Health News

Biomarkers in blood show potential as early detection method of pancreatic cancer

Date: Jan-21-2014
Researchers have identified diagnostic microRNA panels in whole blood that had the ability to distinguish, to some degree, patients with and without pancreatic cancer, according to a study in JAMA. The authors caution that the findings are preliminary, and that further research is necessary to understand whether these microRNAs have clinical implications as a screening test for early detection of pancreatic cancer. MicroRNAs regulate gene expression and play important roles in the development of tumors and tumor metastasis. MicroRNA panels are a combination of several microRNAs.

Wide variation found in quality of evidence used by FDA for approval of new drugs

Date: Jan-21-2014
Clinical trials used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve new drugs between 2005 and 2012 vary widely in their characteristics, according to a study in JAMA. "FDA review of new drug applications is guided by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which requires 'adequate and well controlled investigations' to determine efficacy," according to background information in the article.

Cocaine users 'do not enjoy social interaction and lack empathy'

Date: Jan-21-2014
New research from the University of Zurich in Switzerland suggests that people who regularly use cocaine struggle to feel empathy for others and are less likely to enjoy social interactions, compared with individuals who do not use the drug.The research team says their findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that treatment for cocaine addicts should include social skill training.Cocaine is an addictive illegal stimulant that is extracted from the leaves of Erythroxylon coca - a coca plant native to South America.

Tonsillectomy care for children differs by hospital

Date: Jan-21-2014
Though parents might expect their children to receive consistent care across hospitals in the US for routine procedures, a new study published in the journal Pediatrics investigates how quality of care for children after a tonsillectomy varies from hospital to hospital.The study authors worked in collaboration with the Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, and the Pediatric Research and Inpatient Setting Network (PRIS).

Enjoy life more - your body will age better, study shows

Date: Jan-21-2014
A new study from the UK and published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal claims that people who enjoy life will have better physical function and faster walking speeds than their more pessimistic counterparts.We already know there are health benefits associated with a positive outlook on life. A study from 2013 suggested people who have happy marriages also enjoy better physical health than couples in stressful marriages.

Night shifts and jet lag disrupt genetic rhythm

Date: Jan-21-2014
A new study from the UK finds that when we shift our sleep time, it disrupts the daily rhythms of our genes. Researchers from the University of Surrey report their findings in a study to be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.The study also shows that some genes follow sleep-wake cycles, and some are regulated by central body clocks.

Real-world effectiveness in asthma therapy of combination inhalers study published

Date: Jan-21-2014
Results of a real-world study published in the Primary Care Respiratory Journal have shown that asthma patients may be switched from fluticasone propionate-salmeterol (FP-SAL) to extra-fine beclometasone-formoterol (efBDP-FOR) at an equivalent or lower inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) dosage with no reduction in clinical effectiveness but a significant reduction in cost to the NHS.1The REACH (Real-world Effectiveness in Asthma therapy of Combination inHalers) study investigated the clinical and cost effectiveness of switching typical asthma patients from FP-SAL to efBDP-FOR.

Uninsured patients significantly less likely to be transferred between hospitals

Date: Jan-21-2014
Non-medical factors, including a patient's gender and insurance status, may influence care decisions and lead to potential health disparities, suggests an article published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Federal law mandates that hospitals and physicians treat patients in need of emergency medical care regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or ability to pay. Concerns persist that patients are transferred between hospitals for nonmedical reasons, but existing data are limited with virtually all studies focusing on the prehospital or emergency department settings.

Pulmonary embolism trial comparing endovascular ultrasound to standard of care anticoagulation published in the American Heart Association's journal

Date: Jan-21-2014
EKOS Corporation, a BTG International group company, located in Bothell, Washington in the United States, has announced the publication of the results of its Ultrasound Accelerated Thrombolysis of Pulmonary Embolism (PE) trial (ULTIMA) in the peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association, CIRCULATION. The announcement was made at The International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET) in Miami, Florida in the United States.

Swiss Federal Government and University of Bern set up future-oriented centre of excellence for animal health

Date: Jan-21-2014
On 1 January 2014, the University of Bern and the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) officially combined their respective skills in the area of veterinary virology and immunology. The former Institute of Veterinary Virology of the Vetsuisse Faculty at the University of Bern was integrated into the Federal Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI). This step is designed to boost competence in the fields of animal health, research and teaching.