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Sputum color guides antibiotic treatment in COPD

Withholding antibiotic treatment from hospitalized chronic obstructive lung disease patients with nonpurulent sputum does not negatively affect outcomes, a pilot study shows.

4 Dec 2012

Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety-related dizziness

Patients with chronic subjective dizziness that is related to anxiety may substantially benefit from a short course of cognitive behavioral therapy, report researchers.

4 Dec 2012

Chronic periodontitis present more often in men with erectile dysfunction

Men in their thirties who had inflamed gums caused by severe periodontal disease were three times more likely to suffer from erection problems, according to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

4 Dec 2012

Study describes 68 cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes, military veterans

A study done by investigators at the Boston University Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) and the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, in collaboration with the Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), describes 68 cases of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) among deceased athletes and military veterans whose brain and spinal cords were donated to the VA CSTE Brain Bank.

4 Dec 2012

Researchers identify 4 new genetic regions that influence birth weight

Researchers have identified four new genetic regions that influence birth weight, providing further evidence that genes as well as maternal nutrition are important for growth in the womb. Three of the regions are also linked to adult metabolism, helping to explain why smaller babies have higher rates of chronic diseases later in life.

4 Dec 2012

Reductions in fine particulate matter may improve life expectancy in the U.S.

A new study led by researchers at Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has found an association between reductions in fine particulate matter and improved life expectancy in 545 counties in the U.S. from 2000 to 2007. It is the largest study to date to find beneficial effects to public health of continuing to reduce air pollution levels in the U.S.

3 Dec 2012

DaVita acquires Tulips Dialysis Centre; opens two new joint venture centers in Malaysia

DaVita, a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), today announced the acquisition of Tulips Dialysis Centre and has opened two new joint venture centers in Malaysia.

3 Dec 2012

Pain can be treated by targeting immune and nerve cells outside brain or spinal cord

The treatment of inflammatory pain can be improved by endogenous opioid peptides acting directly in injured tissue. Scientists at the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Université Paris Descartes showed that pain can be successfully treated by targeting immune and nerve cells outside the brain or spinal cord.

3 Dec 2012

Vasculitis and the metabolic syndrome frequently co-exist

The metabolic syndrome is significantly more common in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis than healthy individuals, researchers have found.

3 Dec 2012

Chronic focal brain cooling suppresses seizures during wakefulness

Neuroscientists from Japan's Yamaguchi University today reported during the 66th annual scientific meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) that chronic focal brain cooling suppresses seizures during wakefulness and achieves the effect without significantly affecting brain function. Their research, and that of others in the field, provides critical evidence that this approach to seizure control has reached a stage where testing in humans will soon be possible.

3 Dec 2012

Retail clinics could undermine primary care patient-physician relationships

Using retail walk-in health clinics, often located inside pharmacies or big-box stores, for simple acute care problems can interfere with establishing and maintaining a relationship with a primary care provider, finds a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

1 Dec 2012

Collaborative care significantly improves depression and anxiety outcomes

Collaborative care, a model that involves multiple clinicians working with a patient, significantly improves depression and anxiety outcomes compared to standard primary care treatment for up to two years, finds a new review by The Cochrane Library.

1 Dec 2012

Controlling weight during pregnancy benefits both mothers and their babies

Two-thirds of Australian mums-to-be are in the dark when it comes to how much weight they should gain during pregnancy.

1 Dec 2012

Negative perceptions about generic drugs are more widespread among ethnic minorities

Negative perceptions about generic drugs are more widespread among ethnic minorities than among whites, finds a new study in Ethnicity & Disease.

1 Dec 2012

Study examines role of inflammation in chronic fatigue syndrome

A new study published in the current issue of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics has examined the role of inflammation in chronic fatigue syndrome, a disorder that affects many people and does not seem to have an explanation that is likely to yield satisfactory treatment.

1 Dec 2012

Increasing sleep time improves daytime alertness and reduces pain sensitivity

A new study suggests that extending nightly sleep in mildly sleepy, healthy adults increases daytime alertness and reduces pain sensitivity.

1 Dec 2012

NCQA accredits Jefferson Medical Care - South Philadelphia as Patient-Centered Medical Home

Jefferson Medical Care - South Philadelphia, a primary care practice, has received accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, showing its commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered care that focuses on coordinated and long-term collaborative patient-physician partnerships.

1 Dec 2012

Loss of either T-bet or Eomes protein reduces immune system's ability to fight viral infection

When you get an acute infection, such as influenza, the body generally responds with a coordinated response of immune-cell proliferation and attack that rapidly clears the pathogen. Then, their mission done, the immune system stands down, leaving a population of sentinel memory cells to rapidly redeploy the immune system in the event of reinfection.

1 Dec 2012

New Weill Cornell campaign to improve hypertension prevention, detection and control

The Weill Cornell Physician Organization at Weill Cornell Medical College has joined more than 120 medical groups and health systems nationwide to launch the new health campaign Measure Up, Pressure Down aimed to improve high blood pressure prevention, detection and control.

1 Dec 2012

UCB directs national effort to educate public about Crohn's disease

In recognition of Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Week (December 1-7), UCB, Inc. is directing a national effort to educate the public about Crohn's disease and inspire those living with the condition to speak out about it.

1 Dec 2012