Health News

Teen girls: obesity linked to lower academic performance

Date: Mar-11-2014
Obesity carries with it many health risks, such as cardiovascular disease, prediabetes and many types of cancer. But now, a new study has found a link between obesity in adolescent girls and lower academic levels throughout their teens.The researchers, from various universities in the UK, have published the results of their study in the International Journal of Obesity, and they say theirs is the first comprehensive study to look into the association between obesity and academics in teens.

Doctors face uncertainty when ordering and interpreting lab tests

Date: Mar-11-2014
For doctors to effectively diagnose patients, the use of clinical laboratory tests can be essential. But new research recently published in The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine finds that doctors often face uncertainty in ordering and interpreting clinical laboratory tests.The research team, including Dr. John Hickner of the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says their findings suggest doctors would welcome better technology and clinical decision support systems.

Life Sciences & Healthcare Venture Summit, April 2nd 2014, New York City

Date: Mar-11-2014
Come meet, interact and network with more than 400 VCs, Corporate VCs, angel investors, investment bankers and CEOs of early stage and emerging growth life sciences, med-tech, healthcare and healthcare IT companies at the prestigious Life Sciences & Healthcare Venture Summit ™ being held on April 2nd, 2014 at the Digital Sandbox in New York City. Whether you're an investor seeking new deals or a startup seeking capital and exposure, The Life Sciences & Healthcare Venture Summit ™ presented by youngStartup Ventures - is one event you won't want to miss.

Target Meeting's 3rd World Immunology Online Conference, 25-27 March 2014: Join for Free

Date: Mar-11-2014
A Free Virtual Immunology Conference at Targetmeeting.com featuring 50+ live presentations from academic and industry experts around the world. The 12 sessions will discuss Immune regulation, Immunity disease molecular mechanisms, Vaccine development, Cancer and immunity, Infection and immunity, and many more. Attendees can earn the free Certificates of Attendance. Computer and internet connection are required. Do not need any special equipment or software. It is a great opportunity to learn about recent advances in immunology research and clinic without travel and money cost.

Smartphones to diagnose diseases in real time

Date: Mar-11-2014
A team from the US is developing a disease diagnostic system based on nanotechnology that will only require a smartphone and a $20 lens attachment to read results. While there are still some challenges to overcome, they are hopeful the end result will be an affordable diagnostic tool that can be used in the field.The new system is the creation of Jiming Bao, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Richard Willson, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, at the University of Houston in Texas.

New clue may explain link between traffic pollution and heart risks

Date: Mar-11-2014
For the first time, a study suggests that being exposed to high levels of traffic pollution is linked to changes in the mass and size of the right chamber of the heart. The researchers believe this may contribute to the known connection between air pollution exposure and heart disease.Lead author Dr. Peter Leary, of the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, and colleagues report their findings in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.Dr.

Is glaucoma, in fact, diabetes of the brain?

Date: Mar-11-2014
Researchers at All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research India have proposed a new mechanism of glaucoma which suggests that diabetes can occur in the brain and may be the cause of many neurodegenerative disorders including glaucoma. Glaucoma is the leading cause irreversibly blinding disorders and affects millions worldwide. There is no known cure to glaucoma. The disease is considered as one of the most complex human diseases.

Randomized clinical trial identifies women most likely to benefit from vaginal mesh surgery

Date: Mar-11-2014
Certain women with vaginal prolapse are most likely to benefit from undergoing vaginal mesh surgery, a technique that has become controversial and is the focus of numerous lawsuits. The findings, which are published early online in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, provide valuable information regarding who should and should not be considered candidates for the surgery.Vaginal prolapse - when pelvic tissues weaken and the vaginal canal may protrude through the vaginal opening - affects roughly 10% to 20% of women.

Insulin-related hypoglycemia, errors related to emergencies, hospitalizations

Date: Mar-11-2014
Elderly patients with diabetes treated with insulin were more likely than younger patients to visit the emergency department (ED) and be hospitalized for insulin-related hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and insulin-related errors (IHEs). Insulin remains one of the most challenging aspects of managing diabetes because of complexities in dosing and administration of the medication, as well as the need to monitor blood glucose. The risk of insulin-related hypoglycemia is an important consideration when choosing among treatment options.

Viral suppression of HIV in Malawian district twice as high as U.S

Date: Mar-11-2014
Two new studies released by Epicentre,the research arm of the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) at CROI, the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, point to reductions in new HIV infections in areas where HIV treatment has been greatly expanded. The studies are some of the first to look at large-scale antiretroviral therapy (ART) rollout in real-world high-HIV-burden settings in sub-Saharan Africa, and its possible impact on reducing new infections.