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National News
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Cheshire and Merseyside News
Cumbria and Lancashire News
Greater Manchester News

Dogs trained to warn of an imminent epileptic fit - The Guardian 16/10/06

Dogs that bark to warn epileptics about an oncoming seizure and help them when they have a fit could be available in Britain under a programme being considered by UCB, the global biopharmaceuticals group.

ISoft's latest glitch is 'pretty scary' for hospital - The Guardian 16/10/06

Serious problems with one of iSoft's most complex hospital computer system installations are threatening to wipe more than £16m off the expected income for University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

I did it their way - The Guardian 16/10/06

Ten years ago no one had heard of 'life coaches'. Now there are 100,000 of them in Britain, counselling everyone from anxious office workers to government ministers. But what exactly do they offer? A sceptical Tim Dowling signs up for some very modern therapy

Wide dissatisfaction with NHS hospital food - The Guardian 16/10/06

NHS hospitals are slowing patients' recovery by serving meals that are tepid, unappetising or downright inedible, a survey of catering at 97 health trusts reveals today.

Hospitals bin £36m in untouched food as elderly go untended - The Telegraph 15/10/06

Almost half of patients 'find hospital food inedible' - Daily Mail 15/10/06

One in three working mothers unhappy with nurseries - The Guardian 16/10/06

More than one-third of working mothers think nurseries are letting their children down, according to a survey which reveals a catalogue of complaints about childcare.

One mother in three is unhappy with child care - The Telegraph 16/10/06

Campaign to target bullies in the NHS - The Observer 15/10/06

A campaign to tackle bullying in the NHS is being launched this week, amid concern that many nurses are unable to report instances of harassment for fear of losing their jobs.

Poor Cathy still can't come home because there is no home to go to - The Observer 15/10/06

In 1966, 12 million people sat down to watch Cathy Come Home, the most influential play produced by the BBC. Two weeks after the broadcast, campaigners launched Shelter, a charity for the homeless.

Health watchdog to examine risks of asthma drugs - The Observer 15/10/06

The government's medicines safety watchdog is to investigate widely prescribed asthma drugs amid concerns about their safety record and new evidence suggesting that some patients may be genetically predisposed to react badly to them.

Let's take a little risk for the sake of science - The Observer 15/10/06

It is common to berate modern society for its obsessions with risk aversion and to blame our preoccupation with health and safety for producing a generation of physically timid individuals. But, as we make clear in our report, there is more to the problem than merely letting children play robustly. By protecting them from everyday scrapes and knocks, we also jeopardise their intellectual development.

Alarm as ministers ditch plan to overhaul drug classification - The Guardian 14/10/06

Plans to overhaul the 30-year-old scheme for classifying illegal drugs were ditched by the government yesterday, drawing condemnation from MPs and drugs charities. The scheme, which attaches higher penalties to class A drugs such as cocaine and heroin than less dangerous substances such as cannabis, a class C drug, was savaged in July in a report by MPs, who denounced it as "ad hoc", "not fit for purpose" and "riddled with anomalies".

Home Office resists reform of drug law as cocaine use doubles - The Telegraph 14/10/06

Liberal approach pays off as use of cannabis drops to 10-year low - The Independent 14/10/06

Cost of cocaine - The Times 14/10/06

Most doctors help end lives of terminally ill patients, says study - The Guardian 14/10/06

Doctors help about two-thirds of terminally ill patients to die by withholding treatment or giving them painkillers they know will shorten life - but do it only when they believe death is a few days away and after consulting patients, relatives or other doctors, according to research.

UK cautious about 'ending lives' - BBC Health News 14/10/06

Campaign aims at young binge drinkers - The Guardian 14/10/06

Binge drinkers in the 18-24 age group are the target of the government's first national advertising campaign to encourage sensible drinking of alcohol, which will show young people who think they are "superheroes" when drunk falling victim to horrific accidents, rapes and assaults.

Gulp! Government plans to put health warnings on wine bottles - The Independent 15/10/06

Fine wines to carry a health warning on binge-drinking - The Times 14/10/06

Beware: alcohol is not always harmful - The Times 14/10/06

Wine bottles to get health danger labels - The Telegraph 14/10/06

TV ad aims to stop young drinkers - BBC Health News 13/10/06

New Campaign Urges Young People To Know Their Limits When They Have A Drink, UK - Medical News Today 14/10/06

What I see in the mirror - The Guardian 14/10/06

At the moment I see the ill-shaped body of a frumpy, middle-aged woman, which is very unfortunate as, at the age of 43, I think my face has probably never looked so good. I'm a firm believer in "It isn't just how you look; it's how you feel". I've never felt so physically bad. It's the excess fat. I feel weighted down.

Investors see red after iSoft rewards director with shares - The Guardian 13/10/06

ISoft, the crisis-hit software supplier to the NHS, faces a rebellion by leading City investors over its pay deal for a senior executive after a warning issued by an influential investor body.

Dairy industry across UK faces hygiene blitz by EU inspectors - The Guardian 13/10/06

A small dairy in Lancashire is facing closure and Britain's entire £5.6bn dairy industry is under scrutiny from Brussels over hygiene, it emerged yesterday.

Britain accused over milk 'tainted' with antibiotics - Daily Mail 12/10/06

EU cheesed off with Britain's dairy hygiene standards - Daily Mail 12/10/06

A new revolution in Grimethorpe: Cuban-style socialist health care - The Independent 16/10/06

A former pit worker is to bring Cuban-style health care, administered by Arthur Scargill's daughter, to Grimethorpe, the mining community immortalised on screen by the film Brassed Off.

Stem cells could be used to reverse symptoms of motor neurone disease - The Independent 16/10/06

The prospect of treating motor neurone disease and other forms of severe paralysis has come a step closer with a study showing that it is possible to alleviate symptoms with the help of stem cells.

Fashion industry accused on anorexia - The Independent 15/10/06

One of Britain's leading authorities on eating disorders yesterday likened the fashion industry's role in the rise of eating disorders to the tobacco industry's promotion of smoking.

I weigh more than Lily Cole so why am I the one in hospital? - The Independent 15/10/06

Mentally ill 'still being denied a basic level of care' - The Independent 15/10/06

Patients with psychiatric problems who desperately need round-the-clock support are being failed by mental health services.

