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Increased automobile usage linked with surging levels of obesity

Junk food, video games and a lack of exercise all have received their fair share of blame for the spiraling epidemic of obesity in the U.S. But according to a University of Illinois researcher, public health enemy No. 1 for our supersized nation may very well be the one staple of modern life most Americans can't seem to live without one (or more) of: the automobile.

12 May 2011

Second subject enrolled in human embryonic stem cell therapy trial for subacute thoracic spinal cord injury

Researchers at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) recently enrolled their first subject in a national clinical research trial of a human embryonic stem cell-based therapy for participants with a subacute thoracic spinal cord injury.

11 May 2011

A large belly as dangerous as smoking a pack of cigarettes daily

Did you know that a large belly carries a risk equivalent for coronary artery disease comparable to smoking a pack of cigarettes daily or having high cholesterol? People with coronary artery disease and expanded waistlines are at more than twice the risk of dying, including those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) in the normal range.

10 May 2011

15% strokes occur during sleep making treatment difficult: Study

According to a new study nearly 15 percent of people who have a stroke are not eligible for clot-busting treatment because the stroke happened while they slept. These clot breaking drugs can prevent permanent disability after a stroke - but the treatment must be given within a four-and-a-half-hour window after the stroke symptoms begin say experts. Since people who have a stroke while asleep can't know when it occurred, they can't get the treatment if they slept for more than four and a half hours, explained study author Dr. Jason Mackey at the University of Cincinnati. “They can't get the drug,” he said. “That's a big issue.”

10 May 2011

Mithridion's MCD-386CR receives Orphan Drug designation from FDA for PSP treatment

Mithridion, Inc., a privately-owned clinical stage drug development company focusing on serious Central Nervous System disorders, announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has awarded Orphan Drug designation for MCD-386CR, its lead drug candidate, for the treatment of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

9 May 2011

Scientists to identify host bacteria that colonize different hybrids

Literature tells us that "no man is an island entire unto itself," but science reveals that we are in fact a walking, talking colony of microscopic creatures.

7 May 2011

Research sheds light on transmission of obesity among friends and family

Obesity is socially contagious, according to research published in the past few years. How it is "caught" from others remains a murky area. But findings from Arizona State University researchers published online May 5 in the American Journal of Public Health shed light on the transmission of obesity among friends and family.

7 May 2011

Marathoners may face high risk of acute cardiac events

It is a commonly held belief that the fitter you are, the healthier you are. Is this so? Most experts agree that a certain level of fitness is required for health.

6 May 2011

Acorda reports $0.7 million GAAP net loss for first quarter 2011

Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011.

5 May 2011

Boston Business Journal honors Tufts Health Plan for Worksite Wellness program

Tufts Health Plan recently received the prestigious honor of being recognized for its Worksite Wellness initiatives by the Boston Business Journal. As a finalist in the Boston Business Journal's listing of "HEALTHIEST EMPLOYERS," the non profit company was recognized as an organization that is deeply committed to improving the health of its employees and its workplace.

5 May 2011

Olympic Gold Medalist, P.A.D. Coalition raise awareness about peripheral arterial disease

Olympic Gold Medalist Peggy Fleming and the P.A.D. Coalition want to help educate women and their families about an often times silent cardiovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease.

4 May 2011

Exercise linked to improved lung status in children with cystic fibrosis

A small Johns Hopkins Children's Center study of children and teens with cystic fibrosis shows that simple exercise, individually tailored to each patient's preference and lifestyle, can help improve lung function and overall fitness.

4 May 2011

Study evaluates impact of caffeine and technology on adolescent sleep time

Christina Calamaro considers adolescence as more than just a transitional stage between childhood and adulthood. She sees it as an opportunity for positive change.

2 May 2011

Aetna becomes California's third insurer to scale back rate hikes

Meanwhile, a new insurance market trend is picking up steam as one of the nation's largest employer-benefits consulting firms announced that it will launch a private exchange for large companies.

30 Apr 2011

Researchers study about exercise habits among obese, overweight individuals

How much exercise are overweight and obese people getting? More than many might think, according to research findings by nurses from Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

30 Apr 2011

Simple radar system can diagnose traumatic brain injuries in soldiers, athletes

Walking and thinking at the same time can be especially difficult for persons who've suffered concussions, and scientists hope to use that multitasking challenge -- measured by a simple radar system -- to quickly screen individuals who may have suffered brain injuries.

26 Apr 2011

BCBSMA develops goals to support four Massachusetts community areas

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, a locally-based, community-focused health plan, today announced its goals for advancing the company's four community focus areas - developed to support those living and working in Massachusetts.

26 Apr 2011

Viewpoints: Sebelius on medical mistakes; Stockman on solving deficit; Fox on Medicare's political history

A recent study found that as many as one out of three hospital patients is harmed by his or her care. And the Institute of Medicine estimates that as many as 100,000 Americans die each year from preventable medical errors in hospitals. That's about the number of annual deaths caused by auto accidents, AIDS, and breast cancer combined.

26 Apr 2011

New research: Food intake increases on seeing overweight individuals

Consumers will choose and eat more indulgent food after they see someone who is overweight-unless they consciously think about their health goals, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research.

20 Apr 2011

Cognitive behavior therapy eases depressive symptoms, improves cardiovascular health in diabetics

Frequently, depression and diabetes go hand in hand. And depression can be a major obstacle for people living with diabetes, making it less likely they'll stick to a medicine schedule or exercise regimen.

20 Apr 2011