top Story for 17 February 2008

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:07:20 -0600

The time has come for breast cancer risk assessment, counseling and genetic testing to move from cancer specialists to the realm of primary care, according to a presentation at the AAAS annual meeting, held this year in Boston.

Stress Makes Women More Vulnerable to Cervical Cancer - Today's Top Story for 16 February 2008

Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:06:55 -0600

A woman’s daily stress can reduce her ability to fight off a common sexually transmitted disease and increase her risk of developing the cancer it can cause, according to a new study. No such association is seen, however, between past major life events, such as divorce or job loss, and the body’s response to the infection.

Best health advice? Be happy with your fat self. Desire to lose weight, not weight itself linked to unhealthy days

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 22:23:53 -0600

In a study to examine the impact of desired body weight on the number of unhealthy days subjects report over one month, researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that the desire to weigh less was a more accurate predictor of physically and mentally unhealthy days, than body mass index (BMI). In addition, the desire to lose weight was more predictive of unhealthy days among Whites than among African-Americans or Hispanics, and among women than among men. The paper, I Think Therefore I Am: Perceived Ideal Weight as a Determinant of Health, will be published in the March issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

PUT DOWN THE DIET SODA - Today's Top Story for 12 February 2008

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 22:10:31 -0600

Diet soda is bad, okay. Don't drink it. It just makes you fat.

Fibrils Left Behind From Drying Iron May Be Linked to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's

Sun, 10 Feb 2008 10:24:07 -0600

Researchers at the University of Warwick and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur have discovered that the mechanism that we rely on to transport iron safely through our blood stream can, in certain circumstances, collapse into a state which grows long worm-like “fibrils” banded by lines of iron rust. This process could provide the first insight into how iron gets deposited in the brain to cause some forms of Parkinson’s & Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases.

Feel your way through medical images? Doctors will soon be able to feel organs via a display

Sat, 9 Feb 2008 09:52:16 -0600

With the aid of computerized image analysis, it may be possible in the future for radiologists to feel images with the help of a three-dimensional mouse. Erik Vidholm at Uppsala University has been involved in developing the new technology, which makes it easier to diagnose and plan the treatment of cancer, for instance.

Gene variant predicts medication response in patients with alcohol dependence

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 23:39:45 -0600

Patients with a certain gene variant drank less and experienced better overall clinical outcomes than patients without the variant while taking the medication naltrexone, according to an analysis of participants in the National Institutes of Health's 2001-2004 COMBINE (Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions for Alcohol Dependence) Study. About 87 percent of patients with the variant who received naltrexone experienced good outcomes, compared with about 49 percent of those who received a placebo. About 55 percent of patients without the variant experienced a good outcome regardless of whether they received naltrexone or placebo. Good outcome was defined as abstinence or moderate drinking without related problems, according to an article in the Feb. 4 issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

For safety, NHLBI changes intensive blood sugar treatment strategy in clinical trial of diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Thu, 7 Feb 2008 00:53:28 -0600

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health has stopped one treatment within a large, ongoing North American clinical trial of diabetes and cardiovascular disease 18 months early due to safety concerns after review of available data, although the study will continue.

FDA approves new HIV drug after priority review

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:13:31 -0600

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved etravirine tablets for the treatment of HIV infection in adults who have failed treatment with other antiretrovirals.

Increased Clotting Risk Associated with Birth Control Patch

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:58:12 -0600

Earlier this week, the FDA approved changes to the label of the birth control patch to include the results of a new study that found that users of the birth control patch were at higher risk of developing serious blood clots, also known as venous thromboembolism (VTE), than women using birth control pills. VTE can lead to pulmonary embolism -- a dangerous and deadly condition

FDA Recommends Against Cold Remedies for Children Under 2 Years Old

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:49:57 -0600

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued a Public Health Advisory for parents and caregivers, recommending that over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold products should not be used to treat infants and children less than 2 years of age because serious and potentially life-threatening side effects can occur from such use. OTC cough and cold products include decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines, and antitussives (cough suppressants) for the treatment of colds.

Physicians Want To Learn from Medical Mistakes

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:56:59 -0600

The perception that U.S. doctors are unwilling to report medical errors and learn how to prevent them is untrue, according to a new study funded by the Department of Health & Human Services' (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Because most doctors think that current systems to report and share information about errors are inadequate, they rely instead on informal discussions with their colleagues. Consequently, important information about medical errors and how to prevent them often is not shared with the hospital or the health care organization.

