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In praise of ... organ donors - The Guardian 31/07/06
It takes an unusual power of rationality to accept the idea that your eye might one day see, or your heart beat, within the body of another. Understandably, perhaps, it is sometimes a leap too far for the recently bereaved. Grief-stricken and forced to decide quickly whether to allow their relative's organs to be transplanted, the families of around one in 10 would-be donors overrule their wishes and refuse - despite the fact that none of the major religions object. This would not just have saddened the individuals concerned. It is one of the reasons why nearly 7,000 people in the UK are waiting for an organ, usually a kidney.
The joke's on you - The Guardian 31/07/06
Having a good giggle is one of the perks of office life, but guffawing at inopportune moments or owning a 'unique' laugh can prove embarrassing, finds Andrew Shanahan
Family judges learn from Australian approach to battles over children - The Guardian 31/07/06
Senior family judges and civil servants are studying new research findings from Australia on how to minimise lasting psychological damage to children whose parents are caught up in post-separation battles.
Septic Yanks - The Guardian 31/07/06
The private sector has eaten into NHS clinical care, owns NHS hospitals, is taking over purchasing and distribution, provides ancillary services, is set to take over the commissioning in primary care trust and, with last week's announcement (Report, July 26), public health looks likely to be the next target. We are witnessing a full handover of the NHS to private companies, which is escalating costs and damaging clinical control.
Scandal of 100,000 dumped x-ray scans - The Observer 30/07/06
Doctor fired after revealing London hospital left vital patients' records unchecked for years
Pregnancy diet affects baby's long-term health - The Observer 30/07/06
Babies whose mothers don't eat enough during pregnancy appear to be at risk of clogged arteries and heart disease later in life, according to a new study.
Diet 'affects arteries of foetus' - BBC Health News 28/07/06
Public purse and private healthcare - The Observer 30/07/06
Your leader (July 27) correctly says that Tony Blair continues to drive the NHS "reforms" through at a breakneck pace, despite the chaos following the decision to force hospitals and primary care trusts to balance their books at once. Job losses, closure of community hospitals, despite the white paper earlier this year promising to provide more care in the community, are destabilising the NHS - and to what end?
John Crace: Who'd be a GP? - The Observer 30/07/06
Long hours, budget constraints and now outposts in Boots - doctors must be saints, says John Crace
Your Letters - The Observer 30/07/06
Your story ('NHS failing children on mental health, news, last week) is helpful in spotlighting the alarmingly high numbers of teenagers who experience mental distress leading, in some cases, to self-harm or even suicide. However, what was not discussed was the arguably even more worrying prevalence of emotional disorders among younger children.
It's not just what you buy, it's the way you buy it - The Observer 30/07/06
Earlier this month the Treasury announced that Sir David Varney was leaving his job as chairman of HM Revenue and Customs to become Gordon Brown's full-time adviser on 'transformational government' - in English, improving public services through the use of IT. Coming as the government announced the scrapping of the ill-fated Child Support Agency (IT spend £540m, backlog 300,000 cases, running costs 70p of every £1 collected), this might seem somewhat satirical.
How can I help my 14-year-old with PMT? - The Observer 30/07/06
Her daughter's PMT is causing chaos at home and at school. She is angry, violent and destructive. Is there anything that might save the family from a summer holiday from hell?
Breakdown in hospitals' link for vital samples - The Observer 30/07/06
A £1.6 million system for transporting vital blood, urine and other samples between the laboratories of Belfast's two main hospitals is still not operational, three years after work began.
US child expert quits Britain over 'hidden crisis' in special needs - The Observer 30/07/06
An Observer story triggered an NHS doctor's decision to speak out on discrimination against vulnerable pupils - and to return home early
Aim firm’s MRSA clean-up - The Observer 30/07/06
A small disinfectant company listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market (Aim) has been given clearance by American and European regulators to sell a powerful anti-microbe agent that kills MRSA and other hospital superbugs.
Jeremy Bullmore: Problems at work? Our agony uncle has the answers - The Guardian 29/07/06
I drive to work, smoke and enjoy a couple of drinks every night. My health and wellbeing is my own business, and no one else's. Tell that to my colleagues, though. There's a particular team member who cycles to work and cajoles me for being a bit on the large side. Their constant jibes are starting to really annoy me, but my manager just thinks it's funny. I'm afraid that if this carries on, I might just lose my temper and say something I'll regret. What's your advice?
Seven ways to boost your brainpower - The Guardian 29/07/06
From juggling to junk food - there's lots you can do to help those little grey cells, says Peta Bee
Whatever happened to necrotising fasciitis? - The Guardian 29/07/06
It was reported this week that the number of elderly patients infected with the Clostridium difficile "superbug" rose by 17.2% last year, while levels of MRSA infections dipped by 2% across the population. There was no mention, however, of necrotising fasciitis - the disease that briefly became a tabloid phenomenon in May 1994.
Emma Mitchell: Splitting nails - The Guardian 29/07/06
I'm 48 and suffer from flaky, splitting nails that cause tremendous discomfort. The skin surrounding my fingertips is also dry. I've tried various remedies, including calcium and zinc. I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, fish and olive oil.
Fifty sailors treated for tuberculosis - The Guardian 29/07/06
More than 50 sailors on HMS Ocean, one of the navy's biggest ships, are being treated for tuberculosis.
TB warship pulled from Navy show - BBC Health News 28/07/06
Balanced: Matthew Bose - The Guardian 29/07/06
Do you take any vitamins or supplements? I do, but I take them in short courses. I try to get all my vitamins from food - that's what my grandma used to say, and she was always right.
