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State highlights: Minn. improves hospital safety

A selection of health policy news from Minnesota, Georgia, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Iowa and Virginia.

24 Jan 2014

USF Health and FORCE receive award from PCORI to develop and expand health data network

A team led by the University of South Florida (USF Health) Morsani College of Medicine and the leading national hereditary breast and ovarian cancer advocacy organization, FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), has received a $960,026 award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to develop and expand a health data network that will be part of PCORnet: the National Patient-Centered National Clinical Research Network.

24 Jan 2014

USF Health receives $2.1M grant to study on new factors required for growth of malaria-related parasites

Animal cells similar to those of humans contain a "control room," called the centrosome, which regulates cell replication. Disrupt this core hub and you kill cell division.

24 Jan 2014

CUMC researchers identify gene that appears to play major role in motor neuron degeneration in ALS

Columbia University Medical Center researchers have identified a gene, called matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), that appears to play a major role in motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The findings, made in mice, explain why most but not all motor neurons are affected by the disease and identify a potential therapeutic target for this still-incurable neurodegenerative disease. The study was published today in the online edition of the journal Neuron.

23 Jan 2014

New study identifies correlation between cranberry juice consumption and healthy body composition

As the New Year kicks off and resolutions become reality, cranberry juice lovers can feel good knowing their favorite cranberry products are the perfect solution to a healthy 2014. A recent study published in Nutrients, a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by MDPI, identified a correlation between cranberry juice consumption and healthy body composition. The study joins the list of mounting evidence highlighting the fruit's exceptional health benefits, giving consumers one more reason to feel good about enjoying the festive fruit every day, everywhere, every way.

23 Jan 2014

Melatonin may influence prostate cancer stage

A man’s risk of developing advanced stage prostate cancer may depend on how much melatonin he produces while he is asleep, suggest researchers.

23 Jan 2014

Study examines direct and indirect costs associated with health inequalities for minority men in the U.S.

African-American men incurred $341.8 billion in excess medical costs due to health inequalities between 2006 and 2009, and Hispanic men incurred an additional $115 billion over the four-year period, according to a new study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study, published this week in the International Journal of Men's Health, looks at the direct and indirect costs associated with health inequalities and projects the potential cost savings of eliminating these disparities for minority men in the U.S.

23 Jan 2014

Research reveals why people lose hearing as they become old

Although the brain becomes smaller with age, the shrinkage seems to be fast-tracked in older adults with hearing loss, according to the results of a study by researchers from Johns Hopkins and the National Institute on Aging. The findings add to a growing list of health consequences associated with hearing loss, including increased risk of dementia, falls, hospitalizations, and diminished physical and mental health overall.

23 Jan 2014

Researchers find definitive link between intimate partner violence and HIV risk

Researchers from The Miriam Hospital and the University of Rochester have found a definitive link between violence among intimate partners and an increased risk of HIV infection. The study is online in the journal Women & Health.

23 Jan 2014

Latinos see diabetes as the biggest health problem for their families, new poll finds

A new NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health poll was released today on the views of Latinos in America about their health and health care, communities, financial situation, and discrimination in their lives. The poll found that Latinos see diabetes as the biggest health problem for their own families.

23 Jan 2014

New research reveals that humans can use odor to detect fat in food

New research from the Monell Center reveals humans can use the sense of smell to detect dietary fat in food. As food smell almost always is detected before taste, the findings identify one of the first sensory qualities that signals whether a food contains fat.

23 Jan 2014

Researchers identify five new genes associated with increased waist-to-hip ratio

Excess abdominal fat can be a precursor to diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. A person's measure of belly fat is reflected in the ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference, and it is estimated that genetics account for about 30-60 percent of waist-to-hip ratio.

23 Jan 2014

State highlights: N.Y. hospitals wait for Medicaid waiver

A selection of health policy stories from New York, California, Washington and Georgia.

23 Jan 2014

Proper good night's sleep promotes both mental and physical health

Getting a good night's sleep means more than you probably think. "I would say the importance of sleep is definitely underestimated by the general public," said Dr. Sandhya Kumar, assistant professor of neurology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and medical director of its Sleep Center.

23 Jan 2014

Target to drop health coverage for part-time workers

A corporate blog post by the company's human resources chief cited the health plans now available on public health exchanges as part of Target's decision, as well as the fact that only about 10 percent of its estimated 360,000 employees participated in the plan that is being discontinued. Those workers will be given $500 because their current coverage is ending.

23 Jan 2014

Public Health News and Research

State highlights: Minn. improves hospital safety

USF Health and FORCE receive award from PCORI to develop and expand health data network

USF Health receives $2.1M grant to study on new factors required for growth of malaria-related parasites

CUMC researchers identify gene that appears to play major role in motor neuron degeneration in ALS

New study identifies correlation between cranberry juice consumption and healthy body composition

Melatonin may influence prostate cancer stage

Study examines direct and indirect costs associated with health inequalities for minority men in the U.S.

Research reveals why people lose hearing as they become old

Researchers find definitive link between intimate partner violence and HIV risk

Latinos see diabetes as the biggest health problem for their families, new poll finds

New research reveals that humans can use odor to detect fat in food

Researchers identify five new genes associated with increased waist-to-hip ratio

State highlights: N.Y. hospitals wait for Medicaid waiver

Proper good night's sleep promotes both mental and physical health

Target to drop health coverage for part-time workers

Targeting symptoms, rather than disorders, might help reduce work impact of mental health issues

Scientists develop new genetic platform that yields novel antibiotic from ocean bacteria

Researchers find that 20% of women with ovarian cancer had inherited mutations in gene pathway

People may be able to keep weight off by using compact elliptical device while sitting

Obese kids exposed to high levels of air pollutants are nearly 3 times as likely to have asthma

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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