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Ensuring clean water for food, health requires 'collective action'

"As we mark World Water Day, the alarming statistics underlying water scarcity are worth repeating. Worldwide 2.7 billion people are currently affected by water shortages," Manish Bapna, acting president of the World Resources Institute (WRI), and Betsy Otto, director of WRI's Aqueduct Project, write in a Forbes opinion piece, noting that population growth, increasing food demand, and climate change threaten access to water.

23 Mar 2012

Obese children with PNPLA3 and GCKR genetic variants more susceptible to fatty liver disease

New research found the genetic variant Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing protein-3 (PNPLA3) acting in conjunction with the glucokinase regulatory protein (GCKR) is associated with increased susceptibility to fatty liver disease in obese children.

23 Mar 2012

Country ownership approach adopted under GHI 'gaining steam'

In this post in the Ministerial Leadership Initiative for Global Health's (MLI) "Leading Global Health" blog, MLI Director Rosann Wisman examines how a new, country-led development approach under the Global Health Initiative (GHI) -- which focuses on "[funding] the priorities of developing countries rather than solely the priorities of the donors" -- is "gaining steam."

23 Mar 2012

Long daily sedentary periods cause a health risk despite physical activity

Good physical condition is a route to better health, and in order to improve it, exercising several days a week is recommended. Although it is possible to become healthier by exercising, long daily sedentary periods cause a health risk despite physical activity.

23 Mar 2012

As need for nurses increases, more men enter the profession

As the country faces a shortage of doctors, nurses may help fill the void and the government and industry are working to make sure there are enough of these professionals.

23 Mar 2012

Uppsala University researchers identify promising biomarkers for ASD

An important step towards developing a rapid, inexpensive diagnostic method for autism has been take by Uppsala University, among other universities. Through advanced mass spectrometry the researchers managed to capture promising biomarkers from a tiny blood sample.

23 Mar 2012

Anticipating the health law's day in court

Coverage of next week's Supreme Court arguments on the health law includes a variety of takes on the key issues.

23 Mar 2012

Investigators identify proteins that may indicate fetus at risk for UTI-induced prematurity

Investigators in The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital have developed a mouse model in which a mother's urinary tract infection negatively affects the offspring, an occurrence anecdotally observed in humans. Using this first-of-its-kind model, they have identified proteins in the blood that may indicate whether such an infection might stunt fetal growth.

23 Mar 2012

The health law's second anniversary: Where do things stand?

As the sweeping overhaul turns two and the Supreme Court prepares to review its constitutionality, news outlets report on what provisions have taken effect, what changes are still in the pipeline and how people have been affected so far.

23 Mar 2012

Shady Grove Fertility to conduct free donor egg patient seminar in Philadelphia

Shady Grove Fertility Center, home to the largest egg donor program in the United States and leader in the field of reproductive medicine, IVF and infertility, will be conducting a free donor egg patient seminar in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 14 at the Radnor Hotel from 11 a.m.— noon.

23 Mar 2012

Election-year politics swirl around health law arguments

Democrats, including President Barack Obama and members of Congress, have different strategies for how they will handle the spotlight on the health law next week, when it comes before the Supreme Court. House Democrats plan to celebrate the law's achievements. President Obama will be in Korea. Republicans, meanwhile, are attempting to turn it into campaign fodder.

23 Mar 2012

Hospitalized older adults may have increased risk of cognitive decline

A new study published in the March 21 issue of Neurology suggests that older adults who are hospitalized may have an increased risk of subsequent cognitive decline.

23 Mar 2012

Ryan budget floor vote foreshadows fiscal showdown

The House Budget Committee approved the measure in a late vote Wednesday. Meanwhile, because it "fractures" the spending agreement reached last summer between the White House and congressional Republicans, both sides may be fixing for a fight as the election gets closer.

23 Mar 2012

Intensive exercise routines astronauts during long-duration spaceflights

Astronauts have been taking part in short spaceflight missions since 1961. They have only recently begun to spend significantly longer times in space, with missions extending for months, since the days of the Russian Mir space station (1986-2001) and extended stays on the International Space Station.

23 Mar 2012

State roundup: Union seeks $80M from N.Y. for health aides' insurance

As Gov. Andrew Cuomo and lawmakers lurch toward a budget deal, the state's largest health-care union is asking Albany for another bailout of its troubled insurance fund. The union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, is asking the state for $80 million more in Medicaid dollars so it can keep on providing health insurance to personal-care aides.

23 Mar 2012

Quest Diagnostics unveils redesigned corporate website

Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, has unveiled its redesigned corporate website at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

From Quest Diagnostics 23 Mar 2012

Status checks on the health overhaul's implementation

A top Health and Human Services official told a congressional panel on Wednesday that his office is still figuring out how employers will be asked to determine their workers' health insurance status once the overhaul law goes into effect. The issue is important because beginning in 2014, companies with 50 or more full-time workers will be required to provide health insurance coverage or face paying a penalty.

23 Mar 2012

HCLA praises Congress on passage of medical liability reform legislation

The Health Coalition on Liability and Access today applauds Congress on the passage of medical liability reform provisions included in H.R. 5, the Protecting Access to Healthcare Act.

23 Mar 2012

Global health 'nowhere to be found' on G8 agenda

In this post in the Center for Global Development's (CGD) "Global Health Policy" blog, Amanda Glassman, director of global health policy and a research fellow at the center, summarizes the history of G8 global health initiatives and examines why global health has been dropped from the G8 and G20 agendas, writing that "as we look to the U.S.-hosted G8 meeting in 2012, global health is still nowhere to be found."

23 Mar 2012

FBR accepts entries for 11th annual Michael E. DeBakey Journalism Awards

The Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR) announced today it is accepting entries for the 11th annual Michael E. DeBakey Journalism Awards. The awards, named after FBR's late chairman, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, honor professional journalists whose reporting has enhanced public understanding of how the humane and responsible use of animal models leads to medical and scientific discoveries.

23 Mar 2012