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FTO gene associated with loss of brain tissue: UCLA researchers

Three years ago, geneticists reported the startling discovery that nearly half of all people in the U.S. with European ancestry carry a variant of the fat mass and obesity associated gene, which causes them to gain weight - from three to seven pounds, on average - but worse, puts them at risk for obesity.

20 Apr 2010

Exercise machine for lumbago

Low back pain (or lumbago) is a common ailment often triggered by something as simple as lifting a suitcase. What is the best way to remedy the situation? An exercise machine designed specifically for back muscles could be the solution according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.

20 Apr 2010

Vehicle safety improvements do not benefit all segments of population: Study

Improvements in motor vehicle safety have been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as ranking among the 20th century's top public health achievements, however a recent study led by researchers in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences seems to show that the improvements aren't benefiting all segments of the population equally.

19 Apr 2010

Study reveals increased risk for cancer among Latino populations

New findings from epidemiology and observational studies show an increased risk for cancer among Latino populations, but unique demographic characteristics suggest the problem may be worse than currently known.

19 Apr 2010

Milwaukee child care directors unnecessarily send mild illness children home: Study

In a new study, researchers at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, working with Community Coordinated Child Care, have found that many metropolitan Milwaukee child care directors would unnecessarily send children with mild illnesses home.

19 Apr 2010

Study: Tobacco company's nicotine pellet can lead to accidental nicotine poisoning in children

A tobacco company's new, dissolvable nicotine pellet--which is being sold as a tobacco product, but which in some cases resembles popular candies--could lead to accidental nicotine poisoning in children, according to a new study from the Harvard School of Public Health, the Northern Ohio Poison Control Center, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.

19 Apr 2010

Trans fats back on the agenda in UK

Dariush Mozzaffarian and Meir J Stamper, wrote an article in the British Medical Journal urging the government to ban industrial trans fatty acids or TFAs. This adds to the plea of doctors and medical charities across the country, who want to follow the example of Denmark and New York City where TFAs have been eradicated without affecting the price, taste or availability of products.

19 Apr 2010

Breathe California names CODA Automotive as winner of Clean Air Award

CODA Automotive, a California-based electric car and battery company, was named a Clean Air Award winner in the technology development category by Breathe California. The award, presented today in San Francisco, highlights standout efforts to combat climate change and air pollution in the business, government, education and non-profit sectors.

17 Apr 2010

President of Tanzania emphasizes on health care in Global Health Grand Rounds lecture

President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania spoke at Weill Cornell Medical College today. In his Global Health Grand Rounds lecture, President Kikwete discussed the most significant challenges facing Tanzania, with a particular focus on health care and the advances made during his first term.

17 Apr 2010

WHO issues guidance on ash cloud from Iceland volcanic explosion

The ash cloud from the volcanic explosion in Iceland contains fine particles, similar to those emitted from other sources of particulate matter (PM); but as long as ash remains in the upper atmosphere, there will not likely be an increased risk of health effects, according to WHO.

17 Apr 2010

Research roundup: Revamping NCI Clinical Trials, reducing malpractice suits, health disparities persist

A National Cancer Clinical Trials System For The 21st Century: Reinvigorating The NCI Cooperative Group Program - The "system for conducting cancer clinical trials in the United States is approaching a state of crisis," according to this report on inefficiencies and funding issues faced by the NCI's Clinical Trials Cooperative Group Program - which comprises 10 groups, more than 3,100 institutions, 14,000 investigators and more than 25,000 patients in clinical trials each year.

17 Apr 2010

Harvard researchers' beef? Insurance companies owning fast food stock

Health.com/CNN: "The fast-food industry has long been under fire for selling high-fat, high-calorie meals that have been linked to weight gain and diabetes, but the financial health of the industry continues to attract investors -- including some of the leading insurance companies in the U.S. ... According to Harvard Medical School researchers, 11 large companies that offer life, disability, or health insurance owned about $1.9 billion in stock in the five largest fast-food companies as of June 2009. …"

17 Apr 2010

Increasing Kansas' tobacco tax by $1 will bring in $74.7M revenue

Newly announced budget projections show the need to raise Kansas' cigarette tax by $1, according to a coalition of public health groups. Studies show increasing the cigarette tax by $1 would bring in $74.7 million in needed revenue, while raising the tax at a similar rate on smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products would raise an additional $23 million.

17 Apr 2010

State round-up: Penn. Medicare advantage; N.J. cuts immigrant care; Hospitals face hardships

Independence Blue Cross has lost 30 percent of its Medicare managed-care members in the region this year in the wake of federal government rate cuts as its major competitors saw enrollment gains. The cuts came after the Philadelphia insurer eliminated some product offerings for senior adults and raised rates for others.

17 Apr 2010

Role of race and health insurance status in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

Researchers at The GW Cancer Institute, with funding from the National Cancer Institute, examined the effect of race and health insurance status on diagnostic and treatment delays over a 5-year period, with initial screenings going back 12 years, and found that race may play a larger role than previously thought when it comes to optimal diagnosis and treatment of black women with breast cancer.

17 Apr 2010

Health sciences professionals meet to discuss public health care issues

Members of the Health Sciences Association, the health care union that represents health sciences professionals who deliver diagnosis, treatment and recovery in BC's hospitals and communities, is meeting this weekend at its 39th annual convention in Vancouver.

17 Apr 2010

TruthAboutGardasil.org: Governments need to suspend HPV vaccinations/programs

The global outrage at reports of injustices inflicted on the children of India from unethical trials and experimentation of HPV vaccines in socially disadvantaged groups extends to women and children worldwide subjected to similar violations.

16 Apr 2010

Diagnosis errors have put patient health in danger: NPSA study

The study, which was conducted by the NHS' National Patient Safety Agency, analysed over a thousand cases where cancer had been misdiagnosed or indentified late over a 12-month period.

16 Apr 2010

UDH to participate in Abbott's new PLEX-ID BPEP

Abbott today announced that the Utah Department of Health is one of five sites in the United States to participate in Abbott's new PLEX-ID Biopreparedness Evaluation Program, which involves Abbott, the Association of Public Health Laboratories and five state public health labs.

16 Apr 2010

ASH to conduct complimentary screenings in NYC

In the wake of the Institute of Medicine's report on hypertension highlighting it as a 'neglected disease' and urging a more focused and collaborative approach to reduce its prevalence, the American Society of Hypertension, Inc. (ASH), will hold its annual complimentary blood pressure screenings and hypertension counseling in at-risk communities across New York City.

16 Apr 2010