Breast cancer risk is higher for girls who live on farms - The Independent 13/10/06

Teenage girls who live or work on farms may be putting themselves at risk of developing breast cancer in later life, researchers say.

Breast cancer linked to farm work - The Times 13/10/06

Breast cancer farm workers link - BBC Health News 12/10/06

EU takes legal action on UK dairy - BBC Health News 12/10/06

Hospitals in Tory seats are 'targeted for closure' - The Times 16/10/06

COMMUNITY hospitals that lie in Conservative or Liberal Democrat constituencies will bear the brunt of the Government’s closure programme, re-igniting accusations of political interference in the NHS.

Health service 'cannot meet transplant target' - The Times 16/10/06

THE NHS cannot cope with the huge increase in the number of organ transplants for which the Government has legislated, campaigners say.

Business is booming for pubs that ban smoking - The Times 16/10/06

ENGLISH pubs that have already banned smoking have seen their profits rise by an average of 50 per cent, a survey by The Times has found.

NHS, IVF, NICE. It’s all NBG - The Times 16/10/06

IN SATURDAY’S Times Lord Harries of Pentregarth gave an interview in which, as interim chairman of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, he argued that women in their fifties and sixties should not be banned from having IVF because of their age.

Children’s cost in safety bill - The Times 16/10/06

We believe that the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Bill is a misguided response to a small number of tragic, but fortunately rare, incidents involving the abuse of children. The Bill will mean that up to a third of the adult working population — those who come into contact with children through their work or volunteering — will be subject to continuous criminal-records vetting. This could include babysitters and private tutors, as well as those who merely have access to information about children. The massive expansion of vetting is driven by suspicion and paranoia. The Criminal Records Bureau has already carried out ten million checks since 2002, and it is now common practice to vet anybody from 16-year-olds teaching younger kids to read, to parents helping out in school, to the visitors to foster carers’ homes.

GPs to repair hernias - The Sunday Times 15/10/06

MINOR surgery such as hernia repairs and varicose vein removal will be carried out in family doctors’ surgeries instead of in hospitals under plans to be announced by Patricia Hewitt, the health secretary, this week.

GPs to conduct minor operations - The Telegraph 16/10/06

GPs to carry out more operations - BBC Health News 15/10/06

TV supernanny has wrist slapped - The Sunday Times 15/10/06

A STATE-backed family advice charity is at odds with Supernanny, the Channel 4 show, and other parenting programmes about how to punish naughty children.

Gutbusting: a day in our fattest town - The Sunday Times 15/10/06

WHO ate all the pies? By 11.30 in the morning, the racks of steak and kidney, pasties and pork pies were already stripped bare, and a gaggle of disappointed shoppers milled around Tesco’s aisles.

Mental illness is hell. Don’t diminish it - The Sunday Times 15/10/06

Last Tuesday was World Mental Health Day and in this country a couple of attention-seeking politicians have been holding forth about mental illness, which is what the phrase mental health now means.

Bragg on the couch: 'Why I'm speaking out about my battles with depression' - The Independent 15/10/06

Fears over rise in ‘hyperactive’ children being medicated - The Sunday Times 15/10/06

A RECORD number of children are being prescribed drugs to treat hyperactivity, prompting fears that hundreds are being medicated unnecessarily.

Fertility Panel bishop blesses IVF for over-50s - The Times 14/10/06

WOMEN in their fifties and sixties should not be banned from having IVF on account of their age, the head of the Government’s fertility watchdog said yesterday.

The toughest life-and-death decisions are in his hands - The Times 14/10/06

Trial of disabled buggy makes a splash for the wrong reason - The Times 14/10/06

A beach buggy designed to help disabled people into the sea overturned during tests yesterday with a 72-year-old man on board.

Steps in the fight against flab - The Times 14/10/06

As a nation, we neither cook, nor do we eat with our families at regular mealtimes, and playing fields and recreation grounds have been sold off for redevelopment so there is nowhere for free exercise (report, Oct 11). We no longer know what constitutes a healthy diet and we are so

Nanny knows best - The Times 14/10/06

The Government is targeting the people most in need of nagging

Hospital phone ban 'unnecessary' - The Times 13/10/06

Researchers say restriction on mobiles is based on mythical safety concerns and should be lifted

Experts say mobile phone risk to hospital patients is a 'myth' - Daily Mail 13/10/06

Doctors attack mobile phone rules - BBC Health News 13/10/06

Number of cancelled NHS ops hits 1,000 a day - The Telegraph 16/10/06

Nearly 1,000 operations are being cancelled every working day in the NHS, new figures have revealed.

'In the mirror, I saw the golf-ball-sized lesions that Tom Hanks gets in Philadelphia' - The Telegraph 16/10/06

Harry Mount goes for a routine AIDS test but finds himself fearing the worst as the hour dawns for him to collect his results

ID card chief tainted by IT fiasco at NHS - The Telegraph 15/10/06

The official appointed to oversee the Government's controversial identity card scheme has already played a central role in a public-sector computer disaster.

NHS centres 'rationing consultant visits' - The Telegraph 15/10/06

New centres that "screen" patient referrals from GPs to hospital consultants are being used by the NHS to ration health care by stealth, say medical professionals.

Just say no - ministers about turn in drive to cut teenage pregnancies - The Telegraph 15/10/06

They have been handed morning-after pills by school nurses and given explicit sex guides to teach them how to use condoms. But now, in a radical change of direction by the Government in its drive to cut teenage pregnancies, young people are to be told not to have sex – at least not until they are over 16.

Brazilian cleaner: 'I had ear and nose jobs on National Health' - The Telegraph 14/10/06

A Brazilian cleaner in the sex blackmail case involving two judges is at the centre of a new row over cosmetic surgery financed by the taxpayer.

Doctors warn binge drinking epidemic is straining hospitals - Daily Mail 15/10/06

Binge drinking has reached 'epidemic' levels following the introduction of round-the-clock drinking a year ago, experts warned last night.

Tablet that could cure hayfever - Daily Mail 13/10/06

A daily tablet that could cure hay fever will be available within months.

