New Therapy May Help Nerve-Wasting Disease
A new approach to treating disease by interfering with faulty genes may help patients with an incurable nerve-wasting illness called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, researchers in Britain and Switzerland reported on Sunday.
Tide of Child Obesity Rising in Rural U.S.
Here in his small hometown in the mountains of Western Pennsylvania and in other rural communities like it, many health officials say the tide of obesity is rising faster than anywhere else.
Bill Clinton Still Hospitalized
Former President Clinton remained in a hospital Sunday while recovering from an operation to remove scar tissue and fluid that developed after his heart bypass surgery six months ago, his spokesman said.
China Testing AIDS Vaccine on Humans
China has begun testing a new AIDS vaccine on a group of volunteers after they were given physical exams and signed waivers, the government said.
Stem-Cell Craze Spreads in Russia
When Svetlana Galiyeva found a clinic offering to treat her multiple sclerosis with embryonic stem cells, she grabbed the opportunity. Twenty-thousand dollars later she is still in a wheelchair and desperate.
Free Pamphlets Suggest Safe Syringe Disposal
Millions of Americans, especially diabetics, use syringes to self-inject medications, often on a daily basis. Now, safe ways to dispose of used needles are outlined in two new pamphlets from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), both available online.
It's estimated that about 8 million to 9 million people in the United States use medicinal syringes, disposing of a total of 3 billion needles a year.
Community drop-off programs, household hazardous waste facilities, at-home needle destruction devices, and mail-back programs are among the safe disposal suggestions listed in the EPA pamphlets.
The pamphlets were developed in collaboration with the Coalition for Safe Community Needle Disposal, which includes community groups, nonprofit associations, businesses and local, state and federal government bodies that promote public awareness of the hazards posed by improper disposal of needles.
Here's where you can find the EPA pamphlets.
Common Virus Can Be Tragic for Moms-To-Be
In 1998, Tammy Delancey was in the sixth month of her second pregnancy when she volunteered for a day at her son's elementary school in Zanesville, Ohio.
"I'm pretty sure I got it there," she recalled.
"It" is a largely harmless pathogen called parvovirus B19, passed like the cold or flu from person to person. In Delancey's case, infection triggered symptoms such as aches, fever and sensitivity to light. In children, a distinctive "slapped cheek" rash can appear on the face. However, a large percentage of cases of what's commonly called Fifth's disease show no symptoms at all.
Experts estimate that about 60 percent of Americans have a history of prior infection with the virus, which has no lasting effects in children and adults.
It's a much different story for the fetus, however.
"If a mother gets parvovirus B19 during her pregnancy, and has never had it before, it can have a very serious impact on the fetus," said Dr. Nancy Green, medical director at the March of Dimes. "What happens is that this virus hones in on the fetus' early red blood cells -- a receptor for the virus is specifically expressed on these cells. It knocks out those cells, so the fetus can develop major, even life-threatening anemia, with all sorts of complications," she explained.
One recent study found maternal infection can lead to miscarriage in up to 9 percent of affected pregnancies.
Because symptoms are so similar, many doctors mistake Fifth's disease for the flu, and -- as happens in the case of many women -- Delancey's true diagnosis was delayed.
"They didn't find out I even had Fifth's disease until I went for my regular ultrasound," she said. "By that time, it was already too late."
Delancey, then 30, agreed to multiple fetal blood transfusions in a desperate attempt to save her unborn child, a girl. "They were doing everything they could," she said. In the end, however, the transfusions failed.
Now, seven years later, Delancey and her husband Darron call themselves "crusaders" in getting the word out to women that a "harmless" virus can be a killer for the unborn.
"At the time, I had no idea Fifth's disease was around," Tammy Delancey said. "I want to educate women, I want the school system to tell people, and I think this should be talked about in doctors' offices -- not only at the ob/gyn, but in your child's pediatric office, your regular family doctor's office."
Green agreed that more information would at least tip women off to the notion that parvovirus B19 is out there. Screening "is something to consider," as well, she said.
A simple blood test can tell a woman if she's already been infected in the past. If the test comes up positive, it may reassure a patient that she is now immune, and that exposure to the virus therefore poses no danger to either herself or her fetus.
On the other hand, pregnant women who test negative for prior infection may want to take some simple precautions to protect their pregnancy.
"Infection tends to be more common in women who are with young children -- teachers, day-care workers, etcetera," Green noted. Because there's currently no vaccine against parvovirus B19, "the only thing we can recommend in terms of prevention are the same things we recommend against cold or flu -- frequent hand-washing, no sharing of drinking glasses, things like that," she said.
Women who discover they are at risk may want to make temporary lifestyle changes, said Delancey. She remembers how, after appearing in a local newspaper article on Fifth's disease, "several ladies came up to me and thanked me."
"We had had quite a bad outbreak at the time, and one pregnant woman told me she had called her doctor, and her doctor had had her come in for the test," Delancey said. "She found she hadn't been infected before, so she made the decision to take early maternity leave from work. She now has a beautiful baby girl."
Delancey believes much more must be done to educate doctors, nurses and women about this common danger. She pointed to one recent study that found that just 50 percent of general care practitioners were familiar with Fifth's disease. And Delancey believes an even larger percentage of young women remain in the dark about the virus.
"More women need to hear about this from women's magazines, and in other media," she said. "If people knew what I went through, if I can save another baby, or help someone who's gone through the same experience, that would be great."
"My daughter would be seven years old now," Delancey said. "Anything I can do, I feel as if, in some way, I've been a better mother to her."
Pesticide mistaken for flour may have caused deadly poisoning
Pesticide mistaken for flour may have been responsible for the deaths of 27 schoolchildren in the Philippines last week, according to a report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper.
Monday, March 14, 2005
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Health Headlines - March 13
China Launches First Human Trials of AIDS Vaccine
China, criticized for a slow initial response to its AIDS/HIV crisis, has begun its first human trials of a new AIDS vaccine, Xinhua news agency said.
Second Nurse Suspected to Have Bird Flu in Vietnam
A Vietnamese nurse who tended a bird flu patient with a colleague who has since tested positive for the deadly virus has been hospitalized after showing symptoms of the disease, health officials said on Saturday.
Communities Adjust to Medical Privacy Laws
Practices which helped neighbors stay connected in this community of 1,200 and others like it across the country are largely gone — partly because of the nation's new medical privacy laws.
Heart Pumps Bring Hope to Young Patients
An experimental, child-size artificial heart pump may be saving the lives of children awaiting heart transplants, doctors say.
Indiana Reports Whooping Cough Comeback
Whooping cough cases rose to their highest number in four decades in Indiana last year due largely to the highly contagious disease's spread among adolescents, health officials said.
Kidney Disease Web Site a Resource for Patients
A new directory focused on chronic kidney disease offers patients, doctors and caregivers quick access to more than 60 Web sites, including those operated by non-profit, educational and patient advocacy organizations.
Virtual Colonoscopy Is Less Invasive But Less Reliable
Colonoscopy is the potentially life-saving procedure that everyone over 50 knows they should get, but one that few want to endure.
WHO calls for full information on each bird flu case
The World Health Organisation (WHO) called for full disclosure of all information on each human bird flu case to prevent a global pandemic.
Two years on, Beijing's SARS victims are forgotten
Two years after the SARS crisis, the epidemic is still a harsh reality for those struck by the disease in Beijing, many of whom are furious at officials' indifference to their plight.
Australian scientists develop new pre-natal test for birth defects
Australian scientists have developed a new pre-natal test for birth defects in unborn babies to replace a procedure that carries a small risk of causing miscarriage, a report said.
China, criticized for a slow initial response to its AIDS/HIV crisis, has begun its first human trials of a new AIDS vaccine, Xinhua news agency said.
Second Nurse Suspected to Have Bird Flu in Vietnam
A Vietnamese nurse who tended a bird flu patient with a colleague who has since tested positive for the deadly virus has been hospitalized after showing symptoms of the disease, health officials said on Saturday.
Communities Adjust to Medical Privacy Laws
Practices which helped neighbors stay connected in this community of 1,200 and others like it across the country are largely gone — partly because of the nation's new medical privacy laws.
Heart Pumps Bring Hope to Young Patients
An experimental, child-size artificial heart pump may be saving the lives of children awaiting heart transplants, doctors say.
Indiana Reports Whooping Cough Comeback
Whooping cough cases rose to their highest number in four decades in Indiana last year due largely to the highly contagious disease's spread among adolescents, health officials said.
Kidney Disease Web Site a Resource for Patients
A new directory focused on chronic kidney disease offers patients, doctors and caregivers quick access to more than 60 Web sites, including those operated by non-profit, educational and patient advocacy organizations.