Sean Deacy's consumer test: Gym membership - The Guardian 29/07/06
There's nothing like sunshine to bring on a fitness regime. Sean Deacy looks at the costs
Britain's sperm crisis - The Independent 30/07/06
Thousands of women remain childless because of acute donor shortage. Call for change in law to encourage more men to volunteer
Sperm: Your country needs you - The Independent 30/06/07
Anonymity law change blamed for chronic sperm donor shortage - Daily Mail 30/07/06
He's the latest diet guru to the stars, from Gwynnie to Cate. But is he doing them any good? - The Independent 30/07/06
He's the latest diet guru to the stars, from Gwynnie to Cate. But is he doing them any good?
McKenna triumphs in 'bogus degree' libel case - The Independent 29/07/06
The hypnotist Paul McKenna has won his libel action against a national newspaper which claimed he had knowingly bought a bogus degree to boost his career.
Hypnotist wins his libel case over 'bogus PhD' claims - The Times 29/07/06
NHS and schools 'at risk from surge in EU immigration' - The Times 31/07/06
A HUGE rise in immigration from Eastern Europe next year could cause chaos in schools and hospitals and spark a public backlash, according to a leaked government report.
Britain gets cancer 'wonder drug' - The Times 31/07/06
A “SMART” drug that attacks tumours on two fronts is available today, offering hope for thousands of cancer patients.
So much to learn – English, maths and nappy-changing - The Times 31/07/06
PUPILS as young as 14 should learn how to change a nappy, bath a baby and recognise the first signs of meningitis, teachers will be told this week.
Firm handed £4bn NHS contract was invesitigated for overcharging - The Times 31/07/06
THE company at the centre of the biggest privatisation yet seen in the NHS will not save the health service money, according to an American manufacturer who has just won a settlement from it. Novation has been under investigation for questionable business practices.
Class drugs according to risk, say MPs - The Times 31/07/06
THE system of classifying illegal drugs should be replaced with ratings that explain their effects, MPs said yesterday.
Drugs should be reclassified 'according to their danger' - Daily Mail 30/07/06
MPs: Scrap useless drug classification - The Independent 29/07/06
Drugs trade continues to flourish - The Times 31/07/06
Britain is one of the most lucrative markets for co-caine, heroin and ecstasy, according to the agency tackling drug gangs. The first UK threat assessment by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) — Britain’s “FBI” — says that, despite work by police and customs and promises by ministers, the trade is flourishing.
UK narcotics market one of world's richest - The Telegraph 31/07/06
You can't put a value on what we do - The Times 31/07/06
He’s the wealthiest doctor in Britain, and his clinic tops the IVF league tables. So why is he in despair?
How asthma sufferers can avoid attacks - The Times 31/07/06
With dangerously high pollution levels, they must remember medication rules
Can I help my son to cope with bullying? - The Times 31/07/06
My son is 11 and will be moving to high school in September. We’ve noticed that he has become increasingly withdrawn: he has turned from a lad who was hardly ever home to one who hardly ever goes out. After some gentle questioning, we have found out he is being bullied by an older boy who is already at the high school and who pushes him about, says he’s going “to get him” and gets his friends to try to hit him.
Elephant Man drug victims told to expect early death - The Sunday Times 30/07/06
VICTIMS of the disastrous “Elephant Man” drugs trial have been told they face contracting cancer and other fatal diseases as a result of being poisoned in the bungled tests.
Anti-smoking campaigner Carr is diagnosed with lung cancer - The Sunday Times 30/07/06
THE anti-smoking campaigner Allen Carr, whose self-help books have sold more than 10m copies worldwide, has been diagnosed with incurable lung cancer.
Beautiful people tend to have girls, say scientists - The Sunday Times 30/07/06
HOLLYWOOD’S most beautiful couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, are in the grip of evolutionary forces that made it almost inevitable that their child would be a girl.
Coma wife wins 'house of prayer' care - The Times 29/07/06
Court backs Muslim family and says hospital must pay the cost of woman being nursed at home
Health trust must pay for brain-damaged devout Muslim to live at home - The Telegraph 29/07/06
Key workers are priced out of homes in most of Britain - The Times 29/07/06
NURSES, teachers and policemen are now unable to afford a home in most parts of Britain because house prices have soared in the past five years, a report out today says.
Chocolate shops and lingerie, but no houses for nurses in Gerards Cross - The Times 29/07/06
Unhealthy safety - The Times 29/07/06
Is our country getting carried away by the mythology about health and safety?
Smart girls who ought to know better - The Times 29/07/06
Slut counselling? For girls like us? How a visit to the sexual health clinic had a sobering effect on Louise Keane and her friends
I need you lot fit - The Times 29/07/06
Government needs to empower health changes, not just finger-wag
Dr Copperfield: inside the mind of a GP - The Times 29/07/06
You already know that I spend most of my working day covering the backs of other NHS employees farther down the food chain, a situation summed up perfectly by the following joke: “How many nurses does it take to change a light bulb?” “None. Doctor’s been informed.”
Junk medicine: mobile phones - The Times 29/07/06
It is now pretty clear that mobile phones scramble the senses. That isn’t because they’re dangerous — the evidence for physical hazards is flimsy — but because of the irrational reactions they inspire.
Solo performance - The Times 29/07/06
Actor Jeremy Irons loves sailing but, he tells John Naish, he will never really join the crew
What's your game? - The Times 29/07/06
You don’t need plastic toys to keep your kids happy on the beach. Emma Cook chooses fun activities, while Amber Cowan finds the best ways to keep them safe in the sun
Eyebrow plucking - The Times 29/07/06
Can you get perfect eyebrows with a firm grip and a bit of pluck? Find out in Rosie Millard's DIY spa series
Timing isn't everything - The Times 29/07/06
My girlfriend and I are both very busy so she schedules sex into our diaries. I secretly hate this; how can I convince her to be more spontaneous?
New generation gap - The Times 29/07/06
Will older mothers make good grannies? Leah Hardy weighs up an age-old question
What travel jabs does my baby need? - The Times 29/07/06
Are travel vaccinations recommended for babies? Our son is six months old and we plan to visit Egypt in September. I gather we’ll need hepatitis A and typhoid injections, but is it safe for our son to have these too?