What Martha did next - Daily Mail 12/10/06

She was the darling of the dotcoms when a terrible car accident almost killed her. Martha Lane Fox, guest speaker at next week's Women of the Year lunch, tells Cassandra Jardine how she'll cope with the legacy of her injuries

Half of UK women use diet pills to battle the bulge - Daily Mail 12/10/06

More than half of women in the UK have taken diet pills in their battle against the bulge, according to a survey out today.

Woman recovers sight after amazing eye op - Daily Mail 12/10/06

Glamorous Carla Tracey is a sight for sore eyes after doctors saved her from going blind. Wearing glasses as thick as jamjar bottoms, Carla reckoned she looked like Little Britain's Andy.

Alcoholic milk 'cuts allergies' - BBC Health News 16/10/06

Ingredients of a mildly alcoholic milk drink could help protect children from food allergies, research has suggested.

Community mental care 'lacking' - BBC Health News 16/10/06

Mental health patients face inadequate community services, extremely long waiting times and some may never get specialist care, a report has claimed.

Transplant law 'likely to fail' - BBC Health News 15/10/06

Legal changes aimed at increasing organ donations are likely to fail without an overhaul of NHS transplant services, a report by MPs and peers has warned.

NHS protests 'to draw thousands' - BBC Health News 14/10/06

Thousands of people are expected to take part in demonstrations this weekend organised in protest at cuts in the health service, it is claimed.

Arthritis drug access 'a lottery' - BBC Health News 13/10/06

The ability to obtain advanced rheumatoid arthritis drugs on the NHS is still determined by where patients live, a study has suggested.

Crystal meth may be reclassified - BBC Health News 13/10/06

Crystal Methamphetamine may be reclassified as a Class A drug under new rulings expected to be announced.

Drug treatments 'lack referrals' - BBC Health News 13/10/06

More than half of residential drug treatment providers in England are under financial pressure because of lack of referrals.

Plea to women banking cord blood - BBC Health News 12/10/06

New mothers should be discouraged from banking their umbilical cord blood as insurance if their child gets ill later in life, an expert says.

NHS Should Not Encourage Commercial Blood Banking - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Military 'need more health staff' - BBC Health News 12/10/06

The armed forces are struggling to recruit key medical staff to serve in combat zones, Ministry of Defence officials have said.

Unit patients slept on beanbags - BBC Health News 12/10/06

Two patients at a mental health unit in Cornwall had to sleep on beanbags after two wards were amalgamated.

Discovery in Anthrax death probe - BBC Health News 12/10/06

Experts have discovered anthrax spores in drums and animal skins during an investigation into the death of a drum maker in the Scottish Borders.

Pregnant women 'oily fish alert' - BBC Health News 12/10/06

ating too much oily fish during pregnancy may increase the risk of delivering the baby too early, scientists believe.

'Make cookery compulsory' demand - BBC Health News 12/10/06

Health organisations, teachers' unions and children's charities are demanding compulsory cookery lessons in schools.

RCGP Receives Approval For New GP Training Curriculum, UK - Medical News Today 15/10/06

The Royal College of General Practitioners has been given unconditional approval by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (PMETB) to introduce the first ever training curriculum for General Practice.

Junior Doctor Recruitment Could Spark Hospital Chaos, UK - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Hospital services could be thrown into chaos by an intense six-week spell of junior doctor recruitment, doctors' leaders have warned.

BMA Responds To Healthcare Commission's Assessment Of NHS Trusts, UK - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Commenting on the new health check for NHS trusts published by the Healthcare Commission, Dr Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the BMA's consultants' committee said: "The BMA has long called for changes to the way the performance of NHS trusts is assessed and the new ratings, based on broad core standards, are a welcome improvement.

Department Of Health Response To The Healthcare Commission's Annual Health Check, UK - Medical News Today 15/10/06

RCGP Comment On Healthcare Commission Annual Health Checks 2006, UK - Medical News Today 15/10/06

NICE Launch First Guide To Support Effective Commissioning Of Services, UK - Medical News Today 14/10/06

NICE have published the first in a series of 5 commissioning guides to be published this autumn as part of a new set of products to help the NHS in England effectively commission evidence-based care for patients. Each of these web-based guides offers detailed practical support for commissioners on a specific clinical topic.

NICE Announces Alzheimer's Disease Drug Appeal Outcome And NHS Guideline To Support Patients And Carers, UK - Medical News Today 14/10/06

NICE has announced that the appeals lodged by stakeholders against draft guidance on the use of drugs to treat Alzheimer's Disease have not been upheld. NICE will recommend to the NHS in November that donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine should only be considered as options in the treatment of people with moderate Alzheimer's disease. Memantine is only recommended as part of clinical studies for people with moderately-severe to severe Alzheimer's disease.

Dr James LeFanu's Second Opinion - The Telegraph 15/10/06

New Drive To Improve Employers' Attitude To The Mentally Ill Launched In UK - Medical News Today 14/10/06

A new initiative encouraging employers to improve the way they deal with mental health in the workplace has been launched by Health Minister Rosie Winterton to mark World Mental Health Day.

BMA Response To The Government's Health Profile Of England Report - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Commenting on Government's Health Profile of England report, Dr Chris Spencer-Jones, chair of the BMA's public health committee said: "We welcome the progress made on public health issues and whilst we fully support the Government's aim to help people to make healthier choices, these findings show that there is still more to be done.

Government Publishes Its Health Challenge For England - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Anthrax Investigation, UK - Medical News Today 14/10/06

As part of an ongoing investigation into an anthrax case in the Scottish Borders, NHS Borders, Health Protection Scotland and the Health Protection Agency have continued to work together.

Increased Levels Of Antibiotic Resistance In Gonorrhoea, UK - Medical News Today 14/10/06

New figures released today by the Health Protection Agency (UK) show that levels of antibiotic resistance in gonorrhoea, the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection, continue to increase.

TB And Public Health: Conference Addresses Key Themes Of Global And Local Significance - Medical News Today 14/10/06

TB related topics ranging from global and public health perspectives to the latest molecular science and vaccine development were among those presented by physicians and scientists at a national conference on Thursday 12 October.

