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New reasons to avoid grapefruit juice when taking certain drugs

Scientists and consumers have known for years that grapefruit juice can increase the absorption of certain drugs - with the potential for turning normal doses into toxic overdoses.

19 Aug 2008

When the patient can't make the decision

Family members are often called upon to make medical choices for patients who are unable to do so themselves. Researchers led by Alexia Torke, M.D., of the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute, Inc., studied how physicians treating these patients interacted with surrogate decision-makers.

18 Aug 2008

Study looks at physician perspectives on surrogate decision making

18 Aug 2008

Psychological stress and how it might affect allergy sufferers

A new study here shows that even slight stress and anxiety can substantially worsen a person's allergic reaction to some routine allergens.

14 Aug 2008

Poor coordination in childhood linked to increased risk of obesity in later life

The analysis showed that at age 7 years poor hand control, poor coordination, and clumsiness occurred more often among individuals who would be obese adults. In addition, poorer function at age 11 was associated with obesity at age 33.

12 Aug 2008

Researchers examine safety of internet prescriber service providing erectile dysfunction medications

Online Internet shopping today offers many benefits. You can research a product in the privacy of your own home and purchase most anything by clicking a mouse. But should we be allowed to buy prescription drugs via the Internet, bypassing a traditional office visit or conversation with a physician?

12 Aug 2008

New drug targets main culprit in common colds

The Melbourne drug company Biota has announced trials of a drug to treat the human rhinovirus (HRV) which is the main culprit in the common cold.

12 Aug 2008

Australian doctors call for a national immunisation register

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has welcomed the announcement of a new national register of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccinations but says it would be more cost effective to create a register for all vaccinations.

11 Aug 2008

Convenience, cost driving more kids to retail clinics for care

Convenience and lower costs are driving even more parents to seek routine health care for their children - including vaccinations and physicals - at retail clinics in their communities.

11 Aug 2008

PSA screening among young men in the United States

A new analysis finds that one in five men in their 40s has had a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test within the previous year and that young black men are more likely than young white men to have undergone the test.

11 Aug 2008

Too many women ignorant of symptoms of ovarian cancer

A new survey had revealed that though ovarian cancer remains one of biggest gynaecological cancer killers, many women are unsure or unaware of the symptoms of the disease.

10 Aug 2008

New study aims to help Latino HIV patients

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center will soon begin researching how a lack of trust in formal medicine is contributing to disproportionately higher mortality rates in Latino HIV patients than in white HIV patients across the country.

10 Aug 2008

New Zealand issues warning on 'dodgy' treatments for erectile dysfunction

New Zealand's Director-General of Health, Stephen McKernan, is warning people about the potential health dangers associated with three products promoted and sold in New Zealand for sexual enhancement or the treatment of erectile dysfunction which may contain an undeclared therapeutic substance.

8 Aug 2008

Small changes can make big health solutions

We shouldn't be emphasising expensive high tech vaccines and dazzling miracle drugs at the expense of more low tech ways improve people's health, particularly in the face of climate change, a young health researcher writes.

8 Aug 2008

Chlamydia antibiotic available over-the-counter in the UK

For the first time sufferers in the UK from the common sexually transmitted infection (STI) chlamydia will be able to buy an antibiotic to treat the infection over-the-counter (OTC), without a prescription from a doctor.

5 Aug 2008

Latest information questions value of PSA test for men over 75

The latest information regarding the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for prostate cancer, is advising men age 75 and older not to be screened.

5 Aug 2008

YMCA and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center offer free exercise program for cancer survivors

Puget Sound-area cancer survivors have access to a new strength-and-fitness program designed specifically for them thanks to a partnership between the YMCA of Greater Seattle and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

4 Aug 2008

Queensland health in bother again over employment of a foreign doctor

Queensland health are in a spot of bother yet again over the employment of a foreign born doctor.

4 Aug 2008

Scientists develop ultra-sensitive optical protein sensor, a first for a salivary diagnostic test

For people who dislike needles, medical tests that require a drop of saliva instead of a vial of blood will one day make a trip to a doctor or dentist much easier. But as scientists now construct the first of these saliva tests for early signs of cancer and other diseases, they continue to push the technological envelope in interesting ways.

3 Aug 2008

Medical profession must dissociate itself from torture and actively investigate and sanction offenders

Doctors who assist in torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment should face prosecution and licensing punishments, says an editorial on BMJ.com.

31 Jul 2008