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New image-processing software allows significant radiation dose reduction

A reduction by half in the radiation dose to which cardiac patients are exposed during diagnostic perfusion imaging is now "feasible", according to an Israeli study.

18 May 2011

Tanning solariums exposing people to UV radiation six times the strength of midday sun: Study

According to the latest research, tanning sun beds can deliver wildly different doses of UV radiation, with some exposing users to levels up to six times the strength of the midday sun. Worst part of it that most users are unaware of this say experts. An audit of beds in Sydney and Melbourne found some deliver twice the dose of radiation as others classed in lower categories. The audits took place in Victoria and NSW.

15 May 2011

New ACR Dose Index Registry allows imaging community to measure effectiveness of dose lowering efforts

Medical imaging facilities can now submit anonymized dose information for all CT exams performed to the Dose Index Registry (DIR) — allowing them to compare their dose indices to other facilities of similar size or geographic area and to national benchmarks. Participating facilities receive periodic feedback comparing their dose levels to these benchmarks, enabling them to make any necessary adjustments to lower dose received from scans.

13 May 2011

Study provides information about hematuria in microscopic urinalysis and urinary tract cancer

Hematuria or blood in the urine may trigger a battery of tests for urinary tract cancer that are invasive and can unnecessarily expose patients to radiation, yet the procedures contribute little to the diagnosis, according to a study by Kaiser Permanente Southern California's Department of Research & Evaluation published in the May issue of the Journal of Urology.

7 May 2011

Chest CT more effective for preoperative cardiothoracic surgery patients

Recent studies have shown that a 64-detector CT angiography utilizing prospective electrocardiographic gating produces a quality image but considerably reduced patient radiation dose when compared to retrospective ECG gating, according to research being presented at the 2011 American Roentgen Ray Society's annual meeting.

5 May 2011

Thomas Jefferson University receives award to develop novel radiation drugs

Shortly before Japan's devastating nuclear incident, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals received an award to find novel drugs to treat people exposed to dangerous amounts of radiation in the wake of a nuclear terrorist attack or a nuclear accident.

5 May 2011

Acetyl resveratrol could protect against radiation sickness

In the midst of ongoing concerns about radiation exposure from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, scientists are reporting that a substance similar to resveratrol - an antioxidant found in red wine, grapes and nuts - could protect against radiation sickness. The report appears in ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters.

5 May 2011

Breast shields can protect women from radiation exposure during CT exams

The use of breast shields is the technique of choice to protect the breasts of women from radiation exposure while undergoing chest CT examinations, according to a new study.

4 May 2011

SWI is a powerful tool for characterizing early stroke in patients

A new study shows that susceptibility-weighted imaging is a powerful tool for characterizing infarctions in patients earlier and directing more prompt treatment.

4 May 2011

FDA clears Sectra's digital mammography system

Women in the US will now have the same opportunity as million of European women already have; to undergo mammography with significantly lower radiation dose. This is the result of FDA's clearance of the Swedish IT and medical technology company Sectra's digital mammography system, Sectra MicroDose Mammography.

4 May 2011

Experts to review how environmental disasters affect children's health

Environmental disasters can affect children's health in unique ways, both physically and psychologically. In two sessions at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colo., experts in pediatric health care from the U.S. and Japan will examine the toll of two recent disasters on children's health: the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan; and the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

2 May 2011

Tarix begins patient enrollment for TXA127 Phase 1 study in DCBT

Tarix Pharmaceuticals today announced enrollment of the first patient in a Phase 1 clinical study of TXA127, a pharmaceutical grade formulation of a naturally occurring peptide known to stimulate early hematopoietic precursor cells in the bone marrow.

27 Apr 2011

JVIR articles highlight SIR's commitment to patient safety in medical imaging

The Society of Interventional Radiology has a long-term commitment to radiation safety, taking a leading role in measuring and assessing radiation dosage; developing educational programs on radiation safety, radiation protection and reduction of skin dosage; and promoting the safety of patients and health care professionals.

22 Apr 2011

Fleming ramps up production of ThyroShield to meet increased domestic and international demand

Fleming Pharmaceuticals, maker of ThyroShield– the only FDA approved liquid potassium iodide product indicated for thyroid protection in radiation emergencies – announced today that it has implemented the changes necessary to ramp up production to meet increased domestic and international demand.

22 Apr 2011

Experts suggest Fukushima clean-up workers store blood cells for future use

As Japan still reels with the after effects of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and radiation exposure, plant workers are working to control the radiation leakage from the Fukushima Daiichi complex. Experts note that the work there will take years, posing a risk of accidental exposure.

15 Apr 2011

Elekta to highlight Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion radiosurgery solution at AANS 2011

At the 2011 American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Annual Meeting, April 9-13 at the Colorado Convention Center, Elekta (booth #1717) will highlight characteristics of Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ that separate the system from other radiosurgery solutions.

From Elekta 8 Apr 2011

New ATA recommendations on outpatient 131I therapy aim to treat thyroid cancer

New recommendations from the American Thyroid Association on outpatient radioiodine treatment aim to minimize unintended radiation exposure and maximize the safety of patients, their families, and the public.

8 Apr 2011

Pitt, UPCI researchers' cancer studies presented at AACR meeting

How do certain multiple myeloma treatment drugs cause complications? How does the immune system become dysfunctional due to cancer? How safe is a vaccine that could prevent development of precancerous colon polyps? Those are among the many questions that will be answered by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine during the American Association for Cancer Research 102nd Annual Meeting 2011, April 2 to 6, in Orlando, Fla.

7 Apr 2011

UpToDate offers free access to radiation exposure resources for Japan

UpToDate, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, announced today that it is providing free access to its online medical content to all users in Japan.

2 Apr 2011

Low-level radiation from Japan's damaged nuclear plant detected as far away as U.S.

The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday said U.S. government sensors had detected radiation believed to be from the damaged nuclear plant, Reuters writes.

31 Mar 2011