Medical News

RSS

Haiti experiencing decline in cholera cases as dry season begins

"Haiti has seen a steady decline in the number of cholera cases, as the Caribbean nation settles into its dry season, humanitarian groups said Tuesday," the Associated Press reports, adding, "The seasonal decline in the number of cholera cases is consistent with the findings of a report released Tuesday by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs."

22 Dec 2011

Researchers use functional MRI scans to perform brain decoding

At UCLA's Laboratory of Integrative Neuroimaging Technology, researchers use functional MRI brain scans to observe brain signal changes that take place during mental activity. They then employ computerized machine learning (ML) methods to study these patterns and identify the cognitive state - or sometimes the thought process - of human subjects. The technique is called "brain reading" or "brain decoding."

22 Dec 2011

FLT-PET imaging can effectively detect mantle cell lymphoma

Positron emission tomography (PET) and a molecular imaging agent that captures the proliferation of cancer cells could prove to be a valuable method for imaging a form of Non-Hodgkin's disease called mantle cell lymphoma, a relatively rare and devastating blood cancer.

22 Dec 2011

Examining the proposed federal global health appropriations

In this post on the Center for Global Development's (CGD) "Global Health Policy" blog, Denizhan Duran and Amanda Glassman of CGD review the proposed FY12 federal global health appropriation approved recently by Congress.

22 Dec 2011

New silk-based microneedle system for controlled-release drug delivery

Bioengineers at Tufts University School of Engineering have developed a new silk-based microneedle system able to deliver precise amounts of drugs over time and without need for refrigeration. The tiny needles can be fabricated under normal temperature and pressure and from water, so they can be loaded with sensitive biochemical compounds and maintain their activity prior to use. They are also biodegradable and biocompatible.

22 Dec 2011

PolitiFact's 2011 Lie of the Year: 'Mediscare'

This marks the third year in a row that a health care claim has won this title. This time around, the Democrats take the prize for their assertions that Republicans had advanced policies to "end Medicare."

22 Dec 2011

Researchers discover that humans are natural-born multi-taskers

Imagine you're a hockey goalie, and two opposing players are breaking in alone on you, passing the puck back and forth. You're aware of the linesman skating in on your left, but pay him no mind. Your focus is on the puck and the two approaching players. As the action unfolds, how is your brain processing this intense moment of "multi-tasking"? Are you splitting your focus of attention into multiple "spotlights?" Are you using one "spotlight" and switching between objects very quickly? Or are you "zooming out" the spotlight and taking it all in at once?

22 Dec 2011

Without resolution on payroll tax cut or 'doc fix,' congress packs up

House Republicans rejected the deal - approved by the Senate before it adjourned for the holidays - to extend the payroll tax cut. This event is the latest in a chain of ongoing congressional sagas marked by questions of what the government should fund and how it pay for it.

22 Dec 2011

Household washing machines seem to be a major source of microplastic pollution

The latest episode in the American Chemical Society's (ACS) award-winning "Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions" podcast series discusses the discovery that household washing machines seem to be a major source of so-called "microplastic" pollution -- bits of polyester and acrylic smaller than the head of a pin -- that researchers now have detected on ocean shorelines worldwide.

22 Dec 2011

Romney, Obama on the attack

GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney used a TV appearance to take on rival candidate Newt Gingrich regarding a range of policy and political issues. Meanwhile, aides to President Barack Obama blasted Romney for shying away from the similarities between Massachusetts' health reforms and the 2010 health law. Negative ads also flood the Iowa airwaves.

22 Dec 2011

Scottish ethnic groups more likely to be admitted in hospital with chest pain and angina

Scots of Pakistani origin are 50 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital with chest pain and angina than those of Indian ethnicity, a study has found.

22 Dec 2011

Analyzing the politics and policies of the Wyden-Ryan Medicare plan

Politico reports on how the Medicare revamp proposal announced last week by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., may add to Ryan's conservative street cred. Meanwhile, Medscape reports on one of the cost controls included in the approach.

22 Dec 2011

Gottlieb specialist, NWCR offer top weight-loss tips

Losing weight and saving money are the top New Year's resolutions expected to challenge Americans this year, experts say.

22 Dec 2011

Guardian podcast examines development issues of 2011, outlook for 2012

This Guardian "Global Development" podcast looks back at development issues in 2011 and asks "what the big development stories might be in 2012," examining the impact of the economic crisis on developing countries and the outlook for future global health funding.

22 Dec 2011

APTR recognizes Loyola nursing professor for novel teaching model

Dr. Pamela Andresen, associate professor of Health Promotion Nursing at Loyola University Chicago Marcella School of Nursing (MNSON), has been recognized with a Certificate of Excellence from the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) for her efforts to advance the teaching of prevention, population health and public health.

22 Dec 2011

Viewpoints: HHS punts on essential benefits; A doctor's view of Medicare

The health care reform law passed last year requires insurers to offer, at a minimum, a set of "essential" benefits to individuals and small groups. ... On Friday, however, the Department of Health and Human Services put out a bulletin proposing to let each state come up with its own definition.

22 Dec 2011

Tips to keep your heart happy and healthy during holiday season

'Tis the season to be jolly and heart healthy. "It is common for us to see an increase in heart-related issues, particularly around Christmas and New Year's," said Brandon Stacey, M.D., a cardiologist at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. "It is important to know that if you experience any chest pain or discomfort, seek immediate medical attention or call 911."

22 Dec 2011

Safe drinking water, sanitation MDG will be met but inequalities in access remain

Reaching the Millennium Development Goal of "reducing by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015" likely will be reached, "but large numbers of people in the world's least developed regions will still not benefit," according to a report released Tuesday by UNICEF and the WHO, the U.N. News Centre reports.

22 Dec 2011

People with congenital facial disfigurement have 'relatively normal' psychological functioning

People born with severe facial disfigurement have generally good psychological adjustment in adulthood, according to a study in the January issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

22 Dec 2011

What's to become of the 'doc fix?'

News outlets report about what the future could hold for Medicare physician reimbursements now that Congress has, so far, failed to take steps to avert a scheduled payment cut. Also, without congressional intervention, Medicare's rehab therapy caps will hit in 2012.

22 Dec 2011