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Physical fitness reduces metabolic risk in college students

Staying in shape may bolster the metabolic profiles of college students, even in those with higher than desirable body fat percentages. In an epidemiological study, researchers at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University found an association between physical fitness, body fat percentage and certain metabolic risk factors that are precursors to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

18 Jun 2010

American Red Cross fined $16M

The FDA announced today that the American Red Cross has been fined $16 million for prior failures to comply with Federal laws and regulations related to the collection and manufacture of blood products.

18 Jun 2010

WTA report card: Many Canadian patients still face long waits for needed medical care

A Wait Time Alliance report card released today reveals troubling wait time hot spots in the five clinical areas deemed priorities by governments and more problems across a broader range of medical care.

18 Jun 2010

UMHHC expects to achieve 3.3% operating margin on revenues of $2.0 billion in fiscal year 2010

The Hospitals and Health Centers unit of the University of Michigan Health System will finish its fiscal year in strong financial shape, with a positive operating margin nearly twice the size predicted a year ago.

18 Jun 2010

Life Technologies announces product launches in concert with ISSCR 8th Annual Meeting

Life Technologies Corporation, a provider of innovative life science solutions, today announced activities and product launches in concert with the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 8th Annual Meeting that highlight the company's offerings of complete end-to-end solutions for stem cell research. Stem cell research has been shown to be a critical component of regenerative medicine; a basis for identifying drug targets and drug screening; and an important step in the development of therapies to treat a variety of diseases.

18 Jun 2010

Yearlong collaborative partnership launched to reduce hospital readmissions due to heart failure

More than 5 million individuals in the United States suffer from chronic heart failure, making it one of the most common reasons for hospitalizations and readmissions. To address this costly issue, the New Jersey Hospital Association's Institute for Quality and Patient Safety this week launched a yearlong collaborative partnership to reduce hospital readmissions due to heart failure and improve the quality of healthcare in New Jersey.

18 Jun 2010

New multimillion dollar BSL-3 laboratory complex at Nigerian National TB and Leprosy Training Center

This week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director, Dr. Tom Frieden, visited the Nigerian National TB and Leprosy Training Center (NTBLTC) to tour a multimillion dollar laboratory complex established by the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and the Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria. This U.S.-Nigeria partnership was established in 2004 through funding from the CDC and the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

18 Jun 2010

NAN warns health care practitioners about dangers posed by EPHINEPHrine shortage

A National Alert for Serious Medication Errors was issued yesterday by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices, warning health care practitioners about dangerous medication errors that could be caused by a shortage of EPINEPHrine pre-filled syringes.

18 Jun 2010

ACP supports announcements of $250M in investments to expand primary care workforce

The American College of Physicians (ACP) today said it supports the announcements of $250 million in investments to expand the primary care workforce by President Obama and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

18 Jun 2010

Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic deploys NCR MediKiosk patient self-service solution

Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic (RBJC), an orthopedic specialty practice, has deployed the leading patient self-service solution from NCR Corporation in three of its four Houston-area locations. The NCR MediKiosk solution automates and speeds routine processes by allowing RBJC patients to check-in for scheduled appointments and remit co-pays and outstanding balances via self-service kiosks.

18 Jun 2010

AAIM identifies core principles that delineate shortfalls of GME funding

The Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine has identified core principles that delineate the shortfalls of graduate medical education funding. In light of the current state of Medicare GME financing and the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission's June 2010 report, AAIM encourages GME reform to address these shortfalls in light of societal health care needs.

18 Jun 2010

KHN column: Market-based reform initiatives are key to success of health law

In her latest Kaiser Health News column, Grace-Marie Turner writes: "Consumer-directed health plans have been useful in controlling the rise of health costs over the last several years, but the survival of these plans is threatened by the new health overhaul law" (6/17).

18 Jun 2010

WSJ: Study on eye medicine reveals possible savings for Medicare

The Wall Street Journal reports that Medicare could save $500 million a year by switching from one type of eye medicine to another, both made by Genentech, "according to a draft study by federal officials and a University of Miami eye doctor.