Eco-worrier: air-conditioning - The Times 29/07/06
Air-conditioning is bliss in this weather. Is it really that bad for the environment?
A fresh outlook - The Times 29/07/06
A spa to make you ten years younger — in just a day? Carpe diem, says Bel Mooney
Tasty ways to feed the hordes - The Times 29/07/06
There must be Italian blood in me somewhere because I’m probably at my happiest when friends and family drop by with plenty of time to sit, eat and enjoy the whole being-together experience. There’s nothing like tucking into simple food that hasn’t required lots of preparation or fuss on my part, put together spontaneously so that I can enjoy myself as much as everyone else.
Staying slim as a Pole - The Times 29/07/06
Shocked by chubby Brits, Dorota Bawolek explains why Polish women don’t get fat
This really is the limit - The Times 29/07/06
Peta Bee looks at the gruelling demands of triathlons and asks if participants are pushing their bodies too far
In the comfort zone - The Times 29/07/06
Actor Hugo Speer, 38, makes up for his bad habits with good works and pub yoga
Call for tests to avoid misdiagnosis of MS - The Telegraph 31/07/06
Two decades after a British doctor discovered a syndrome that can easily be mistaken for multiple sclerosis, he warns today that hundreds of people may still be wrongly diagnosed because simple tests are not offered as a matter of routine.
Sun boosts sales of fake tan - The Telegraph 31/07/06
The blazing sunshine has provoked soaring sales of what might seem the most unlikely product - artificial tanning lotion.
Ministers 'failed to warn public of cannabis risks' - The Telegraph 30/07/06
Health campaigners have accused the Government of creating "dangerous confusion" over the mental health risks of smoking cannabis after it scrapped a multi-million pound publicity campaign.
How Blair won £3bn on the Lottery - The Telegraph 30/07/06
The Government has spent more than £3 billion of National Lottery money on schools, hospitals and essential services that should have been funded by the taxpayer.
Health scare to cost Cadbury £20m - The Telegraph 30/07/06
Cadbury Schweppes will admit this week that the cost of the salmonella contamination of its chocolate has risen to around £20m, compared with the original estimate of £5m. It will confirm that the scare is hitting sales and will affect profits. The impact on profits could be £40m, according to the company's own broker.
Nish Joshi's Q & A - The Telegraph 30/07/06
My wife's uric acid levels have risen to 51. she was taking daily medication for her blood pressure, and her doctor prescribed different tablets to lower her uric acid. She also takes pills for cholesterol. But she still has joint pain, which she suspects is caused by the uric acid. Can you offer any advice to help lower her levels?
Who are we kidding? We love it hot - why else is our national dish curry and our drink tea? - The Telegraph 30/07/06
There is something strange about summer. It appears to come along every July and August, often accompanied by a startling rise in the use of the words "phew" and "scorcher". To keep track of this phenomenon you'll probably find a newspaper handy. Especially for fanning yourself while wondering whether: a) it's a good thing, b) a bad thing, or c) where you left the Pimms jug.
Private patients to get drug NHS won't pay for - The Telegraph 29/07/06
Insurers say they will not bar treatment for cancer sufferers that costs £18,000 a time, says Emma Thelwell
'NHS is often not free, especially if you're old, sick and vulnerable' - The Telegraph 29/07/06
Charity chief attacks criteria that shut out thousands from help. Alison Steed reports
Ways to beat the means test or help meet the cost of care - The Telegraph 29/07/06
Keep cool - just chill - The Telegraph 29/07/06
Len Fisher offers some scientific tips to keep your mind, body, garden plants and even wine racks from becoming casualties of the heatwave
Why I didn't want to 'mesh' with my husband - The Telegraph 29/07/06
Chloe Rhodes describes the latest craze among American newlyweds - concocting a new name
"I have just finished the treatment and I feel fantastic' - The Telegraph 29/07/06
Brian Jago, a cancer patient, could barely get out of bed last Christmas. Then, six months ago, he started a course of the drug Velcade and this week he enjoyed a 10-mile cycle ride with his wife, Victoria.
Cervical cancer vaccine will go on sale in weeks - Daily Mail 29/07/06
A vaccine against cervical cancer could go on sale within weeks.
Union warning on health reforms - BBC Health News 30/07/06
Industrial action is being threatened by health unions unhappy at job cuts, NHS cutbacks, and the rapid pace of changes within the service.
Concern over major MS drug trial - BBC Health News 29/07/06
Leading scientists have raised serious concerns about a major government study into the effectiveness of drugs used by thousands of people with MS.
National Step-o-Meter Programme Rolls Out, UK - Medical News Today 30/07/06
A new programme has been launched to help people who want to get active take the first step out the door and on the road to a fitter, healthier lifestyle, Public Health Minister Caroline Flint announced today.
Better End Of Life Care For Patients - UK Government Announces Strategy To Improve End Of Life Care - Medical News Today 30/07/06
A new long-term strategy for improving end of life care for seriously ill adult patients was announced by health minister Rosie Winterton today.
NHS Must Provide More Sizes And Shapes Of Condoms Says Fpa, UK - Medical News Today 30/07/06
To mark ‘Sexual Health Week' (7-13 Aug), fpa is calling for the NHS to provide a wider selection of condoms in different sizes and shapes. fpa is also asking health professionals to start tackling some of the embarrassment that exists around condom size. Condoms that don't fit properly are more likely to tear or come off, increasing the risk of unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Current GMC Should Be Disbanded, Says Former President, UK - Medical News Today 30/07/06
A former President of the General Medical Council has called for the current Council to be disbanded and re-formed with new members.
Hewitt Welcomes Appointment Of New NHS Chief Executive, UK - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt welcomed the appointment of the new NHS Chief Executive, Mr David Nicholson.
