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Understaffed maternity units in UK struggling to cope

Across the UK, maternity units were forced to close to new admissions 1,055 times last year, nearly always because of understaffing or lack of beds, a series of Freedom of Information requests have found. At least 927 women were turned away. On the other hand in some London trusts one in five midwifery posts lies vacant. The Royal College of Midwives says at least 4,700 extra midwives are needed in England and Wales.

25 Jul 2011

Researchers dissociate beneficial and detrimental impacts of maternal regulatory T cells

A normal but concerning consequence of pregnancy is the fact that pregnant women are more susceptible to infection. University of Minnesota Medical School researchers have identified the underlying mechanisms for this physiologic immune suppression that may lead to new therapies to help ward off infections during pregnancy.

22 Jul 2011

Effects of refusal and delay in childhood vaccination

Alison M. Buttenheim, PhD, MBA, assistant professor at Penn Nursing answers parents' questions about childhood vaccines. Dr. Buttenheim is a public health researcher and social demographer who studies parent behavior and child health.

22 Jul 2011

UMA introduces Healthcare Management and Health Information Technology degrees

To meet the growing demand for allied health professionals, Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) has expanded its array of healthcare training programs with two new associate degrees. Prospective students throughout the U.S. can now enroll in online healthcare degree programs leading to an Associate of Science in Healthcare Management or an Associate of Science in Health Information Technology.

21 Jul 2011

China Nuvo Solar to acquire SurgLine

China Nuvo Solar Energy, Inc. today announced that it has signed a Definitive Agreement to acquire medical and surgical supply company SurgLine, Inc.

21 Jul 2011

Babies of stressed pregnant mums may have lasting effects

According to a new study high levels of stress during pregnancy can cause an unborn child to have lifelong mental scars. Researchers have found that a mother facing unnecessary crises can leave an imprint in the brains of her children, making them less able to cope as they get older.

20 Jul 2011

FDA approves AstraZeneca's anti-clotting drug Brilinta

The U.S. Food and drug Administration (FDA) has finally approved AstraZeneca's Brilinta blood thinner for patients with acute coronary syndrome - conditions, such as heart attack and angina.

20 Jul 2011

Novel approach to prevent ‘chemo’ induced menopause in breast cancer patients

It is known that women who undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer get an early menopause under age 40. Women can choose to have some eggs removed in advance of the treatment in order to preserve some chance of having a baby later, but that can be a difficult and complicated process. Now, however, there may be a medication to treat these women to avoid premature menopause. About 6% of women with breast cancer are diagnosed before age 40.

20 Jul 2011

AP: Boomers are more obese than other generations

Cancer and memory loss are baby boomers' biggest health fears. Given their weight, maybe heart disease and diabetes should be. Boomers are more obese than other generations, a new poll finds, setting them up for unhealthy senior years.

20 Jul 2011

'Be a Hero for Babies Day' raises $2.75 million for March of Dimes

In communities across the country, Farmers Insurance Group and its agents organized local telethons, golf outings, poker tournaments, gourmet dinners, carnivals and even a Zumba-thon and raised $2.75 million in a one-day fundraiser called Be a Hero for Babies Day benefiting March of Dimes programs to give every baby a healthy start in life.

20 Jul 2011

Raw eggs are not safe for consumption under any circumstances

A flurry of Internet sites are touting raw egg drinks or shakes as "primal and powerful," with others suggesting uncooked eggs be blended with vanilla or avocado for a tasty, healthy snack and insisting that the connection between raw eggs and salmonella is a myth.

20 Jul 2011

Johnson & Johnson second quarter sales increase 8.3% to $16.6 billion

Johnson & Johnson today announced sales of $16.6 billion for the second quarter of 2011, an increase of 8.3% as compared to the second quarter of 2010.

19 Jul 2011

First Edition: July 19, 2011

Kaiser Health News staff writer Christopher Weaver reports: "New consumer-controlled health insurance plans could get seed money from the government to increase competition - and maybe cut prices -- under new rules announced Monday by the Department of Health and Human Services".

19 Jul 2011

Viewpoints: NYT on Medicaid's value; WSJ against exchanges; Chicago Tribune on food deserts

Medicaid is under assault these days from nearly every direction. Governors complain that they cannot afford to put up their share of the money. Congressional Republicans led by Paul Ryan want to reduce the federal contribution by $771 billion over the next decade. ... President Obama has expressed willingness to cut Washington's contribution.

19 Jul 2011

Facts and myths about bed bugs

Bed bugs are back. Since 2000, bed bug infestations have risen 81 percent, according to The National Pest Management Association. This resurgence has consumers nationwide on high alert, seeking information on the pests and how they can protect themselves.

18 Jul 2011

Gladstone plans to create new center for Alzheimer's disease research

The Gladstone Institutes today announced plans to create a Center for Comprehensive Alzheimer's Disease Research, offering new hope for the millions of families stricken by this debilitating neurodegenerative disease.

16 Jul 2011

Scientific American presents slide show on MTCT prevention

UNICEF's goal of eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission by 2015 is "ambitious ... but not impossible," Scientific American reports.

15 Jul 2011

Oxytocin does not boost prospects for normal births

A new Cochrane review says that oxytocin, a medication often used to quicken slow-paced labor in its early stages, doesn't boost the prospects for normal births. Riskier births that required cesarean section or the use of forceps didn't become less common.

15 Jul 2011

Partially hydrolysed whey formula does not prevent allergies in high-risk infants

Despite the formula being recommended in public health guidelines set out by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, the new study, published online in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found there was no benefit in using hypoallergenic formula to prevent allergies in high-risk infants up to seven years of age, compared to a conventional cow's milk based formula.

15 Jul 2011

Home health care payments under scrutiny — in debt talks and newly released payment rules

One GOP governor has asked his Republican colleagues in Congress to reject debt-ceiling proposals that would cut home health services while recently released rules will further squeeze corporate margins.

14 Jul 2011