Walking News and Research

RSS

Baby swimming develops balance and movement in infants and young children

Teaching babies to swim turns out to be more than just fun. Baby swimmers have better balance and are also better at grasping at things than non-swimmers.

29 Apr 2010

Vascular surgeon successfully bypasses torn aorta

Rhonda Mullen was 38 years old and in perfect health when she suddenly felt a searing pain between her shoulder blades. A few hours later, Mullen was being wheeled into an operating room at Loyola University Hospital for emergency surgery to repair an unusual tear in her aorta, the body's main blood vessel.

29 Apr 2010

New syndicated report covers the use of DMAs for treatment of MS published

BioTrends is pleased to announce the publication of a new syndicated report, TreatmentTrends: Multiple Sclerosis. This report covers the use of disease-modifying agents for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as well as attitudes and perceptions toward these products, advantages and disadvantages, ideal patient types, barriers to growth and expected future use.

26 Apr 2010

American board-certified prosthetist develops custom-made ankle-foot orthosis

With over ten million diabetics in the U.S. alone and approximately 150,000 amputations performed yearly, inventor and American board-certified prosthetist John E. Rooney developed a custom-made ankle-foot orthosis with the trade name Ulcer Healing Orthosis or UHO.

26 Apr 2010

Court upholds Maine's ruling to cut insurance premium hikes; Florida voters to decide whether to amend constitution to fight federal mandate

The Wall Street Journal: "A state court upheld a Maine official's decision to deny a profit margin for a WellPoint Inc. unit in a health-insurance rate request—a ruling that may resonate in other states where regulators are battling premium hikes. Thomas E. Humphrey, chief justice of the Maine superior court, wrote that the approved 2009 rate for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield's individual health-insurance product line met the state's legal standard and wasn't 'inadequate'" (Matthews, 4/23).

24 Apr 2010

Prevention and nonsurgical treatment options to prevent low back pain and protect spine

Back and neck problems can be caused by a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, injury, strain or osteoarthritis. "Although more than 75 percent of Americans will experience some back pain during their lifetime, about 90 percent of cases are resolved without surgery," stated John K. Ratliff, MD, FACS, a Philadelphia spine surgeon and American Association of Neurological Surgeons spokesperson.

24 Apr 2010

Military health care costs on the rise

USA Today: Rising costs of military health care are leading the Pentagon and lawmakers to consider the first rate increase of out of pocket health care spending in fifteen years for members of TRICARE, the military health program. "The rapid rise has been driven by a surge in mental health and physical problems for troops who have deployed to war multiple times and by a flood of career military retirees fleeing less-generous civilian health programs," said Rear Adm. Christine Hunter, deputy director of TRICARE.

24 Apr 2010

More tips to protect lungs on elevated-ozone days

It's a harmless-looking pale blue gas, a relative of the oxygen molecule that sustains life. In the upper atmosphere, a layer of it protects us from the sun's harmful rays.

23 Apr 2010

Mass. court orders state's two largest health insurers to submit insurance rates; N.C. Governor restores funding for some mental health programs

The Boston Globe: "A Suffolk Superior Court judge yesterday ordered two of the state's largest health insurers to submit April 2009 rates for insurance covering individuals and small businesses, the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the state and carriers over premium increases. Both companies said they would comply, even as they proceed with administrative appeals in an effort to charge higher rates.

23 Apr 2010

Physical exercise and computer use may help protect against mild cognitive impairment: Mayo Clinic

A new Mayo Clinic study found that physical exercise and computer use may help protect against mild cognitive impairment, a disorder of the brain that affects nerve cells involved in thinking abilities.

23 Apr 2010

Manduka launches new MatWare Mat Sleeve

Manduka, the world's leader in high performance yoga gear, announced today the launch of the new MatWare Mat Sleeve—the latest addition to its ergonomically inspired MatWare line of yoga mat carriers. Designed for the yogi who likes to keep their yoga mat protected while on the go, the MatWare Mat Sleeve—like all Manduka products—is sleek, convenient, innovative and earth friendly.

22 Apr 2010

Children with developmental regression at increased risk for more severe autism: Study

Kennedy Krieger Institute announced today new study results showing that when and how autism symptoms appear in the first three years of life has vital implications to a child's developmental, diagnostic, and educational outcomes.

21 Apr 2010

Elan's first-quarter total revenue up by 27% to $310.5M

Elan Corporation, plc, today reported its first quarter 2010 financial results.

21 Apr 2010

Novel device transmits music and sound safely in-utero

The new Ritmo Advanced Pregnancy Sound System™ is giving pregnant women around the globe the comprehensive fitness solution that they have been looking for -- a comfortable and supportive pregnancy belt that provides a hands-free music listening experience for both mom and baby.

21 Apr 2010

Weeklong, 60-mile breast cancer fundraising walk in Spain

For A Cause, has been organizing breast cancer fundraising walks since 2001. This Mother's Day, the unofficial start to the breast cancer walking season, tens of thousands of women will take to the streets to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer organizations.

19 Apr 2010

Health Net of Arizona to sponsor 2010 March for Babies event

Health Net of Arizona is proud to sponsor the 2010 Arizona March of Dimes - March for Babies. For over 25 years, Health Net has supported the March of Dimes in its mission.

19 Apr 2010

Teenage Brits keen to escape recession by working overseas

A survey conducted on 1,500 young Brits in the age group of 18 to 30 years felt that they could improve their job prospects by emigrating on a temporary basis. The most popular destinations were Australia, US and Canada. Also popular were destinations New Zealand and Spain.

19 Apr 2010

Intensive rehabilitation therapy with robotic aids can help stroke patients regain limb movement

Patients show modest yet meaningful gains in limb movement and an improved outlook on life years after suffering a stroke, a major clinical study has found. The paper, published online this week in the New England Journal of Medicine, provides the best evidence yet that stroke sufferers in a controlled study can regain limb movement long after an injury, through intensive therapy with specially trained personnel and newly created robotic aids.

17 Apr 2010

Dance-based therapy can improve balance and gait, and reduce falls in older persons

For seniors, dancing isn't just for fun; it also can be therapeutic. Two recent studies conducted by University of Missouri researchers found that participation in dance-based therapy can improve balance and gait in older adults. Improved functionality among seniors can decrease their risk of falling and reduce costly injuries.

17 Apr 2010

The nuts and bolts of reform's new policies

The New York Times: "In a new report, the Congressional Research Service says the law may have significant unintended consequences for the 'personal health insurance coverage' of senators, representatives and their staff members." Lawmakers agreed to depart from their existing health plans in order to join new health insurance exchanges, something they have made available to many of their constituents. But, while the exchanges don't start up until 2014, the law is silent on when lawmakers must ditch their current benefits.

15 Apr 2010