New Chief Executive Of The NHS, UK - BMA Comment - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Older, More Rounded And Artier Applicants Make Better Medical Students - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Older, artier, and better rounded applicants, with at least one year's work experience would make better medical students and happier doctors, suggests a leading educationalist philosopher in the Journal of Medical Ethics.
Backing For The Use Of Advanced Biological Therapies To Treat Severe Psoriasis, Provided By NICE - Medical News Today 28/07/06
The UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has today issued guidance for the use of the targeted biological therapies, Enbrel® (etanercept) and Raptiva® (efalizumab), to treat adult patients with severe plaque psoriasis. However, top experts have expressed their concerns that many patients across Europe could still be denied treatment with this newest class of drugs due to funding issues.
International News
Julie Bindel: Air-conditioning makes you fat - The Guardian 31/07/06
Don't worry about the deep-fried Mars bar, pints of stout, or the doner kebab on the way home from the pub. Just turn off that air-conditioning! A study published in the US International Journal of Obesity has found that air-conditioning results in us still wanting to eat despite baking temperatures. Or rather it stops us from feeling as if we do not want to eat. According to the researchers, if we are frying at work and home, we don't want to do the same to our food.
Oily fish 'can help beat obesity' - Daily Mail 28/07/06
If you enjoy sardines on toast or a dinner of oily fish, keep tucking in - they’ll help to keep your weight down and maintain good health, a new study reveals.
'Scorpion venom' attacks tumours - BBC Health News 30/07/06
Researchers have developed a "man-made" scorpion venom to be used in the treatment of brain tumours.
Test to assess 'blood clot risk' - BBC Health News 29/07/06
A test to predict future risk of blood clots in people who have already had one has been developed.
HIV hides in gut to escape attack - BBC Health News 29/07/06
HIV is able to survive drug attack by hiding out in the gut lining, US scientists have discovered.
Chemical In Many Air Fresheners May Reduce Lung Function - Medical News Today 30/07/06
New research shows that a chemical compound found in many air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, mothballs and other deodorizing products, may be harmful to the lungs. Human population studies at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), a part of the National Institutes of Health, found that exposure to a volatile organic compound (VOC), called 1,4 dichlorobenzene (1,4 DCB) may cause modest reductions in lung function.
Stress From Exercise Does Not Threaten The Heart, Hopkins Study Shows - Medical News Today 30/07/06
A Johns Hopkins study should ease the concerns held by many older adults with mild high blood pressure about the strain or harm exercise could cause their hearts. Results of the research on 104 men and women age 55 to 75 showed that a moderate program of physical exertion had no ill effects on the heart's ability to pump blood nor does it produce a harmful increase in heart size.
Special Science Issue Examines HIV/AIDS In Latin America And The Caribbean - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Science correspondent Jon Cohen, a prize-winning author and one of the world's foremost journalists covering HIV/AIDS, reports on the battle against the disease across Latin America and the Caribbean, in the journal's 28 July 2006 issue.
Stanford Snake Venom Study Shows That Certain Cells May Eliminate Poison - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Death by snakebite is horrible. The immediate pain of the bite is followed by swelling, bruising and weakness, then sweating or chills, with numbness, nausea, blurred vision and possibly convulsions before it's all over. Such misery is produced by a veritable witches' brew of toxins in snake venom.
Penn State Researchers Say Education, Treatment Key To Averting Child Homicides - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Mothers who suffer from serious bouts of postpartum depression and psychosis often don't get enough help before killing their children, but jailing them is not necessarily the answer, say two Penn State researchers who are publishing a new book: "Child Homicide: Parents Who Kill," with CRC Press, in August.
Nanotechnology Enables Low-dose Treatment Of Atherosclerotic Plaques - Medical News Today 30/07/06
In laboratory tests, one very low dose of a drug was enough to show an effect on notoriously tenacious artery-clogging plaques. What kind of drug is that potent?
In-home Sensors Spot Dementia Signs In Elderly - Medical News Today 30/07/06
An Oregon Health & Science University study shows motion and door sensors placed in elders' homes can help track activity patterns thought to relate to memory changes that are early signs of dementia.
Understanding What People With Arthritis Believe About Exercise - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States. In total, the treatment and toll of this progressive disease costs our country about $86 billion per year, a figure expected to rise as Baby Boomers age.
COX-2 Inhibitors Prescribed To Reduce Gastrointestinal Toxicity Prior To The Market Withdrawals - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been the most popular treatment for arthritis - despite their association with gastrointestinal (GI) complications, including bleeding ulcers and death. When selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors (coxibs) were introduced a decade ago, they were widely hailed as a gastroprotective shield for NSAID users
Interstitial Cystitis / Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS/IC) - Urothelium Has Key Role In Regulating Lower Urinary Tract Physiology And Pathology - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Kanai and co-investigators explored the different mechanisms of urothelial cell pathology, elucidating their impact on bladder function at an International Continence Society Symposium, the results of which were published last month. They also looked critically at novel therapeutic interventions.
Connexin Conducts Cell-to-cell Conversations In The Inflamed Lung - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Severe lung inflammation, which can cause acute lung injury in cases of sepsis and infection, is associated with the accumulation in the lung and surrounding blood vessels of fluid, cells, and cellular debris. The deposition of inflammatory exudates spreads rapidly and can soon involve the entire lung or both lungs. The mechanisms underlying the spread of inflammation across the vast vascular network in the lung has remained unexplained, until now.
Defining The Molecular Correlates For The Presence Of “Symptomatic” Primary Tumors In Renal Cell Carcinoma - Medical News Today 30/07/06
The presence of symptoms (pain, hematuria, systemic malaise, fever, weight loss, etc.) associated with a primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumor has been shown to be a poor prognostic feature in patients with localized disease. In this report by Harada and colleagues, the authors examine the expression of several molecular markers noted to be important in RCC biology, such as Ki67, bcl-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and their association with the symptomatic phenotype.
