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Young and old still at risk scalds and burns

Fifteen elderly people died and more than 400 were treated for burn and scald injuries in Victorian hospitals over two years, a new Monash University Accident Research Centre report has revealed.

21 Jun 2004

More than half of head and neck cancer patients disabled by cancer or by cancer treatment

According to information in the article, more than 40,000 new cases of head and neck cancer are diagnosed annually in the United States, with 12,000 deaths each year. Patients with head and neck cancer often experience problems with eating and communicating, have pain, and have poor emotional well being and general functional status.

21 Jun 2004

Female otolaryngologists earn less money than male otolaryngologists

According to information in the article, otolaryngology - the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the head and neck - has traditionally been a male-dominated profession, but as the number of women entering medical school has increased, so have the percentages of women in subspecialty surgical careers, like otolaryngology.

21 Jun 2004

Aggressive treatment of brain blood clots can produce a good outcome for many stroke patients

In the study, published in a recent issue of the journal Neurosurgery, 50 percent of stroke patients had little or no neurological disability one to three months after clot-dissolving medication was delivered directly to the site of the blockages, compared to 39 percent of patients with similarly good outcomes documented in a large national trial of intravenous (IV) drug treatment for stroke.

21 Jun 2004

Fairfax student dies after a four-day hospitalization for meningitis/encephalitis

A 16-year old Chantilly high school student died last week after a four-day hospitalization for meningitis/encephalitis. The cause does not appear to be bacterial meningitis. However, an autopsy is pending and investigation is underway.

20 Jun 2004

Genetically engineered thyroid stimulating hormone destroys tissue that often remains after thyroidectomy

A new approach to therapy can avoid most of the debilitating effects of preparing for critical, postsurgical treatment for patients with thyroid cancer, according to an international study led by researchers from Johns Hopkins and the University of Pisa.

16 Jun 2004

Dead birds collected in five northern Illinois counties have tested positive for West Nile virus

Dead birds collected in five northern Illinois counties have tested positive for West Nile virus, Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today announced.

11 Jun 2004

Drug may benefit patients suffering deep scarring after radiation treatment

Cancer patients who suffer from a progressive, deep scarring of tissue following radiation treatment might benefit from a drug that’s FDA-approved to treat vascular disease, according to a University of Rochester study published in this month’s Journal of Clinical Oncology.

10 Jun 2004

New Hampshire begins statewide West Nile virus detection activities

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) has begun statewide West Nile virus detection activities in partnership with other state agencies

9 Jun 2004

Drug Tarceva improves survival chance for patients with advanced lung cancer

Roche OSI Pharmaceuticals and Genentech today announced that their investigational drug Tarceva(TM) (erlotinib) achieved a significant 42.5% improvement in median survival compared to placebo in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

5 Jun 2004

Over-the-counter cream protects against jellyfish stings

Two dozen volunteers bravely exposed their arms to jellyfish tentacles as part of a new Stanford University School of Medicine study to test a topical, over-the-counter cream designed to protect against stinging nettles. Fortunately for the volunteers, the cream appeared to be relatively effective.

3 Jun 2004

West Nile virus found in Illinois crows

Dead crows found in Stephenson and Winnebago counties have tested positive for West Nile virus, Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today reported.

2 Jun 2004

Cigarette smoke transforms healthy saliva into a deadly cocktail

Cigarette smoke transforms healthy saliva into a deadly cocktail that can accelerate mouth cancer, according to new research in the British Journal of Cancer.

2 Jun 2004

36 percent of Americans are using complementary and alternative medicines

A new, comprehensive government survey, released by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), reveals that 36 percent of Americans are incorporating complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) into their health care regimen.

1 Jun 2004

Marijuana use does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing oral cancer

Contrary to previous research findings that have suggested a link, marijuana use does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of developing oral cancer, according to a large, population-based study led by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

1 Jun 2004

Physicians need to understand comorbidities to better help cancer patients

Findings from a new cancer study may seem obvious — a patient’s overall health is a critical factor in assessing prognosis. But the study’s authors say data about patients’ non-cancer ailments, called comorbidities, are not currently incorporated into cancer statistics.

27 May 2004

A third of U.S. adults use some form of complementary and alternative medicine

According to a new nationwide government survey, 36 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 years and over use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

27 May 2004

Cochlear implant early in life helps children with hearing loss to acquire language and communication skills

Receiving a cochlear implant early in life helps children with profound hearing loss to acquire language and communication skills similar to their hearing peers, according to an article in the May issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, a theme issue on pediatric cochlear implants and one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

22 May 2004

West Nile virus found in Champaign County

Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today reported that a dead crow collected in Rantoul in Champaign County has tested positive for West Nile virus.

21 May 2004

Clusters of viral meningitis found in two Manhattan schools

Working closely with the New York City Department of Education (DOE), the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) is investigating clusters of viral meningitis in two Manhattan schools (4 students at La Guardia High School, 2 students at Stuyvesant High School).

21 May 2004