Virtual Colonoscopy Is Less Invasive But Less Reliable
Colonoscopy is the potentially life-saving procedure that everyone over 50 knows they should get, but one that few want to endure.
WHO calls for full information on each bird flu case
The World Health Organisation (WHO) called for full disclosure of all information on each human bird flu case to prevent a global pandemic.
Two years on, Beijing's SARS victims are forgotten
Two years after the SARS crisis, the epidemic is still a harsh reality for those struck by the disease in Beijing, many of whom are furious at officials' indifference to their plight.
Australian scientists develop new pre-natal test for birth defects
Australian scientists have developed a new pre-natal test for birth defects in unborn babies to replace a procedure that carries a small risk of causing miscarriage, a report said.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Health Headlines - March 12
Canada 'Nowhere Near' Internet Pharmacy Clampdown
Canada said on Friday it was "nowhere near" deciding how to clamp down on Internet pharmacies that send cheap medicine to the United States, often without Canadian doctors having seen the patients.
Won't Ban Junk-Food Ads for Kids, Official Says
The U.S. government will not ban or limit junk-food advertising to children, but wants the industry to set new guidelines to promote healthy eating and minimize obesity, a top regulator said on Friday.
Baby's Size Linked to Birth Size of Both Parents
Having a father who was a small infant more than triples the chances that a baby will also be born small. Furthermore, if this is the case for the mother as well, the likelihood is over 16 times greater, according to study finding.
Some 'Senior Moments' Are Signs of Epilepsy
Memory blanks, losing train of thought, temporary confusion -- all are often chalked up to "senioritis" once people reach a certain age. But these symptoms can also be a warning sign of the seizure disorder epilepsy, experts said Friday.
Older Siblings Smarter, Norwegian Study Shows
First born children in Norway get better education and as adults are more successful in the job market than younger siblings, a Norwegian-U.S. study showed.
Blacks Get Less Aggressive Heart Attack Treatment
The gap is narrowing, but African Americans who suffer a heart attack are still getting less aggressive treatment compared with whites, according to a new study.
Even a Late Exercise Start Cuts Heart Risks
Adopting a regular exercise routine for the first time late in life reduces the development of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, Canadian researchers found in a clinical study of older people.
FDA Panel Backs Bristol-Myers Hepatitis Drug
U.S. health experts on Friday praised the effectiveness of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s experimental hepatitis B drug and recommended the Food and Drug Administration approve it to treat the liver disease in adults.
Heavy Drinking Tied to Hardening of Heart Arteries
In contrast to the beneficial effects of moderate alcohol intake on the heart, higher levels of alcohol consumption are linked to calcification of the coronary arteries, researchers report.
Remicade Eases Treatment-Resistant Kids' Arthritis
Children with arthritis -- a condition known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) -- who aren't helped by conventional treatments may benefit from one of the newer anti-arthritis drugs, Remicade.
FDA Warns AstraZeneca on Crestor Again
AstraZeneca PLC has received its second warning in four months from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over what the agency says are misleading claims in its ads for cholesterol-lowering medicine Crestor.
Report Links Second-Hand Smoke, Cancer
Scientists at an influential state agency have completed a draft report linking second-hand smoke to breast cancer, a finding that could lead air quality regulators to strengthen the state's indoor smoking laws.
Study: Hand Washing the Best Germ-Fighter
Mom was right. A new study by infection control specialists at UNC Hospitals confirms that the best way to get germs off your hands is with plain old soap and water.
Wrong Penicillin Given to 650 Patients
More than 650 people inadvertently received the wrong kind of penicillin after contracting syphilis or being in contact with someone who may have the disease, the Centers For Disease Control reported.
Panel Recommends FDA OK Hepatitis Drug
A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Friday urged approval of a new drug for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, the drug manufacturer said.
Pioneering Geriatrics Specialist Dies
Victor Kassel, a pioneering geriatrics specialist, died at the age of 84. Kassel, who died Wednesday, lobbied for Medicare reform throughout his career, and during the 1960s was a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging.
Doctors Need Better Training in Geriatric Care
As America's population ages, medical schools are falling short in training specialists in aspects of geriatric care, a new study warns.
Poverty May Raise Mental Illness Risk
The stresses of poverty may increase a person's risk for mental illness, according to a new U.S. study.
Health Tip: Prevent Latex Reactions
Now that spring is almost here, talk of allergies is in the air. Pollen first comes to mind, but an allergy to natural rubber latex can also cause sneezing and wheezing and, in rare cases, serious and even fatal reactions.
Specialist Therapy Most Effective for Panic Disorder
Individuals with panic disorders may benefit more from professional cognitive behavioral therapy plus medication than simply being given drugs and counseling by their primary care doctor, researchers report.
Smokers At Higher Suicide Risk
People who smoke every day may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, researchers report.
Panoramic Dental X-Rays Seldom Necessary
Routine dental panoramic X-rays, which provide a wide view of the teeth, jaws and surrounding structures and tissues, are not necessary in all patients.
Melanoma in Children Appears Different Than Adult Disease
A small study of 33 Italian children with melanoma found those children who were under 10 at the time of diagnosis had higher survival rates than those who were older when they were diagnosed.
Milk Study Leaves a Sour Taste
Earlier this week, a leading medical journal ran an article that found little evidence that children need a milk-heavy diet to build strong bones. Now, the dairy industry is on the defensive, trying to poke holes in the research.
Age No Barrier for Kidney Transplant
Age alone shouldn't prevent older adults from donating kidneys or from receiving kidney transplants, researchers conclude.
Experts denounce continuing effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam
Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals sprayed by the US army during the Vietnam war three decades ago still pollute the soil and damage people's health, experts said.
Husband rejects million-dollar offer to keep brain-damaged wife alive
The husband of a brain-damaged woman rejected a one-million-dollar offer for him to reverse his decision to remove the feeding tube that has kept his wife alive for the past 15 years, his lawyer said.
Gabon sets up central Africa's first factory for generic medicines
Within months, a revolutionary kind of factory being erected in Gabon will start producing generic medicines to treat Africa's two great plagues, malaria and HIV/AIDS, industry and government sources said.
Irish PM says 7,000 have kicked the habit following radical smoking ban
About 7,000 Irish people have stopped smoking since a draconian ban on lighting up in public places was introduced a year ago, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said.
Philippine investigators probe mass poisoning
Philippine authorities launched a criminal investigation after at least 27 schoolchildren died in a mass food-poisoning in the central island of Bohol.
Canada said on Friday it was "nowhere near" deciding how to clamp down on Internet pharmacies that send cheap medicine to the United States, often without Canadian doctors having seen the patients.
Won't Ban Junk-Food Ads for Kids, Official Says
The U.S. government will not ban or limit junk-food advertising to children, but wants the industry to set new guidelines to promote healthy eating and minimize obesity, a top regulator said on Friday.
Baby's Size Linked to Birth Size of Both Parents
Having a father who was a small infant more than triples the chances that a baby will also be born small. Furthermore, if this is the case for the mother as well, the likelihood is over 16 times greater, according to study finding.
Some 'Senior Moments' Are Signs of Epilepsy
Memory blanks, losing train of thought, temporary confusion -- all are often chalked up to "senioritis" once people reach a certain age. But these symptoms can also be a warning sign of the seizure disorder epilepsy, experts said Friday.
Older Siblings Smarter, Norwegian Study Shows
First born children in Norway get better education and as adults are more successful in the job market than younger siblings, a Norwegian-U.S. study showed.
Blacks Get Less Aggressive Heart Attack Treatment
The gap is narrowing, but African Americans who suffer a heart attack are still getting less aggressive treatment compared with whites, according to a new study.
Even a Late Exercise Start Cuts Heart Risks
Adopting a regular exercise routine for the first time late in life reduces the development of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, Canadian researchers found in a clinical study of older people.
FDA Panel Backs Bristol-Myers Hepatitis Drug
U.S. health experts on Friday praised the effectiveness of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.'s experimental hepatitis B drug and recommended the Food and Drug Administration approve it to treat the liver disease in adults.
Heavy Drinking Tied to Hardening of Heart Arteries
In contrast to the beneficial effects of moderate alcohol intake on the heart, higher levels of alcohol consumption are linked to calcification of the coronary arteries, researchers report.
Remicade Eases Treatment-Resistant Kids' Arthritis
Children with arthritis -- a condition known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) -- who aren't helped by conventional treatments may benefit from one of the newer anti-arthritis drugs, Remicade.
FDA Warns AstraZeneca on Crestor Again
AstraZeneca PLC has received its second warning in four months from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over what the agency says are misleading claims in its ads for cholesterol-lowering medicine Crestor.
Report Links Second-Hand Smoke, Cancer
Scientists at an influential state agency have completed a draft report linking second-hand smoke to breast cancer, a finding that could lead air quality regulators to strengthen the state's indoor smoking laws.
