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UK measles cases at relatively low levels

So far this year, numbers of measles cases are still at relatively low levels; there were 150 confirmed cases in the first half of 2004 compared with 296 cases in the same period in 2003.

4 Oct 2004

Home nurse visits after childbirth reduce healthcare costs

Home nurse visits after childbirth reduce healthcare costs and greatly limit the number of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for infants, a Penn State Children's Hospital study suggests.

4 Oct 2004

Giving flu vaccine to toddlers in the spring and fall guards against infection

Giving flu vaccine to toddlers in the spring and fall guards against infection and is easier on parents than the fall schedule of two doses administered a month apart, found researchers from Duke University Medical Center and the University of Washington.

4 Oct 2004

The crash rate for licensed 16-year-old drivers is “alarmingly high”

Teens armed with a brand new driver’s license expect much more driving freedom than their parents are willing to give them — suggesting that parents have a more realistic view of driving dangers, according to a survey.

4 Oct 2004

Artificial neural networks and DNA microarrays to successfully predict clinical outcomes of neuroblastoma patients

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), have used artificial neural networks (ANNs) and DNA microarrays to successfully predict the clinical outcome of patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma (NB).

4 Oct 2004

Parents play an important role in their children’s underage drinking

The study, published this month in the Journal of Adolescent Health, shows that teens are more likely to binge drink if their parents or friends’ parents provide alcohol at their home for a party.

30 Sep 2004

Shorter courses of chemotherapy for children with Wilms’ tumour most beneficial

Results of a European study in this week’s issue of THE LANCET suggest that shorter courses of chemotherapy for children with Wilms’ tumour may be as effective as conventional treatment duration, but have the advantage of reduced toxicity and health-care costs.

30 Sep 2004

Research could lead to a significant decrease in the number of deaths each year on Europe’s roads

Research carried out by scientists at the University of Surrey could lead to a significant decrease in the number of pedestrians and cyclists killed each year on Europe’s roads.

30 Sep 2004

A new study of Northwest women has found toxic flame retardants in the breastmilk of every woman tested

A new study of 40 mothers from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Montana found PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in the breastmilk of every woman tested.

30 Sep 2004

Skin cancer rates concern Australian health experts

Victorian Premier Steve Bracks joined The Cancer Council Victoria today to launch the 2004 SunSmart season. Releasing the latest skin cancer rates for Victoria, Professor David Hill, Director of the Cancer Council warned of the human and economic costs to all Victorians if skin cancer rates continue to increase.

30 Sep 2004

Drug-resistant bacteria increasingly causing infections in healthy people

An emerging form of so-called "flesh-eating bacteria" is caused by a strain that is resistant to standard first-line antibiotics. The same type of bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is causing record numbers of less-serious skin infections in children and also is emerging as a cause of pneumonia, which can be deadly

30 Sep 2004

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel significantly reduces spread of gastrointestinal illnesses

Stomach bug going around your home? You might want to reach for hand sanitizer, suggests research being presented at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA).

30 Sep 2004

Each year, between 25 million and 50 million Americans will suffer with the flu

Each year, between 25 million and 50 million Americans will suffer with the fever, chills, body aches and upper respiratory problems brought on by viral influenza, better known as the flu.

30 Sep 2004

The biggest risk for children during Halloween is being hit by a car

While many parents painstakingly inspect the pounds of sugary loot brought home each Halloween, they need to keep in mind that candy tampering isn’t the largest concern they face.

30 Sep 2004

New warnings on antidepressants for children and adolescents highlight the need for appropriate treatments for depression

“Taking an antidepressant comes with risks. When deciding whether an antidepressant is right for a son or daughter, parents should discuss with the physician the possible alternatives, including psychotherapy. Research by the National Institute of Mental Health shows that combining talk therapy and an antidepressant is the most effective treatment for teens battling depression,”

29 Sep 2004

Cancer vaccine based on listeria bacteria shows promise

An experimental cancer vaccine using defanged listeria bacteria is showing great promise in animal studies, successfully treating new cancers that have spread into the lungs of mice.

29 Sep 2004

Dust collected from the homes of children with persistent allergic symptoms had higher levels of common chemical additives

Dust collected from the homes of children with persistent allergic symptoms had higher levels of certain phthalates, a class of common chemical additives, in it than dust found in homes of children without symptoms, according to a study published in the October 2004 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP).

29 Sep 2004

Cutting levels of household allergens is unlikely to have much impact on childhood asthma

Cutting levels of household allergens, such as cat dander and dust mite, is unlikely to have much impact on the subsequent development of childhood asthma and respiratory allergies, suggests research in Thorax.

29 Sep 2004

Bacterium Haemophilus influenza has to secrete a glue-like protein

To stick to cells in the respiratory tract and start an infection, the bacterium Haemophilus influenza has to secrete a glue-like protein. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report this week that a study of the valve that lets out the glue has produced some surprising information.

29 Sep 2004

Parents' injury fears stop kids playing sports

More than a quarter of parents of primary school-aged children stop or discourage their children playing sports because of injury fears, new research has found.

29 Sep 2004