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Editorial boards, columnists have lots to say about Gingrich and Medicare

Newt Gingrich was right — the first time. The former House speaker and current presidential candidate has retreated under a barrage of criticism, but he had two things to say on NBC's "Meet The Press" that were correct even if politically ill-advised.

21 May 2011

'No magic pill' for HIV prevention

AIDS Healthcare Foundation today released the results of a groundbreaking online survey designed to gain better understanding of community perceptions regarding the possible use of an HIV prevention pill.

20 May 2011

Simple home-based colon cancer screening test can prevent many unnecessary deaths in Canada

Use of a simple, at-home screening test by Canadians can prevent many unnecessary colorectal cancer deaths, according to a special report about colorectal cancer in Canadian Cancer Statistics 2011 released today by the Canadian Cancer Society, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Statistics Canada.

19 May 2011

Simple lymphocyte count effectively identifies prognosis of renal cell carcinoma

Each year, kidney cancer is diagnosed in nearly 60,000 people in the U.S. Many of these patients undergo surgery to remove the affected kidney, but this procedure can be risky for the elderly and those who have other health problems. Unfortunately, the prognosis of kidney cancer patients often cannot be determined until tumor samples are surgically removed and evaluated.

19 May 2011

NEW Lifestyle on-line teaching modules for medical students

Obesity is an epidemic and when paired with physical inactivity it represents the second leading cause of preventable death nationally from cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. But in medical school, there is a training gap when it comes to teaching future doctors about obesity and related health problems.

19 May 2011

Panel votes 20-0 for reformed labeling of kids’ pain & fever relieving medication

A federal advisory panel unanimously recommended that dosing for children's acetaminophen be based primarily on the child's weight rather than age. At present the dosing for children's products including acetaminophen- best known by the brand name Tylenol- is based on age, although many labels also contain information on dosing by weight as well. Acetaminophen is the most commonly used medicine meant to lower fever and relieve pain in children.

19 May 2011

Study reveals weakness of pharmacies' clinical decision support software in evaluating drug-drug interactions

A study conducted at the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy found that only 28 percent of pharmacies' clinical decision support software systems - the computer programs that are in place to alert pharmacists to possible medication problems - correctly identified potentially dangerous drug-drug interactions.

18 May 2011

New interactive website for patients with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia24x7.com is a new, interactive website featuring helpful resources, information and interactive tools for people affected by schizophrenia.

18 May 2011

As Federal Gov't. hits debt limit, budget plans draw attention

Politico reports that a proposed cap on discretionary spending for labor, health and human services and education programs would be felt most acutely by poor people.

18 May 2011

Viewpoints: Gingrich fallout; Sebelius, Matsui on Medicare reform; physicians on their rights

The Republican Presidential campaign is off to a slow start, but judging by the last week not slow enough. First Mitt Romney defends his ObamaCare prototype in Massachusetts, and now Newt Gingrich has decided to run against House Republicans on Medicare. They must be loving this at the White House.

18 May 2011

Experts urge McDonald’s to stop marketing junk food to kids

McDonald’s has incurred the wrath of over 550 health professionals and organizations who have signed a letter to McDonald's Corp. asking the maker of Happy Meals to stop marketing junk food to kids and retire Ronald McDonald.

17 May 2011

Researchers lay foundation for future lung cancer detection test

Scientists working with Professor Dr. Joachim L. Schultze have identified over 480 molecules whose concentration in the blood changes when a person develops lung cancer. These molecules are present in the blood cells either in increased or decreased quantities. "In lung cancer patients, typical patterns which can be detected with a measuring program thus emerge", explains Prof. Schultze.

17 May 2011

Business trends shape medical practices

Minnesota Public Radio reports that independent practices increasingly face an uphill battle while the Minneapolis Star Tribune notes that the "company doctor" is making a comeback in workplaces across the nation.

17 May 2011

UW's ultrathin laser endoscope gives a Google Earth view of the bladder

Bladder cancer is the fourth-most-common cancer in men and one of the most expensive cancers to treat from diagnosis to death. After initial diagnosis and surgery, patients must return to the urologist at least yearly for a costly, time-consuming and uncomfortable bladder scan. Tumors recur in more than half of patients.

17 May 2011

Delay in seeking emergency medical care for asthma exacerbations can result in worse outcomes

Waiting to seek emergency medical care for asthma exacerbations can result in worse outcomes, including hospitalization, according to a study conducted by researchers from New York.

17 May 2011

HealthPartners prescribes walking or exercise for patients with depression

Giving pedometers to patients screened for depression, HealthPartners Medical Group (HPMG) is prescribing walking or exercise in addition to medication and/or therapy as an effective tool in helping patients with depression.

17 May 2011

Early stages of Alzheimer’s difficult to detect: Study

According to a new study, more than half of people who develop Alzheimer's disease before the age of 60 are initially misdiagnosed as having other kinds of brain disease when they do not have memory problems. The research is published in the May 17, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

17 May 2011

Imaginary bugs flummox dermatologists

It is known that some people have the “delusional bug syndrome” and are convinced that bugs, worms, germs, or other creepy crawlers are infesting their skin and often see skin doctor after skin doctor to find out what is causing the infestation. Often, patients bring in samples of the insect and request a skin biopsy.

17 May 2011

Bonn researchers to develop new blood test for lung cancer diagnosis

A person's blood reveals whether he or she has lung cancer: this has been demonstrated by researchers at the University of Bonn. In collaboration with colleagues at the Cologne University Hospital, they are developing a blood test for smokers which could save human lives in the future, since the earlier a lung tumor is detected, the better the chances of survival are.

16 May 2011

Counterfeit medicines posing increasing risk to patients worldwide, U.N. agency says

Counterfeit medications are posing an increasing threat to patients' health worldwide, because they offer high returns and low risks for criminal organizations, the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime said in a statement on Friday, Agence France-Presse reports.

16 May 2011