Study: Hand Washing the Best Germ-Fighter
Mom was right. A new study by infection control specialists at UNC Hospitals confirms that the best way to get germs off your hands is with plain old soap and water.
Wrong Penicillin Given to 650 Patients
More than 650 people inadvertently received the wrong kind of penicillin after contracting syphilis or being in contact with someone who may have the disease, the Centers For Disease Control reported.
Panel Recommends FDA OK Hepatitis Drug
A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee on Friday urged approval of a new drug for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, the drug manufacturer said.
Pioneering Geriatrics Specialist Dies
Victor Kassel, a pioneering geriatrics specialist, died at the age of 84. Kassel, who died Wednesday, lobbied for Medicare reform throughout his career, and during the 1960s was a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging.
Doctors Need Better Training in Geriatric Care
As America's population ages, medical schools are falling short in training specialists in aspects of geriatric care, a new study warns.
Poverty May Raise Mental Illness Risk
The stresses of poverty may increase a person's risk for mental illness, according to a new U.S. study.
Health Tip: Prevent Latex Reactions
Now that spring is almost here, talk of allergies is in the air. Pollen first comes to mind, but an allergy to natural rubber latex can also cause sneezing and wheezing and, in rare cases, serious and even fatal reactions.
Specialist Therapy Most Effective for Panic Disorder
Individuals with panic disorders may benefit more from professional cognitive behavioral therapy plus medication than simply being given drugs and counseling by their primary care doctor, researchers report.
Smokers At Higher Suicide Risk
People who smoke every day may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, researchers report.
Panoramic Dental X-Rays Seldom Necessary
Routine dental panoramic X-rays, which provide a wide view of the teeth, jaws and surrounding structures and tissues, are not necessary in all patients.
Melanoma in Children Appears Different Than Adult Disease
A small study of 33 Italian children with melanoma found those children who were under 10 at the time of diagnosis had higher survival rates than those who were older when they were diagnosed.
Milk Study Leaves a Sour Taste
Earlier this week, a leading medical journal ran an article that found little evidence that children need a milk-heavy diet to build strong bones. Now, the dairy industry is on the defensive, trying to poke holes in the research.
Age No Barrier for Kidney Transplant
Age alone shouldn't prevent older adults from donating kidneys or from receiving kidney transplants, researchers conclude.
Experts denounce continuing effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam
Agent Orange and other toxic chemicals sprayed by the US army during the Vietnam war three decades ago still pollute the soil and damage people's health, experts said.
Husband rejects million-dollar offer to keep brain-damaged wife alive
The husband of a brain-damaged woman rejected a one-million-dollar offer for him to reverse his decision to remove the feeding tube that has kept his wife alive for the past 15 years, his lawyer said.
Gabon sets up central Africa's first factory for generic medicines
Within months, a revolutionary kind of factory being erected in Gabon will start producing generic medicines to treat Africa's two great plagues, malaria and HIV/AIDS, industry and government sources said.
Irish PM says 7,000 have kicked the habit following radical smoking ban
About 7,000 Irish people have stopped smoking since a draconian ban on lighting up in public places was introduced a year ago, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said.
Philippine investigators probe mass poisoning
Philippine authorities launched a criminal investigation after at least 27 schoolchildren died in a mass food-poisoning in the central island of Bohol.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Health Headlines - March 11
English Cancer Plan Making Progress
A 10-year campaign to cut cancer deaths in England is having positive effects, though more remains to be done, a public spending watchdog said Friday.
Steady Rise in UK Heterosexual HIV Infections
HIV infections among British heterosexuals have risen steadily in recent years but gay men still have the highest risk of acquiring the deadly virus, according to figures released on Friday.
Teva Drug Cuts Disability in Parkinson's
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd's drug Azilect reduces disability in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, according to new research published on Friday.
Health Experts Rap U.S., UK Over Counting Iraqi Dead
Public health experts criticized the United States and Britain on Friday for failing to record the number of Iraqi civilians killed since the U.S.-led invasion and called for an independent inquiry.
Kids Big at Puberty Become Obese Adults
Children and young teens who are not overweight but in the higher range of normal weight are much more likely than lean kids to become obese adults, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.
Exhaled Nitric Oxide Predicts Asthma Relapse
Among asthmatic children who are in clinical remission, measuring the amount of nitric oxide in their breath could help predict how likely they are to relapse, Dutch researchers report.
MRI Scans Could Have Antidepressant Effect
High-speed magnetic resonance imaging scans produce effects in rats similar to the use of antidepressants, confirming observations made in human patients, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.
Hepatitis Outbreaks Tied to Use of Test Devices
Improper use of blood sugar testing devices likely fueled a string of hepatitis B outbreaks in U.S. nursing homes that killed two diabetics and sent a number of others to hospital, federal and state health officials said on Thursday.
Eczema Creams Should Have Cancer Warning
Two eczema creams, Elidel and Protopic, should carry a strong advisory about a cancer risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday in a warning strongly disputed by the manufacturers.
U.S. Group: AstraZeneca Drug Risk Higher Than Others
The rate of serious muscle damage reported in patients who took AstraZeneca Plc's cholesterol drug Crestor was six times higher than with similar medicines, a consumer group said on Thursday.
Mutation Linked to Blindness in Elderly
The leading cause of blindness in the elderly, age-related macular degeneration, has been linked to a gene mutation, raising hopes of earlier detection and possible treatment. Fifteen million Americans have the disease, and that number is expected to double as baby boomers age.
Being able to relate a gene mutation to the likelihood of developing the illness may lead to better tests and eventually treatments, the scientists hope.
"I don't think it's going to be a year or two ... but I'd guess less than 10 years" before a treatment might become available, said Albert O. Edwards, the lead researcher for one of three sets of researchers reporting on the link.
Macular degeneration causes the central region of the eye's retina to deteriorate, damaging or destroying vision. For now, there are no broadly effective treatments, though a recently approved drug can slow the disease for some patients.
The new gene findings are reported in separate papers in this week's online issue of the journal Science. The three research groups were led by Edwards, at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Josephine Hoh of Yale University School of Medicine and Margaret A. Pericak-Vance of Duke University Medical Center.
"Overall, this is a significant and novel finding," said Radha Ayyagari, a research investigator at the University of Michigan who studies age-related macular degeneration.
While one mutated gene is not the only factor in macular degeneration, the discovery "is an important finding and will help in identifying individuals at risk, provide information to design future therapies (and) understand the process of degeneration," said Ayyagari, who was not part of any of the three research teams.
The teams studied the genes of patients with AMD and others without the disease. Researchers found that people with a variation in the CFH gene were more likely to have the illness.
The CFH gene is involved in the production of a protein called complement factor H that helps regulate inflammation in a branch of the immune system.
The Texas-based researchers said their study indicated as many as half of AMD cases in the elderly could be related to the gene variant.
Edwards, who is now the president of the Institute for Retina Research at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, noted that risk factors for AMD are similar to those for cardiovascular illness, including obesity, lack of exercise and smoking.
"There is an unexplained increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in people with AMD," he said. "This may actually go beyond eye disease ... those studies have to be done."
Pericak-Vance, director of the Duke Center for Human Genetics, said her study indicated that the gene variant could account for about 43 percent of the risk of developing AMD for older adults.
"This gene opens the door to a whole new understanding of the factors that contribute to this disease," she said in a statement. "The finding may ultimately lead to new methods for identifying those at high risk for macular degeneration and suggests new pathways for drug development."
Hoh, an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Yale, reported that "Caucasian AMD patients are at least four times more likely to have one particular alteration in the CFH gene that produces a different form of the CFH protein, compared to individuals without the disease."
Dennis Schultz of Oregon Health and Science University, who two years ago identified a different gene involved in some cases of AMD, said the studies are an important finding, though not yet the whole story.
"It's complex, very difficult to understand, there are many genes involved and the environment plays a role as well," said Schultz, who was not part of the three study teams.
There are two forms of macular degeneration. The more common "dry" form progresses relatively slowly. The less common "wet" form, involving bleeding in the eye, can destroy vision rapidly. Both forms were associated with the CFH gene variation.
In December, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Macugen for treatment of the wet form of AMD. In studies for the drug, untreated patients had about a 45 percent chance of significant vision loss in a year compared with 30 percent for patients treated with Macugen. In addition, supplements including zinc and vitamins E, C and A have been shown to help some AMD patients.
The researchers was funded by the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Fund for the Arts and Sciences, the National Eye Institute, the National Institute on Aging, the National Center for Research Resources and Research to Prevent Blindness.
Judge Dismisses Agent Orange Lawsuit
A federal judge Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed on behalf of some 4 million Vietnamese claiming that U.S. chemical companies committed war crimes by making Agent Orange for use during the Vietnam War.
