Focus on foot care

The human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments. With such a complex structure, a lot can go wrong. While some foot problems are inherited, many occur because of years of wear and tear. more  

Congenital rubella syndrome nearly eradicated in the US

When you drink a glass of milk, are you consuming casein and lactoglobulin? How about potassium caseinate and lactalbumin? more

The FDA announces new prescription drug information format

In January 2006, the Food and Drug Administration unveiled a major revision to the format of prescription drug information, commonly called the package insert. To manage the risks of medication use and to reduce medical errors, the newly designed package insert will provide the most up-to-date information in an easy-to-read format that draws physician and patient attention to the most important pieces of drug information before a product is prescribed. more  

Proper use of fentanyl pain patches

Fentanyl skin patches provide convenient and effective relief for many people who experience chronic pain, and who have been taking pain medications for long periods of time. But health care providers and patients should be aware that deaths and other serious problems have resulted from accidental overdoses related to inappropriate use of the fentanyl patch, the Food and Drug Administration says. more

Landmark discovery of a Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus receptor provides new perspectives on disease associated with HIV/AIDS  

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have identified a critical human cell surface molecule involved in infection by Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV), the virus that causes Kaposi’s sarcoma and certain forms of lymphoma. Kaposi’s sarcoma is a major cancer associated with HIV/AIDS, and it typically manifests as multiple purple-hued skin lesions. more

Combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational incentives enhance treatment for marijuana addiction  

New research supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, indicates that people who are trying to end their addiction to marijuana can benefit from a treatment program that combines motivational incentives with cognitive-behavioral therapy. The study is published in the April 2006 issue of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. more

Second-hand smoke raises diabetes risk

A study published on bmj.com this week shows for the first time that breathing other people’s smoke raises the risk of developing glucose intolerance, the precursor to diabetes. more