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Non-radiologist physicians are paid more for NDI by Medicare than radiologists

Researchers have found that Medicare payments for non-invasive medical imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans, are now higher to non-radiologists than to radiologists, according to a study in the January issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

4 Jan 2011

Reviewing medical imaging on portable media presents a problematic venture

Radiologists and referring clinicians frequently use portable media to review patient medical images acquired at outside imaging centers, including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans, but issues regarding access, importability, and viewing of these portable media exist, according to a study in the January issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

4 Jan 2011

U-M research shows children are more frequently exposed to radiation through imaging tests

Children frequently exposed to medical imaging procedures that utilize radiation, U-M research shows. "Our findings indicate that more awareness about the frequent use of these tests may be needed among care providers, hospitals and parents," says Adam L. Dorfman, M.D., clinical assistant professor of pediatrics and communicable diseases and of radiology at the U-M Medical School.

4 Jan 2011

New ATS guidelines for treating fungal infection in adult pulmonary and critical care patients

The American Thoracic Society has released a new official clinical policy statement on the treatment of fungal infections in adult pulmonary and critical care patients.

4 Jan 2011

Aging linked to changes in eye sockets, jaw bones

What makes us look older? Wrinkles and sagging result not just from changes in the skin, but also from aging-related changes in the underlying facial bones, according to a report in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

4 Jan 2011

Children more likely to suffer from appendicitis in areas with few pediatricians

Children who live in areas with fewer pediatricians are more likely to suffer life-threatening ruptures of the appendix than those in areas with more pediatricians, even when accounting for other factors such as the number of hospitals, imaging technology, insurance coverage and the number of surgeons in an area, according to a study from the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

30 Dec 2010

New derivation of stem cells from fat cells hold promise for therapeutic, cosmetic benefits

Two studies appearing in the current issue of Cell Transplantation 19(10) discuss stem cells derived from adipose (fat) cells and their potential use in plastic surgery and tissue reconstruction. The studies are now freely available on-line at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cog/ct/ .

24 Dec 2010

2010 'a watershed year' for lung cancer

Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) called 2010 "a watershed year" for lung cancer that included increased research funding, additional Congressional support, a new national coalition of key policy organizations, and the validation of CT screening - a convergence of forces that can reverse the historic underfunding and neglect of lung cancer.

23 Dec 2010

RadNet to acquire Imaging On Call

RadNet, Inc., a national leader in providing high-quality, cost-effective, fixed-site outpatient diagnostic imaging services through a network of 198 fully-owned and operated outpatient imaging centers, today reported it has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Imaging On Call, LLC for $5.5 million plus contingent compensation of up to an additional $2.5 million if Imaging On Call achieves certain 2011 performance milestones.

22 Dec 2010

Pregnant women veterans face increase risk of mental health problems

Pregnancy among women veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan appears to increase their risk for mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to a study published in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. The paper is available free online.

22 Dec 2010

URI, R.I. Hospital to offer medical physics degree

Students interested in physics and medicine will be able to combine disciplines to become medical physicists and enter an expanding field that offers multiple career opportunities and salaries that start with six figures.

21 Dec 2010

'CART' treatment better than traditional cognitive therapy at altering hyperventilation and panic symptoms

A new treatment program teaches people who suffer from panic disorder how to reduce the terrorizing symptoms by normalizing their breathing.

21 Dec 2010

American Surgical to be acquired by AH Holdings

American Surgical Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which American Surgical will be acquired and taken private by AH Holdings Inc., an affiliate of Great Point Partners, I LP ("GPP"), a Greenwich, CT-based private equity fund.

21 Dec 2010

Today's Opinions: Cucinelli argues for quickly moving Va. case to the Supreme Court; Unraveling Medicaid leaves a big gap; Taking away a cancer treatment

It's hard not to laugh at the cries over the "injustice" of forcing people to buy coverage. Working Americans are already forced to buy health coverage - but for others. They can't choose not to pay the Medicare payroll tax. They can't even make a deal with the government, promising, "I will forgo all future Medicare benefits if I can be freed from the Medicare payroll tax" (Froma Harrop, 12/16).

17 Dec 2010

Pediatric plastic surgeon reconstructs patient's jaw

Pediatric plastic surgeon Rohit Khosla, MD, had never seen a case like it: the 12-year-old boy's face ballooned with a rare, aggressive bone tumor. Although it was non-cancerous, the tumor was destroying the patient's jaw. Khosla knew he would need an innovative approach to save the boy's ability to chew.

17 Dec 2010

Head, neck radiation exposure increases thyroid cancer in children

When children are exposed to head and neck radiation, whether due to cancer treatment or multiple diagnostic CT scans, the result is an increased risk of thyroid cancer for the next 58 years or longer, according to University of Rochester Medical Center research.

17 Dec 2010

Today's Opinions: Health law spending; Funding threats undercut U.S. legal tradition; Medicaid falls short

Rising entitlement spending is already driving the federal budget off a cliff. But Obamacare would add fuel to the fire with the largest entitlement expansion since the 1960s. So it takes a special kind of audacity for Obamacare's apologists to continue to insist that the new law will cut the projected budget deficits.

16 Dec 2010

SBUMC to unveil one-of-a-kind neuroendovascular simulator

Stony Brook University Medical Center will unveil this Friday a one-of-a-kind neuroendovascular simulator that recreates vasculature in the brain, including scenarios of damaged vessels from acute stroke, brain aneurysms, and other cerebrovascular anomalies. Affectionately known in the lab as "Headley".

16 Dec 2010

PEG-Prom encased nanoparticle aids in cancer detection and treatment

In a proof of principal study in mice, scientists at Johns Hopkins and the Virginia Commonwealth University have shown that a set of genetic instructions encased in a nanoparticle can be used as an "ignition switch" to rev up gene activity that aids cancer detection and treatment.

16 Dec 2010

Pfizer subsidiary extends tender offer to acquire King to January 21, 2011

Pfizer Inc. today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Parker Tennessee Corp., has extended the expiration date of its tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for $14.25 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest thereon and subject to any required withholding taxes.

16 Dec 2010