Healthcare News and Research

Latest Healthcare News and Research

First Edition: September 5, 2012

Today's headlines include reports on how health reform is playing a role in presidential politics, both during the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., and in a new GOP campaign ad.

5 Sep 2012

Children's asthma symptoms could be worse due to chaotic home environment

Parental problems and a chaotic home environment could be preventing children from taking their prescribed asthma medication.

5 Sep 2012

Roundup: Texas probes Xerox in Medicaid overbilling; Miss. abortion clinic fights to stay open

Texas authorities are investigating whether Xerox Corp. played a role in allowing dentists to allegedly overbill the state's Medicaid system by millions of dollars.

5 Sep 2012

Exposure to volcanic ash increases respiratory symptoms

Exposure to volcanic ash can increase respiratory symptoms such as an extreme cough, or phlegm, according to a new study.

5 Sep 2012

First global benchmarks for assessing lung function across entire life span

New research has established the first global benchmarks for assessing lung function across the entire life span. The lung growth charts will help healthcare professionals better understand lung disease progression and help raise awareness of lung disease, which is the world's leading cause of death.

5 Sep 2012

President orders additional mental health help for Vets

Obama signed an executive order on Friday, directing the Veterans Administration to hire 1,600 new mental health professionals and to expand the capacity of its crisis line so those who are in crisis can see a counselor within 24 hours. ... The White House says money for the additional mental health care will come from existing resources, though the president sought a 10-percent increase in overall VA funding next year.

5 Sep 2012

Medicare at center of tug-of-war between campaigns

Both parties are casting themselves as protectors of the program, leaving voters to decide which of their plans will best slow the program's cost growth while also protecting seniors.

5 Sep 2012

FDA clears Roche's automated type-specific herpes tests

Roche announced today that it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its IgG Antibody to herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 assays for use on cobas modular platforms. The tests are intended for use with sexually active individuals and expectant mothers as an aid in the presumptive diagnosis of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection.

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 5 Sep 2012

Democrats to spotlight health care, abortion rights support at convention

Party leaders will be touting the health overhaul passed two years ago, as well as efforts to expand contraception coverage. In addition, the platform looks ahead at issues such as health disparities, public health and HIV, Politico Pro reports.

5 Sep 2012

Predictors of early death after traumatic bleeding uncovered

The strongest predictors of early death after traumatic postinjury bleeding are Glasgow coma score, age, and systolic blood pressure, report researchers.

4 Sep 2012

Online information lacking for UK patients wishing to choose their surgeon

There is insufficient online information regarding consultant surgeons in the UK, report researchers, who suggest this needs to be addressed to allow patients to make informed choices about their healthcare.

4 Sep 2012

First Edition: September 4, 2012

Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations, including previews of the Democratic convention and a New York Times analysis of how the Obama and Romney campaigns vary on Medicaid policy.

4 Sep 2012

GE Healthcare introduces KUBio factory

GE Healthcare, the healthcare business of GE, today introduced KUBio, an innovative off-the-shelf, modular factory designed to save manufacturers of biopharmaceuticals both time and money.

4 Sep 2012

New health insurance product from ICICI Lombard

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., the country's largest private sector general insurance company, announced the launch of a unique health insurance product called "ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance".

4 Sep 2012

FDA approves Novartis’ Exelon Patch to treat mild to moderate AD

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a higher dose of Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system) for the treatment of people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

4 Sep 2012

Ramsay Health Care enters multi-year purchasing agreement with Ansell

Ansell Limited, a global leader in medical gloves and healthcare safety solutions, today announced it has entered into a multi-year purchasing agreement with Ramsay Health Care, one of the largest private hospital groups in Australia and abroad.

3 Sep 2012

People aged 85 years and over have high burden of respiratory conditions

People aged 85 years and over have a high burden of respiratory disease, according to new findings. The research has shed light on the health problems likely to be encountered by the ageing population.

3 Sep 2012

Western Schools offers new 4th Edition West Nile Virus continuing education course for nurses

West Nile virus is showing up earlier and producing more severe cases than normal this year, and nurses must be able to recognize who is at risk and how to best protect against it, an expert at Western Schools said today.

3 Sep 2012

Metabolic syndrome associated with cognitive and brain impairments in adolescents

A new study by researchers at NYU School of Medicine reveals for the first time that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with cognitive and brain impairments in adolescents and calls for pediatricians to take this into account when considering the early treatment of childhood obesity.

3 Sep 2012

New ultrasound technique can help determine severity of muscle loss in critically ill patients

Researchers have identified a new technique that can help determine the severity of muscle loss in critically ill patients. The breakthrough could lead to new research to help prevent muscle-wasting and new therapeutic interventions to help treat critically ill patients.

3 Sep 2012