The English Are The Fattest People In Europe - Medical News Today 12/10/06

The UK Government has announced that England is the fattest nation in Europe. While 23% of English adults are classified as obese, the figure for Germany is 12.9%, France 9.4%, Italy 8.5% and Spain is 13.1%. In 1995 about 9.9% of English children were obese, in 2004 the figure jumped to 14.3% - a rise of over 40%.

International News

Europeans turn to cocaine and alcohol as cannabis loses favour - The Observer 15/10/06

Europeans are abandoning cannabis but turning to cocaine and drink, new figures from French customs reveal.

Liquid to seal open wounds fast - BBC Health News 14/10/06

Scientists are hailing a biodegradable solution that can stop bleeding in wounded rodents within seconds.

Clue to flaws in autistic brain - BBC Health News 14/10/06

Regions of the brain may not communicate with each other as efficiently as they should in people with autism, research suggests.

Plague found in northern DR Congo - BBC Health News 13/10/06

An outbreak of pneumonic plague in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 42 people over the past two months, the World Health Organization reports.

Plague In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Polio screening for Hajj pilgrims - BBC Health News 12/10/06

Saudi Arabia says Muslims on the Hajj pilgrimage must have polio immunisation certificates if they come from states where the disease is endemic.

New human bird flu case in Egypt - BBC Health News 11/10/06

Egypt has detected its first human case of the bird flu virus since May in a woman who raised ducks from her home.

Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Subtraction Magnetic Resonance Imaging In Diagnostics Of Testicular Torsion - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is beginning to play a major role in pediatric urology. Current work done by Damien Grattan-Smith and colleagues are assessing renal function based on MRI imaging giving both a functional and crisp anatomical study especially when implementing 3-D reconstruction. Although typically implemented for the urinary tract, this study by Terai et al retrospectively correlated the MRI diagnosis with the surgical findings and/or clinical outcomes in patients presenting with an acute scrotum.

Researchers Studying Novel Therapy For Prostate Cancer - Medical News Today 16/10/06

A team of University of Iowa Health Care researchers has launched an important clinical trial of a novel therapeutic that may eventually lead to new treatments for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Uronate Peaks And Urinary Hyaluronic Acid Levels Correlate With Interstitial Cystitis Severity - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Several promising markers, led by antiproliferative factor and heparin binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor may eventually be useful in diagnosing interstitial cystitis. Lokeshwar and colleagues at the University of Miami recently showed that urinary urinate and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAG) levels correlate with IC severity, measured using the O'Leary-Sant questionnaire. Sensitivity was 80% ad specificity 92% to detect patients with IC with severe symptoms. In a new study, they examined the profile of urinary glycosaminoglycans species in patients with IC, and examined a correlation between urinary GAG profile and IC severity. They also looked at severity as it correlates with urinary hyaluronic acid levels.

Calcification Of Glutaraldehyde Cross-Linked Collagen In Bladder Neck Injections In Children With Incontinence: A Long-Term Complication - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Collagen injections are routinely used to treat urinary incontinence. Knudson et al report their experience of the developing calcifications at the bladder neck/urethra in pediatric patients treated with glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen for urinary incontinence. They reviewed the charts of patients treated between 1994 and 1999. The etiology of incontinence, pertinent medical history, operative details and postoperative imaging were detailed.

Health Related Quality Of Life And Satisfaction With Care Among Older Men Treated For Prostate Cancer With Either RP Or EBRT - Medical News Today 16/10/06

R. Jayadevappa and colleagues of the University of Pennsylvania present their observations on health related quality of life (HRQol) and Client Satisfaction with Care (CSQ-8) and other factors in 115 older men (?65 yrs) who had RP (69) or EBRT (46) at either the Veterans Hospital or the University Hospital. They surveyed the men at 3, 6 and 12 months.

Safety And Efficacy Of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For The Treatment Of Interstitial Cystitis: A Randomized, Sham Controlled, Double-Blind Trial - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Hyperbaric Oxygen (HBO) therapy aims at ischemia by leading to a net gain in oxygen concentration in tissues. The hyperbaric chamber provides unique conditions in which the hemoglobin is fully saturated and the oxygen is dissolved in the blood plasma at the rate of 2.3 volume percentage of hyperoxemia per 1 atmosphere absolute (ata). Ischemia of the bladder wall has been proposed to be a problem in BPS/IC. Van Ophoven and colleagues from Germany theorized that reduction of ischemic conditions of the pelvic region and with the IC affected bladder wall might be beneficial.

Pain Relief For Neonatal Circumcision: A Follow-up Of Residency Training Practices - Medical News Today 16/10/06

One of the primary concerns parents have with newborn circumcisions is pain control. Local anesthesia has been proven beneficial for post circumcision pain relief. However, this might not always be the clinical practice. This study by Yawman et al assessed the current training practices regarding the provision of effective analgesia for routine newborn circumcision.

Are Bone Scans Necessary In Men With Low Prostate Specific Antigen Levels Following Localized Therapy? - Medical News Today 16/10/06

The diagnosis of bony metastasis secondary to prostate cancer significantly alters patient treatment. Currently radionuclide bone scans are the gold standard for detecting osseous metastasis. A correlation between the presence of bony metastases and serum PSA has been observed. An ongoing debate surrounds the optimal PSA for recommending a bone scan for nonmetastatic prostate cancer.

EGF And HB-EGF Modulate Inward Potassium Current In Human Bladder Urothelial Cells From Normal And Interstitial Cystitis Patients - Medical News Today 16/10/06

There are currently two well-known bladder hypersensory syndromes - overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). Because BPS/IC is associated with chronic bladder pain, it represents potentially a more challenging clinical problem. There are no treatments that target specifically the bladder sensory pathways.

Nutritional Assessment Of Surgery Patients - Medical News Today 16/10/06

J. C. Hall of Perth, Australia begins his article: “Many health care professionals see nutritional assessments as a key to improving the care of surgical patients”. So he sets as his aim the evaluation of the usefulness of assessing the nutritional status of surgical patients, doing so by means of a literature search.

Postponing Surgery Reduces Long Term Side Effects For Children With Kidney Cancer - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Children given chemotherapy before surgery to treat the most common form of childhood kidney cancer, called Wilms' tumour, require less treatment and experience fewer long term side effects than if they have immediate surgery, according to trial results revealed at today's NCRI Cancer Conference and published in the European Journal of Cancer.

