Health News

Children less fit than their parents

Date: Nov-20-2013
Around the world, many children do not run as far or as fast as their parents did when they were kids, according to a large study presented at a scientific meeting in the US recently.The study concludes that today's kids are about 15% less aerobically fit than their parents were at their age.And in the US, kids' cardiovascular endurance has fallen by around 6% per decade between 1970 and 2000.The researchers warn that such a decline in fitness may mean worse health in adulthood.Lead author Dr.

Phthalate exposure linked to preterm birth

Date: Nov-20-2013
Pregnant women who are exposed to phthalates - chemicals found in contaminated food and water, some deodorants, lotions and perfumes - are at increased risk of preterm birth, compared with pregnant women who are not exposed to these chemicals. This is according to a study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics.Phthalates are a group of chemicals commonly used in plastics to make the material more durable. They are also used as solvents for other materials and can be found in hundreds of beauty products, including soaps, shampoos, hairsprays and nail polishes.

New survey suggests priobiotics could be the key to encouraging more patients to complete a course of antibiotics

Date: Nov-20-2013
A study of UK doctors carried out by the PCSG (Primary Care Society for Gastroenterology) to coincide with European Antibiotic Awareness Day (18 November 2013) suggests that patients who are given information about the impact of antibiotics on the gut and the option of probiotics before being prescribed antibiotics are far more likely to complete the full course.Probiotics are increasingly recognised as giving a helping hand to the gut microbiota - the colonies of friendly bacteria that we all have inside us, and that can be disrupted by taking antibiotics.

Services fail to treat prisoners with schizophrenia - increasing risk of violent reoffending

Date: Nov-20-2013
New research from Queen Mary University of London shows released prisoners with schizophrenia are three times more likely to be violent than other prisoners, but only if they receive no treatment or follow-up support from mental health services. Maintaining psychiatric treatment both during imprisonment and after release can substantially reduce the risk of violent reoffending. Better screening and treatment of prisoners is therefore essential to prevent violence.

Intestinal parasite inspires new medical 'glue'

Date: Nov-20-2013
A gut-clinging worm with a proboscis that swells has inspired a new approach to healing and protecting wounds normally treated with sutures, staples and adhesive dressings.Traditional methods for protecting and sealing wounds, such as staples, sutures and adhesive dressings have limitations. Some methods can cause localised tissue damage and infection (staples), allergic reactions (adhesive dressings) and are often difficult and time-consuming to apply. Soft and wet tissues, including wounds affected by bleeding, also make adhesion difficult.

Actelion launches VALCHLOR (mechlorethamine) gel 0.016% in the US

Date: Nov-20-2013
Actelion (SIX: ATLN) has announced that VALCHLOR™ (mechlorethamine), the first and only FDA-approved topical formulation of mechlorethamine, is now available for patients in the United States (US). VALCHLOR, a gel which is applied topically once a day, is an alkylating drug indicated to treat patients with stage IA and IB mycosis fungoides-type cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF-CTCL) who have received prior skin-directed therapy. VALCHLOR is an orphan drug that was acquired by Actelion US Holding Company, a subsidiary of Actelion Ltd.

Additional interim data for MK-3475 shows estimated overall survival rate of 81 percent at one year in patients with advanced melanoma

Date: Nov-20-2013
Merck (NYSE:MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced additional data for MK-3475, an investigational anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, in patients with advanced melanoma that showed an estimated overall survival rate of 81 percent at one year across all MK-3475 monotherapy doses evaluated. This is the first time overall survival data have been presented from the cohort of 135 patients with advanced melanoma enrolled in Merck's ongoing Phase IB clinical trial (PN 001) for MK-3475.

Cancer charity breaks new ground with world's first under-18 donor

Date: Nov-20-2013
Blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan has made an historic breakthrough in stem cell donation after it arranged for a donation from a 17-year-old girl. Macclesfield sixth-former Victoria Rathmill signed up to the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register in February this year, when she was still 16 years old, and was identified as a match for a patient with blood cancer within just a few months, which is statistically very rare. [1] Her donation, which took place at the London Clinic in October, makes her the youngest person ever to provide stem cells for an unrelated transplant.

Arsenic link from eating rice confirmed by major new research

Date: Nov-20-2013
A study of more than 18,000 people in Bangladesh has established a link between rice consumption and arsenic exposure and toxicity.Although there have been studies before which have suggested a connection, this research, carried out by scientists from America, Asia and De Montfort University, in Leicester, UK, is the biggest-ever study of its kind.Tests carried out on those who ate large amounts of rice showed they had higher levels of arsenic in their system than those who did not.

Hospital treatment for patients who self-harm in England is 'as variable as ever'

Date: Nov-20-2013
Hospital management of patients who self-harm in England has barely changed in the past 10 years despite the introduction of clinical guidelines a new study shows.Researchers from The University of Manchester found 40% of those attending hospital after an overdose or other self-injury did not get a specialist psychosocial assessment.The treatment patients received also varied according to where they lived - suggesting a postcode lottery was still in operation.