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Noninvasive brain computer interface could turn thoughts into motion

"Brain cap" technology being developed at the University of Maryland allows users to turn their thoughts into motion. Associate Professor of Kinesiology José 'Pepe' L. Contreras-Vidal and his team have created a non-invasive, sensor-lined cap with neural interface software that soon could be used to control computers, robotic prosthetic limbs, motorized wheelchairs and even digital avatars.

28 Jul 2011

Virtual reality study to address alcohol abuse issues in veterans

The spoils of war for returning veterans may include addictions, injury and the constant images of horrific events they witnessed. Now a University of Houston joint study funded by the Veterans Health Administration Rehabilitation Research and Development service looks to address these issues through the use of virtual reality.

27 Jul 2011

BUSM researchers find risk factors for PTSS among OEF/OIF male, female veterans

Researchers affiliated with Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that risk factors for post-traumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operational Iraqi Freedom (OIF) male veterans were relatively similar to what was observed in a prior group of Vietnam veterans.

26 Jul 2011

Possible new drug targets for treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have discovered a novel interaction between two proteins involved in regulating cell growth that could provide possible new drug targets for treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, the most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

20 Jul 2011

State roundup: Strain felt from home care, adult day care cuts

A growing number of states are shifting health care costs to the federal government by finding military veterans who receive Medicaid and signing them up for medical benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Arizona, California and Texas are among the states that are working to replicate a program first launched in Washington State.

19 Jul 2011

Free, drop-in childcare service centers launched at three VA medical centers

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced the launch of free, drop-in childcare service centers at three VA medical centers to an audience of more than 700 participants attending the Fifth National Summit on Women Veterans' Issues July 15-17 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

18 Jul 2011

World's largest conference on addiction, mental health and criminal justice system

About 3,500 attendees are expected to convene at the world's largest conference on addiction, mental health and the criminal justice system July 17-20, when the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) hosts the 17th Annual Drug Court Training Conference at Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

16 Jul 2011

Nearly 700 participants to attend Fifth National Summit on Women Veterans' Issues

Over 700 participants plan to attend the Fifth National Summit on Women Veterans' Issues scheduled July 16-17 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki will give remarks to open the summit this Saturday, which will focus on expanding outreach to women Veterans and increasing awareness of the enhanced VA benefits and services available to them.

16 Jul 2011

Stored red blood cells lose ability to release key anti-adhesive molecule

Donated red blood cells lose a key feature that diminishes their lifesaving power the longer they have been stored, according to researchers at Duke University Medical Center.

16 Jul 2011

New driving simulator for patient rehabilitation

Clemson University researchers, working with simulation technology company DriveSafety, have developed a new driving simulator designed for patient rehabilitation that now is being used at 11 Army, Navy and Veterans Affairs facilities. The program recently expanded to Europe with the addition of a driving simulator at Charit- Hospital in Berlin, Germany.

14 Jul 2011

Eating disorder behavior may directly affect brain function

Bulimia nervosa is a severe eating disorder associated with episodic binge eating followed by extreme behaviors to avoid weight gain such as self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or excessive exercise.

12 Jul 2011

New AANN Clinical Practice Guideline on traumatic brain injury

The American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) and Association for Rehabilitation Nurses (ARN) are proud to announce the newest addition to the respected AANN Clinical Practice Guideline series, Care of the Patient with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

6 Jul 2011

State roundup: Calif. weighs bill to curb premium increases

Assembly Bill 52 … would give the state the authority to approve, deny or modify excessive health insurance rate hikes - much as regulators do now with auto insurance. The bill is a lightning rod for many of the Capitol's most influential interest groups, pitting consumer, labor, small business and health care advocacy groups against the California Chamber of Commerce and hospital, physician and health insurance associations.

6 Jul 2011

Veterans who have attempted suicide may face risk of mortality

An estimated 18 American military veterans take their own lives every day -- thousands each year -- and those numbers are steadily increasing. Even after weathering the stresses of military life and the terrors of combat, these soldiers find themselves overwhelmed by the transition back into civilian life.

30 Jun 2011

Researchers develop way to uncover evolution of human cancer cells

A team of researchers led by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco has developed a way to uncover the evolution of human cancer cells, determining the order in which mutations emerge in them as they wend their way from a normal, healthy state into invasive, malignant masses.

30 Jun 2011

Exciton enters distribution agreement with Marathon Medical

Exciton Technologies Inc. today announced the Company has signed a distribution agreement with Marathon Medical, adding them to the existing Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contract, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs on behalf of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), effective July 1st.

29 Jun 2011

Researchers discover herpes virus-associated disease in monkeys

Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered a naturally occurring disease in monkeys that is very much like multiple sclerosis in humans - a discovery that could have a major impact on efforts to understand the cause of multiple sclerosis.

29 Jun 2011

Spirituality, religion can help traumatic brain injury victims to rehabilitate

Brigid Waldron-Perrine, Ph.D., a recent graduate from Wayne State University, and her mentor, Lisa J. Rapport, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Wayne State University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, found that if traumatic brain injury (TBI) victims feel close to a higher power, it can help them rehabilitate. The study was recently published in Rehabilitation Psychology.

28 Jun 2011

Scientists pinpoint how Michigan program reduced rates of deadly central line bloodstream infections

A team of social scientists and medical and nursing researchers in the United States and the United Kingdom has pinpointed how a programme, which ran in more than 100 hospital intensive care units in Michigan, dramatically reduced the rates of potentially deadly central line bloodstream infections to become one of the world's most successful patient safety programmes.

18 Jun 2011

Tulane University, VA grant IRB approval for new TIGR Matrix clinical trial in hernia repair

Novus Scientific today announced that Tulane University School of Medicine and Department of Veterans Affairs have granted IRB approval to a new trial: A Study Evaluating Efficacy of TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh used in Elective Open Inguinal Hernia Repair.

16 Jun 2011