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Natural killer cells may influence lung cancer susceptibility

Why do many heavy smokers evade lung cancer while others who have never lit up die of the disease? The question has vexed scientists for decades.

24 Sep 2012

Denosumab effective in treating giant-cell tumor of the bone

Treatment with denosumab, a drug targeted against a protein that helps promote bone destruction, decreased the number of tumor giant cells in patients with giant-cell tumor of the bone, and increased new bone formation, according to the results of a phase II study published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

24 Sep 2012

No ‘July phenomenon’ for patients undergoing neurosurgery at teaching hospitals

For patients undergoing neurosurgery at teaching hospitals, there's no "July phenomenon" of increased death and complication rates when new residents start their training, reports a study in the September issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

24 Sep 2012

NeuroTouch system provides 3-d graphics and tactile feedback during brain cancer surgery

A new virtual reality simulator-including sophisticated 3-D graphics and tactile feedback-provides neurosurgery trainees with valuable opportunities to practice essential skills and techniques for brain cancer surgery, according to a paper in the September issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.

24 Sep 2012

RTI International receives NIH contract to serve as regional metabolomics research core center

RTI International has been awarded a five-year contract from the National Institutes of Health to serve as a regional comprehensive metabolomics research core center.

24 Sep 2012

Research roundup: 'Early' cost-control lessons from Mass.; Colonoscopy coverage; Impact of PSA recommendations

On Aug. 8, Massachusetts' third health care cost control bill became law. It "sets annual state spending targets, encourages the formation of accountable care organizations, and establishes an independent commission to oversee health care system performance."

21 Sep 2012

State roundup: Big changes ahead for Mich. Blue Cross; End-of-life planning programs spreading; Texas mental health treatment shortage

The Michigan Legislature took its first steps Wednesday toward tackling a proposed overhaul of the state's largest health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Senate Insurance Committee Chairman Joe Hune introduced bills that would end the nonprofit health insurer's tax-exempt status and align it with competitors.

21 Sep 2012

Arthroplasty wound complications linked to oral anticoagulant use

Multicenter research suggests that recovery from hip or knee arthroplasty may be significantly affected by choice of pharmaceutical thromboprophylaxis.

21 Sep 2012

Same-day discharge after laparoscopic hysterectomy ‘poses no safety concerns’

Researchers say that patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy can be discharged the same day, with no associated safety concerns.

21 Sep 2012

‘Friendly bacteria’ may help prevent sinusitis

Having the right bacteria present in a person’s sinuses might be key to preventing chronic sinusitis, say researchers.

21 Sep 2012

Intraoperative angiography ‘valuable’ in vascular brain surgery

Use of intraoperative angiography often leads to surgical revision during treatment of brain vascular abnormalities, say researchers.

21 Sep 2012

Intravenous catheter replacement should take place only when clinically necessary

New research published in the third Article in The Lancet surgery-themed issue suggests that the millions of intravenous catheters used each year can be safely changed only when clinically necessary, overturning 40 years of accepted practice involving routine replacement every 3 days.

21 Sep 2012

Worldwide improvements in survival rates after general anesthetic

Survival after a general anaesthetic and within 48 hours of surgery has greatly improved worldwide over the past 50 years, according to the second Article in The Lancet surgery-themed issue.

21 Sep 2012

Death rates after surgery found to be too optimistic

National estimates of death following general surgery have been too optimistic, suggests the first large-scale study to explore surgical outcomes across Europe published in the first Article in a special Lancet theme issue on surgery.

21 Sep 2012

Layoffs hit group health in Washington and Boston Children's Hospital

Group Health Cooperative, recognized as a leader in health-care innovations and patient satisfaction, says it must cut $250 million over the next 16 months through layoffs, better cost control and some reorganization at the top. As part of those changes, Richard Magnuson, executive vice president and chief financial and administrative officer, will soon leave the organization.

21 Sep 2012

Longer looks: A 'renegade' Bill Frist?; The pharmacist's expanding role

Meet former Sen. Bill Frist, a renegade "Obamacare"-loving Republican who is in the mood for some real bipartisanship. Yes, the same Frist who as Senate majority leader led an army into the culture wars over Terri Schiavo and whose efforts in 2004 to unseat his then-rival, Minority Leader Tom Daschle, led to a nasty - and personal - Washington battle royal. Now, Frist is pushing for a national conversation on end-of-life care and dismissing "caricatured" talk of death panels.

21 Sep 2012

Scientists describe development of tantalum nanotube materials

In an advance toward a new generation of improved hip and other joint replacements, scientists are describing development of a potential implant material that flexes more like natural bone, fosters the growth of bone that keeps implants firmly in place and is less likely to fail and require repeat surgery. Their study on these so-called tantalum nanotube materials appears in ACS Applied Material & Interfaces.

21 Sep 2012

Study of spinal injury data may help surgeons treat injured soldiers or civilians

Spinal injuries are among the most disabling conditions affecting wounded members of the U.S. military. Yet until recently, the nature of those injuries had not been adequately explored.

21 Sep 2012

Positive results from Galleon GAL-021 second Phase I study on respiratory depression

Galleon Pharmaceuticals, a leader in the development of novel medicines to treat breathing control disorders, today announced that results from a second Phase I clinical study of its investigational drug GAL-021 confirmed previous findings that the drug has dose-dependent effects on respiration.

21 Sep 2012

Benefits limited of surgery weight loss for sleep apnea

Obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea who lose significant weight through surgery may still not be cured of their sleep disorder, study findings indicate.

20 Sep 2012