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Study reveals that Hudson River polluted with antibiotic-resistant bacteria

The risk of catching some nasty germ in the Hudson River just started looking nastier. Disease-causing microbes have long been found swimming there, but now researchers have documented antibiotic-resistant strains in specific spots, from the Tappan Zee Bridge to lower Manhattan.

22 Jul 2013

Implications for treating some common food allergies

Food is an integral part of life; but, for some, it can be harmful. Allergic inflammation caused by inappropriate immune responses to some types of food has become a major public health issue. Over the past ten years, the prevalence of food allergies has increased by nearly 20 percent, affecting an estimated six million people in the U.S.

22 Jul 2013

Longer looks: Immigrant health tied to their status; one end-of-life expert confronts a personal journey

Every week reporter Ankita Rao selects interesting reading from around the Web.

20 Jul 2013

Research roundup: Eye care disparities; more complications for Medicaid patients after spine surgery; the cost to states opting against Medicaid expansion

After analyzing 2003-2004 data of patients who underwent spinal surgery at two medical institutions, they found that Medicaid beneficiaries were at much higher risk of experiencing any type of complication than patients who are privately insured. "The results of our study further support the growing body of literature that Medicaid patients have higher rates of complications," the authors write. When evaluating patients and considering the likelihood of complications, "Medicaid status should be considered as well," they concluded (Hacquebord et al., 7/15).

20 Jul 2013

Vegetation may not protect people from ozone pollution, says new research

During heat waves - when ozone production rises - plants' ozone absorption is curtailed, leaving more pollution in the air, and costing an estimated 460 lives in the UK in the hot summer of 2006.

20 Jul 2013

EHR enables physicians to assist patients faster, help combat vaccine-preventable diseases

Using an Electronic Health Record system to automate the immunization data shared between health providers and public health agencies enables physicians to assist individual patients faster and more effectively, while also providing more immediate, cohesive community data to the agencies tasked with promoting public health.

20 Jul 2013

Researchers explain most likely pathways of international spread of MERS coronavirus

The life-threatening MERS coronavirus that has emerged in the Middle East could spread faster and wider during two international mass gatherings involving millions of people in the next few months, according to researchers who describe the most likely pathways of international spread based upon worldwide patterns of air travel.

20 Jul 2013

IMS Health study assesses effectiveness of healthcare system in India

While progress has been made in India over the past decade from both public and private sector initiatives, significant challenges persist in providing quality healthcare on an equitable, accessible and affordable basis across all regions and communities, according to a new IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics study.

20 Jul 2013

Food safety tips to keep your picnic free from unpleasant side effects

July is National Picnic Month and many of us are headed outdoors to celebrate this summer ritual. As food heats up in warmer temperatures, bacteria can multiply rapidly.

20 Jul 2013

UCLA-led study shows that many countries have guaranteed health protection, but not US

Uruguay has it. So does Latvia, and Senegal. In fact, more than half of the world's countries have some degree of a guaranteed, specific right to public health and medical care for their citizens written into their national constitutions.

20 Jul 2013

IVAN study: Lucentis and Avastin effective in treating wet AMD

An anti-cancer drug has been proven to be equally as effective in treating the most common cause of blindness in older adults as a more expensive drug specifically formulated for this purpose.

20 Jul 2013

Study shows that eating more eggs is not associated with high serum cholesterol in adolescents

Although in the late 20th century it was maintained that eating more than two eggs a week could increase cholesterol, in recent years experts have begun to refute this myth. Now, a new study has found that eating more eggs is not associated with higher serum cholesterol in adolescents, regardless of how much physical activity they do.

19 Jul 2013

American Academy of Microbiology issues new report on West Nile Virus

Where does the virus come from? How is it spread? Can we predict when and where outbreaks will occur? What factors determine how sick a person will become if they are infected with West Nile virus?

19 Jul 2013

Nearly half of individuals with moderate kidney disease have medication resistant hypertension

More than 50% of individuals with moderate kidney disease have hypertension that is resistant to medications, and those who are black or have a larger waist circumference, diabetes, or a history of heart attacks or strokes are at highest risk, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).

19 Jul 2013

Study supports topiramate as promising medication to treat addiction

The drug topiramate, typically used to treat epilepsy and more recently weight loss, may also help people addicted to both cocaine and alcohol use less cocaine, particularly heavy users, researchers in the department of Psychiatry at Penn Medicine report in a new study published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

19 Jul 2013

Study leads to new approach for treatment of aortic valve stenosis

A study conducted by the team of Dr. Jean-Claude Tardif, Director of the Research Centre at the Montreal Heart Institute, has led to the discovery of a new approach to treat aortic valve stenosis through the administration of a compound that prevents valve deterioration and can even reverse the progression of the disease.

19 Jul 2013

Boys more likely to receive HPV4 vaccine if their mothers receive flu shots, study finds

Boys are more likely to receive the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine if their mothers receive flu shots or Pap screenings, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

19 Jul 2013

New report reveals how people's interaction with pets, kitchens influences foodborne illness

Understanding what people do in their kitchens and why will inform thinking about how to reduce the burden from illness caused by food prepared and eaten at home, according to a new report by University of Hertfordshire researchers on behalf of the Food Standards Agency.

18 Jul 2013

Seafood provides essential nutrients but consumers still keep watchful eye on safety

Seafood continues to be a proven strong nutrient-rich food providing essential vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids, but consumers and some toxicologists still keep a watchful eye on safety, according to a July 16 panel discussion at the 2013 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo- held at McCormick Place.

18 Jul 2013

Social media and DNA fingerprinting played important role in alerting strep outbreak

Facebook posts helped alert public health officials to a strep throat outbreak among a high school dance team in 2012, and DNA fingerprinting led investigators to pasta prepared by a previously ill parent as the likely source.

18 Jul 2013

Public Health News and Research

Study reveals that Hudson River polluted with antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Implications for treating some common food allergies

Longer looks: Immigrant health tied to their status; one end-of-life expert confronts a personal journey

Research roundup: Eye care disparities; more complications for Medicaid patients after spine surgery; the cost to states opting against Medicaid expansion

Vegetation may not protect people from ozone pollution, says new research

EHR enables physicians to assist patients faster, help combat vaccine-preventable diseases

Researchers explain most likely pathways of international spread of MERS coronavirus

IMS Health study assesses effectiveness of healthcare system in India

Food safety tips to keep your picnic free from unpleasant side effects

UCLA-led study shows that many countries have guaranteed health protection, but not US

IVAN study: Lucentis and Avastin effective in treating wet AMD

Study shows that eating more eggs is not associated with high serum cholesterol in adolescents

American Academy of Microbiology issues new report on West Nile Virus

Nearly half of individuals with moderate kidney disease have medication resistant hypertension

Study supports topiramate as promising medication to treat addiction

Study leads to new approach for treatment of aortic valve stenosis

Boys more likely to receive HPV4 vaccine if their mothers receive flu shots, study finds

New report reveals how people's interaction with pets, kitchens influences foodborne illness

Seafood provides essential nutrients but consumers still keep watchful eye on safety

Social media and DNA fingerprinting played important role in alerting strep outbreak

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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