Report Links Second-Hand Smoke, Cancer
Scientists at an influential state agency have completed a draft report linking second-hand smoke to breast cancer, a finding that could lead air quality regulators to strengthen the state's indoor smoking laws.
Additive May End Up in Toothpaste, Gum
An additive that provides the minerals used by teeth to rebuild themselves could find its way into products ranging from toothpaste to chewing gum, University of Maryland researchers say.
Cloning Sparks Concern Over Egg Donors
Of all the questions about California's ambitious plans to publicly finance human cloning projects for medical research, one of the thorniest may be how scientists plan to gather the thousands of eggs they'll need from women.
Study: Plavix, Anti-Clot Drugs Effective
Giving heart attack patients Plavix on top of the anti-clotting drugs they usually receive greatly reduces the chances they'll die or suffer another heart attack, landmark new research has found.
Study: Newborn Euthanasia Often Unreported
At least five mercy killings of newborns occur for every one reported to authorities in the Netherlands, doctors there reported just months after the first startling news of the controversial practice.
Kodak Develops Faster, Safer X-Ray Film
Eastman Kodak Co. is rolling out a higher-speed X-ray film that can halve a patient's exposure to radiation without blurring image quality.
Genes Linked to Smoking, Aggressive Behavior
There's more evidence the key to human behaviors such as addiction and aggression may lie in your genes.
Consumer Drug Ads Facing Their Moment of Truth
The landscape of prescription drug advertising to consumers will definitely change in the wake of recent government hearings on the popular painkillers Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra.
Virus Pegged as Big Cause of Traveler's Diarrhea
The kind of diarrhea that can send U.S. travelers running from the beach to the bathroom is most likely caused by one of a family of pathogens called Norovirus.
Busy Minds May Slow Alzheimer's
Keeping the brain busy may help stave off signs of Alzheimer's disease, researchers report.
Radiation 'Seed Therapy' Beating Prostate Cancer
A long term study finds radiation "seed therapy" used to fight prostate cancer achieved cure rates equal to, or better than, traditional surgery.
U.S. Adults Still Not Colon Cancer-Savvy
More older Americans (38 percent) know the name of a judge on "American Idol" than know they're at risk for colorectal cancer (34 percent), according to an American Cancer Society survey.
Gene Tied to Age-Related Vision Loss
Researchers say they have identified a genetic flaw involved in a substantial number of cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the elderly.
Developed Countries Still Carry Greatest Cancer Burden
The developed world still bears the lion's share of cancer cases, but less developed areas are catching up.
International group of doctors blast official toll of Iraqi civil dead
A group of top public-health physicians has branded the official toll of civilian dead from the Iraqi war as a serious underestimate and demanded an independent probe to establish the full casualty figures.
Airliners safer on disease transmission than widely thought
Fears that the confined space of commercial airliners and recycled air in aircraft cabins help spread flu and other respiratory diseases among passengers are largely unfounded, a new study says.
New drug offers hope for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease
A new drug, rasigiline, is an excellent addition to the small arsenal of weapons that can help the motor functions of people with advanced Parkinson's disease, a study published in The Lancet says.
A 10-year campaign to cut cancer deaths in England is having positive effects, though more remains to be done, a public spending watchdog said Friday.
Steady Rise in UK Heterosexual HIV Infections
HIV infections among British heterosexuals have risen steadily in recent years but gay men still have the highest risk of acquiring the deadly virus, according to figures released on Friday.
Teva Drug Cuts Disability in Parkinson's
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd's drug Azilect reduces disability in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, according to new research published on Friday.
Health Experts Rap U.S., UK Over Counting Iraqi Dead
Public health experts criticized the United States and Britain on Friday for failing to record the number of Iraqi civilians killed since the U.S.-led invasion and called for an independent inquiry.
Kids Big at Puberty Become Obese Adults
Children and young teens who are not overweight but in the higher range of normal weight are much more likely than lean kids to become obese adults, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.
Exhaled Nitric Oxide Predicts Asthma Relapse
Among asthmatic children who are in clinical remission, measuring the amount of nitric oxide in their breath could help predict how likely they are to relapse, Dutch researchers report.
MRI Scans Could Have Antidepressant Effect
High-speed magnetic resonance imaging scans produce effects in rats similar to the use of antidepressants, confirming observations made in human patients, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.
Hepatitis Outbreaks Tied to Use of Test Devices
Improper use of blood sugar testing devices likely fueled a string of hepatitis B outbreaks in U.S. nursing homes that killed two diabetics and sent a number of others to hospital, federal and state health officials said on Thursday.
Eczema Creams Should Have Cancer Warning
Two eczema creams, Elidel and Protopic, should carry a strong advisory about a cancer risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday in a warning strongly disputed by the manufacturers.
U.S. Group: AstraZeneca Drug Risk Higher Than Others
The rate of serious muscle damage reported in patients who took AstraZeneca Plc's cholesterol drug Crestor was six times higher than with similar medicines, a consumer group said on Thursday.
Mutation Linked to Blindness in Elderly
The leading cause of blindness in the elderly, age-related macular degeneration, has been linked to a gene mutation, raising hopes of earlier detection and possible treatment. Fifteen million Americans have the disease, and that number is expected to double as baby boomers age.
Being able to relate a gene mutation to the likelihood of developing the illness may lead to better tests and eventually treatments, the scientists hope.
"I don't think it's going to be a year or two ... but I'd guess less than 10 years" before a treatment might become available, said Albert O. Edwards, the lead researcher for one of three sets of researchers reporting on the link.
Macular degeneration causes the central region of the eye's retina to deteriorate, damaging or destroying vision. For now, there are no broadly effective treatments, though a recently approved drug can slow the disease for some patients.
The new gene findings are reported in separate papers in this week's online issue of the journal Science. The three research groups were led by Edwards, at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Josephine Hoh of Yale University School of Medicine and Margaret A. Pericak-Vance of Duke University Medical Center.
"Overall, this is a significant and novel finding," said Radha Ayyagari, a research investigator at the University of Michigan who studies age-related macular degeneration.
While one mutated gene is not the only factor in macular degeneration, the discovery "is an important finding and will help in identifying individuals at risk, provide information to design future therapies (and) understand the process of degeneration," said Ayyagari, who was not part of any of the three research teams.
The teams studied the genes of patients with AMD and others without the disease. Researchers found that people with a variation in the CFH gene were more likely to have the illness.
The CFH gene is involved in the production of a protein called complement factor H that helps regulate inflammation in a branch of the immune system.
The Texas-based researchers said their study indicated as many as half of AMD cases in the elderly could be related to the gene variant.
Edwards, who is now the president of the Institute for Retina Research at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, noted that risk factors for AMD are similar to those for cardiovascular illness, including obesity, lack of exercise and smoking.
"There is an unexplained increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in people with AMD," he said. "This may actually go beyond eye disease ... those studies have to be done."
Pericak-Vance, director of the Duke Center for Human Genetics, said her study indicated that the gene variant could account for about 43 percent of the risk of developing AMD for older adults.
"This gene opens the door to a whole new understanding of the factors that contribute to this disease," she said in a statement. "The finding may ultimately lead to new methods for identifying those at high risk for macular degeneration and suggests new pathways for drug development."
Hoh, an assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at Yale, reported that "Caucasian AMD patients are at least four times more likely to have one particular alteration in the CFH gene that produces a different form of the CFH protein, compared to individuals without the disease."
Dennis Schultz of Oregon Health and Science University, who two years ago identified a different gene involved in some cases of AMD, said the studies are an important finding, though not yet the whole story.
"It's complex, very difficult to understand, there are many genes involved and the environment plays a role as well," said Schultz, who was not part of the three study teams.
There are two forms of macular degeneration. The more common "dry" form progresses relatively slowly. The less common "wet" form, involving bleeding in the eye, can destroy vision rapidly. Both forms were associated with the CFH gene variation.
In December, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Macugen for treatment of the wet form of AMD. In studies for the drug, untreated patients had about a 45 percent chance of significant vision loss in a year compared with 30 percent for patients treated with Macugen. In addition, supplements including zinc and vitamins E, C and A have been shown to help some AMD patients.
The researchers was funded by the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Fund for the Arts and Sciences, the National Eye Institute, the National Institute on Aging, the National Center for Research Resources and Research to Prevent Blindness.
Judge Dismisses Agent Orange Lawsuit
A federal judge Thursday dismissed a lawsuit filed on behalf of some 4 million Vietnamese claiming that U.S. chemical companies committed war crimes by making Agent Orange for use during the Vietnam War.
Report Links Second-Hand Smoke, Cancer
Scientists at an influential state agency have completed a draft report linking second-hand smoke to breast cancer, a finding that could lead air quality regulators to strengthen the state's indoor smoking laws.