Rise, And Walk Again

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:10:52 -0600

A study in mice showed that nerves within the spinal cord can rearrange and restore connections severed by spinal cord injuries. The research could lead to new therapies for the estimated 250,000 Americans living with spinal cord injuries.

AHRQ releases consumer financial incentives guide for employers and other health care purchasers

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 18:20:11 -0600

HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality today announced a new guide to help employers, private health plans, the federal government, and state Medicaid agencies as they consider consumer financial incentives as part of an overarching strategy to improve the quality of health care and get better value for what they spend on services.

Which Cholesterol-Lowering Drug is Better? The One the Patient Can Afford

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:49:20 -0600

A new study showing that the heavily advertised cholesterol drug Vytorin doesn’t work any better than a newly available generic drug in slowing artery-clogging calls into question who should be taking the most potent cholesterol drugs.

A Kinder Cut: Advances in Cancer Surgery

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 19:35:00 -0600

Before the development of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted treatments for cancer, there was surgery. And today, the physical removal of cancerous tissue remains a cornerstone of treatment for most tumor types. But cutting into the body comes with many risks, and it leaves its mark. In parallel with their colleagues working on the systemic treatment of cancer, academic surgeons have been performing research to improve the outcomes of surgical oncology, attempting to minimize damage, maximize effectiveness, and improve reconstruction of damaged tissue.

Improving Informed Consent

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:56:25 -0600

New ways to make sure people are adequately informed about the risks and benefits of taking part in a clinical trial can be field-tested for effectiveness as vigorously as new medical treatments themselves, a study led by a Johns Hopkins bioethicist suggests.

The HIV-1 Viral Envelope's Achilles' Heel

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:57:04 -0600

New structural details illustrate how a promising class of antibodies may block human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection and reveal valuable clues for design of an effective HIV-1 vaccine. The findings, published by Cell Press in the January issue of Immunity, are particularly significant as antibody induction appears to be a key and necessary component of an effective HIV vaccine, evidenced by the recent failure of vaccines that stimulated only the T cell arm of the immune system to protect humans from contracting HIV-1.

CNTNAP2 Gene Variation May Mean Vulnerability to Autism

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 22:11:07 -0600

Scientists have found a variation in a gene that may raise the risk of developing autism, especially when the variant is inherited from mothers rather than fathers. The research was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health.

Bacon in the Morning, Bacon in the Evening, Bacon at Suppertime

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:28:55 -0600

Bacon, bacon, who has the bacon? Healthy exercisers aged 60-69 according to a new study from Texas A & M University. Exercisers with higher cholesterol intake and higher serum cholesterol levels gained muscle mass faster and more efficienty than their healthy eating, cholesterol-lowering pill-popping counterparts. So, who has the bacon? Well, maybe stick with peanut butter for now.

TAG - YOU DIDN'T WASH YOUR HANDS!!!

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 19:19:51 -0600

Two scientists from Duke University have found a way to tag healthcare workers to make sure they're washing their hands. While it's a bit unsettling to think of nurses tagged like deer, it's comforting to know that the devices could cut down on the approximately 100,000 deaths from hospital-acquired infections each year.

Medicare drug plans hike costs; Free prescription drug samples miss getting into the hands of lower-income Americans

Mon, 7 Jan 2008 17:24:40 -0600

Two different stories originating from two very different media sources highlight the ever spiraling cost of prescription drugs. The first story from the American Journal of Public Health demonstrates that free prescription drug samples end up in the hands of wealthy, insured patients rather than the poor and underinsured. The second story from Consumer's Union reports that 75 percent of Medicare drug plans hiked the cost of 5 commonly prescribed drugs between $350-$1000 in the 31 days between December and January of this year.

Cardiac arrest safer in a casino or an airport than in a U.S. hospital

Sun, 6 Jan 2008 20:01:07 -0600

Whether your patient survives a life-threatening arrhythmia depends on whether or not such incident happens outside the hospital. A new study appearing in this week's New England Journal of Medicine found that those who experience ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia at the aiport fare better than those who experience these conditions in the hospital.

BU and WHO study reveals bacterial pneumonia better treated at home

Sat, 5 Jan 2008 22:55:03 -0600

A study by BU and WHO reveals that home antibiotic treatment of bacterial pneumonia is just as good, and could be superior to hospital treatment for the illness. The results of the study have far reaching implications for WHO guidelines and for children in the developing world.