New Wireless-Enabled Devices Extending The Reach Of Cardiovascular Care - Medical News Today 30/07/06
As new-generation cardiac devices and monitoring products converge with wireless networks, medical professionals are acquiring the capability to monitor key patient parameters and implanted device data in near-real time. These new communication-enabled devices function like On-Stars for humans, sending data on a timed or exception basis.
Medical Expertise Available Wherever Emergencies Occur - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Emergency personnel often lack the trauma expertise necessary to treat victims of severe accidents or other emergencies. Some victims die because they do not reach hospital emergency rooms fast enough. But now a system for remote treatment could help improve survival rates.
New Genetic Model For Parkinson's Disease
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden are homing in on mechanisms that may explain one set of causes for Parkinson's disease. In mice they have mimicked disturbances of mitochondria thought to be one cause of disease. By genetic means the disturbance of mitochondria - the energy factories of cells - were directed to those nerve cells that produce the transmitter substance dopamine and that die in Parkinson's disease.
New Study Shows Endometrial Ablation Most Cost-Effective Treatment For Heavy Menstrual Bleeding - Medical News Today 30/07/06
A new study published in the July 2006 issue of Journal of Reproductive Medicine shows that global endometrial ablation (GEA) is more cost-effective than oral contraceptives or hysterectomy to treat dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB), a condition affecting approximately 20% of reproductive age women.
In The Interests Of Patients, Roche Will Consider All Options Following CHMP Opinion On Tarceva In Pancreatic Cancer - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Roche announced today that its cancer medicine Tarceva (erlotinib) has received a negative opinion from the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) for use in combination with gemcitabine chemotherapy for the first line treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, a cancer with an extremely high fatality rate[1]. Roche is confident in the trial data which has shown that the Tarceva combination treatment significantly increases patient survival. In the interest of the patients, Roche will now consider all options following this decision, including requesting a re-examination of this decision.
Radiancy Unveils Innovative System For Hair Removal And Skin Rejuvenation - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Radiancy, Inc., the global leader in light-based skin therapies, announces the U.S. release of Duet, a dual application device for photoepilation and aging skin phototherapy.
ACE-ing The Test Of Blood Pressure Regulation - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is expressed at its highest levels in the kidney and heart, suggesting a potential role in the regulation of the cardiovascular system.
Role Of Protein In Immune Response May Aid HIV Research - Medical News Today 30/07/06
A family of proteins that serve as the body's first line of defense against bacterial infections may provide a lifeline for individuals with compromised immune systems, according to researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine - Northwest.
Portland Orthopaedics Wins US FDA Approval To Market New Primary Hips - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Portland Orthopaedics Limited (ASX:PLD) has been granted US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market the company's new M-COR primary hip in the US. The company will now ramp-up its manufacturing in preparation for delivery of its extended orthopaedic range to its exclusive US distributor, Plus Orthopedics Inc.
MIT Researchers Watch Brain In Action - Medical News Today 30/07/06
For the first time, scientists have been able to watch neurons within the brain of a living animal change in response to experience.
Effects Of Meditation On Early Cognitive Impairment, University Of Pennsylvania - Medical News Today 30/07/06
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine are examining the effectiveness of meditation on early cognitive impairment. Once this new study is completed, the results could help answer lingering questions over whether or not stress-reducing techniques and mind exercises can lessen or even prevent cognitive decline
New Low-cost System To Detect Bacteria Created By Purdue - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new low-cost system that analyzes scattered laser light to quickly identify bacteria for applications in medicine, food processing and homeland security at one-tenth the cost of conventional technologies.
Challenges To Improving Adolescent Nutrition In Bangladesh And Tanzania - Medical News Today 29/07/06
While a great deal of research has been conducted on child and adult malnutrition in developing countries, there are only a handful of studies on adolescent malnutrition.
Multi-tasking Adversely Affects Brain's Learning, UCLA Psychologists Report - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Multi-tasking affects the brain's learning systems, and as a result, we do not learn as well when we are distracted, UCLA psychologists report this week in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Regular Multivitamin Use For 3 Months Before Conception Significantly Reduces Preeclampsia Risk - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Women who are considering becoming pregnant may significantly reduce their risk of developing a common life-threatening complication called preeclampsia by taking a multivitamin supplement regularly three months before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy. This finding is being reported in a University of Pittsburgh study available online now through an "advance access" feature of the American Journal of Epidemiology. The paper is scheduled for publication in the Sept. 1 print issue of the journal.
Lower Levels Of Anti-inflammatory Proteins May Contribute To Chronic Widespread Pain - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Chronic widespread pain, a common medical condition, can be difficult to treat and is often associated with fatigue, poor sleep and depression. A connection between fibromayalgia (FM) and cytokines (proteins that act as messengers between cells) was suspected after cancer patients treated with the cytokine interleukin -2 developed FM-like symptoms.
New Device To Measure Nanoparticle Air Pollution - Medical News Today 29/07/06
The world's first machine to simultaneously measure two vital properties of airborne nanoparticle pollution is going on an overseas trip to a leading atmospheric chemistry laboratory in Switzerland.
Real-time Decision-support System Can Save Lives - Medical News Today 29/07/06
This is the background to the AMIRA IST project, which aimed to develop a more sophisticated version of the platform first seen in the IST project RIMSAT. The partners in AMIRA aimed to develop a decision-support system which responded fast and flexibly enough to be useful in real life when critical decisions need to be made, especially in life-threatening or mission-critical situations.
Human Behavior Changes The Number Of Strains Of Infectious Diseases - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Simple models predict that only one strain of an infectious disease can exist at one time, but observation suggests otherwise. In a study in the August issue of The American Naturalist, Ken Eames and Matt Keeling (University of Warwick) use a mathematical model to help explain multiple strains, showing that the way humans interact is all-important. The researchers found that the coexistence of multiple infectious disease strains result from monogamous populations.