Additive May End Up in Toothpaste, Gum
An additive that provides the minerals used by teeth to rebuild themselves could find its way into products ranging from toothpaste to chewing gum, University of Maryland researchers say.
Cloning Sparks Concern Over Egg Donors
Of all the questions about California's ambitious plans to publicly finance human cloning projects for medical research, one of the thorniest may be how scientists plan to gather the thousands of eggs they'll need from women.
Study: Plavix, Anti-Clot Drugs Effective
Giving heart attack patients Plavix on top of the anti-clotting drugs they usually receive greatly reduces the chances they'll die or suffer another heart attack, landmark new research has found.
Study: Newborn Euthanasia Often Unreported
At least five mercy killings of newborns occur for every one reported to authorities in the Netherlands, doctors there reported just months after the first startling news of the controversial practice.
Kodak Develops Faster, Safer X-Ray Film
Eastman Kodak Co. is rolling out a higher-speed X-ray film that can halve a patient's exposure to radiation without blurring image quality.
Genes Linked to Smoking, Aggressive Behavior
There's more evidence the key to human behaviors such as addiction and aggression may lie in your genes.
Consumer Drug Ads Facing Their Moment of Truth
The landscape of prescription drug advertising to consumers will definitely change in the wake of recent government hearings on the popular painkillers Celebrex, Vioxx and Bextra.
Virus Pegged as Big Cause of Traveler's Diarrhea
The kind of diarrhea that can send U.S. travelers running from the beach to the bathroom is most likely caused by one of a family of pathogens called Norovirus.
Busy Minds May Slow Alzheimer's
Keeping the brain busy may help stave off signs of Alzheimer's disease, researchers report.
Radiation 'Seed Therapy' Beating Prostate Cancer
A long term study finds radiation "seed therapy" used to fight prostate cancer achieved cure rates equal to, or better than, traditional surgery.
U.S. Adults Still Not Colon Cancer-Savvy
More older Americans (38 percent) know the name of a judge on "American Idol" than know they're at risk for colorectal cancer (34 percent), according to an American Cancer Society survey.
Gene Tied to Age-Related Vision Loss
Researchers say they have identified a genetic flaw involved in a substantial number of cases of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the elderly.
Developed Countries Still Carry Greatest Cancer Burden
The developed world still bears the lion's share of cancer cases, but less developed areas are catching up.
International group of doctors blast official toll of Iraqi civil dead
A group of top public-health physicians has branded the official toll of civilian dead from the Iraqi war as a serious underestimate and demanded an independent probe to establish the full casualty figures.
Airliners safer on disease transmission than widely thought
Fears that the confined space of commercial airliners and recycled air in aircraft cabins help spread flu and other respiratory diseases among passengers are largely unfounded, a new study says.
New drug offers hope for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease
A new drug, rasigiline, is an excellent addition to the small arsenal of weapons that can help the motor functions of people with advanced Parkinson's disease, a study published in The Lancet says.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Health Headlines - March 10
Early Warning System Seen for Deadly Leg Clots
An early warning system can help doctors prevent many cases of deep-vein thrombosis, the so-called "economy-class syndrome" that causes potentially fatal blood clots, researchers said on Wednesday.
Health Care Disparities Kill 80,000 Blacks
More than 80,000 black Americans die every year because of continuing disparities in health care, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher said on Wednesday.
Study: Plavix Saves Lives After Big Heart Attacks
Patients whose clot-clogged arteries were treated with standard drugs, including aspirin, following serious heart attacks were more likely to maintain opened arteries and live longer if they also took the anti-clotting drug Plavix, researchers said.
Powerful Pain Medicine a Growing U.S. Crime Problem
Powerful painkillers like OxyContin, widely known as "hillbilly heroin," have emerged as a major crime problem in the United States, with many dealers and abusers obtaining them over the Internet.
Malaria Estimated at 515 Million Cases Worldwide
More than half a billion people, nearly double previous estimates, were affected by the deadliest form of malaria in 2002, scientists said Wednesday.
TV, Computers a 'Full-Time' Activity for U.S. Youth
Using computers, watching television and listening to music are nearly a full-time activity for most U.S. children, with the average 8- to 18-year-old taking in 6 1/2 hours a day, a report published on Wednesday said.
Calif. Panel Holds First Hearing on Stem Cell Work
California lawmakers got their first opportunity at an oversight hearing on Wednesday to examine the state's new $3 billion publicly financed stem cell research program.
High and Low Blood Pressure Bad for Brain Function
New research indicates that high and abnormally low blood pressures can have a detrimental effect on one's thinking ability or cognitive function.
Racial Disparity Seen in Care of Depressed Seniors
About one in five elderly Medicaid recipients diagnosed with depression get neither psychotherapy nor a prescription for antidepressants, a new study shows. African-Americans are disproportionately affected.
Sperm Protein Needed for Fertilization Is Found
Japanese scientists said on Wednesday they have discovered a protein on sperm that is essential to fertilize eggs.
Kodak Develops Faster, Safer X-Ray Film
Eastman Kodak Co. is rolling out a higher-speed X-ray film that can halve a patient's exposure to radiation without blurring image quality.
Study: Newborn Euthanasia Often Unreported
Euthanizing terminally ill newborns, while still very rare, is more common in the Netherlands than was believed when the startling practice was reported a few months ago — and experts say it also occurs, quietly, in other countries.
Food Poisoning Kills 27 Filipino Kids
Wailing parents carried the bodies of their children from hospitals after a snack of cassava — a root that's poisonous if not prepared correctly — bought from an outside vendor killed 27 and sickened 100 others Wednesday at an elementary school.
Report: Poor Health Care Hurting Blacks
Middle-age black men are dying at nearly twice the rate of white men of a similar age, reflecting lower incomes and poorer access to health care, a study says. But mortality among black infants is dropping.
McDonald's Unveils Healthy Living Campaign
Shifting the spotlight from french fries to fruit, McDonald's Corp. launched a new worldwide initiative Tuesday promoting healthy living — the latest effort by the world's largest restaurant chain to combat criticism of its food and business.
W.Va. Lawmakers Deem Gatorade Healthy
A House committee redefined a "healthy beverage" to include such sugary sports drinks as Gatorade on Wednesday before advancing Gov. Joe Manchin's "Healthy Starts" legislation.
Okla. Cracks Down on Junk Food in Schools
A bill to prohibit junk food sales in elementary schools and restrict them in higher grades passed the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday after it was amended to delay the ban until 2007.
Study: Many Kids Get Immunized Too Late
While overall U.S. immunization rates are high, many toddlers get their recommended shots several months or more late — delays that have probably contributed to some illnesses and deaths, a government study suggests.
Inner-City Asthma Risk Varies by Location
Experts have long known that inner-city children are at especially high risk for exposure to asthma triggers such as dust mites, cockroaches and mold.
Cholesterol Linked to Premature Aging Disorder
WEDNESDAY, March 9 (HealthDay News) -- Changes in cholesterol may speed heart disease in children affected by the premature aging disease progeria, researchers report.
Childhood Asthma Can Flare Up in Young Adults
Young adults whose asthma has been in remission since childhood have about a 33 percent chance of relapse during their 20s, a new Canadian study finds.
Witnessing Violence Can Harm Child's Body, Mind
Children who witness violence in their community or at home face increased risks of both emotional problems and physical illness, researchers report.
Diabetics At Higher Liver Cancer Risk
People with diabetes face triple the risk of liver cancer compared to non-diabetics, according to a large U.S. study.
Bird flu casts shadow over Vietnamese province
Vietnam's northern province of Thai Binh has become the frontline in the country's war against deadly bird flu, but with fresh cases day after day authorities are baffled as to how the virus is spreading.
Cell transplant offers hope of breakthrough for diabetes patients
British doctors announced they had cured a 61-year-old man who had suffered from the most extreme form of diabetes for over 30 years by injecting pancreatic cells into his liver.
UN has underestimated malaria cases by half, say international team
At least half a billion cases of malaria occur each year, 50 percent more than is estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the disease is far more serious in Southeast Asia than previously thought.
Scientists unscramble sperm-egg fusion in fertility breakthrough
Japanese researchers say they have identified a vital protein which enables a sperm to fuse with an egg, a discovery that could one day lead to new treatment for infertile men as well as new forms of contraception.
Bulgaria bans pork imports from Romania due to swine vesicular disease
Bulgaria banned pork imports from neighbouring Romania in order to prevent the spread of a contagious pig disease in the country, the Bulgarian agriculture ministry revealed.
Agent Orange lawsuit wins hearts of Vietnamese people
A child with distorted face, a legless woman walking on her hands, two babies fused together in a single body: heartrending pictures of alleged Agent Orange victims have hit Vietnamese newspapers in recent weeks.
