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Study estimates Staphylococcus aureus infections cause 12,000 deaths, cost hospitals $9.5 billion

Staphylococcus aureus infections (S. aureus) create an enormous burden to hospitals by significantly increasing costs, length of patient stays and mortality rates, a Northwestern Memorial Hospital researcher found in the most comprehensive study to date, published today's Archives of Internal Medicine.

10 Aug 2005

Important breast cancer discovery

Scientists at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) have made an important discovery that will advance our understanding of how the female hormone estrogen causes growth of breast cancer cells. The research, in collaboration with scientists at the Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal (IRCM) identifies 153 genes that respond to estrogen and one in particular that can be used to halt the growth of breast cancer cells.

10 Aug 2005

Beta-blockers top choice for prevention and rate control for postoperative atrial fibrillation

The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) has released the first evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and management of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery.

9 Aug 2005

Leading UK charity offers to fund research which could save many lives

A leading medical charity in the UK is offering grants worth more than £380,000 for research which could save many lives.

9 Aug 2005

Disney terror ride real fright for British girl

Leanne Deacon, a 16-year-old British girl who suffered a cardiac arrest after riding on an attraction at Walt Disney's Florida park, has been flown home and is now in a UK hospital.

9 Aug 2005

Hospital characteristics appear to be associated with use of do-not-resuscitate orders

Hospital characteristics, including size, non-profit status and affiliation with a university, appear to be associated with use of do-not-resuscitate orders (DNR) in California, independent of the patient's characteristics, according to a study in the August 8/22 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

9 Aug 2005

First evaluation of California's much-watched ratios law

There has been much controversy regarding implementation of legislation to regulate hospital nurse-patient staffing ratios and its impact on patient safety and quality outcomes.

9 Aug 2005

Officials in China sacked over pig disease cover-up

According to Xinhua the government news agency in China, four officials have been sacked for trying to cover up the trail of dead pigs, early in an outbreak of a swine-borne disease that has killed 39 people in southwest China.

8 Aug 2005

China battles with Anthrax as well as Swine flu

The state media in China has reported that in the northeast of the country anthrax has killed one person and infected 12 more.

8 Aug 2005

Supplements of multivitamins and minerals don't prevent infections in the elderly

Researchers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, say giving daily supplements of multivitamins and minerals do not prevent respiratory, stomach, skin and other types of infections in the elderly.

8 Aug 2005

Breastfeeding lowers mothers stress

Moms, want to lower stress? Try breastfeeding. New research from the McGill-affiliated Douglas Hospital Research Centre in Montreal shows mothers who breastfeed respond less to stressful situations than those who bottle-feed their children. These findings suggest these mothers may be better able to care for their children.

7 Aug 2005

Unexpected baby joy for transplant patient

Twenty six year old Tracy Paterson, from Carlisle, was given a liver transplant as a teenager after being diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disease.

7 Aug 2005

New study says HRT risks far lower

Women battling to deal with the miserable effects of the menopause, will be even more confused by the release of a new Australian study, which says that a woman's risk of developing breast cancer after taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might be lower than previously thought.

7 Aug 2005

Year wait for spinal surgery forces boy to fly to India for operation

A mother who has been told her son may have to wait a year for a spine operation to restore his mobility, is to fly him to India for the procedure.

7 Aug 2005

U.S. company wants to commercialise breast milk

It has long been acknowledged that breast milk, with its minerals, digestive enzymes and antibodies, keeps babies healthy and boosts their intelligence.

7 Aug 2005

Low levels of folate linked to lower birth rates

Mothers-to-be with lower levels of the vitamin folate in their body during early pregnancy are more likely to have babies with lower, or less healthy, birth weights, a study has revealed.

4 Aug 2005

Resistance to antituberculosis drugs has been rising in Botswana since 1995

Resistance to antituberculosis drugs has been rising in Botswana since 1995, concludes a Research Letter in this weeks issue of The Lancet. Enhanced interventions for TB control are urgently needed in Botswana to prevent further emergence of drug resistance, state the authors.

4 Aug 2005

Switching treatment to the drug anastrozole after two years of tamoxifen is beneficial for women with early breast cancer

Switching treatment to the drug anastrozole after two years of tamoxifen can improve eventfree survival for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer, concludes a study in this week’s issue of The Lancet.

4 Aug 2005

Multivitamins don't prevent infections in older people

Multivitamin and mineral supplements don't appear to prevent infections in older people living at home, finds a study in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).

4 Aug 2005

National Programme for IT in the NHS (NPfIT) is at risk despite costing millions

The new National Programme for IT in the NHS (NPfIT) is at risk despite costing millions, because staff locally have been left feeling disengaged in the process, says a study in this week's British Medical Journal (BMJ).

4 Aug 2005