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Older North American farmers face increased risk of serious injury

Older North American farmers work fewer hours than their younger peers but spend more time operating heavy machinery and equipment-raising their risk of serious injury, according to new research from the University of Alberta.

13 Nov 2012

Tips to stay safe during cold-weather months

With temperatures falling into the 30s this week, people will be turning up the heat to stay warm. But, as the temperature drops, the number of patients treated by the Vanderbilt Regional Burn Center typically increases due to unsafe heating methods that result in injury.

9 Nov 2012

New method can help identify smoke-divers in danger

Smoke-divers are exposed to high temperatures, physical exhaustion and stress, and they can easily exceed the limits of what good health can tolerate. A new method based on measurements made by a wireless sensor system lets them know when the body has had enough.

9 Nov 2012

Study reveals increased risk of leukemia among Chernobyl cleanup workers

A 20-year study following 110,645 workers who helped clean up after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in the former Soviet territory of Ukraine shows that the workers share a significant increased risk of developing leukemia. The results may help scientists better define cancer risk associated with low doses of radiation from medical diagnostic radiation procedures such as computed tomography scans and other sources.

8 Nov 2012

Women more likely to develop spice allergy

Imagine a world where you could never dine away from home, wear makeup, smell of sweet perfumes or eat a large percentage of food on store shelves. According to allergists at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting that is kicking off today in Anaheim, Calif., that is the world for 2 to 3 percent of individuals living with a spice allergy.

8 Nov 2012

Sperm viability assessed in a number of UK fertility laboratories by using Linkam’s warm stages

With precise temperature control, Linkam warm stages are vital for sperm motility testing, supporting fertility evaluations in clinical and research settings.

From Linkam Scientific Instruments 7 Nov 2012

Low vitamin D levels mediate racial disparities in pain

A new study reveals that black Americans display lower levels of vitamin D and greater pain sensitivity compared to white Americans. Findings published in Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), indicate that vitamin D deficiency may be one of many factors that account for increased pain in older black Americans with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

7 Nov 2012

With Election Day hours away, polls show deadlocked race

The last round of polls shows the contest between President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney virtually tied. Meanwhile, news outlets report on how health issues are motivating some voters and what policies the winner might put in place.

6 Nov 2012

Binghamton researcher invents tiny directional microphone suitable for hearing aids

Binghamton University researcher Ron Miles invented a tiny directional microphone - suitable for use in hearing aids - that filters out unwanted sounds. Now, with help from the SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund, he hopes to bring the idea to the marketplace.

6 Nov 2012

First Edition: November 5, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about the final round of polls, forecasts regarding which party will control the House and Senate and analysis of how campaign-trail messages have been playing during the election season's final hours.

5 Nov 2012

House Republicans appear to have thwarted Democratic attack on Medicare

Attacking Paul Ryan's Medicare plan - once seen as the most potent weapon in House Democrats' campaign arsenal - is turning out to be a dud. Democratic leaders have hit Medicare harder than any other issue for more than a year, even calling Ryan's plan a "majority-maker."

4 Nov 2012

First study to measure minute changes in breast tumor connective tissue fibers

Using advanced microscopes equipped with tissue-penetrating laser light, cancer imaging experts at Johns Hopkins have developed a promising, new way to accurately analyze the distinctive patterns of ultra-thin collagen fibers in breast tumor tissue samples and to help tell if the cancer has spread.

3 Nov 2012

AARP urges people to check on elderly family, friends and neighbors in wake of disaster

Sandy has come and gone in New York, leaving a trail of disaster behind, and few know this better than elderly residents in impacted areas. With often times limited mobility, delayed reaction, and reliance on prescriptions for their health, when disaster strikes, the elderly are left struggling.

3 Nov 2012

Red Cross provides aid and comfort to thousands affected by Sandy's wrath

The American Red Cross has a massive response to Superstorm Sandy underway to help people across multiple states.

3 Nov 2012

NCAR launches study into impact of open-fire cooking on regional air quality and disease

Expanding its focus on the link between the atmosphere and human health, the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is launching a three-year, international study into the impact of open-fire cooking on regional air quality and disease.

3 Nov 2012

Swing state highlights: Ohio's provisional ballots; Last-minute ad buys; Mega-storm Sandy's impact on voting

KHN's Sarah Barr samples campaign news coverage each week from swing states to see how health policy developments, and other political issues, are playing.

1 Nov 2012

Health policy rhetoric, issues prominent in congressional races, other state contests

House and Senate races heat up in Colorado, Nevada and Washington state, but health policy issues are touching a number of other contests, too, including governors' races, state ballot initiatives and elections for state representatives.

31 Oct 2012

Bronchial thermoplasty helps control severe asthma

Nearly 24 million people in this country suffer from asthma. For most of them, avoiding allergens and taking medications help keep their asthma under control. But for a small group with severe persistent asthma, frequent hospital visits tend to be the norm and taking medications and lifestyle changes don't do the trick. Northwestern Memorial Hospital is now using a new procedure called bronchial thermoplasty (BT), the first non-drug therapy approved by the Federal Drug Administration, for patients with severe asthma.

31 Oct 2012

First Edition: October 30, 2012

Today's headlines include reports about the campaign landscape as well as issues related to the implementation of the health law.

30 Oct 2012

Medicare, health law are common themes in various House and Senate races

The Associated Press reports that outside spending -- which includes ads about Medicare and abortion rights -- are rocking various House campaigns. Plus: updates regarding Senate races in Missouri, Illinois and Wisconsin.

29 Oct 2012