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Financial stake in surgery centers motivates doctors to operate more often

When doctors become invested in an outpatient surgery center, they perform on average twice as many surgeries as doctors with no such financial stake, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Health System.

7 Apr 2010

Ontario invests millions of dollars in universal flu vaccine campaign

The millions of dollars invested by the province of Ontario in its universal flu vaccine campaign saves lives and is a sensible investment, according to an economic analysis by a researcher at the University of Toronto and the University Health Network.

7 Apr 2010

Sebelius vows implementation of health law will be clear, transparent

"U.S. health officials aim to move swiftly and clearly to implement newly enacted healthcare reforms, the nation's health secretary said in remarks on Tuesday aimed at selling Americans on the benefits of the controversial changes," Reuters reports. In excerpts of a speech to be delivered today at the National Press Club, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius explained health officials would work "to be as clear and transparent as possible" as the law is implemented. "

7 Apr 2010

New extra potent sunscreens in the pipeline

Sunscreens are touted to protect your skin from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. However scientists are now studying whether a good sunscreen protects your skin even after your skin is no longer exposed to the sun? This study is undertaken because of the alarming rise in malignant melanoma, a form of skin cancer that is linked to the sun’s UV rays. Malignant melanoma is the most common cancer in Australia and Queensland tops all other places in the world when it comes to incidence of this skin cancer.

7 Apr 2010

Medicare advantage insurers won't see increase in 2011

Payments for Medicare Advantage plans, which are operated by private health insurers, will be frozen at this year's rates in 2011, Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports.

7 Apr 2010

Adventist Medical Center expands emergency department

Adventist Medical Center (AMC), a southeast Portland, Ore., hospital serving the greater Portland and Vancouver, Wash., metropolitan area, has completed its third and final phase of its emergency department expansion. With this expansion, the hospital now has 32 beds in its emergency department, making it one of the largest in Portland. AMC is also one of the busiest emergency departments in the Portland metro area, serving more than 46,000 patients a year.

7 Apr 2010

Blocking POLQ gene activity can increase ability of radiotherapy to destroy tumours

Cancer Research UK scientists have identified a gene that once blocked could increase the effectiveness of radiotherapy on tumours, according to research published in Cancer Research today (Thursday).

7 Apr 2010

MMRC initiates Phase Ib/II study of Treanda in combination with Revlimid and dexamethasone

The Multiple Myeloma Research Consortium (MMRC) today announced the initiation of a Phase Ib/II study of bendamustine (Treanda®), an anticancer agent currently approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), in combination with lenalidomide (Revlimid®) and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. The trial, led by Shaji Kumar, MD, of Mayo Clinic, is open for enrollment at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minn.), City of Hope Cancer Center (Duarte, Calif.) and the University of Chicago (Chicago, Ill).

7 Apr 2010

Many health care professionals not aware of health problems associated with mouth breathing

For some, the phrase "spring is in the air" is quite literal. When the winter snow melts and flowers bloom, pollen and other materials can wreak havoc on those suffering from seasonal allergies, usually causing a habit called "mouth breathing."

7 Apr 2010

Five helpings of fruits and vegetables a day may not cut cancer risk that much

Despite eating your five helpings of fruits and vegetables a day you may not be cutting your risk of cancer as suggested by a World Health organization study in 1997. The latest study based on healthy eating habits conducted by Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York was published in the Journal of National Cancer Institute. The study was led by Paolo Boffetta and covered almost 500,000 Europeans.

7 Apr 2010

MicuRx Pharmaceuticals, Cumencor Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer collaborate to develop antibiotics for MDR-TB

MicuRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of antibiotics to treat drug-resistant bacteria, and Cumencor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the companies have entered a collaboration with Pfizer to discover novel therapeutic agents to treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.

7 Apr 2010

20 regional cancer care units to get $560 million for upgrades

There is good news for millions of cancer patients across Australia. Prime Minister Rudd has announced a contribution of $560 million with the intention of upgrading and opening new cancer centers in regional and rural communities all over Australia.

7 Apr 2010

Large increase seen in Social Security disability applications

The Fiscal Times reports on the rapidly growing number of people applying for Social Security retirement benefits and federal disability insurance because of the poor economy and job market. "Last year, applications totaled 2.6 million for retirement benefits and over 3 million for disability benefits — both representing modest increases over the previous year.

7 Apr 2010

Lumenis' 2009 revenues down 12% to $226.1M

Lumenis Ltd., a global leader in developing, manufacturing and distributing a broad range of high-end medical lasers and sophisticated energy delivery equipment for surgical, ophthalmic and aesthetic applications, today announced its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009 and that it has filed its 2009 annual report on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

From Lumenis Inc. 7 Apr 2010

IPS examines malnutrition, obesity in Latin America

Inter Press Service examines malnutrition and factors contributing to the rising rates of "obesity and obesity-related illness - such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, some forms of cancer and osteoporosis - in Latin America, and especially among the poorest sectors of the population."

7 Apr 2010

Study: 75% of men with diabetes will develop some degree of ED

Erectile dysfunction is one of the most prevalent diabetes-induced complications in men; current estimates suggest that as many as 75% of men with diabetes will develop some degree of ED, and in many cases diabetics develop more severe forms of ED that are less responsive to standard drugs.

7 Apr 2010

$13,000 per year AIDS drugs Reyataz: AHF calls upon BMS to lower price

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is pressing New York-based drug firm Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) to lower the price of its key AIDS drug, Reyataz—currently priced at over $13,000 per year—for lifesaving, but financially hard-hit AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) nationwide.

7 Apr 2010

Community forum to discuss statewide efforts to improve children's health in Pennsylvania

In recognition of National Public Health Week, Secretary of Health Everette James today hosted a community forum at Owen J. Roberts Middle School and High School in Chester County to discuss statewide efforts to improve the health of Pennsylvania's children.

7 Apr 2010

Flexible spending accounts getting slightly less flexible

Kaiser Health News staff writer Andrew Villegas writes about how FSA rules are going to be different.

7 Apr 2010

FDA grants 510(k) clearance for STERIS SYSTEM 1E Liquid Chemical Sterilant Processing System

STERIS Corporation today announced that it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for the STERIS SYSTEM 1E® Liquid Chemical Sterilant Processing System.

7 Apr 2010