Britain declares war on poor diet, lack of exercise
The British government declared war on poor eating and lack of exercise when it announced a plan to promote healthier living, especially among children in the country.
Italy to pay out over smoking-related cancer death
A court ordered the Italian government to pay 200,000 euros (266,000 dollars) in damages to the family of a cancer victim who sued the state because it held the cigarette monopoly.
An early warning system can help doctors prevent many cases of deep-vein thrombosis, the so-called "economy-class syndrome" that causes potentially fatal blood clots, researchers said on Wednesday.
Health Care Disparities Kill 80,000 Blacks
More than 80,000 black Americans die every year because of continuing disparities in health care, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher said on Wednesday.
Study: Plavix Saves Lives After Big Heart Attacks
Patients whose clot-clogged arteries were treated with standard drugs, including aspirin, following serious heart attacks were more likely to maintain opened arteries and live longer if they also took the anti-clotting drug Plavix, researchers said.
Powerful Pain Medicine a Growing U.S. Crime Problem
Powerful painkillers like OxyContin, widely known as "hillbilly heroin," have emerged as a major crime problem in the United States, with many dealers and abusers obtaining them over the Internet.
Malaria Estimated at 515 Million Cases Worldwide
More than half a billion people, nearly double previous estimates, were affected by the deadliest form of malaria in 2002, scientists said Wednesday.
TV, Computers a 'Full-Time' Activity for U.S. Youth
Using computers, watching television and listening to music are nearly a full-time activity for most U.S. children, with the average 8- to 18-year-old taking in 6 1/2 hours a day, a report published on Wednesday said.
Calif. Panel Holds First Hearing on Stem Cell Work
California lawmakers got their first opportunity at an oversight hearing on Wednesday to examine the state's new $3 billion publicly financed stem cell research program.
High and Low Blood Pressure Bad for Brain Function
New research indicates that high and abnormally low blood pressures can have a detrimental effect on one's thinking ability or cognitive function.
Racial Disparity Seen in Care of Depressed Seniors
About one in five elderly Medicaid recipients diagnosed with depression get neither psychotherapy nor a prescription for antidepressants, a new study shows. African-Americans are disproportionately affected.
Sperm Protein Needed for Fertilization Is Found
Japanese scientists said on Wednesday they have discovered a protein on sperm that is essential to fertilize eggs.
Kodak Develops Faster, Safer X-Ray Film
Eastman Kodak Co. is rolling out a higher-speed X-ray film that can halve a patient's exposure to radiation without blurring image quality.
Study: Newborn Euthanasia Often Unreported
Euthanizing terminally ill newborns, while still very rare, is more common in the Netherlands than was believed when the startling practice was reported a few months ago — and experts say it also occurs, quietly, in other countries.
Food Poisoning Kills 27 Filipino Kids
Wailing parents carried the bodies of their children from hospitals after a snack of cassava — a root that's poisonous if not prepared correctly — bought from an outside vendor killed 27 and sickened 100 others Wednesday at an elementary school.
Report: Poor Health Care Hurting Blacks
Middle-age black men are dying at nearly twice the rate of white men of a similar age, reflecting lower incomes and poorer access to health care, a study says. But mortality among black infants is dropping.
McDonald's Unveils Healthy Living Campaign
Shifting the spotlight from french fries to fruit, McDonald's Corp. launched a new worldwide initiative Tuesday promoting healthy living — the latest effort by the world's largest restaurant chain to combat criticism of its food and business.
W.Va. Lawmakers Deem Gatorade Healthy
A House committee redefined a "healthy beverage" to include such sugary sports drinks as Gatorade on Wednesday before advancing Gov. Joe Manchin's "Healthy Starts" legislation.
Okla. Cracks Down on Junk Food in Schools
A bill to prohibit junk food sales in elementary schools and restrict them in higher grades passed the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday after it was amended to delay the ban until 2007.
Study: Many Kids Get Immunized Too Late
While overall U.S. immunization rates are high, many toddlers get their recommended shots several months or more late — delays that have probably contributed to some illnesses and deaths, a government study suggests.
Inner-City Asthma Risk Varies by Location
Experts have long known that inner-city children are at especially high risk for exposure to asthma triggers such as dust mites, cockroaches and mold.
Cholesterol Linked to Premature Aging Disorder
WEDNESDAY, March 9 (HealthDay News) -- Changes in cholesterol may speed heart disease in children affected by the premature aging disease progeria, researchers report.
Childhood Asthma Can Flare Up in Young Adults
Young adults whose asthma has been in remission since childhood have about a 33 percent chance of relapse during their 20s, a new Canadian study finds.
Witnessing Violence Can Harm Child's Body, Mind
Children who witness violence in their community or at home face increased risks of both emotional problems and physical illness, researchers report.
Diabetics At Higher Liver Cancer Risk
People with diabetes face triple the risk of liver cancer compared to non-diabetics, according to a large U.S. study.
Bird flu casts shadow over Vietnamese province
Vietnam's northern province of Thai Binh has become the frontline in the country's war against deadly bird flu, but with fresh cases day after day authorities are baffled as to how the virus is spreading.
Cell transplant offers hope of breakthrough for diabetes patients
British doctors announced they had cured a 61-year-old man who had suffered from the most extreme form of diabetes for over 30 years by injecting pancreatic cells into his liver.
UN has underestimated malaria cases by half, say international team
At least half a billion cases of malaria occur each year, 50 percent more than is estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the disease is far more serious in Southeast Asia than previously thought.
Scientists unscramble sperm-egg fusion in fertility breakthrough
Japanese researchers say they have identified a vital protein which enables a sperm to fuse with an egg, a discovery that could one day lead to new treatment for infertile men as well as new forms of contraception.
Bulgaria bans pork imports from Romania due to swine vesicular disease
Bulgaria banned pork imports from neighbouring Romania in order to prevent the spread of a contagious pig disease in the country, the Bulgarian agriculture ministry revealed.
Agent Orange lawsuit wins hearts of Vietnamese people
A child with distorted face, a legless woman walking on her hands, two babies fused together in a single body: heartrending pictures of alleged Agent Orange victims have hit Vietnamese newspapers in recent weeks.
Britain declares war on poor diet, lack of exercise
The British government declared war on poor eating and lack of exercise when it announced a plan to promote healthier living, especially among children in the country.
Italy to pay out over smoking-related cancer death
A court ordered the Italian government to pay 200,000 euros (266,000 dollars) in damages to the family of a cancer victim who sued the state because it held the cigarette monopoly.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Health Headlines - March 9
Vietnamese Relative Has Bird Flu, No Symptoms
A 81-year-old Vietnamese man whose two grandchildren are being treated for bird flu has tested positive for the virus even though he showed no symptoms of the deadly disease, a health official said on Wednesday.
Think Cats Make Your Kid Sneeze? Try Cockroaches
Cockroaches worsen asthma symptoms in children far more than furry pets or dust mites, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.
More Women Fat Than Underfed Around World
Many more women around the world are overweight than underfed, even in poor countries and rural areas, according to a report published on Tuesday.
Sanofi Obesity Drug Works for 2 Years, Some Snags
Sanofi-Aventis SA's experimental obesity drug helped patients shed three times as much weight as those on a placebo, but patients gained some of that weight back in the second year, according to a study released on Tuesday.
Senators Eye Longer Specialty Hospital Moratorium
A federal advisory group urged lawmakers on Tuesday to extend a moratorium on new, small specialty hospitals while more information is gathered on whether they drain resources from full service community hospitals.
Smoking in Pregnancy Damages Baby's Chromosomes
Mothers who smoke when they're pregnant may cause genetic damage in their babies, findings from a new study suggest. In fact, one common type of chromosome damage linked to maternal smoking is known to increase the risk of blood cancers.
Diabetes Ups Risk of Liver Cancer 2-3 Times
Patients suffering from diabetes could be two to three times more likely to develop cancer of the liver, researchers said on Tuesday.
Crestor Improves Heart Protein in U.S. Blacks
An unusual cholesterol drug study focusing on black Americans shows that AstraZeneca Plc's Crestor lowers levels of a protein that may predict a person's risk of serious heart disease.
Study Finds Vaccinations Lag for U.S. Children
While childhood vaccination levels are at a high in the United States, more than a third of children don't get their shots on time during the first two years of life, a study said on Tuesday.
Mental Slowing in Elderly a Tip-Off to Dementia
Mild loss of mental powers in older people -- the kind of slowing or forgetfulness that has often been thought of as "normal for age" -- is likely the first signs of the process that leads to Alzheimer's disease or cerebrovascular disease.
Study: Cholesterol Drugs Can Help Hearts
Giving people with modestly clogged arteries very high doses of a drug to drive their cholesterol down to very low levels cut their risk of strokes and heart attacks even more impressively than expected, the first study to test this strategy found.