Identifying Medical Proxy Should Be Part Of Routine Medical Care - Medical News 29/07/06
One-third of married individuals choose someone other than their spouse as a surrogate for medical decision-making. And more often than not, when adult patients chose a parent, sibling or child, they prefer their mothers, sisters and daughters to serve as medical proxies over their fathers, brothers and sons.
Saving Antiretroviral Treatment In Long-term HIV-positive Patients - Medical News Today 29/07/06
HIV-positive patients who have been receiving long-term antiretroviral treatment are less likely to respond to subsequent rounds of treatment, according to a Review in the August issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Who Calls For Stronger Collaboration Between HIV/AIDS And TB Programs In The Developing World - Medical News Today 29/07/06
The head of WHO's Stop TB programme has called for better coordination of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis screening and treatment programmes in the August issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Inhaled Nitric Oxide Reduces Lung Disease In Premature Babies - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Delivering nitric oxide to the lungs of premature, very-low-birth-weight infants during their second week of life improves their chances of surviving without chronic lung disease, according to a national study of nearly 600 babies. For thousands of infants born prematurely each year in the United States, the treatment may help them to breathe easier--and shorten their hospital stay.
UCI Researchers "text Mine" The New York Times, Demonstrating Ease Of New Technology - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Performing what a team of dedicated and bleary-eyed newspaper librarians would need months to do, scientists at UC Irvine have used an up-and-coming technology to complete in hours a complex topic analysis of 330,000 stories published primarily by The New York Times.
Prebiotics Can Cut Development Of Skin Allergy In Babies At High Risk - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Prebiotics can cut the chances of developing atopic dermatitis in babies at high risk of the disorder, suggests a study published ahead of print in the Archives of Disease in Childhood .
New Test During Labour Could Keep Babies From Contracting Deadly Infections - Medical News Today 29/07/06
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday approved a new test studied at the University of Florida that could lead to better screening for the most common cause of infection in newborn babies.
ConvaTec Launches Extended Pediatric Ostomy Line - Medical News Today 29/07/06
ConvaTec today announced the availability of its enhanced Little Ones(R) pediatric line of ostomy products for infants and children. ConvaTec Little Ones(R) will be available globally over the next several months.
FDA Approves Supplemental New Drug Application For Antiviral Treatment Famvir(R) - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved prescription Famvir(R) (famciclovir) tablets as a single-day treatment for immunocompetent patients with recurrent genital herpes (RGH), based on a supplemental new drug application (sNDA). Famvir significantly reduced the time to healing of non-aborted lesions, as well as time to resolution of studied symptoms in RGH patients with lesions by almost two days. The FDA also approved Famvir as a single-dose treatment for recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent patients.
3-D Images Of Knees Built Quickly With New MRI Technique - Medical News Today 29/07/06
A faster magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data-acquisition technique will cut the time many patients spend in a cramped magnetic resonance scanner, yet deliver more precise 3-D images of their bodies.
EPFL Launches Protein Expression Core Facility - Medical News Today 29/07/06
EPFL is adding an exciting new dimension to the life science research capabilities in the Lake Geneva area and around Switzerland with the launching of a Protein Expression Core Facility. This facility, founded and directed by Professor Florian Wurm and located in EPFL's Laboratory of Cellular Biotechnology, will provide recombinant proteins efficiently and at minimal cost to scientists doing basic research both within and outside Switzerland.
Onchocerciasis Treatment Reduces Prevalence And Intensity By 38% - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Onchocerciasis, river blindness or craw craw is an endemic disease in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. This pathology causes a weakening in affected individuals, most of them within the labour force population, making this disease one of the limiting factors for the economic development of the island. Onchocerciasis is caused by the worm Onchocerca volvulus.
Tanabe Seiyaku Launches New Anti-rheumatic - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Tanabe Seiyaku launched Methotrexate tablets 2mg TANABE (generic name: methotrexate), an anti-rheumatic drug for the indication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) only if there is no indication of improvement when conventional treatment therapies such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and other anti-rheumatic agents are used, on July 21.
First Of Its Kind Study Finds Patients Report Looking An Average Of Five To Six Years Younger Following BOTOX(R) Cosmetic Treatment Facials - Medical News Today 29/07/06
A first-of-its-kind analysis of data from multiple studies has found that a large proportion of patients report looking an average of five to six years younger than their current age after treatment for multiple upper facial lines with BOTOX(R) Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin Type A, Allergan, Inc.).(i) As many as 63 percent of patients receiving BOTOX Cosmetic reported looking younger than their current age after treatment for upper facial lines -- i.e., moderate to severe glabellar lines (the vertical "frown" lines between the brows, often referred to as the "11s"), crow's feet, or multiple facial lines in the forehead area -- compared to just 23 percent of patients receiving placebo. The findings were presented today at the American Academy of Dermatology Academy '06 meeting in San Diego.
New Study Demonstrates Significant Differences In Migration Characteristics Between Botulinum Toxin Type A Formulations: (Botox(R) And Dysport(R) - Medical News Today 29/07/06
A pilot study designed to compare the migration characteristics of different formulations of botulinum toxin type A has demonstrated that Botox(R) (Allergan, Inc.) has a significantly smaller area of migration beyond the targeted area of injection compared to Dysport(R) (Ipsen, Ltd.), a brand of botulinum toxin type A that is available in Europe but not yet approved for use in the U.S.(1) Different migration characteristics among botulinum toxin type A formulations may result in different tolerability profiles, according to the researchers, who are presenting their results today at the American Academy of Dermatology '06 meeting in San Diego, CA.