Study Suggests Little Benefit From Antipsychotics In Alzheimer's - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Most Alzheimer's patients prescribed antipsychotic drugs for delusions, agitation or aggression do no better than those who take a placebo because so many discontinue the drugs due to significant side effects, according to a major new nationwide study led by Lon Schneider, professor of psychiatry, neurology and gerontology at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC).

Using Neurofeedback To Aid Medical Patients - Medical News Today 16/10/06

A new article reviews the literature of quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) that documents abnormal brain wave patterns accompanying several medical conditions. The research implies that neurofeedback training may partially or fully normalize these brain wave patterns, and improve the physical and mental functioning of people with these conditions. The article is in the latest issue of Biofeedback.

Commonplace Sugar Compound Silences Seizures - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Though in clinical use for decades, a small, sweet-tasting compound is revealing a startling new face as a potential cure for epilepsy.

Gene Involved In Common Birth Defect Also Regulates Skin Biology - Medical News Today 16/10/06

Following up on an earlier discovery that a gene called IRF6 is involved in the common birth defect cleft lip and palate, researchers at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and their colleagues have identified the function of the gene. Their latest findings, published online Oct. 15 in Nature Genetics, reveal an unexpected role for IRF6 in the growth and development of skin cells, a discovery that may have implications for wound healing and cancer research.

Melanoma Cripples Lymph Node Immune Function So It Can Spread - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Melanomas aid themselves in their quest to invade other parts of the body by sending a chemical signal to the sentinel lymph node, the node most susceptible to early spread of the cancer. The signal cripples the sentinel node's immune response, making it more vulnerable to cancer spread, UCLA researchers discovered.

Insights Into How The Immune System Avoids Attacking Itself Provided By Penn Researchers - Medical News Today 15/10/06

A finding by University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers about how immune cells "decide" to become active or inactive may have applications in fighting cancerous tumors, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplant rejection. Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Professor

How To Protect Against A Pandemic With Viral Make-up Unknown Until It Becomes A Threat? - Medical News Today 15/10/06

An initial priming shot given in advance of a booster shot may be an effective way to protect people against bird flu, researchers say in a presentation at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Indonesia Confirms 53rd Human Bird Flu Death - Medical News Today 15/10/06

An 11-year-old boy died yesterday of H5N1 bird flu infection, say officials from Indonesia's Ministry of Health. The total number of people infected with bird flu in the country has now reached 71, of which 53 have died.

Cochlear Implants And Speech Skills Following Meningitis - Medical News Today 15/10/06

A major research study funded by national charity Meningitis Research Foundation conducted at the Nottingham Cochlear Implant Programme has just reported in Pediatrics - the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics - on the remarkable achievements of children deafened by meningitis.

World Food Day: Why Are There Still 400 Million Hungry Children? - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Speaking to mark the occasion of World Food Day on 16 October, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, James Morris, appealed to the developed world to give a fairer chance to the world's 400 million hungry children, many of whose lives are still blighted by malnutrition in the first few months after being born.

Benefit Of Grape Seeds - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Grape seeds, peel and pedicles contain phytoestrogens, which can efficiently protect women above 45 from atherosclerosis. This has been experimentally proved by specialists of the Research Institute of Physicochemical Medicine (Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation), Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology (Russian Academy of Medical Sciences), Institute of Experimental Cardiology (Russian Cardiological Scientific Production Complex, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation), Institute of Atherosclerosis (Russian Academy of Natural Sciences).

New, First Of-Its-Kind VIACTIV® For Teens Helps Calcium-Deficient Girls - Medical News Today 15/10/06

A startling nine out of 10 teenage girls between the ages of 12-19 do not get enough calcium from diet alone1. Since nearly half of all bone mass is formed during teenage years, it is important these girls supplement their diet with calcium to support growth of healthy bones. Today, McNeil Nutritionals, LLC, introduces VIACTIV® for Teens Calcium Soft Chews, a new portable, great tasting, chewable calcium supplement that provides needed calcium and suits the active lifestyle of pre-teen and teenage girls.

Roche Files Herceptin Plus Hormonal Therapy For Advanced HER2-positive Breast Cancer With European Authorities - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Roche announced today the submission of a Marketing Authorisation to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for Herceptin (trastuzumab) as treatment for advanced HER2-positive and hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The application is based on data from the international TAnDEM study which showed that the addition of Herceptin to hormonal therapy doubles the median progression-free survival (amount of time a patient's cancer is kept under control), from 2. 4 months to 4.8 months.

Positive Interim Efficacy Results From Large Randomized Adjuvant Gastric Cancer Trial - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Based on the recommendation of the Steering Committee of the study evaluating the oral anticancer therapy, S-1, in adjuvant gastric cancer, Taiho and sanofi-aventis announced today positive interim efficacy analysis demonstrating superior efficacy benefit reported in the S-1 arm. This decision was taken in agreement with the Independent Drug Safety Monitoring Committee of the study, once all patients were already included and had received their complete respective treatment; patients will continue to be followed up as planned.

Dental Infection Linked To Diabetes During Pregnancy - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Nearly one out of two women with gestational diabetes also have periodontal disease, according to research released this month by Tulane University researchers. In contrast, just over one in ten pregnant women without gestational diabetes have periodontal disease. The study, available in the October issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, is the first to demonstrate a link between poor oral health and diabetes during pregnancy.

Key To Lung Cancer Chemo Resistance Revealed - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Scientists at Johns Hopkins have discovered how taking the brakes off a “detox” gene causes chemotherapy resistance in a common form of lung cancer.

Psoriasis Associated With Increased Risk For Heart Attack - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Adults with psoriasis, especially younger patients with severe psoriasis, appear to be at increased risk for a heart attack, according to a study in the October 11 issue of JAMA.

Base Supplements May Help Fight Osteoporosis - Medical News Today 15/10/06

Taking a potassium citrate supplement to counteract the high acidity of the modern diet can lead to increased bone density in older women, suggests a study in the November Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

Telemedicine Robots Help Improve Health - Medical News Today 14/10/06

University of Queensland telemedicine researchers are using a robot named Eliza to conquer the tyranny of distance and improve delivery of specialist medical care to the bush.

