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Columbia Nursing researcher suggests ways to prevent nursing home infections

Nursing home infection rates are on the rise, a study from Columbia University School of Nursing found, suggesting that more must be done to protect residents of these facilities from preventable complications. The study, which examined infections in U.S. nursing homes over a five-year period, found increased infection rates for pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), viral hepatitis, septicemia, wound infections, and multiple drug-resistant organisms (MDROs).

8 Oct 2014

As U.S. bolsters defenses against Ebola, price tag grows

President Barack Obama vows national defense against the disease but reminds Americans that the human toll in Africa is also worthy of their support. Administration weighs tighter screening for international travelers.

8 Oct 2014

Weight-normative approach could be harmful to patients, shows study

A new review of the way health care professionals emphasise weight to define health and wellbeing suggests the approach could be harmful to patients.

8 Oct 2014

Contaminated duodenoscopes associated with E coli outbreak at Illinois hospital

Despite no lapses in the disinfection process recommended by the manufacturer being identified, specialized gastrointestinal endoscopes called duodenoscopes had bacterial contamination associated with an outbreak of a highly resistant strain of E coli at a hospital in Illinois, according to a study in the October 8 JAMA, a theme issue on infectious disease.

8 Oct 2014

Health Canada approves Lucentis (ranibizumab) for myopic CNV

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. announced today that Lucentis (ranibizumab), the treatment for several major causes of vision loss, has been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of visual impairment due to choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to pathologic myopia (myopic CNV).

8 Oct 2014

FDA grants QIDP and Fast Track designation to Nabriva's lefamulin for treatment of CABP, ABSSSI

Nabriva Therapeutics AG, a biotechnology company focused on developing pleuromutilins, a new class of antibiotics for the treatment of serious infections caused by resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, announced today that the United States Food and Drug Administration has granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP) as well as Fast Track status designation to Nabriva's lead product lefamulin, for the treatment of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI).

8 Oct 2014

Menu items containing 12% fewer calories could have significant impact on obesity epidemic

New research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health finds that large chain restaurants, whose core menu offerings are generally high in calories, fat and sodium, introduced newer food and beverage options that, on average, contain 60 fewer calories than their traditional menu selections in 2012 and 2013.

8 Oct 2014

Active sexting among teens associated with more sexual activity

Relatively few teens say they have engaged in sexting, or the sharing of nude or nearly nude photos via mobile phone or the Internet, finds a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

8 Oct 2014

New study finds that not having close access to healthy foods can deter even motivated dieters

You're obese, at risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and so motivated to improve your diet that you've enrolled in an intensive behavioral program. But if you need to travel more than a short distance to a store that offers a good selection of healthy food, your success may be limited.

8 Oct 2014

New partners join Grand Challenges Canada to help protect early brain development

Grand Challenges Canada, funded by the Government of Canada, today welcomed three new partners to the Saving Brains Grand Challenge: Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Norlien Foundation and World Vision Canada. These organizations strengthen the existing partnership with the Bernard van Leer Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal Foundation.

8 Oct 2014

Routine gasoline spills can potentially impact public health

A new study suggests that drops of fuel spilled at gas stations — which occur frequently with fill-ups — could cumulatively be causing long-term environmental damage to soil and groundwater in residential areas in close proximity to the stations.

8 Oct 2014

Obama administration announces plans to step up airport screening for Ebola virus

Though President Barack Obama did not say exactly how screening procedures would change, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said officials would consider a variety of options.

8 Oct 2014

RAND study: Specific state guidance can influence patient access to effective heroin treatment

State policies can influence the number of physicians licensed to prescribe buprenorphine, a drug that can treat addiction to heroin and other opioids in outpatient settings, according to a new RAND Corporation study.

8 Oct 2014

UW-Madison's Yoshihiro Kawaoka recognized for efforts to prevent pandemic influenza

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Yoshihiro Kawaoka has been recognized as a 2014 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award recipient for his efforts to understand and prevent pandemic influenza.

8 Oct 2014

Nurse-led intervention program fails to improve 30-day hospital readmission rates

Researchers at UC San Francisco have found that a nurse-led intervention program designed to reduce readmissions among ethnically and linguistically diverse older patients did not improve 30-day hospital readmission rates. Their findings suggest hospitals evaluate such programs before implementing or continuing.

8 Oct 2014

Testosterone therapy raises risk of prostate tumors in rats

A researcher who found that testosterone raised the risk of prostate tumors and exacerbated the effects of carcinogenic chemical exposure in rats is urging caution in prescribing testosterone therapy to men who have not been diagnosed with hypogonadism, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society's journal Endocrinology.

7 Oct 2014

Dengue fever cases in India 282 times higher than officially reported, study says

The annual number of dengue fever cases in India is 282 times higher than officially reported, and the disease inflicts an economic burden on the country of at least US$1.11 billion each year in medical and other expenses, according to a new study published online today in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene.

7 Oct 2014

Survey finds that 49% of post-menopausal women do not take bone health supplements

Make no bones about it; post-menopausal women are well aware of the risks of brittle bones and fractures; however, a national survey of women taken for AIDP, Inc., the supplier of KoACT, a patented combination of collagen and calcium, found that almost half (49%) are not taking any bone health supplement to address this major health issue.

7 Oct 2014

Study identifies six new genetic variants associated with habitual coffee drinking

A new, large-scale study has identified six new genetic variants associated with habitual coffee drinking. The genome-wide meta-analysis, led by Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital researchers, helps explain why a given amount of coffee or caffeine has different effects on different people and provides a genetic basis for future research exploring the links between coffee and health.

7 Oct 2014

CHLA reports first confirmed case of enterovirus D68 in Los Angeles

In September, Children's Hospital Los Angeles physicians predicted it was a matter of when, and not if, Los Angeles children would become infected with Enterovirus EV-D68, commonly referred to as enterovirus D68. On Oct. 1, that day came. CHLA and public health officials announced that a young patient who had been hospitalized at CHLA with a respiratory illness and later experienced partial limb paralysis had tested positive for enterovirus D68.

7 Oct 2014

Public Health News and Research

Columbia Nursing researcher suggests ways to prevent nursing home infections

As U.S. bolsters defenses against Ebola, price tag grows

Weight-normative approach could be harmful to patients, shows study

Contaminated duodenoscopes associated with E coli outbreak at Illinois hospital

Health Canada approves Lucentis (ranibizumab) for myopic CNV

FDA grants QIDP and Fast Track designation to Nabriva's lefamulin for treatment of CABP, ABSSSI

Menu items containing 12% fewer calories could have significant impact on obesity epidemic

Active sexting among teens associated with more sexual activity

New study finds that not having close access to healthy foods can deter even motivated dieters

New partners join Grand Challenges Canada to help protect early brain development

Routine gasoline spills can potentially impact public health

Obama administration announces plans to step up airport screening for Ebola virus

RAND study: Specific state guidance can influence patient access to effective heroin treatment

UW-Madison's Yoshihiro Kawaoka recognized for efforts to prevent pandemic influenza

Nurse-led intervention program fails to improve 30-day hospital readmission rates

Testosterone therapy raises risk of prostate tumors in rats

Dengue fever cases in India 282 times higher than officially reported, study says

Survey finds that 49% of post-menopausal women do not take bone health supplements

Study identifies six new genetic variants associated with habitual coffee drinking

CHLA reports first confirmed case of enterovirus D68 in Los Angeles

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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