Helium Atoms Sent By Nozzle May Light Way For New Imaging Approach - Medical News Today 29/07/06
A newly devised nozzle fitted with a pinhole-sized capillary has allowed researchers to distribute helium atoms with X-ray-like waves on randomly shaped surfaces. The technique could power the development of a new microscope for nanotechnology, allowing for a non-invasive, high-resolution approach to studying both organic and inorganic materials.
International Aid Readying Response To Humanitarian Crisis In Lebanon - Medical News Today 29/07/06
International Aid today said it is preparing to send medical supplies and hygiene kits to the war-torn regions of Lebanon and Syria, following weeks of fighting that has led to a humanitarian crisis in the region.
Eating Disorders Are More Treatable Than Ever - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Ten million women and girls in the U.S. suffer from eating disorders and more people die from anorexia each year than from any other mental illness. Fortunately, for those individuals and families affected by eating disorders, help is available and recovery is possible.
Carotid Artery Stenting Deemed Safe Treatment Option For Elderly In Recent Study - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Carotid artery stenting can be performed safely in patients 80 years or older, according to study results released for the first time today at the 3rd Annual American Society of Interventional & Therapeutic Neuroradiology (ASITN) Course & Workshops in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico.
Largest-ever Study On Kidney Disease In Children To Be Led By Johns Hopkins Children's Center - Medical News Today 29/07/06
The early progression of chronic kidney disease in children and teens is poorly understood, but a national research team led by Johns Hopkins scientists is launching the largest-ever study to learn more about this often-stealthy killer.
Medical Device Test Center Expands Capabilities To Help Reduce Potential Interference - Medical News Today 29/07/06
In our increasingly wireless world, the air is full of electromagnetic signals carrying data from one place to another. While these new technologies advance our options in security, commerce and entertainment, they also produce potential interference that may cause concern for people with implanted medical devices.
Evolutionary Origin Of Fins, Limbs Discovered By UF Scientists - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Performance on the dance floor may not always show it, but people are rarely born with two left feet. We have genes that instruct our arms and legs to grow in the right places and point in the right directions. They also provide for the spaces between our fingers and toes and every other formative detail of our limbs.
CEO Of GSK Talks About HIV In The Developing World - Medical News Today 29/07/06
J-P Garnier, CEO of the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline talks about the company's role in providing HIV drugs for the developing world, in an exclusive interview with The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Medical Services To Submit An Additional Two Kits For EU Approval - Medical News Today 29/07/06
Medical Services International Inc (OTC: MSITF) is pleased to announce that the test results of the comprehensive testing of its VScan Tuberculosis (TB) test kit and its Hepatitis C test kit were excellent. As a result, the Company will be filing the appropriate documentation with regulatory authorities to apply for CE approval for the Tuberculosis and Hepatitis C test kits.
Giving The Right Number Of "Sighs" Prevents Ventilation Induced Lung Injury - Medical News Today 28/07/06
Ventilation therapy burst into the public consciousness more than 60 years ago with the "iron lung" and the polio epidemic. Mechanical ventilation has come a long way since then and is used today with patients who cannot breathe on their own because of trauma, lung injuries and chronic lung disease.
Avelox As Effective As Multi-dose Combination Therapy For Intra-abdominal Infections - Medical News Today 28/07/06
Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) today reported that monotherapy with the once-daily, broad-spectrum antibiotic AVELOX (moxifloxacin HCl) was as effective and well tolerated as a standard multi-dose combination antibiotic regimen in the treatment of patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections (cIAI), according to results of a study involving 681 patients published in the current issue of the Annals of Surgery.(1) AVELOX, the only marketed fluoroquinolone antibiotic approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as monotherapy to treat cIAI, was shown to be effective at eradicating the most common bacteria that cause cIAI, including E. coli and B. fragilis.
Better Prospect For Malaria Solution Heralded By Gene Breakthrough - Medical News Today 28/07/06
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in understanding the genetics of the insect parasite that is being targeted by researchers as a way of preventing the spread of malaria.
Specialty Hospitals Can Increase Health Care Costs, Study Finds - Medical News Today 28/07/06
Specialty hospitals that focus on such areas as heart disease and cancer can lead to increased health care costs in markets in which they compete with traditional full-service facilities, according to a study published on the Health Affairs Web site, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Broad Immune Response In Mice Unduced By Radiation-killed Bacteria Vaccine - Medical News Today 28/07/06
Vaccines made with bacteria killed by gamma irradiation, rather than by standard methods of heat or chemical inactivation, may be more effective, say researchers supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Vaccines made from gamma-irradiated bacteria also may not need to be kept cold; an advantage in settings where refrigerating vaccines is impractical or impossible. A report on the research appears in the current issue of the journal Immunity.
Groundbreaking Research Highlights Myriad Health Benefits Of Flavanol-rich Cocoa, Study By Mars, Incorporated Scientists And Researchers Worldwide - Medical News Today 28/07/06
Research has demonstrated that consumption of naturally occurring compounds in cocoa can lead to a range of circulatory health benefits including the first observed brain and cardiovascular blood flow improvements, according to research published in the latest issue of the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, in a supplement that focuses on the potential health benefits of flavanol-rich cocoa.
Recommendations To Treat Drug Abusers, Save Money And Reduce Crime Announced By NIDA - Medical News Today 28/07/06
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health, today released a landmark scientific report showing that effective treatment of drug abuse and addiction can save communities money and reduce crime. Principles of Drug Abuse Treatment for Criminal Justice Populations outlines some of the proven components for successful treatment of drug abusers who have entered the criminal justice system, leading to lower rates of drug abuse and criminal activity.
Doctors urge HPV vaccine for men and women - Reuters 31/07/06
A new vaccine aimed at halting the spread of a common sexually transmitted virus that can lead to cervical cancer should eventually be given to both sexes, doctors said on Monday.
