Cold News and Research

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Majority of parents continue to give OTC cough and cold medicines to children under 2

Research has linked over-the-counter cough and cold products to poisoning or death in hundreds of children, ages 2 and younger. Studies have also shown that these medicines do little to control symptoms. As a result, in 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration formally recommended that OTC cough and cold products not be given to children under age 2.

16 Feb 2011

GAVI chair calls for greater reductions in vaccine prices for developing countries

On Monday, the same day the GAVI Alliance helped oversee the roll out of a routine pneumococcal vaccine in Kenya, GAVI chairman Dagfinn Hoybraten highlighted the need for greater reductions in vaccine prices in developing countries during an interview with Reuters, the news service reports. The piece examines the funding mechanism in place to finance the pneumococcal vaccines, known as Advance Market Commitment (AMC), as well as the budget shortfall facing the group (Kelland, 2/14).

16 Feb 2011

Genetic proof for anti-cancer properties of antioxidants and autophagy inhibitors

Researchers from Jefferson's Kimmel Cancer Center have genetic evidence suggesting the antioxidant drugs currently used to treat lung disease, malaria and even the common cold can also help prevent and treat cancers because they fight against mitochondrial oxidative stress-a culprit in driving tumor growth.

16 Feb 2011

Orthofix 2010 net sales increase 3% to $564.4 million

Orthofix International N.V. today announced its results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2010.

16 Feb 2011

ODA offers tips on how to handle winter-related dental injury

Family Day is a chance for parents and kids to enjoy the last few weeks of snowfall, which means tobogganing, skating and snowball fights. But any winter activity comes with a risk of injury to the teeth and mouth. The Ontario Dental Association wants to remind parents to take extra precautions during this holiday and learn what to do in case of a dental injury.

16 Feb 2011

Efficacy of zinc in common cold - Review of clinical trials

A new study has added to the existing literature that debates the role of zinc in combating the common cold. It suggests that the supplement might modestly reduce cold duration and severity or maybe even prevent it. The report was published as a Cochrane Review.

15 Feb 2011

Zinc supplements reduce burden of common cold

Zinc supplements reduce the severity and duration of illness caused by the common cold, according to a systematic review published in The Cochrane Library. The findings could help reduce the amount of time lost from work and school due to colds.

15 Feb 2011

CHPA to lend its support for The Patients' Freedom to Choose Act

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association is pleased to lend its support for The Patients' Freedom to Choose Act, introduced today by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.) and Representative Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) This important legislation would repeal a requirement enacted into law as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 that requires consumers to obtain a prescription in order to utilize their flexible spending arrangements and health savings accounts to purchase over-the-counter medications.

11 Feb 2011

Global Hygiene Council: Three simple steps to keep your family protected against infections

The Global Hygiene Council, a group of leading health and hygiene experts from around the world, convened in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to discuss how proper hygiene plays a critical role in preventing the spread of illness and improving health around the world.

10 Feb 2011

Florida pain clinic society opposes Gov. Scott's proposal to repeal Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

The Florida Society of Pain Management Providers opposes Governor Scott's proposal to repeal the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP). The PDMP system is the single most important weapon in the war on Rx drug abuse, not only in Florida but in the other 42 states where legislators have approved their operation.

10 Feb 2011

FAO issues alerts on flood damage in Southern Africa, drought in China

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday issued an alert warning that "floods and heavy rains have significantly damaged whole areas of agricultural land across southern Africa and that the livelihood and food security of farmers and their families are at risk," the Associated Press reports (2/7).

9 Feb 2011

Republican FY 2011 budget proposal to be introduced as legislation soon

On Capitol Hill this week, "Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers, R-Ky., is expected to turn [the proposed FY 2011] budget allocation into legislative language with specific allocations for federal agencies. That bill would then be brought to the House floor, setting the stage for a lengthy debate as conservative Republicans seek larger cuts than [Rep. Paul Ryan, (R-Wis).] proposed," according to CQ (Goldfarb, 2/4).

8 Feb 2011

Anthem Blue Cross reminds seniors in Maine to get vaccinated against annual flu, pneumonia

While the seasonal flu can be very serious for patients of any age, senior citizens are particularly vulnerable. That's why Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine is reminding seniors across the state to get their annual flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

8 Feb 2011

People can encounter common hazards like frostbite, frostnip during winter

Winter can be especially hazardous to human health with frostbite and frostnip being among the more common hazards people are likely to encounter. Frostbite and frostnip occur when the human body is exposed to extremely low temperatures for a period of time without the proper clothing for the conditions. Extreme cold causes the blood vessels of the body to begin to narrow and constrict, reducing blood flow to the extremities, such as ears, the nose, hands and feet.

5 Feb 2011

Research unmasks long sought stem cell origin of carcinoma

A constellation of different stem cell populations within our skin help it to cope with normal wear and tear. By constantly proliferating, the stem cells allow skin to replenish itself, allowing each cell to be replaced by a new one about once a month. But the normal cycle of division and death within one or more of these stem cell types can sometimes be derailed by genetic mishaps. Such events are believed to spawn carcinomas and other deadly skin cancers, which are the mostly frequently diagnosed cancers in the United States.

4 Feb 2011

Innovative Heart Attack Rapid Response Team for snow shoveling heart attacks

Loyola's innovative Heart Attack Rapid Response Team (HARRT) is on staff 24/7 to perform emergency surgery on patients who have experienced heart attacks from shoveling snow or other causes.

3 Feb 2011

New device to treat heart hiccups

"It took off to about 160 beats per minute and then dropped to 50. It seemed confused. Then it went back to normal," recalled Tsuji, 47, an avid cyclist, of that day in 2003. "I didn't notice any symptoms at that point, so I blew it off. I figured there was something wrong with it."

3 Feb 2011

New national initiative to increase heart attack awareness among women

A woman suffers a heart attack every minute in the United States. But according to a 2009 American Heart Association survey, only half of women said they would call 9-1-1 if they thought they were having a heart attack -- and many women did not even recognize several key symptoms. This combination has led to dangerous consequences.

2 Feb 2011

Daily probiotic may help prevent upper respiratory tract infections in athletes: Research

Researchers at Loughborough University have revealed that a simple, daily probiotic might help prevent athletes catching colds during their training and competition.

2 Feb 2011

DRC processors running Smith-Waterman algorithm set new world record

DRC Computer Corporation (DRC), the leading innovator of dynamically reconfigurable processors, announces that it has achieved 9.4 trillion cell updates per second (TCUPS) running the Smith-Waterman algorithm with Affine gap model on the latest DRC Accelium coprocessors.

1 Feb 2011