Understanding The Mystery Of Immune Defects - Medical News Today 14/10/06

The protein Myo1f is important in regulating how quickly the immune system mobilizes to fight off infection and may help explain some infection fighting disorders, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in Science.

Phase 1 Clinical Study On Potential Renal Cell Cancer Vaccine Successfully Concluded By Immatics - Medical News Today 14/10/06

immatics, a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the development of peptide-based immunotherapeutic substances for the treatment of cancers, today announced the successful conclusion of its first Phase 1 clinical study on vaccine IMA901 against renal cell cancer. IMA901 is a combination of 10 different peptide antigens that can be identified as so-called tumor-associated antigens among the majority of renal cell cancer patients. The purpose of these antigens is to specifically activate the human immune system against cancer cells, thus mobilizing the body's own self-defense mechanisms.

Everyday Chemicals And Health - Assessing New Reseach Findings On Endocrine Disrupters - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Reports show that genital malformations in baby boys have been on the increase in many European countries, and that the number of people diagnosed with breast, testis and prostate cancers continues to increase. Recent data indicate that in parts of Europe, sperm quality is approaching levels that may impair fertility. At the same time, wildlife in certain areas of Europe shows signs of sexual disruption. The concern is that chemicals able to interfere with the normal functioning of hormones, so-called endocrine disrupters, may play a role in these conditions.

Too Much Oily Fish Raises Risk Of Premature Birth - Medical News Today 14/10/06

One the one hand, pregnant women are told to eat some oily fish, while on the other hand they are told not to eat so much that the levels of mercury in their bodies rise.

Food Aid Reaches More People In Darfur Amid Growing Violence - Medical News Today 14/10/06

The United Nations World Food Programme has announced that in September, food rations reached more than 158,000 people in Darfur, western Sudan, who have been cut off in recent months.

Creative Writing Increases Physician Observation Skills And Connection To Patients - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Teaching creative writing to residents in an intensive workshop at Yale School of Medicine improved physicians’ view of themselves, their peers and their patients, and also promoted an increased interest in writing and the residency program, according to a study in the October issue of Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Keep Pounds Off With Daily Weighing And Quick Action - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Most successful dieters regain the weight they lost. But new research shows that stepping on a scale every day, then cutting calories and boosting exercise if the numbers run too high, can significantly help dieters maintain weight loss. The study, conducted by researchers at The Miriam Hospital and Brown Medical School, reports results of the first program designed specifically for weight loss maintenance. The study appears in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Treatment Clues For Diabetes And Alzheimer's Offered By Structure Of Enzyme - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Researchers from the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory have deciphered the three-dimensional structure of insulin-degrading enzyme, a promising target for new drugs because it breaks down not only insulin but also the amyloid-beta protein, which has been linked to the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's disease.

Women Infected With Toxoplasmosis Are More Likely To Give Birth To Boys - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Women infected with dormant toxoplasmosis are more likely to give birth to boys than women who are Toxoplasma negative, according to research by S. Kankova and colleagues from the Departments of Parasitology, Microbiology and Zoology, Charles University; the Centre of Reproductive Medicine; and GynCentrum, in the Czech Republic. They found that the presence of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii in the mothers' blood, one of the most common parasites in humans with a worldwide prevalence of 20-80%, increased the likelihood that these women would give birth to a boy. This is the first study [1], published in Springer's journal Naturwissenschaften this week, to suggest an effect of parasitic infection on the sex of a baby.

Satellites Help Ensure Safe Sunning - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation is responsible for up to 60 000 deaths a year worldwide, according to a report released this summer by the World Health Organisation. Many of those deaths, however, could be avoided through simple preventive measures such as seeking shade when the UV Index is high, the report says.

Indoor Rock Climbing Considered Safe - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Indoor rock climbing does not make the list of adrenaline junky sports. No, results from a new study show that it actually has a low injury risk and a very good safety profile. The study is published in the latest issue of Wilderness and Environmental Medicine.

Children's Needs Before, During And After A Disaster To Be Discussed - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Recent disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11 just how unprepared Americans were for these events. It is imperative that physicians are able to respond quickly and effectively. With proper preparation and planning, the number of victims, and the suffering of those affected, can be reduced.

New Study Demonstrates Universality Of Blood Pressure Reduction With Device-Guided Breathing - Medical News Today 14/10/06

InterCure, Ltd., today announced new study findings that demonstrate RESPeRATE, the FDA-cleared, CE marked hypertension treatment device, has been shown to effectively treat Asian and non-Asian patients with similar benefits. A second study showed that device-guided breathing may also have a beneficial effect on the steep increase of blood pressure (BP) that accompanies awakening from overnight sleep, known as "Morning Surge." Results of the findings will be presented as poster presentations at the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) Scientific Meeting in Fukouka, Japan, October 15-19, 2006.

Antisense Drug Targeting C-myb Oncogene Starts Phase 1 Trial In Patients With Advanced Cancer - Medical News Today 14/10/06

Genta Incorporated (Nasdaq: GNTA) announced initiation of a Phase 1 clinical trial using a new anticancer drug derived from the Company's DNA/RNA Medicines program. The new compound, known as G4460, uses antisense technology to target an oncogene known as c-myb that regulates key functions in cancer cells. Using an accelerated dosing schedule, this study will evaluate dosing regimens, safety, biologic activity, and down-regulation of c-myb in patients with advanced hematologic cancers. The clinical trial will be conducted using the General Clinical Research Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. G4460 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML).

New Knee Implant Offers Long-Awaited Option For Osteoarthritis Sufferers - Medical News Today 14/10/06

The OrthoGlide(TM) medial knee implant (Advanced Bio-Surfaces, Inc.) is the newest minimally invasive option available for patients who have exhausted other non-surgical therapies, and are not ready for total, or even partial, knee replacement.

Global Polio Eradication Now Hinges On Four Countries - Medical News Today 14/10/06

The world's success in eradicating polio now depends on four countries -- Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan -- according to the Advisory Committee on Polio Eradication (ACPE), the independent oversight body of the eradication effort.

