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Hallucinations, delusions linked to poorer outcomes in general population

The occurrence of hallucinations and delusions is associated with poorer mental health outcomes in the nonclinical general population, researchers report.

12 Sep 2012

Combination chemotherapy confirmed viable for penile cancer

A combination of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis, show study findings.

12 Sep 2012

SUDs common in youth at high risk for bipolar disorder

Around a quarter of young people at high risk for mood disorders have a substance use disorder, results from a Canadian study suggest.

12 Sep 2012

Early CATCH improves thrombocytopenia outcomes

One in five patients using heparin to protect against venous thromboembolism develops thrombocytopenia, reveal results from the CATCH Registry.

12 Sep 2012

More evidence supporting cardiac danger of painkillers after MI

Heart attack survivors who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have an increased risk for long-term mortality or a second heart attack, research suggests.

12 Sep 2012

Readily available index provides practical landmarks for glaucoma patients

The mean deviation index, a widely understood metric for summarizing damage to an individuals’ visual field, could help physicians estimate practical landmarks in patients with glaucoma such as fitness to drive, report UK researchers.

12 Sep 2012

Blood pressure, oxygen saturation predict death in terminally ill

The most reliable events that predict impending death in terminally ill cancer patients being treated palliatively are decreased blood pressure and low oxygen saturation, show study results.

12 Sep 2012

Alarm raised over preoperative hyponatremia

Preoperative hyponatremia is common and, even when mild, carries a risk for perioperative complications and mortality, shows a large cohort study.

12 Sep 2012

Acupuncture therapy remains a prickly matter

Acupuncture may actually be effective for treating some types of chronic pain, a systematic review in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows.

12 Sep 2012

Colon cancer lymph node target ‘overambitious’ for rectal disease

The lymph node yield needed during rectal cancer surgery following long-course radiotherapy may be considerably less than that recommended for colon cancer, say the authors of a systematic review.

12 Sep 2012

Nano ‘velcro’ strip effective detector of water-borne contaminants

Researchers have developed a specialized glass strip covered in “hairy” nanoparticles that can detect pollution of water by toxic metals, such as mercury.

12 Sep 2012

Classical music could ease the ‘dog’s life’ of kennels

Playing classical music to dogs housed in kennels on either a temporary or permanent basis results in them spending more time sleeping, and less time vocalizing, report researchers.

12 Sep 2012

Exposure to road traffic noise may increase risk of annoyance or sleep disturbance

The World Health Organization recently recognized environmental noise as harmful pollution, with adverse psychosocial and physiological effects on public health. A new study of noise pollution in Fulton County, Georgia, suggests that many residents are exposed to high noise levels that put them at risk of annoyance or sleep disturbance, which can have serious health consequences.

12 Sep 2012

Researchers analyze cost-savings achieved by Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration

In an analysis of the cost-savings achieved by an earlier pilot program, the Medicare Physician Group Practice Demonstration (PGPD), researchers found modest estimates of overall savings associated with the PGPD, but larger savings among the dually eligible patients (Medicare and Medicaid), with savings achieved in large part through reductions in hospitalizations, according to a study in the September 12 issue of JAMA.

12 Sep 2012

Exercise and health: An interview with Professor Karim Khan

I’ll quote from the ‘7 investments’ document (see below) as I don’t believe we need to reinvent the wheel to argue for the benefits of exercise. I am very keen to move to the issue of ‘how can we help people exercise’. But for the record:

12 Sep 2012

AusAID draft strategy includes more support for research into neglected diseases

The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) "is planning to boost support for medical research, technology and innovations," as well as "encourage collaboration and capacity building aimed at poverty-related and neglected tropical diseases," SciDev.Net reports.

12 Sep 2012