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UMHS sub-acute care program decreases hospital readmissions and inpatient stays

A unique University of Michigan Health System program that helps older patients transition from the hospital to sub-acute care facilities has significantly reduced hospital stays and readmissions, according to new findings published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association.

28 Jul 2012

Confrontation looms for big pharmaceutical companies, generic drug makers

It would seem a business executive's dream: legally pay a competitor to keep its product off the market for years. Congress has failed to stop it, and for more than a decade generic drug makers and big-name pharmaceutical companies have been winning court rulings that allowed it.

28 Jul 2012

New study sheds light on exactly how cigarette smoke causes osteoporosis

Almost 20 years after scientists first identified cigarette smoking as a risk factor for osteoporosis and bone fractures, a new study is shedding light on exactly how cigarette smoke weakens bones. The report, in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research, concludes that cigarette smoke makes people produce excessive amounts of two proteins that trigger a natural body process that breaks down bone.

28 Jul 2012

Already-stressed hospitals worry about funding reductions for the uninsured

Cuts in aid for emergency care for illegal immigrants is a primary concern for these hospitals, according to the New York Times. Meanwhile, Politico Pro reports on how some Republican governors are playing a Medicaid expansion "waiting game" and the Washington Post reports on the next wave of NFIB's strategies to undo the health law.

28 Jul 2012

New drug can aid in losing weight and keeping it off

A new drug could aid in losing weight and keeping it off. The drug, described in the journal Cell Metabolism on July 26, increases sensitivity to the hormone leptin, a natural appetite suppressant found in the body. Although so far the new drug has only been tested on mice, the findings have implications for the development of new treatments for obesity in humans.

28 Jul 2012

Recent release: Examining mental health needs of people living with HIV

In this post in the AIDS.gov blog, Nils Daulaire, director of the Office of Global Affairs in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), examines the mental health needs of people living with HIV, writing, The burden of being HIV-positive, or caring for loved ones living with the disease, is not restricted to the physical toll. For many people, there are equally important mental health needs.

28 Jul 2012

U of U researchers to develop new prosthetic device for veterans with limb amputations

Thousands of veterans and warfighters returning to the U.S. suffer with limb amputations, and for many, standard prosthetics are not an option. Skin issues or short remaining-limb length can cause amputees to forgo the typical socket-type attachment systems.

28 Jul 2012

VA, defense bureaucracy frustrates efforts to streamline military health care

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki acknowledged Wednesday that they have been frustrated by departmental bureaucracy in their attempts to streamline military health care for severely wounded service members.

28 Jul 2012

Roofers have higher PAH blood-levels after 6-hour shift

Roofers and road construction workers who use hot asphalt are exposed to high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A University of Colorado Cancer Center study published this week in the British Medical Journal Open shows that roofers have higher PAH blood-levels after a shift than before and that these high levels of PAHs are linked with increased rates of DNA damage, and potentially with higher cancer risk.

28 Jul 2012

Economist articles, blog examine research presented at AIDS 2012 conference

The Economist on Friday published two articles from Saturday's print edition regarding the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012). One article states that "few areas of international affairs have seen more recent success than the fight against AIDS," and discusses advancements in HIV treatment research and availability.

28 Jul 2012

ACT receives Australian patent for human retinal pigment epithelial cells

Advanced Cell Technology, Inc., a leader in the field of regenerative medicine, announced today that it has been issued a patent in Australia, patent number 2005325753, "Improved modalities for the treatment of degenerative diseases of the retina."

28 Jul 2012

Research presented at AIDS 2012 conference renews hope of cure for AIDS

Two studies presented at the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) and one published Wednesday in the British journal Nature "have given researchers renewed hope that a cure for AIDS may be possible," the Washington Post reports.

28 Jul 2012

Experimental dengue vaccine protects against 3 of 4 viral strains, study results show

"The world's first vaccine against dengue fever, being developed by French drugmaker Sanofi SA, protected against three of the virus's four strains in a keenly awaited clinical trial in Thailand," the company announced on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

28 Jul 2012

Researchers use neuroimaging to study brains of preschool children with ADHD symptoms

Young children often have problems paying attention or concentrating, but when are these problems serious enough for parents and teachers to be concerned? According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 11 school-aged children are diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), but research suggests that the warning signs often appear even before the demands of school begin.

28 Jul 2012

The south leads in scoring federal EHR payments

A Government Accountability Office report finds that health care providers from the south received a plurality of Medicare electronic health record incentive payments.

28 Jul 2012

Study investigates effects of stress management tool that can also appeal to younger generation

Can modern technology be the solution to the ever-increasing problem of overworked and overstressed college students? Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (JHUSON) doctor of nursing practice (DNP) student Billinda Tebbenhoff sought to find out.

28 Jul 2012

Research roundup: Slowdown in medical imaging; Hospitals' efforts mixed on reducing readmissions

Recent research showed a slowdown in the use of medical imaging for people enrolled in Medicare. This article follows up and finds that annual imaging growth slowed down from an average of 14 percent between 2000 and 2005 to 2.6 percent between 2006 and 2009. An analysis of commercial insurance claims shows a similar trend outside of Medicare. Based on

28 Jul 2012

Study shows how neurons in the brain select information needed to keep us in balance

If you have ever looked over the edge of a cliff and felt dizzy, you understand the challenges faced by people who suffer from symptoms of vestibular dysfunction such as vertigo and dizziness. There are over 70 million of them in North America. For people with vestibular loss, performing basic daily living activities that we take for granted (e.g. dressing, eating, getting in and out of bed, getting around inside as well as outside the home) becomes difficult since even small head movements are accompanied by dizziness and the risk of falling.

28 Jul 2012

AIDS 2012 speakers warn vulnerable populations will miss out on HIV prevention advances

"Excitement about turning the tide in the fight against HIV is being tempered by researchers who worry some of the most vulnerable populations will miss out on medical advances," delegates of the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) heard at Thursday's plenary session, VOA News reports.

28 Jul 2012

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals commences ponatinib Phase 3 trial in newly diagnosed CML

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the initiation of the randomized Phase 3 trial of ponatinib, its investigational pan-BCR-ABL inhibitor, in adult patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).

28 Jul 2012