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Washington State mercury-limit suspension for swine flu vaccine ends

When it comes to some diseases prevention still is better than cure and swine flu is one such disease. The sheer global panic that gripped nations last year is hard to forget. The PanvaxH1N1 vaccine is specifically manufactured to target the influenza (A) H1N1 strain known more popularly as swine flu. Getting the flu shots may be crucial in prevention of spread of the highly contagious disease. Health officials say that the H1N1 strain of flu is still circulating but at low levels.

24 Mar 2010

Analgesics can decrease risk of breast or ovarian cancer

Postmenopausal women who regularly use aspirin and other analgesics (known as painkillers) have lower estrogen levels, which could contribute to a decreased risk of breast or ovarian cancer.

24 Mar 2010

GSK joins GAVI Alliance in the Pneumococcal disease vaccine drive

GSK has become one of the first manufacturers to sign a unique agreement with the GAVI Alliance that has the potential to save millions of children from dying in the world's poorest countries. GSK will supply up to 300 million doses of its vaccine Synflorix, for invasive pneumococcal disease, to GAVI over a ten year period. Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of death in children under the age of five in developing countries.

24 Mar 2010

Study indicates binge drinking does not impact students' test performance

In a first-of-its kind controlled experiment, researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Brown University have found that surprisingly, binge drinking the night before a test does not impact college students' test performance - although it can affect their moods, attention and reaction times.

24 Mar 2010

Some GOP states mounting legal challenges to health bill

The New York Times: "Officials in a dozen states who oppose the health care bill say they hope to block it in court by arguing that requiring people to buy health insurance is an unprecedented intrusion by the federal government into people's lives — the equivalent of going a step beyond simply regulating automobiles to requiring people to buy a car.

23 Mar 2010

AOAC Research Institute validates MicroSEQ Salmonella spp. Detection Kit

Life Technologies Corporation today announced that its Applied Biosystems MicroSEQ® Salmonella spp. Detection Kit has been validated by the AOAC Research Institute for detection of the bacteria Salmonella.

23 Mar 2010

Smoking scenes in movies prompt young adult smokers to smoke immediately

A new and groundbreaking study to be published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine next week shows that young adult smokers will light up immediately after watching smoking in movies. The study is the first of its kind to directly link smoking scenes in movies to actual and immediate smoking behavior.

23 Mar 2010

Atomic layer deposition technique for incorporating "biological functionality" into complex nanomaterials

A team led by researchers from North Carolina State University has published a paper that describes the use of a technique called atomic layer deposition to incorporate "biological functionality" into complex nanomaterials, which could lead to a new generation of medical and environmental health applications. For example, the researchers show how the technology can be used to develop effective, low-cost water purification devices that could be used in developing countries.

23 Mar 2010

Researchers devise simple water test to check for herbicide clomazone

University of California, Davis, scientists are helping rice farmers in Uruguay stop polluting their waterways -- including drinking-water sources and a globally valuable nature reserve.

23 Mar 2010

Study: Replacing dietary saturated fats with polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces coronary heart disease

A study in this week's PLoS Medicine shows that the replacement of dietary saturated fatty acids with polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces coronary heart disease events, bringing much needed scientific evidence to an issue debated by experts and clinical guidelines.

23 Mar 2010

Study: Four risk factors estimated to reduce life expectancy in the U.S.

A study published this week in PLoS Medicine finds that four risk factors - smoking, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and obesity - explain a substantial amount of the disparity in life expectancy amongst the "Eight Americas", which are groups of the US population that can be defined by race, and location and socioeconomic features of counties they live in.

23 Mar 2010

Temporary suspension of Rotarix – a rotavirus vaccine for kids

The US FDA after deliberation has come up with a warning to the nation’s pediatricians to stop giving children a vaccine that prevents diarrhea causing Rotavirus vaccine. There is reportedly a contamination with a harmless pig virus in this vaccine called Rotarix and manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.

23 Mar 2010

TFAH applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Trust for America's Health applauds the action of the United States House of Representatives, which passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act late last night. The bill expands coverage to millions of uninsured Americans, establishes a national prevention strategy, and creates a reliable funding stream through the creation of a Public Health Investment Fund.

23 Mar 2010

CT colonography screening identifies unsuspected cancer outside of colon

A new, large-scale study of more than 10,000 adults found that more than one in every 200 asymptomatic people screened with CT colonography, or virtual colonoscopy, had clinically unsuspected malignant cancer and more than half of the cancers were located outside the colon. The findings were published in the April issue of the journal Radiology.

23 Mar 2010

BCBSGA, OneSight bring regional clinic to Georgia to provide free vision care for school children

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia and OneSight®, a Luxottica Group Foundation have teamed to bring a regional clinic to Georgia from today, Monday, March 22, through Friday, March 26. Clayton County, Henry County and Spalding County Schools pre-selected approximately 600 students from kindergarten through high school based on their financial and vision needs to receive free vision care, including full vision exams and new eyewear.

23 Mar 2010

GSK notifies regulatory authorities of the presence of PCV-1 in Rotarix vaccine

GlaxoSmithKline today confirmed that it has notified regulatory authorities of the presence of material from a virus called PCV-1 in its oral rotavirus vaccine, Rotarix™. PCV-1 does not multiply in humans and is not known to cause illness in humans.

23 Mar 2010

Understanding the African mindset may help promote health education in rural areas

Seen through western eyes, beliefs in supernatural forces are common in Ghana and other African countries. Death, suffering and diseases are often attributed to witchcraft. Over thirty per cent of its inhabitants believe such evil forces could be responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS.

22 Mar 2010

University of Maryland professor honored with the 2010 Stockholm Water Prize

Dr. Rita Colwell, distinguished Professor from the University of Maryland and John Hopkins University's Bloomberg School of Public Health in the United States, has been named the 2010 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate. Dr. Colwell's pioneering research on the prevention of waterborne infectious diseases has helped protect the health and lives of millions.

22 Mar 2010

FDA's new rule prohibits sale of cigarettes to children

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule containing a broad set of federal requirements designed to significantly curb access to and the appeal of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to children and adolescents in the United States. Published March 19, 2010, the new rule becomes effective June 22, 2010, and has the force and effect of law.

22 Mar 2010

Hirsh Health Law and Policy Program releases new analysis of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

A new analysis of H.R. 3590, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed on December 24, 2009 by the United States Senate, was released today by The GW School of Public Health and Health Services, Hirsh Health Law and Policy Program. This new analysis focuses on key legal changes in the Senate-passed legislation and highlights relevant provisions addressed in the President's health reform proposal (released by the White House on February 22, 2010).

22 Mar 2010