OCT News and Research

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Ultrasound superior to mammography in evaluating women with breast cancer symptoms

The largest analysis to date comparing ultrasound and mammography to evaluate women ages 30 to 39 with symptoms of possible breast cancer concludes that ultrasound is a superior diagnostic tool and that U.S. clinical practice guidelines, which currently recommend mammography as the first evaluation in these women, should be reconsidered.

22 Oct 2012

VEGF produced by NPCs plays a strong role in influencing microglial behavior

The brain's key "breeder" cells, it turns out, do more than that. They secrete substances that boost the numbers and strength of critical brain-based immune cells believed to play a vital role in brain health. This finding adds a new dimension to our understanding of how resident stem cells and stem cell transplants may improve brain function.

22 Oct 2012

U.S. boys experience early onset of puberty

A study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has documented that boys in the U.S. are experiencing the onset of puberty six months to two years earlier than reported in previous research.

22 Oct 2012

PAC program improves children’s dental care, may serve as invaluable tool for dental students

A partnership between a New York City dental school and a local foster care agency has provided consistent dental care to more than 650 children, and may serve as a model for other dental school program curriculums. The success of Partners Against Caries (PAC), both for the participating foster children and dental school students, was outlined Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

22 Oct 2012

Grandparent caregivers unaware of more recent safety and other recommendations

The number of grandparent caregivers continues to grow, and while these older adults may be experienced in caring for young children, many are unaware of more recent safety and other recommendations - including those related to appropriate child sleep position, crib safety, car seat and walker use, according to research presented Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

22 Oct 2012

AAP introduces new initiative to fight childhood obesity

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is launching a major new initiative in its fight against childhood obesity, focusing on both prevention and treatment of what has become a major threat to children's health in the U.S.

22 Oct 2012

Pediatric ICU patients often receive off-label drug treatments

"Off label" drugs are medications that have not been tested for safety or efficacy for a specific patient age or condition. New research presented Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans found that off-label treatments were ordered for 96 percent of all pediatric patients, and 100 percent of patients ages 13-17, in the intensive care unit of an urban children's hospital.

22 Oct 2012

Poverty, collective violence affect mental health of children in the U.S./Mexican border

Collective violence attributed to organized crime and poverty are adversely affecting the mental health of children living near the Texas-Mexico border, according to a poster presented Oct. 19 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

22 Oct 2012

Microgravity and prolonged space flight could give unique advantages to germs

The cabin of a spacecraft halfway to Mars would be the least convenient place -- one cannot say "on earth" -- for a Salmonella or Pneumococcus outbreak, but a wide-ranging new paper suggests that microgravity and prolonged space flight could give unique advantages to germs.

22 Oct 2012

AAP announces national winners of 2012 Children's Art Contest

Winners of the 2012 American Academy of Pediatrics Children's Art Contest were announced Saturday, Oct. 20 at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

22 Oct 2012

Cyberbullying and teen suicide

Cyberbullying - the use of the Internet, phones or other technologies to repeatedly harass or mistreat peers - is often linked with teen suicide in media reports. However, new research presented on Saturday, Oct. 20, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, shows that the reality is more complex.

22 Oct 2012

Lack of sleep associated with increased risk of injury in adolescent athletes

Adolescent athletes who slept eight or more hours each night were 68 percent less likely to be injured than athletes who regularly slept less, according to an abstract presented Sunday, Oct. 21, at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

22 Oct 2012

Clinical trial to study immunosuppressant tacrolimus against generics

A new study at the University of Cincinnati seeks to end the questions over generic-vs.-brand for a common immunosuppressive drug for transplant patients, tacrolimus.

20 Oct 2012

Study shows few adolescent females undergo pregnancy testing in hospital emergency department

Few adolescent females undergo pregnancy testing in the hospital emergency department, even when they complain of lower abdominal pain, or before they are exposed to radiation for tests or examinations, according to an abstract presented Friday, Oct. 19, at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

20 Oct 2012

Talk explores improved diagnostics for cardiac threat through biomedical imaging

Each year, seemingly healthy people suffer from acute heart attacks, strokes and sudden cardiac death.

20 Oct 2012

UCI, Brown work advances quest for novel treatments for inherited disorder

UC Irvine and Brown University researchers have created a new fruit fly model of inherited epilepsy that's providing insights into the mechanisms underlying temperature-dependent seizures while establishing a platform from which to develop therapies for these disorders.

20 Oct 2012

IVF may significantly increase risk of birth defects, new research says

In vitro fertilization may significantly increase the risk of birth defects, particularly those of the eye, heart, reproductive organs and urinary systems, according to new research presented Saturday, Oct. 20, at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

20 Oct 2012

Lean principles help improve stroke treatment at Barnes-Jewish Hospital

A process developed to increase efficiency and productivity in Japanese car factories has helped improve stroke treatment at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, report researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

20 Oct 2012

Loyola’s MNSON professor selected as 2012 Power of Nursing Leadership SAGE award winner

Judith Jennrich, PhD, RN, ACNP, associate professor, Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing (MNSON), has been selected as a 2012 Power of Nursing Leadership SAGE award winner. The SAGE award honors nurses who mentor and support leaders of today while looking for ways to guide nurse leaders of tomorrow. Dr. Jennrich will be recognized at the 15th Annual Power of Nursing Leadership celebration on Friday, Nov. 2, in Chicago.

20 Oct 2012

Hutchinson Center's cancer epidemiologist to receive IARC Medal of Honor

Cancer epidemiologist John Potter, M.D., Ph.D., a senior adviser in the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has been selected to receive a medal of honor from the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer for his research contributions in nutrition, diet and cancer.

20 Oct 2012