Blood clot risk similar in vaginal ring and pill - Reuters 29/07/06
Comparison of a contraceptive vaginal ring with an oral contraceptive suggests that the ring does not have a higher risk of causing a blood clot, researchers report in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
ER visits for stroke increase around birthdays - Reuters 29/07/06
Birthdays may be a more risky time for some older folks, results of a new study suggest. The findings show that visits to the emergency department for stroke, heart attack, and other vascular events are more common on birthdays than on other days, particularly among individuals with high blood pressure.
Study debunks birth season-autism risk link - Reuters 29/07/06
One of the largest studies to date to look at the issue has found no relationship between the month a person was born and his or her risk of autism.
EU health chief seeking sweeter rules on additives - Reuters 29/07/06
Simple rules for approving food additives, flavourings and enzymes were proposed by the European Union's health chief on Friday.
Special ed students may have high asthma rates - Reuters 29/07/06
One in three special education students in New York City public schools has asthma, compared to just one in five in the general school population, a new study shows.
People who have an underactive thyroid without symptoms appear to have an increased risk of heart disease, according to a review of published studies that appears in the American Journal of Medicine - Reuters 29/07/06
Hypothyroidism may be linked to heart disease
Better diagnosis of vocal cord problems needed - Reuters 29/07/06
Vocal cord dysfunction is often misdiagnosed as asthma, according to a study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
Protopic effective for nickel-induced allergy - Reuters 29/07/06
Protopic, also known as tacrolimus 0.1 percent ointment, suppresses the signs and symptoms of skin allergy resulting in contact dermatitis among individuals who are sensitive to nickel and who continue to be exposed to this metal, a new study shows.
Venom protein may lead to brain cancer cure- study - Reuters 29/07/06
Doctors seeking treatments for malignant brain tumors have found promise in the venom of scorpions, according to a study released on Friday.
Cheshire and Merseyside News
Fire ordeal for hospital boss - Liverpool Echo 28/07/06
A WIRRAL hospital boss is preparing to jump through fire to raise money for cancer patients.
Skin cancer victim warns over sunbathing danger - Daily Post 28/07/06
BRAVE mother Donna Sillery last night relived her battle against skin cancer while pregnant in a bid to warn others against excessive sunbathing.
Why did my baby die? - Liverpool Echo 28/06/07
THE mother of a two month-old baby girl who died mysteriously in her sleep today told of her grief.
Ambulance workers begin walkout - Daily Post 28/07/06
AMBULANCE technicians on Merseyside will today begin a 48-hour strike.
Health body seeks 'financial freedom' - Chester Chronicle 28/07/06
A MENTAL health body hopes to gain greater financial freedom to help it deliver a better service to patients.
Trust lowest in UK for MRSA - Southport Visiter 28/07/06
SOUTHPORT & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust still has the lowest rate of MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) bloodstream infection of any general acute hospital in the country, new figures released this week reveal.
'Miracle' MS drug is given cautious but warm welcome - Southport Visiter 28/07/06
SOUTHPORT victims of the muscle-wasting disease Multiple Sclerosis have given acautious welcome to reports that doctors may have discovered a "miracle treatment".
Alert as danger drugs go missing - Southport Visiter 28/07/06
POLICE have issued an urgent warning after potentially lethal drugs went missing in the South Ribble area.
Families win battle against phone mast - Southport Visiter 28/07/06
RESIDENTS who live near the Blue Anchor pub on Hart Street have won their battle to stop the installation of an 11.7metre high phone mast in their neighbourhood.
Projects to provide aid for single parents - Midweek Advertiser 26/07/07
SINGLE parents in the North West are benefiting from skills made available through two local projects funded by the European Social Fund and Lancashire Learning and Skills Council.
Public backs A&E demand - Ormskirk Advertiser 28/07/06
A CAMPAIGNER has acquired 2,000 names in her bid to geta casualty unit at Ormskirk hospital re-opened.
Mental health scrutiny plan - Widnes World 28/07/06
AN INDEPENDENT expert has been commissioned by Halton Council to scrutinise radical plans to axe £32m from the borough's mental health budget.
'Don't put mast here' - Widnes World 28/07/06
HEALTH fears have prompted Hough Green families to protest over a proposed mobile phone mast being built yards from their homes.
Cumbria and Lancashire News
MRSA victim’s brother voices anger - Lancashire Evening Telegraph 29/07/06
THE brother of a man who died from MRSA has hit out at hospital bosses after it was revealed a pledge to stop staff wearing uniform outside of work has not been put in place.
80 mental health jobs face the axe -- Lancashire Evening Telegraph 29/07/06
NHS bosses at East Lancashire's mental health hospital Calderstones have announced 80 posts are to be axed and two wards closed.
Advice day on epilepsy - Carlisle News & Star 29/07/06
AN ADVICE day for epilepsy sufferers will be held in Carlisle today at The Lanes Shopping Centre.
Meeting on health ‘crisis’ - Carlisle News & Star 29/07/06
COPELAND councillors are to quiz health chiefs about what they say is the poor state of healthcare in west Cumbria.
Greater Manchester News
Cancer victim son 'would never give up' - Bolton Evening News 29/07/06
A CHEMICAL engineer who achieved straight As and a first class degree has died, aged 32, after contracting bowel and liver cancer.
Dad's heart transplant anniversary joy - Bolton Evening News 29/07/06
TEN years ago, super-dad Rob Hodgkiss was staring death in the face.
Health chief's triathlon test - Bolton Evening News 29/07/06
HEALTH bosses are proving they really do practice what they preach by taking part in this year's Salford Triathlon.
Decision on baby unit is delayed - Bolton Evening News 28/07/06
THE decision on the future of baby and children's services at the Royal Bolton Hospital has been delayed by three months.
Threat of strike at cuts hospital - Bolton Evening News 28/07/06
UNION bosses at the Royal Bolton Hospital say they are prepared to hold a ballot on industrial action in a bid to protect patient services.