Help For Surgeons To Tailor Medication And Predict Which Transplant Recipients Would Experience Rejection: Children's Hospital Study - Medical News Today 13/10/06

A Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC transplant surgeon and researcher has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study genetic factors that could predispose transplant recipients to rejection.

Children Of Allergy Sufferers Prone To Same Problem - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Infants whose parents have allergies that produce symptoms like wheezing, asthma, hay fever or hives risk developing allergic sensitization much earlier in life than previously reported, according to a study by Cincinnati researchers.

Researchers Uncover A Novel Mechanism Of Action Of A Potential New Drug For The Treatment Of Multiple Sclerosis - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have identified a unique mechanism of action of a new drug that shows great promise for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Indicators Of Heart Disease Risk Lowered By Orange Juice Beverage Fortified With Plant Sterols - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Plant cholesterols known as sterols -- recognized for their cholesterol-lowering power when added to margarines, salad dressings and other fats -- also have been found to be effective in reducing low-density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol" levels, when added to orange juice. Now, UC Davis researchers have found that twice-daily servings of a reduced-calorie orange juice beverage fortified with plant sterols also reduces levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation and an accepted risk marker for heart disease.

Effect Of Antioxidants And Fish Oil On Progression Of AMD To Be Evaluated By New Nationwide Study - Medical News Today 13/10/06

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces a nationwide study to see if a modified combination of vitamins, minerals, and fish oil can further slow the progression of vision loss from AMD, the leading cause of vision loss in the United States for people over age 60. This new study, called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2), will build upon results from the earlier Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). The original study results were released five years ago today. The study found that high-dose antioxidant vitamins and minerals (vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper), taken by mouth, reduced the risk of progression to advanced AMD by 25 percent, and the risk of moderate vision loss by 19 percent.

Long-term Benefit For Depression From Internet-Based Interventions - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Mental health researchers at The Australian National University have found that brief Internet-based interventions for depression are not only immediately effective, but have a significant positive long-term benefit that may be as effective as active psychotherapies.

New Insights Into Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Possible Ways To Detect And Destroy Cells Before They Become Cancerous - Medical News Today 13/10/06

New UC Davis research supports the recent hypothesis that both ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive breast cancer develop from the same breast cancer progenitor cells. The research was reported at the annual meeting of the International Association for Breast Cancer Research in Montreal last month.

Experimental Microbicide To Be Tested On HIV-Positive Women In Thailand - Medical News Today 13/10/06

An experimental microbicide developed in Australia is scheduled to be tested for safety and efficacy in clinical trials among HIV-positive women in Thailand, Thailand's Nation reports (Arthit, Nation, 10/9). Microbicides include a range of products -- such as gels, films and sponges -- that could help prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other infections (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 8/29).

Accountability After Adverse Medical Events - Medical News Today 13/10/06

A study by Bismark and colleagues from New Zealand indicates that medically injured patients do not always seek monetary compensation. Unlike Canada's malpractice system, patients in New Zealand who are dissatisfied with the quality of their care may choose between two well-established medicolegal paths: one that leads to monetary compensation (awarded on a "no-fault" basis) and the other to nonmonetary forms of accountability.

Add Walnuts To High-fat Meals And Help To Protect Arteries Against Short-term Damage - Medical News Today 13/10/06

If you've been going a little nuts trying to eat a healthier diet, you just might be on the right track. New research shows that consuming a handful of raw walnuts along with meals high in saturated fat appears to limit the ability of the harmful fat to damage arteries.

Changes To France's Immigration Law Increasing Difficulty For HIV-Positive Immigrants To Obtain Residence Visa, Access To Treatment - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Recent changes to France's immigration laws have made it harder for HIV-positive immigrants -- mainly from Africa -- to qualify for a visa called a "vital residence permit," which "guarantees access to social services and provides some sense of stability," PlusNews reports. Under French law, immigrants with long-term illnesses are permitted to stay in the country under a residence visa and qualify for medical treatment, according to PlusNews.

Reduced Risk Of Alzheimer's Disease Associated With Mediterranean Diet - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Eating a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables and olive oil and includes little red meat, is associated with a lower risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to an article posted online that will appear in the December 2006 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. This association persisted even when researchers considered whether individuals had vascular diseases--diseases of the blood vessels, such as stroke, heart disease and diabetes--suggesting that the diet may work through different pathways to reduce Alzheimer's disease risk.

Transmission Of Antibiotic-resistant Bacteria Linked To Previous Intensive Care Unit Room Occupants - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Staying in a room in the intensive care unit (ICU) previously occupied by a patient with treatment-resistant bacteria may increase the odds of acquiring such bacteria, according to a report in the October 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Stroke Symptoms Common Among General Population - Medical News Today 13/10/06

As many as 18 percent of adults who have no history of stroke report having had at least one symptom of stroke, according to results of a large national study published in the October 9 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

UN Secretary-General's Study Reveals Full Range And Scale Of Violence Against Children - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Much violence against children remains hidden and is often socially approved, according to the United Nations Secretary-General's Study on Violence against Children presented yesterday to the UN General Assembly. For the first time, a single document provides a comprehensive global view of the range and scale of violence against children.

Innovative Therapy Fosters Full Recovery For Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder - Medical News Today 13/10/06

For the first time, a major outcome study has shown that a high percentage of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder can achieve full recovery across the complete range of symptoms. The controlled study, appearing in a recent issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry published by the American Medical Association, shows that a new approach -- Schema Therapy -- is more than twice as effective as a widely practiced psychodynamic approach, Transference Focused Psychotherapy (TFP). Schema Therapy was also found to be less costly and to have a much lower drop out rate. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) has until recent years been considered untreatable, with little scientific justification for longer-term therapy.

Next-Generation Contraceptive Patch Now In Development - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Agile Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical development company focused on innovative transdermal products, is developing the next generation of contraceptive patches, one that is designed to deliver low doses of birth control hormones over a seven-day period.

Breakthroughs In Genetic Research For Genealogy - Medical News Today 13/10/06

Family Tree DNA, whose growing array of DNA tests for genealogical purposes has established them as the world leader in genetic genealogy, will introduce ground-breaking new X chromosome tests (X-STR) in early October. The X-STR tests are the first ever available for genealogy applications by focusing on linked “haplotype blocks” which are inherited intact over several generations. This test will be processed locally at the company’s recently established Genomic Research Center. Headed by Thomas Krahn, whose German-based DNA-Fingerprint company was recently merged into Family Tree DNA, the state of the art Genomic Research Center is located at Family Tree DNA’s Houston, Texas headquarters.

