Genetically altered cells may help artificial skin fight infection

Cincinnati burn researchers have created genetically modified skin cells that, when added to cultured skin substitutes, may help fight off potentially lethal infections in patients with severe burns. more  

Young single men are more likely to bank sperm before testicular cancer treatment

A quarter of men with testicular cancer banked their sperm before treatment, but only six per cent of those actually used the sperm to father a child, according to a study published in the January issue of the urology journal BJU International. more

Availability may influence cancer treatment decisions

Utilization of cancer treatments with limited evidence of benefit may depend on the therapy's availability according to a new study. Published in the February 15, 2007 issue of Cancer. more  

NIH SeniorHealth adds information on depression

Important life changes that we make as we get older may cause feelings of uneasiness, stress, and sadness. For instance, the death of a loved one, moving from work into retirement, or dealing with a serious illness can leave people feeling sad or anxious. After a period of adjustment, many older adults can regain their emotional balance, but others do not and may develop depression. About two million Americans age 65 or older suffer from major depression, and another five million suffer from less severe forms of the illness. more

New Congress should focus on covering the uninsured, reducing health costs, according to new survey  

Expanding coverage for the uninsured should be the top health care priority for the new Congress over the next five years, identified as "absolutely essential" or "very important" by 88% of respondents to the latest Commonwealth Fund Health Care Opinion Leaders survey. Other top priorities are moderating rising health care costs (81%), reforming Medicare to ensure long-term solvency (80%), and increasing the use of information technology to improve the quality and safety of patient care (80%), the survey of respected experts indicated. Opinion leaders also say that reducing the proportion of the uninsured under-65 population from 18 percent to 5 percent is an achievable and desirable goal for policy action within the next 10 years. more

Healthy eating is at a supermarket near you  

Supermarket “grocery store tours” could be the key to healthier lifestyles and prevent chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease (CHD) concludes a study published in the Health & Fitness Journal. more

Published study shows benefits of Diachrome for people with type 2 diabetes

Diachrome, a patented combination of chromium picolinate and biotin, safely improves blood glucose levels and cholesterol metabolism in people with type 2 diabetes. Published in the December issue of Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics, the study supports the role of chromium picolinate – the most studied, highly absorbed and efficacious form of chromium – plus biotin as a safe and effective nutritional adjunct therapy in diabetes care. more

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