Study: Many Kids Get Immunized Too Late
While overall U.S. immunization rates are high, many toddlers get their recommended shots several months or more late — delays that have probably contributed to some illnesses and deaths, a government study suggests.
McDonald's Unveils Healthy Living Campaign
Shifting the spotlight from french fries to fruit, McDonald's Corp. launched a new worldwide initiative Tuesday promoting healthy living — the latest effort by the world's largest restaurant chain to combat criticism of its food and business.
Overweight NBA Players? a Cautionary Tale
Last week it was obese football players. Now it's ... overweight basketball players?
Panel: Keep Moratorium on Some Hospitals
Congress should continue a ban on new physician-owned hospitals that focus on cardiac care, orthopedics and other specialties until the impact on general hospitals can be further investigated, an advisory panel recommended Tuesday.
Debate Grows Over Grading of Doctors
The trend toward issuing "report cards" on the nation's hospitals and doctors has not been shown to improve care, and might even harm patients, some physicians warn.
New Drugs May Help You Quit Smoking
Researchers are racing to develop a potentially lucrative drug that would make smoking as treatable as erectile dysfunction, high cholesterol and acid reflux disease.
Experimental Diet Pill Keeping Pounds Off
A second study confirms that an experimental diet pill can help people lose weight and keep it off for up to two years, setting the stage for its maker to seek approval to sell it in the United States.
Bill Clinton to Have Scar Tissue Removed
Six months after undergoing heart bypass surgery, former President Clinton will return to the hospital this week to have a rare buildup of fluid and scar tissue removed from his chest.
Health Tip: Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite
Bedbugs are making a comeback after being virtually eradicated in 1950s and 1960s. And according to New Scientist.com, second-hand furniture sales are largely to blame for the return of the little critters.
Health Tip: Traveling Abroad?
Traveling is a great experience that's not to be missed. It's also more fun without diarrhea, sunburn or malaria.
Kids' ATV Injuries Rising
Serious accidents involving children riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are a growing problem, with a new study finding hospitalization for such injuries jumping nearly 80 percent between 1997 and 2000.
Sharply Lower Cholesterol Levels Cut Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
Reducing "bad" cholesterol levels to new lows resulted in fewer problems, including heart attacks and strokes, in people with established coronary disease, a new study finds.
Smoking During Pregnancy May Up Child Leukemia Risk
Mothers who smoke during pregnancy could be causing chromosomal abnormalities in fetal cells that may increase risks for both childhood and adult leukemia, a new study claims.
MRI Safe for Those With Pacemakers, Defibrillators
Contrary to widespread belief, individuals with implanted pacemakers or defibrillators can, in many cases, safely undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, researchers conclude.
Obesity May Encourage Heart Failure
Tubby mice are giving scientists vital clues as to why obesity is so hard on the human heart.
Thalidomide Slows Cancer-Related Weight Loss
Thalidomide, long associated with birth defects, may have a good side: a small study finds the drug helps slow the weight loss and wasting of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Anti-obesity pill promising: second study
A European study appears to confirm earlier results of tests on an experimental pill against obesity from French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventi, researchers said.
U.S. gets cloning ban victory at UN
A deeply divided UN General Assembly passed a declaration urging governments to ban all human cloning, including for medical research, in a political victory for the United States.
Further tests reveal more human bird flu cases in Vietnam
Seven Vietnamese patients who had initially tested negative for bird flu have been found to have carried the virus, the World Health Organisation said after further tests by a laboratory in Tokyo.
Zimbabwean twins doing well after separation surgery in Canada
Canadian doctors said Zimbabwean twins Tinashe and Tinotenda were doing well after an operation to separate them.
A 81-year-old Vietnamese man whose two grandchildren are being treated for bird flu has tested positive for the virus even though he showed no symptoms of the deadly disease, a health official said on Wednesday.
Think Cats Make Your Kid Sneeze? Try Cockroaches
Cockroaches worsen asthma symptoms in children far more than furry pets or dust mites, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.
More Women Fat Than Underfed Around World
Many more women around the world are overweight than underfed, even in poor countries and rural areas, according to a report published on Tuesday.
Sanofi Obesity Drug Works for 2 Years, Some Snags
Sanofi-Aventis SA's experimental obesity drug helped patients shed three times as much weight as those on a placebo, but patients gained some of that weight back in the second year, according to a study released on Tuesday.
Senators Eye Longer Specialty Hospital Moratorium
A federal advisory group urged lawmakers on Tuesday to extend a moratorium on new, small specialty hospitals while more information is gathered on whether they drain resources from full service community hospitals.
Smoking in Pregnancy Damages Baby's Chromosomes
Mothers who smoke when they're pregnant may cause genetic damage in their babies, findings from a new study suggest. In fact, one common type of chromosome damage linked to maternal smoking is known to increase the risk of blood cancers.
Diabetes Ups Risk of Liver Cancer 2-3 Times
Patients suffering from diabetes could be two to three times more likely to develop cancer of the liver, researchers said on Tuesday.
Crestor Improves Heart Protein in U.S. Blacks
An unusual cholesterol drug study focusing on black Americans shows that AstraZeneca Plc's Crestor lowers levels of a protein that may predict a person's risk of serious heart disease.
Study Finds Vaccinations Lag for U.S. Children
While childhood vaccination levels are at a high in the United States, more than a third of children don't get their shots on time during the first two years of life, a study said on Tuesday.
Mental Slowing in Elderly a Tip-Off to Dementia
Mild loss of mental powers in older people -- the kind of slowing or forgetfulness that has often been thought of as "normal for age" -- is likely the first signs of the process that leads to Alzheimer's disease or cerebrovascular disease.
Study: Cholesterol Drugs Can Help Hearts
Giving people with modestly clogged arteries very high doses of a drug to drive their cholesterol down to very low levels cut their risk of strokes and heart attacks even more impressively than expected, the first study to test this strategy found.
Study: Many Kids Get Immunized Too Late
While overall U.S. immunization rates are high, many toddlers get their recommended shots several months or more late — delays that have probably contributed to some illnesses and deaths, a government study suggests.
McDonald's Unveils Healthy Living Campaign
Shifting the spotlight from french fries to fruit, McDonald's Corp. launched a new worldwide initiative Tuesday promoting healthy living — the latest effort by the world's largest restaurant chain to combat criticism of its food and business.
Overweight NBA Players? a Cautionary Tale
Last week it was obese football players. Now it's ... overweight basketball players?
Panel: Keep Moratorium on Some Hospitals
Congress should continue a ban on new physician-owned hospitals that focus on cardiac care, orthopedics and other specialties until the impact on general hospitals can be further investigated, an advisory panel recommended Tuesday.
Debate Grows Over Grading of Doctors
The trend toward issuing "report cards" on the nation's hospitals and doctors has not been shown to improve care, and might even harm patients, some physicians warn.
New Drugs May Help You Quit Smoking
Researchers are racing to develop a potentially lucrative drug that would make smoking as treatable as erectile dysfunction, high cholesterol and acid reflux disease.
Experimental Diet Pill Keeping Pounds Off
A second study confirms that an experimental diet pill can help people lose weight and keep it off for up to two years, setting the stage for its maker to seek approval to sell it in the United States.
Bill Clinton to Have Scar Tissue Removed
Six months after undergoing heart bypass surgery, former President Clinton will return to the hospital this week to have a rare buildup of fluid and scar tissue removed from his chest.
Health Tip: Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite
Bedbugs are making a comeback after being virtually eradicated in 1950s and 1960s. And according to New Scientist.com, second-hand furniture sales are largely to blame for the return of the little critters.
Health Tip: Traveling Abroad?
Traveling is a great experience that's not to be missed. It's also more fun without diarrhea, sunburn or malaria.
Kids' ATV Injuries Rising
Serious accidents involving children riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are a growing problem, with a new study finding hospitalization for such injuries jumping nearly 80 percent between 1997 and 2000.
Sharply Lower Cholesterol Levels Cut Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
Reducing "bad" cholesterol levels to new lows resulted in fewer problems, including heart attacks and strokes, in people with established coronary disease, a new study finds.
Smoking During Pregnancy May Up Child Leukemia Risk
Mothers who smoke during pregnancy could be causing chromosomal abnormalities in fetal cells that may increase risks for both childhood and adult leukemia, a new study claims.
MRI Safe for Those With Pacemakers, Defibrillators
Contrary to widespread belief, individuals with implanted pacemakers or defibrillators can, in many cases, safely undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, researchers conclude.
Obesity May Encourage Heart Failure
Tubby mice are giving scientists vital clues as to why obesity is so hard on the human heart.