18 Jun 2010

Protect Your Lungs, LUNGevity Foundation announce merger

To combat the nation's number one cancer killer, non-profit organizations Protect Your Lungs and LUNGevity Foundation today announced they will join forces in an effort to fund research and hope for a cure for lung cancer. Together, the new organization hopes to create the same successful improvements for lung cancer mortality rates as those experienced by breast, prostate, and colon cancer. The merged organization, committed to elevating lung cancer on the national agenda, will operate under the name LUNGevity Foundation with offices in Washington, D.C. and Chicago.

18 Jun 2010

ASH announces recipients of 2010 ASH Research Training Award for Fellows

The American Society of Hematology is pleased to announce the five recipients of the 2010 ASH Research Training Award for Fellows, a grant that encourages junior researchers to pursue careers in academic hematology by supporting protected time to conduct research during their fellowship training.

18 Jun 2010

Nurse-monitored ART found to be as safe, effective as therapy monitored by doctors in South African trial

"HIV drugs can be administered as effectively by nurses as by doctors, a finding that could yield major benefits in the fight against AIDS in Africa," according to a study published online Wednesday in the Lancet, Agence France-Presse reports.

18 Jun 2010

NPR's Morning Edition examines Global Health Initiative

NPR's Morning Edition examines the Obama administration's Global Health Initiative (GHI) and efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. The $63 billion dollar "initiative preserves the Bush AIDS relief plan," known as PEPFAR, and aims "to allow patients to get care at one location rather than having to seek care at different places. For example, family planning at one facility and HIV care at another," NPR notes.

18 Jun 2010

Researchers study risks and consequences of cigarette smoking in people living in multiple-unit housing

In an effort to protect children from harmful tobacco smoke exposure, health and medical professionals are pushing for a ban on smoking in public housing in a report appearing in this week's New England Journal of Medicine.

18 Jun 2010

New VA surgery rating system affects where vets get care; Abortion changes considered for military

"A new rating system now restricts the types of surgery performed at certain Veterans Affairs facilities in five states," NPR reports. "The new policy will prompt some veterans to travel farther to reach other VA facilities or civilian hospitals for more complex surgeries. The policy comes after investigations found that surgical mistakes had caused nine deaths in the department's Marion, Ill., hospital a few years ago.

18 Jun 2010

State round up: Colo. to delay Medicaid pay to doctors; La. Legislature passes law requiring ultrasounds before an abortion

"Colorado has declared a fiscal emergency and delayed payments to doctors and clinics taking care of the state's neediest patients. Under state law, the Medicaid department can delay reimbursements to doctors, hospitals and clinics during a fiscal emergency. Physicians treating patients with the health-insurance plan for the poor will not receive normally scheduled payments on June 25 or July 2, a hardship for safety-net clinics in particular that rely on public funds. State officials said they would begin catching up on payments July 9 after a new fiscal year begins" (Brown, 6/17).

18 Jun 2010

Healthcare News

Physical fitness reduces metabolic risk in college students

American Red Cross fined $16M

WTA report card: Many Canadian patients still face long waits for needed medical care

UMHHC expects to achieve 3.3% operating margin on revenues of $2.0 billion in fiscal year 2010

Life Technologies announces product launches in concert with ISSCR 8th Annual Meeting

Yearlong collaborative partnership launched to reduce hospital readmissions due to heart failure

New multimillion dollar BSL-3 laboratory complex at Nigerian National TB and Leprosy Training Center

NAN warns health care practitioners about dangers posed by EPHINEPHrine shortage

ACP supports announcements of $250M in investments to expand primary care workforce

Richmond Bone & Joint Clinic deploys NCR MediKiosk patient self-service solution

AAIM identifies core principles that delineate shortfalls of GME funding

KHN column: Market-based reform initiatives are key to success of health law

WSJ: Study on eye medicine reveals possible savings for Medicare

Protect Your Lungs, LUNGevity Foundation announce merger

ASH announces recipients of 2010 ASH Research Training Award for Fellows

Nurse-monitored ART found to be as safe, effective as therapy monitored by doctors in South African trial

NPR's Morning Edition examines Global Health Initiative

Researchers study risks and consequences of cigarette smoking in people living in multiple-unit housing

New VA surgery rating system affects where vets get care; Abortion changes considered for military

State round up: Colo. to delay Medicaid pay to doctors; La. Legislature passes law requiring ultrasounds before an abortion

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging

How cohesin mechanics and nanotracker tech are redefining DNA research

Todd Bauman and Chris Povich

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