Decaffeinated Coffee Is Not Caffeine-Free Say UF Experts - Medical News Today 12/10/06

Coffee addicts who switch to decaf for health reasons may not be as free from caffeine's clutches as they think. A new study by University of Florida researchers documents that almost all decaffeinated coffee contains some measure of caffeine.

Teenage Boys And Computer Games Go Hand-in-hand. - Medical News Today 12/10/06

Now, a St. Louis-area teenage boy and a computer game have gone hands-off, thanks to a unique experiment conducted by a team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, and engineers at Washington University in St. Louis.

A Few Adjustments To The AIDS Virus Could Alter The Course Of Research - Medical News Today 12/10/06

The slow pace of AIDS research can be pinned, in no small part, on something akin to the square-peg-round-hole conundrum. The HIV-1 virus won't replicate in monkey cells, so researchers use a monkey virus - known as SIVmac, or the macaque version of simian immunodeficiency virus - to test potential therapies and vaccines in animals.

Human Bird Flu Infection Confirmed In Egypt - Medical News Today 12/10/06

A 39-year-old woman has H5N1 bird flu infection, according to Egypt's Ministry of Health. The last time a person became ill with bird flu in Egypt was in May, 2006.

Violence Against Children Is Often Socially Approved - Medical News Today 12/10/06

African Military Personnel Among The Most Vulnerable To HIV Transmission, Study Says - Medical News Today 12/10/06

Personnel in southern African armies are among the groups most vulnerable to HIV transmission, according to a study supported by the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, South Africa, IRIN/AllAfrica.com reports. The study, titled "The Enemy Within: Southern African Militaries' Quarter-Century Battle With HIV and AIDS," looks at armies in Botswana, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to determine soldiers' risk of HIV transmission.

Poultry Consumption, Handling Are Risk Factors For Antibiotic Resistance In Humans - Medical News Today 12/10/06

Antibiotic use as a livestock growth promoter increases the risk of human antibiotic resistance, a Marshfield Clinic researcher and his colleagues have found.

Antipsychotic Drugs Have Too Many Side Effects For Alzheimer's Patients - Medical News Today 12/10/06

Antipsychotic drugs, such as Zyprexa, Seroquel and Risperdal, have side effects which are greater than their benefits for Alzheimer's patients, say researchers from the USA. These drugs are regularly prescribed to treat psychosis and aggression in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Childhood Cancer Survivors Face More Long Term Health Risks - Medical News Today 12/10/06

An adult who survived cancer during his/her childhood is three times as likely to experience long-term chronic illness than an adult who never had cancer, say researchers from the USA. The researchers found that adult childhood cancer survivors had an eight-fold higher risk of eventually having a life-threatening or severe illness than an adult who never had cancer.

Bush, Blair And Howard Reject 650,000 Iraqi Deaths Estimate - Medical News Today 12/10/06

US President, George Bush, British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and Australian Prime MInister, John Howard, say the estimate of 650,000 Iraqi extra deaths since its invasion is inaccurate.

Innovative Surgery Corrects Vision In Kids With Neurological Disorders - Medical News Today 12/10/06

Children with cerebral palsy and other neurological problems often have extremely poor eyesight. Their ability to read, pick up objects and "see" the world is so impaired and complicated to treat that many go untreated, even though they may be legally blind.

Red wine can help prevent stroke damage: study - Reuters 15/10/06

Red wine might work to protect the brain from damage after a stroke and drinking a couple of glasses a day might provide that protection ahead of time, U.S. researchers reported on Sunday.

Botox injections may relieve pelvic pain in women - Reuters 13/10/06

In women with chronic pelvic pain due to pelvic floor spasms, Botox injections seem to reduce pressure and relieve some of the pain, according to a new study.

Obesity surgery without scalpel may be decade away - Reuters 13/10/06

Stomach-stapling surgery to combat obesity may be done in the future with a tube inserted through the mouth, making the procedure safer than using an incision and opening the way for more people to undergo it, doctors say.

Public has preconceived ideas on psychiatric therapy - Reuters 13/10/06

Most people believe depression and schizophrenia warrant treatment with drugs and other "biological" approaches, but such care is less widely accepted for people with substance abuse problems, a new study shows.

Medical experts doubt calorie burning drink - Reuters 13/10/06

Health experts on Friday dismissed claims that a new green tea-based drink that claims to burn calories by speeding up the drinker's metabolic rate would help people lose weight.

Diet while you drink: Coke to launch calorie-burning tea - Daily Mail 12/10/06

Vitamins may lower brain tumor risk in offspring - Reuters 13/10/06

Women who take vitamin supplements during pregnancy appear to have infants with a reduced risk of brain tumors, according to researchers.

Caffeine more disruptive for daytime sleep - Reuters 13/10/06

Caffeine has a stronger disruptive effect on daytime, catch-up sleep after a night of sleep deprivation than it does on a normal night's sleep, a new study shows.

Early heart attack survival worse for women - Reuters 13/10/06

Gender does not influence long-term heart attack survival, according to findings published in the European Heart Journal. However, in the short-term, while still hospitalized for the heart attack, women are more likely to die than men.

Asbestos kept off global list of toxic substances - Reuters 13/10/06

Chrysotile asbestos, a known human carcinogen, will remain off a global "watch list" of toxic substances for at least two more years after countries led by Canada blocked consensus in United Nations talks on Friday.

Diverticulitis increasing in young, obese patients - Reuters 13/10/06

The results of a new study suggest that the demographics of acute diverticulitis in the United States are changing. In acute diverticulitis, a common intestinal disease related to a low-fiber diet, increased pressure causes pouches, or diverticula, to bulge out in the wall of the intestines. Bacterial infections can develop and cause serious complications, such as perforations.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids improve heart disease - Reuters 13/10/06

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) dietary supplements appear to have a number of beneficial effects in patients with stable congestive heart failure, Italian researchers report in the current issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Monday, October 16, 2006