Health News

What Is Knee Replacement Surgery? What Is Knee Arthroplasty?

Date: Jul-05-2012
Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is regarded as a modern surgical procedure that can accurately be described as "knee resurfacing". This procedure entails restoring the weight bearing facade of the knee joint that is damaged, worn out, or diseased to relieve pain and movement disability. It is performed through the implant of an orthopedic metal and plastic component shaped as a joint so that the knee can move properly. Arthroplasty is a field of medicine which deals with the surgical reconstruction and total replacement of degenerated joints...

Maternal Blood Sample Used To Sequence Fetal Genomes

Date: Jul-05-2012
In a groundbreaking announcement, The Stanford University School of Medicine has said that its research team was able to sequence the genomes of an unborn baby, using only a blood sample from the mother. This of course makes the procedure much safer than trying to obtain a sample from the fetus while in the uterus. Stephen Quake, PhD, the Lee Otterson Professor in the School of Engineering and professor of bioengineering and of applied physics explained the approach: "We're interested in identifying conditions that can be treated before birth, or immediately after ...

Health Care Costs For Kids Greater Than Adults

Date: Jul-05-2012
According to a new report from the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI), between 2007 and 2010, health care cost for children grew faster than for adults. The increase in spending is due to higher costs for all categories of goods and services. The Children's Health Care Spending Report: 2007-2010 indicates that the increase in spending occurred even though the numbers of commercially insured children fell and despite a decline in using expensive health care services, such as hospital stays and using brand-name drugs...

When To Administer Multiple Myeloma Treatment Depends On Cancer Cell Cycle

Date: Jul-05-2012
A new study conducted by researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College reveals that precise timing of cell's cycle targeting cancer therapies disable key survival genes and lead to cell death. The study, published online in the journal Blood, shows that researchers have come up with a unique strategy of using two anti-cancer drugs in a series, similar to a combination of boxing punches. Whilst the first drug, the experimental agent PD 033299, delivers the first punch to weaken the defenses of multiple myeloma, the second drug, bortezomib, delivers the final knock-out punch...

Obese Heart Failure Patients Have Better Outcomes

Date: Jul-05-2012
Advanced heart failure patients are considerably less likely to experience adverse outcomes if they are obese and have a higher waist circumference, according to UCLA researchers. Approximately 5.8 million people are affected by heart failure, and around 50-66% of these patients are overweight or obese. The study, published online in the American Journal of Cardiology, is the first to evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference on women and compare it with men. In addition, the study provides new insight into the "obesity paradox...

Oral Cancer Virus Associated With Gum Disease

Date: Jul-05-2012
After the discovery that severe gum disease can be associated with a higher risk of head and neck cancer cases caused by the Human Pailloma Virus (HPV), The British Dental Health Foundation aims to educate the public on good oral health. Researchers discovered that in comparison with patients with HPV-negative tumors, those with HPV-positive tumors had a considerably higher bone loss, which is a key element for developing severe gum disease. According to the latest figures, over 6,000 people in the UK have oral cancer, a disease that claims nearly 2,000 lives...

FOXO1 Gene Plays Major Role In Parkinson's Disease

Date: Jul-05-2012
About 1 million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease, and according to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, a further 60,000 Americans are newly diagnosed with this complex neurodegenerative disorder every year. The disease leads to disruptions in motor functions, such as tremors and slowed movements that are caused by a buildup of proteins within the nerve cells, which prevent the cells from communicating with each other. It can also lead to dementia...

Pregnancy Later In Life Increases Risk Of Heart Attacks

Date: Jul-05-2012
Although more women are waiting until they are older to have children, a new study conducted by researchers at UCLA has found that the risk of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy increases the older a women is when she conceives her first child. According to the study, published in the journal Basic Research in Cardiology, these women often have higher levels of cholesterol, are generally less physically active, and are more likely to develop diabetes and heart disease. During pregnancy, the heart usually functions better...

Healthy Drinks Only - New Trend Hitting Many U.S Elementary Schools

Date: Jul-05-2012
Although more elementary schools in the United States are replacing sugary drinks with healthier options, such as water, unhealthy beverages remain available to one-third of public elementary school students, according to a new report. The study, published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, examined the availability of competitive beverages - those sold by schools outside of meal programs through vending machines, � la carte lines in the cafeteria, school stores and snack bars - in public elementary schools in the U.S...

1 In 30 UK Employees Have Illegal Drugs In Their System While Working

Date: Jul-05-2012
New research shows that almost 1 million (1 in 30) of the 29.23 million people employed in the UK have illegal drugs in their system at work. The statistics, released by Concateno, Europe's leading drug and alcohol screening provider, also showed that cannabis, cocaine, and opiates (excluding heroin), were the most prevalent drugs used. The study findings are based on the results of over 1.6 million UK workplace drug tests conducted between 2007-2011.  Between this time period, the researchers found that the number of employees testing positive for drugs increased by 43%...