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Federal appeals court agrees to expedite Florida suit against health law

A federal appeals court has agreed to act swiftly in considering a Florida judge's ruling that President Obama's health care overhaul is unconstitutional. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta said Friday that it had agreed to expedite the appeal, setting a faster timetable than even the federal government had requested.

14 Mar 2011

New analytic method suggests tumors grow in punctuated, staccato-like bursts

A new method of analyzing cancerous tumors developed by scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory suggests that tumors may not evolve gradually, but rather in punctuated or staccato-like bursts.

14 Mar 2011

Novel biomarkers may aid in diagnosis and management of asthma, COPD

Four novel biomarkers have been identified which may aid in the diagnosis and management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a study conducted by researchers in Australia, who determined the biomarkers may be used in different combinations to successfully identify patients with either of the airway diseases.

14 Mar 2011

Coffee reduces stroke risk: Study

A new study involving nearly 35,000 women published Thursday in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that drinking coffee may lower the risk of stroke.

12 Mar 2011

Acupuncture for menopausal hot flashes: Study

According to a new study, women who suffer from hot flashes and other uncomfortable symptoms of menopause may be able to find relief through acupuncture. These symptoms plague menopausal women and usual therapy for it is hormone replacement therapy but that has its own problems including an increased risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and breast cancer.

12 Mar 2011

Flu pandemics may return & mutating strains: Studies

Scientists have warned that we have not seen the end of H1N1 swine flu that swept the globe in 2009/10. The strain of the virus could easily morph into a more transmissible form, while an older, mid-20th century virus could also come roaring back they say. Asian influenza, a H2N2 strain, first appeared in 1957 and killed one to four million people despite a major vaccination campaign. Studies have shown that most people today aged 50 or older retain some immunity to the virus, which continues to circulate in birds and swine. But the younger are more vulnerable they warn.

12 Mar 2011

Premier endorses GHX Procurement Suite

The Premier healthcare alliance and GHX are partnering to help Premier alliance members gain better control over the purchase of medical-surgical supplies that are not in their item master or on contract, and to automate their accounts payable processes.

11 Mar 2011

Food for healthy teeth and gums

For years, dentists have told patients to avoid foods that can harm their oral health. However, researchers are also looking at how including beneficial foods and beverages can improve your teeth and gums. Experts from Western Dental Services, Inc., suggest including the following foods in your diet to help maintain your smile's health and beauty.

11 Mar 2011

Viewpoints: Health law's individual mandate, fighting the deficit by pinching health care pennies

Like anyone who writes regularly about what passes for economic and fiscal debate in American politics, I've developed a strong tolerance for nonsense. After all, if I got upset every time powerful people were illogical and/or dishonest, I'd spend every waking hour in a state of raging despair. ... if you're serious about deficits, you shouldn't be pinching pennies now; you should be looking for ways to rein in health spending over the long term.

11 Mar 2011

Testosterone associated with dominant behavior and competitive success in attracting women

Theories have long proposed that testosterone influences competition among males trying to attract females. Findings from a recent study at Wayne State University give a clearer understanding of the links between testosterone and human mating behavior, and how testosterone is associated with dominance and competitive success when men battle for the attention of an attractive woman.

11 Mar 2011

Roundup: Poll finds satisfaction with Mass. health coverage; Kan. Gov. seeks Medicaid block grant

The first survey of consumers who receive subsidized health insurance through the state's Health Connector shows most give it high marks, according to results released yesterday by the Connector Authority. Eighty-six percent of those surveyed said they were pleased with the range of services covered and the quality of care available, and 82 percent had similar feelings about their choice of doctors.

11 Mar 2011

Research Roundup: Mass. medical bankruptcies; Palliative care teams work; Innovative health IT

The theme for the current issue of Health Affairs Is "Profiles of Innovation in Health Care Delivery."

11 Mar 2011

Longer looks: Best health policy picks from thought-provoking publications

Every Thursday, KHN's Jessica Marcy compiles this selection of interesting perspectives, from a variety of publications, on health care in America.

11 Mar 2011

GOP budget choices: Offer politically risky cuts to Medicare, Medicaid or 'play it safe'?

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan signals that he is "ready to take on health programs" as Capitol Hill continues to struggle with long-term spending concerns. Meanwhile, lawmakers continue talks regarding the current year spending measure still under consideration. A new continuing resolution that would fund government operations until April 8 has emerged.

11 Mar 2011

NIH awards InDevR $3 million Phase II SBIR grant for influenza-related research

InDevR announced today that it has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research grant from the National Institutes of Health in the amount of $3 million over the next 3 years.

11 Mar 2011

Health care experts, lawmakers discuss the overhaul's future

News outlets offer various perspectives on how the health law will hold up in the face of its current and future legislative, economic and judicial challenges.

11 Mar 2011

CBO deficit-reduction options include billions in Medicare, Medicaid cuts

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released a list of deficit-cutting options Thursday that includes hundreds of billions in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. The two programs account for 38 percent of mandatory spending — more than Social Security — and face a visit to the chopping block as Americans across the political spectrum clamor for the government to keep its spending under control.

11 Mar 2011

Analysis: 1 in 20 American adults is a cancer survivor

A new report from the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that nearly 12 million people in the U.S. have survived a bout with this disease.

11 Mar 2011

Abortion wars continue: Funding and insurance coverage issues are among key battlegrounds

News outlets report on the latest developments related to congressional Republican efforts to cut Planned Parenthood funding and state efforts to prohibit health insurance plans sold in their new marketplaces from covering abortion services.

11 Mar 2011

Without fix, docs face 30% Medicare pay cut in 2012

This new figure, updated yesterday by Medicare officials from the previous 28.3 percent "cliff," means the president's plan to keep physician payments flat for the next two years will exceed — by as much as a billion dollars — the funding requested in his 2012 budget proposal.

11 Mar 2011