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ASBP concerned over FDA rejection of Contrave drug

The American Society of Bariatric Physicians is concerned that the FDA recently rejected the weight-loss drug Contrave, contradicting the FDA advisory panel's recommendation for approval. The rejection of Contrave marks the third weight-loss drug to be rejected by the FDA in the past six months.

8 Feb 2011

Reducing the cardiovascular disease gender gap

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) is working with the National Cardiac Societies of its 53 member countries on a project to raise awareness of the disturbing gender gap in cardiovascular disease (CVD). In partnership with the European Heart Network (EHN) and the World Heart Federation (WHF), the ESC has developed the Women@Heart contest in which national societies submit ideas for public awareness campaigns aimed at informing both health professionals and women of the dangers of complacency about CVD.

8 Feb 2011

Australian teenagers could see declines in life expectancy and more heart problems: Study

Experts warn that the present generation of Australian teenagers could be the first with a decline in life expectancy and an increase in heart disease. This comes from the first comprehensive national study of young Australians since 1985 that shows that a quarter are overweight or obese.

8 Feb 2011

Dark chocolate better than acai berry, blueberry, cranberry for antioxidants

A new study shows that dark chocolate and cocoa powder may be the next “super foods” thanks to their high antioxidant content. The scientists have found that antioxidant content of dark chocolate is higher than so called “super fruits” like acai berry, blueberry, cranberry, and pomegranate.

8 Feb 2011

Avandia label revised as per FDA directive

Following the 2010 FDA directive, pharmaceutical manufacturer Glaxo-SmithKline announced this Monday that they have modified the label for diabetes drug rosiglitazone (Avandia). The new label restricts its use to patients already taking it or to those who have failed other antiglycemic drugs.

8 Feb 2011

Mysteries of the hibernating heart

Hibernating, it turns out, is much more complicated than one might think.

8 Feb 2011

New DGA urge Americans to reduce sodium intake, consume walnuts for 'good' fat

The 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans urge Americans to reduce their sodium intake, replace saturated and trans fats with the "good" fats and to lower cholesterol consumption.

8 Feb 2011

How cocoa in chocolate reduces risk of heart disease

In time for the chocolate-giving and chocolate-noshing fest on Valentine's Day, scientists are reporting discovery of how this treat boosts the body's production of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) - the "good" form of cholesterol that protects against heart disease.

8 Feb 2011

Survey finds most hospitals, birthing centers do not routinely screen for congenital heart defects

Only about two out of every 100 babies (1.8 percent) were screened at birth for congenital heart defects (CHDs) because the hospital or birthing center where the baby was born routinely screens all newborns for CHDs -- the number-one birth defect and leading killer of infants and newborns. This is according to a survey just released by Little Hearts, Inc., a national organization that provides support, education, resources, networking and hope to families affected by congenital heart defects.

8 Feb 2011

New facilities for developing imaging tests in PESA CNIC-Santander study inaugurated

Felipe P-triz, Secretary of State for Research and Emilio Bot-n, president of Banco Santander have inaugurated today in Banco Santander Finantial City (located in Boadilla del Monte) the new facilities for developing the first imaging tests included in PESA (Progression of Early Subclinical Atherosclerosis) CNIC-Santander study.

8 Feb 2011

Lifestyle, rather than hereditary factors, plays major role in life expectancy

How long your parents lived does not affect how long you will live. Instead it is how you live your life that determines how old you will get, reveals research from the University of Gothenburg recently published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.

8 Feb 2011

New report provides insight into link between intelligence, personality traits, various health outcomes

Do smarter people live longer and better lives? Are certain personality types more prone to premature death than are others? A new report in Psychological Science in the Public Interest, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, provides an overview of research on possible associations between intelligence and personality traits and various health outcomes.

8 Feb 2011

Cleveland Clinic, JumpStart Ventures invest $500,000 in SironRX Therapeutics

JumpStart Ventures, the non-profit that invests in and partners with innovative, early-stage companies in Northeast Ohio, and Cleveland Clinic, announced a combined investment commitment of $500,000 in SironRX Therapeutics, Inc. The Cleveland-based company is developing a topical therapy to enhance healing of and decrease scar formation in wounds.

8 Feb 2011

Gastric bypass surgery good for the heart in obese: Study

A new study has found that gastric bypass surgery, besides enabling severely obese people to lose weight, may also help their overly stressed hearts return to more normal function and appearance. The study appeared in the Feb. 8 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

7 Feb 2011

Nutritional deficiencies among indigenous populations: two studies

They find iodine deficiency for the first time among an Aboriginal population in the NT. This deficiency was previously thought to occur only in the nation’s south-eastern states. The study involved nearly 400 teenagers of aboriginal origin living in remote as well as urban areas of the Darwin Health Region, which covers 120,000 km-square of the top end of the NT.

7 Feb 2011

XDx and LabCorp enter non-hospital provider agreement for AlloMap molecular expression tests

XDx, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company focused on noninvasive gene expression tests to monitor immune-mediated conditions, today announced that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings to provide heart transplant patients eligible for XDx's AlloMap® test with the convenience of having their blood drawn at participating LabCorp sites across the United States.

7 Feb 2011

Sugary snacks and lax dental hygiene put kids at risk for tooth decay

While the most prevalent focus of February is on Valentine's sweethearts, parents are well advised to also focus on the proverbial sweet tooth - particularly when it comes to their children. That's because February is National Children's Dental Health Month, an ideal time - according to Health Net, Inc. - for moms and dads to make sure that sugary snacks, as well as lax dental hygiene - aren't putting their kids at risk for tooth decay.

7 Feb 2011

First Edition: February 7, 2011

Today's headlines focus on how states face major budget challenges -- with health policy at the heart of the issue.

7 Feb 2011

Reliv International launches new nutritional supplement to address entire fatigue cycle

Consumers who are fighting the fatigue cycle -- physical fatigue, mental fog and stress -- now have a new means of breaking that cycle. Reliv 24K, a new nutritional supplement, is the first shot to provide healthy energy and greater mental focus while also reducing stress. Reliv International, Inc., a creator of nutritional supplements that promote optimal health, introduced the product last weekend in Atlanta.

7 Feb 2011

The Pain Channel releases second episode on professional bowling injuries

Professional football has recently come under scrutiny for the lingering effects of injuries caused by years of high-impact collisions, but doctors are quick to point out that football is not the only sport where athletes are suffering intense physical pain. One of the most physically demanding sports, according to medical experts, is professional bowling.

7 Feb 2011