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Prompt use of AED can increase the survival rates of people who suffer cardiac arrest

Prompt use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, can greatly increase the survival rates of people who suffer a cardiac arrest.

6 May 2013

Discovery may lead to new treatment for neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative disorders

A key type of human brain cell developed in the laboratory grows seamlessly when transplanted into the brains of mice, UC San Francisco researchers have discovered, raising hope that these cells might one day be used to treat people with Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and possibly even Alzheimer's disease, as well as and complications of spinal cord injury such as chronic pain and spasticity.

5 May 2013

Highlights: New health care oversight laws in Md.; Texas hospitals negotiate over uncompensated care payments; Colo. considers psychiatric hospital for homeless

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed three laws Thursday that will give more protection for patients. The measures provide more state oversight of cosmetic surgery centers, pharmacies that make sterile medications and staffing agencies that find temporary jobs for health care professionals (Sun, 5/2).

4 May 2013

Researchers develop formula to determine best locations to place AED

Prompt use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, can greatly increase the survival rates of people who suffer a cardiac arrest. And MIE Professor Tim Chan, working with Dr. Laurie Morrison at St. Michael's Hospital, has developed a formula to determine where best to place these costly but life-saving devices.

3 May 2013

New study suggests that rural communities need different CPR recommendations

Hands-only CPR (CPR without mouth-to-mouth resuscitation), may not be the best method for rural or remote areas or for anyone who has to wait more than a few minutes for an ambulance, a new study suggests.

2 May 2013

Lowering door-to-balloon times helps benefit STEMI patients, study finds

While all heart attacks have the potential to be deadly, one type is referred to as the "widow maker" because of its high risk of death. A ST segment elevation myocardial infarction is a severe type of heart attack that occurs when a blockage in a coronary artery causes heart muscle to die; without prompt treatment risk of fatality increases dramatically. Coronary angioplasty, or percutaneous coronary intervention, is the most common emergency treatment for STEMI.

30 Apr 2013

Research on alpha-synuclein protein could lead to new therapies for Parkinson's disease

A protein known to be a key player in the development of Parkinson's disease is able to enter and harm cells in the same way that viruses do, according to a Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine study.

26 Apr 2013

DBS appears to reduce caloric intake and weight loss in obese animal models

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in a precise region of the brain appears to reduce caloric intake and prompt weight loss in obese animal models, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.

25 Apr 2013

Study: Melatonin delays symptom onset, reduces mortality in mouse model of ALS

Melatonin injections delayed symptom onset and reduced mortality in a mouse model of the neurodegenerative condition amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

25 Apr 2013

Research: DBS may provide therapeutic relief to binge eating

Deep brain stimulation in a precise region of the brain appears to reduce caloric intake and prompt weight loss in obese animal models, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.

24 Apr 2013

Methodist Hospital will soon have new brain and pituitary tumor treatment center

Brain and pituitary tumor patients will soon have access to a state-of-the-art facility at The Methodist Hospital, a result of a $10 million dollar commitment from a Houston oil executive.

24 Apr 2013

Study examines effectiveness of leadership training programs in academic medical centres

Academic medical centres invest considerable time, money and other resources in leadership training programs, yet there is no evidence such programs work, a new study has found.

23 Apr 2013

NKI-AVL joins research consortium to develop MRI-guided radiation therapy system for cancer care

Elekta and Royal Philips Electronics announced today that The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital has signed an agreement to join a research group to advance the development of ground-breaking image-guided treatment technology for cancer care.

From Elekta 23 Apr 2013

Non-invasive brain surgery: an interview with Dr Andres Lozano, University of Toronto

MR-guided focused ultrasound is a new technique that involves focusing 1024 beams of ultrasound through the skull to a focal point in the brain, very much like using the sun and a magnifying glass to burn a hole in a sheet of paper.

22 Apr 2013

Study shows brachytherapy is underused in the UK

Better outcomes can be achieved for prostate cancer patients using brachytherapy, a highly targeted form of radiotherapy, compared to surgery - this is the finding of a new study conducted by PANAXEA, The University of Twente, Netherlands.

From Elekta 22 Apr 2013

Newly redesigned Flexitron brachytherapy afterloading platform to be introduced at ABS meeting

At the 2013 American Brachytherapy Society meeting April 18-20 in New Orleans, Nucletron, an Elekta company, (booth #300), will introduce its newly redesigned Flexitron remote afterloading platform.

From Elekta 19 Apr 2013

Study finds dietary supplements accounted for more than half the Class 1 drugs recalled by FDA

Dietary supplements accounted for more than half the Class 1 drugs recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2004-12, meaning they contained substances that could cause serious health problems or even death, a new study from St. Michael's Hospital has found.

19 Apr 2013

New study finds newspapers are paying more attention to the long-term impact of concussions

Newspapers are paying more attention to the severity and long-term impact of concussions and other traumatic brain injuries in ice hockey than they did 25 years ago, a new study has found.

18 Apr 2013

MD Anderson Cancer Center buys two Elekta Versa HD linear accelerators

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas) has purchased two Elekta Versa HD™ linear accelerators. The radiation therapy system, which recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, features the versatility to deliver high-volume conventional techniques, in addition to the most advanced linear-accelerator treatments that require the greatest targeting precision.

From Elekta 18 Apr 2013

New paper discusses success of boot camp courses related to neurosurgery

In July 2010, the Society of Neurological Surgeons initiated nationwide boot camp courses designed to teach incoming postgraduate Year 1 trainees fundamental skills related to the field of neurosurgery.

17 Apr 2013