Health News

NUS publishes first ever national research into the experiences of student carers, UK

Date: Sep-19-2013
New research published by the National Union of Students (NUS) 'Learning with care' reveals the experiences of students who are providing unpaid care whilst studying. This first ever national research into the experiences of student carers further analyses the startling statistics exposed by NUS' 'Pound in Your Pocket' (an 18 month long research programme into student financial support)...

New research reveals 'concerning' inconsistency in UK services for dangerous sleep disorder obstructive sleep apnoea

Date: Sep-19-2013
A new study published today (Thursday) in the medical journal Thorax has revealed a 'significant and concerning' mismatch between the predicted prevalence of the common sleep-related respiratory condition 'obstructive sleep apnoea' (OSA), and the availability of services with which to diagnose and treat it[1]...

Heart disease trial results show positive patient impact

Date: Sep-19-2013
A non-invasive blood test is now available that may help physicians exclude coronary artery disease risk in certain patients. Results from a clinical trial investigating an innovative assessment test provided information that can help physicians decide which patients do not need additional diagnostic testing for obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is a heart condition that can cause a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries (vessels to the heart that supply the heart with blood, oxygen, and nutrients), reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. Dr. Robert St...

Soap car crashes 'affecting recovery' of ex-intensive care patients in UK

Date: Sep-19-2013
A leading nurse has said recent soap car crash storylines have triggered an increase in requests for support from former intensive care patients and their families. Fiona Hall, a senior sister on the general intensive care unit at Southampton General Hospital, warned reactions to life-threatening injuries suffered by characters Nick Tilsley in Coronation Street and Phil Mitchell in Eastenders highlighted the "desperate need" for better long-term care following hospital discharge...

The experiences of injured persons in compensation systems

Date: Sep-19-2013
The findings of three studies offering important insights into compensation systems and injured people will be presented at a research symposium in Melbourne this week. Researchers from Monash University and the University of Melbourne, supported by the Institute of Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) have conducted the first rigorous academic studies of injured persons' experiences in the current Victorian workers compensation and transport accident compensation systems...

Superbugs make green energy from black waste

Date: Sep-19-2013
A costly health problem facing countries all over the world - petroleum contamination of groundwater - could soon be tackled by armies of the world's tiniest inhabitants turning toxic waste into green electricity. Australia alone has some 120,000 contaminated groundwater sites of the world's estimated 5 million sites. These are a legacy of petrol, diesel and other hydrocarbons that have leached into the ground from old service stations, fuel dumps and factories, and often remain polluted long after the redevelopment of the land, posing a health risk to current and future residents...

Novel vaccine approach to human cytomegalovirus found effective

Date: Sep-19-2013
An experimental vaccine against human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which endangers the developing fetus, organ transplant recipients, patients with HIV and others who have a weakened immune system, proved safe and more effective than previous vaccines developed to prevent infection by the ubiquitous virus. The first-of-its-kind approach to preventing human CMV infection, developed by a team of scientists at UC Davis and the University of Alabama, Birmingham, induced broader immunological protection in an animal model...

UF Health trauma surgeon, other experts call for new standard in fractured ribs treatment

Date: Sep-19-2013
For most patients in the United States with several broken ribs, recovery is a months long journey full of immense pain, difficulty breathing and a high risk of serious complications. But according to a new report from a group of surgeons from across the country - including a University of Florida Health trauma surgeon - a technique called surgical rib fixation, or rib plating, shortens recovery time, decreases the risk of complications and can reduce pain by as much as 80 percent in patients...

Boston Scientific reports favorable six-month results from LotusTM Valve System clinical trial

Date: Sep-19-2013
Boston Scientific Corporation reported favorable six-month results from the first 60 patients enrolled in the REPRISE II clinical trial evaluating the safety and performance of the LotusTM Valve System in symptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis considered at high risk for surgical valve replacement. The data, which were presented at PCR London Valves and formally received the honor of Best Abstract 2013, demonstrated excellent results with no new valve-related adverse events between 30 days and six months...

Boosting the immune system with baker's yeast β-glucan may help athletes stay well after intense exercise

Date: Sep-19-2013
Boosting the immune system with baker's yeast beta glucan, a natural food, beverage and supplement ingredient, may help athletes stay well after intense exercise, according to findings published in the current issue of the Journal of Dietary Supplements. Lost practice days and reductions in performance have been the norm for athletes until now since intense exercise temporarily suppresses the immune system. β-glucan may help athletes stay healthy after intense workouts and competitions, enabling them to train harder and longer...