Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

Lung cancer patients who received IMRT report less decline in their QOL

An analysis of quality of life (QOL) data of stage III lung cancer patients who received higher doses of radiation therapy (with chemotherapy) shows a significantly lower quality of life at 3 months after treatment compared to patients who received a standard dose of radiation (with chemotherapy), according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.

24 Sep 2013

Study shows need for improved detection of sepsis for all women in labor

Rates of severe sepsis and deaths from sepsis among U.S. women hospitalized for delivery have risen sharply over the last decade, reports a study in the October issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society.

24 Sep 2013

Lobbyists, including restaurant owners, looking to make changes in health law

The efforts, some from strident opponents of the law, suggests they may now believe that they have to learn to live with the measure, The Washington Post reports. Also, Politico examines how President Barack Obama came to embrace the notion of changing health care.

24 Sep 2013

New ad campaigns compete over Obamacare enrollment

The Obama administration and its opponents in implementing the health law are readying to launch ad campaigns aimed at getting people to sign up for or stay away from new online health insurance exchanges that open Oct. 1. Many of the ads are airing in swing states, but they are also aimed at the young and uninsured in California and Texas who are uninsured in the largest numbers.

24 Sep 2013

Digital devices may contribute to pulse oximetry's role as 'fifth vital sign'

Do you have a smartphone in your pocket or purse? If so, you may be carrying the future of mobile medical monitoring technology, according to a special article in the October issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

24 Sep 2013

Proton radiotherapy proves to be cost-effective in treating pediatric brain tumors

Proton therapy, an external beam radiotherapy in which protons deliver precise radiation doses to a tumor and spare healthy organs and tissues, is cost-effective in treating medulloblastomas, fast-growing brain tumors that mainly affect children, when compared to standard photon radiation therapy, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.

24 Sep 2013

Marriage improves outcomes among patients with cancer, says oncologist

New results from a large retrospective study of the National Cancer Institute's SEER database show that patients with cancer who were married at the time of diagnosis live markedly longer compared to unmarried patients.

24 Sep 2013

TAS therapy prior to radiation therapy yields favorable outcomes in PCa patients

A shorter course of androgen suppression therapy prior to radiation therapy, when compared to a longer course of androgen suppression therapy, yields favorable outcomes and fewer adverse effects for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) 55th Annual Meeting.

24 Sep 2013

Exchange dynamics will dictate consumers' experiences, costs

Health law advocates frequently say health insurance will cost less as a result of the health law, but news outlets report that a downside could be less choice.

24 Sep 2013

Budget battle flashpoints highlight spending, debt and health law issues

News outlets report on what could happen in the next eight days as congressional leaders and the White House posture around the looming government shutdown.

24 Sep 2013

Scientists validate new system for identifying individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease

For years, scientists have attempted to understand how Alzheimer's disease harms the brain before memory loss and dementia are clinically detectable. Most researchers think this preclinical stage, which can last a decade or more before symptoms appear, is the critical phase when the disease might be controlled or stopped, possibly preventing the failure of memory and thinking abilities in the first place.

24 Sep 2013

FDA approves STELARA (Ustekinumab) for treatment of active psoriatic arthritis

Janssen Biotech, Inc., announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved STELARA® (ustekinumab) alone or in combination with methotrexate for the treatment of adult patients (18 years or older) with active psoriatic arthritis.

23 Sep 2013

Biosafe expands its stem cell banking business in India

Biosafe is pleased to announce that, in partnership with its Indian Distributor Span Healthcare Private Ltd., it has achieved major expansion of its stem cell banking business in India, winning major new customer deals consecutively.

23 Sep 2013

HTA acquires 6 on-campus medical office buildings in South Florida

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. "HTA") today announced it had acquired 6 on-campus medical office buildings ("MOB") located in South Florida for approximately $63 million.

23 Sep 2013

First Edition: September 23, 2013

Kaiser Health News staff writer Mary Agnes Carey reports: "Nearly 50 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare, the federal health insurance program for the elderly and disabled. The 2010 health care law, known as the Affordable Care Act, will make some changes to the program.

23 Sep 2013

Packaging Coordinators, Inc., to exhibit service offerings at CPhI 2013

Packaging Coordinators, Inc. (PCI), a global supplier of pharmaceutical commercial packaging solutions and clinical trials services is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting its full range of services on booth 41M15 at CPhI Worldwide. Exhibiting for the first time as Packaging Coordinators, inc. since May 2013 when AndersonBrecon merged with and operated as Frazier Healthcare’s portfolio company, PCI, the company is now one of the largest suppliers of packaging supply services to the pharmaceutical industry and will be demonstrating its capabilities in clinical trials, in laboratory services and commercial services for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical customers.

From Packaging Coordinators Inc. (PCI) 23 Sep 2013

Study explains why survival is low in peritoneal dialysis patients

Clinicians and scientists from Keele and Cardiff universities have published data from a landmark study that explains why survival in patients on peritoneal dialysis is low.

23 Sep 2013

First-time mothers who report breastfeeding problems are more likely to abandon this practice

Most new mothers in the United States begin breastfeeding when their children are born, but new research shows that those who report early concerns or problems with breastfeeding are nearly 10 times more likely to abandon breastfeeding within two months.

23 Sep 2013

Scientists one step closer to developing universal flu vaccine

Scientists have moved closer to developing a universal flu vaccine after using the 2009 pandemic as a natural experiment to study why some people seem to resist severe illness.

23 Sep 2013

Senate Republicans split over 'Defunding Obamacare' strategy, Dems defend law

News outlets covered the rhetorical skirmishes on the Sunday talk shows, where Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, pounded the law and said he has a new strategy to support the House bill, passed Friday.

23 Sep 2013