Health News

Risks Of Proposed Kansas Biocontainment Lab: Updated DHS Report

Date: Jun-19-2012
A new National Research Council report requested by Congress finds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's updated site-specific risk assessment for the proposed National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kan., a "substantial improvement" over the original 2010 version, but it has a number of deficiencies and inadequately characterizes the risks associated with operating the facility. The NBAF would be the world's fourth Biosafety Level 4 laboratory capable of large animal research, replacing the aging Plum Island Animal Disease Center located off Long Island...

Care Home Training Programme Aims To Reduce Antipsychotic Prescriptions

Date: Jun-19-2012
Thousands of people with dementia could be protected from being inappropriately prescribed dangerous antipsychotic drugs thanks to a new Alzheimer's Society care home training programme that was announced last weekend. The Focussed Intervention Training and Support (FITS) programme is being supported by £100,000 investment each from the Department of Health and HC-One care home group. An initial trial found the programme reduced the use of antipsychotics in care homes by 50 per cent...

Nectarines, Plums And Peaches May Fight Obesity And Diabetes

Date: Jun-18-2012
Stone fruits, also known as drupes, such as nectarines, plums and peaches, may contain useful compounds that help fight-off metabolic syndrome, which can lead to diabetes, heart attack and stroke, say researchers from Texas AgriLife Research, a member of Texas A & M University System. Food scientist, Luis Cisneros-Zevallos and team showed that compounds that exist in stone fruits could be useful in the fight against metabolic syndrome, in which inflammation and obesity eventually lead to serious illnesses and health problems...

Can Too Much Salt Damage Blood Vessels? Yes

Date: Jun-18-2012
Excessive salt intake can damage blood vessels, as well as raising the risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure), a Dutch population study revealed in the journal Circulation, which belongs to the American Heart Association. As background information, the authors explained that in people with normal blood pressure, a diet high in salt has virtually no acute effect on blood pressure. However, for reasons which are not fully understood, high sodium (salt) intake over the long-term can lead to hypertension...

Final Verdict On PIP Breast Implants Scandal, NHS, UK

Date: Jun-18-2012
The NHS Medical Director's expert group published its final report today on the PIP Breast implant Scandal. Led by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, they have gathered as much data as possible on rupture rates, clinical findings when implants are removed, and further investigation of the chemical make-up of PiP silicone gel. PIP was a French company, run by Jean-Claude Mas, who was discovered to be using a cheaper, unapproved silicone gel, in the manufacture of implants for breast replacement and enhancement...

Type 2 Diabetes May Be Diagnosed Late

Date: Jun-18-2012
Despite a high and soaring prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the U.S., the disease is not necessarily promptly detected, according to a diabetes expert who has vast experience as both a researcher and clinician. What's more, both patients and physicians contribute to the lag in diagnosis, said Timothy Lyons, MD, who is presently Director of Research of the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center in Oklahoma City, and who has served in numerous capacities at the American Diabetes Association. Dr...

Antibiotics For Children On The Decline But ADHD Medicine Increases

Date: Jun-18-2012
The American Academy of Pediatrics announced the results of an FDA study today, stating that use of antibiotics for infants, children and adolescents has decreased. This is good news, because there are worries of superbugs building from overuse and incorrect use of the drugs. Amoxicillin, one of the staple antibiotics, was the most frequently dispensed, for infants (0-23 months) and children (2-11 years). In total there were 263...

Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Resistance - Genes Identified

Date: Jun-18-2012
Chemotherapy before surgery is not always effective against some tumors. Now, a study published in Nature Medicine reveals that researchers at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) have identified a gene expression pattern associated to resistance to breast cancer chemotherapy. In addition, the study findings suggest new treatment options for individuals with specific subtypes of breast cancer...

Early Pregnancy Folic Acid Supplements Reduce Autism Risk In Newborn

Date: Jun-18-2012
1 in 88 children born today will be diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now, researchers have found that women can reduce the risk of having a child with the neurodevelopmental disorder if they consume the recommended daily doses of folic acid (600 micrograms, or 0.6milligrams), the synthetic form of folate or vitamin B-9, during the first month of pregnancy. Autism is characterized by communication deficits, impairments in social interaction, intellectual disability, and repetitive behaviors...

Enhanced Glucose Control Prevents Diabetic Neuropathy, But Raises Hypoglycemia Risk

Date: Jun-18-2012
Up to 50% of individuals suffering from diabetes develop a nerve condition called diabetic neuropathy, which causes the feet and legs to feel tingly, numb, weak or painful. Now, researchers have found that aggressive control of blood glucose levels helps to prevent the condition. The systematic review is published in the Cochrane Library. The authors explained that only with optimal target levels can serious complications be prevented...