Thalidomide Slows Cancer-Related Weight Loss
Thalidomide, long associated with birth defects, may have a good side: a small study finds the drug helps slow the weight loss and wasting of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Anti-obesity pill promising: second study
A European study appears to confirm earlier results of tests on an experimental pill against obesity from French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventi, researchers said.
U.S. gets cloning ban victory at UN
A deeply divided UN General Assembly passed a declaration urging governments to ban all human cloning, including for medical research, in a political victory for the United States.
Further tests reveal more human bird flu cases in Vietnam
Seven Vietnamese patients who had initially tested negative for bird flu have been found to have carried the virus, the World Health Organisation said after further tests by a laboratory in Tokyo.
Zimbabwean twins doing well after separation surgery in Canada
Canadian doctors said Zimbabwean twins Tinashe and Tinotenda were doing well after an operation to separate them.
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Health Headlines - March 8
Laughter May Be Good for the Heart, Study Finds
A daily dose of laughter may be good for the heart because, like exercise, it makes blood vessels work more efficiently, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.
Medicaid Fails to Check Drug Pricing
U.S. Medicaid officials failed to properly check the prices drug companies charge the health insurance program for the poor and disabled, according to a government report released on Monday.
Study: Thalidomide Helps Pancreas Cancer Patients
The controversial drug thalidomide slows weight loss in patients suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, doctors said Tuesday.
Heavy Drinking More Common on Campus Than Off
U.S. college students drink more alcohol and are more likely to binge drink than young adults who are not in college, but the nonstudents are more likely to be dependent on alcohol, a study said Monday.
Asthma Returns in Children Who 'Outgrew' It
A third of children who supposedly outgrew their asthma saw it come back by the time they reached their mid-20s, researchers reported on Monday.
Being Heavy Ups Asthma Risk for Women But Not Men
A new report confirms that women who are overweight run an increased risk of developing asthma and allergy, but men don't.
Mini-Strokes Should Get Swift Treatment
People often suffer mini-strokes days before a major stroke and should seek help within hours to get the most effective treatment, British researchers reported on Monday.
Culture Keeps Hispanic Youth from Sex
Hispanic teenagers in the United States who use Spanish as their primary language are likely to become sexually active later than those who have learned English, keeping them at less risk for disease and related problems, a study said on Monday.
Some 545 Nigerians Treated for Horrid Pregnancy Injury
Some 545 Nigerian women were treated during a crash two-week campaign against obstetric fistula, one of the worst pregnancy-related disabilities that often goes untreated, a U.N. agency said on Monday.
Study: Aspirin Prevents Strokes in Women
In a stunning example of gender differences in medicine, a major new study found that aspirin helps healthy women avoid strokes but makes no difference in their risk of heart attacks unless they're 65 or older.
Japanese Heart Transplant Patient Dies
A Japanese man who received a new heart four years ago died Monday, the first to die after undergoing a heart transplant in Japan since the operations were legalized in the 1990s.
Unit for Infectious, Deadly Illness Opens
The nation's largest medical unit for victims of highly lethal infectious diseases such as smallpox, anthrax and the plague opened in Nebraska on Monday.
Nurse Contracts Bird Flu in Vietnam
A 26-year-old nurse who cared for a bird flu patient has contracted the deadly virus, but it's unclear whether he caught the disease from his patient, a Vietnamese health official said Monday.
EPA Cracks Down on Lead in Drinking Water
Stricter monitoring and reporting of problems with lead in drinking water will be required of utilities, states, schools and child care facilities, the Environmental Protection Agency said Monday.
Osteoporosis Linked to Celiac Disease
People with osteoporosis, the bone-weakening condition, may also have celiac disease and should be screened for that illness, too, a new study recommends.
Even Mild Depression Ups Heart Failure Death Risk
A state of depression so mild that most doctors might not notice it significantly increases the long-term risk of death for people with heart failure, a new study finds.
Lung Cancer 'Gender Gap' Closing
The gender gap in lung cancer rates in the United States is narrowing as rates among men decline while rates among women remain steady, according to a study in the March issue of Chest.
Oily Fish Fosters Healthy Blood Fat
For years, nutritionists have known that eating oily fish like mackerel or salmon boosts human health, although the exact reasons have remained unclear.
Blood Sodium Levels Affect Heart Failure Survival
A lower-than-normal level of sodium in the blood (a condition known as hyponatremia) is a major predictor of poor outcomes for heart failure patients, researchers report.
U.S. Autism Rates Rise Sharply
The apparent rise in the proportion of children in the United States with autism appears to be real, a new analysis suggests.
'Designer baby' case opens in Britain's top court
Britain's top appeals court began considering whether to allow parents to produce babies whose genetic material would be used to help treat their sick siblings.
Heinz recalls cancer-causing dye-contaminated products in Chinese market
U.S. food giant Heinz has issued a recall of chili sauces, chili oils and other products in China suspected of containing a cancer-causing agent at the center of a European health scare.
British celebrity chef launches fight against junk food at school
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has launched a crusade against junk food served up in school canteens, forcing the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair to reassess Britain's nutritional standards.
Skin test gauges cholesterol, heart risk
A skin test to measure cholesterol levels almost instantly may challenge more complex and costly procedures now used to gauge cardiovascular risk, U.S. physicians said.
UN envoy, French health group raise alarm over mass rape in Darfur
The UN emergency relief chief raised alarm over the mass rape of women in Sudan's Darfur region as a French health group reported treating hundreds of victims in recent months.
A daily dose of laughter may be good for the heart because, like exercise, it makes blood vessels work more efficiently, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.
Medicaid Fails to Check Drug Pricing
U.S. Medicaid officials failed to properly check the prices drug companies charge the health insurance program for the poor and disabled, according to a government report released on Monday.
Study: Thalidomide Helps Pancreas Cancer Patients
The controversial drug thalidomide slows weight loss in patients suffering from advanced pancreatic cancer, doctors said Tuesday.
Heavy Drinking More Common on Campus Than Off
U.S. college students drink more alcohol and are more likely to binge drink than young adults who are not in college, but the nonstudents are more likely to be dependent on alcohol, a study said Monday.
Asthma Returns in Children Who 'Outgrew' It
A third of children who supposedly outgrew their asthma saw it come back by the time they reached their mid-20s, researchers reported on Monday.
Being Heavy Ups Asthma Risk for Women But Not Men
A new report confirms that women who are overweight run an increased risk of developing asthma and allergy, but men don't.
Mini-Strokes Should Get Swift Treatment
People often suffer mini-strokes days before a major stroke and should seek help within hours to get the most effective treatment, British researchers reported on Monday.
Culture Keeps Hispanic Youth from Sex
Hispanic teenagers in the United States who use Spanish as their primary language are likely to become sexually active later than those who have learned English, keeping them at less risk for disease and related problems, a study said on Monday.
Some 545 Nigerians Treated for Horrid Pregnancy Injury
Some 545 Nigerian women were treated during a crash two-week campaign against obstetric fistula, one of the worst pregnancy-related disabilities that often goes untreated, a U.N. agency said on Monday.
Study: Aspirin Prevents Strokes in Women
In a stunning example of gender differences in medicine, a major new study found that aspirin helps healthy women avoid strokes but makes no difference in their risk of heart attacks unless they're 65 or older.
Japanese Heart Transplant Patient Dies
A Japanese man who received a new heart four years ago died Monday, the first to die after undergoing a heart transplant in Japan since the operations were legalized in the 1990s.
Unit for Infectious, Deadly Illness Opens
The nation's largest medical unit for victims of highly lethal infectious diseases such as smallpox, anthrax and the plague opened in Nebraska on Monday.
Nurse Contracts Bird Flu in Vietnam
A 26-year-old nurse who cared for a bird flu patient has contracted the deadly virus, but it's unclear whether he caught the disease from his patient, a Vietnamese health official said Monday.
EPA Cracks Down on Lead in Drinking Water
Stricter monitoring and reporting of problems with lead in drinking water will be required of utilities, states, schools and child care facilities, the Environmental Protection Agency said Monday.
Osteoporosis Linked to Celiac Disease
People with osteoporosis, the bone-weakening condition, may also have celiac disease and should be screened for that illness, too, a new study recommends.
Even Mild Depression Ups Heart Failure Death Risk
A state of depression so mild that most doctors might not notice it significantly increases the long-term risk of death for people with heart failure, a new study finds.
Lung Cancer 'Gender Gap' Closing
The gender gap in lung cancer rates in the United States is narrowing as rates among men decline while rates among women remain steady, according to a study in the March issue of Chest.
Oily Fish Fosters Healthy Blood Fat
For years, nutritionists have known that eating oily fish like mackerel or salmon boosts human health, although the exact reasons have remained unclear.
Blood Sodium Levels Affect Heart Failure Survival
A lower-than-normal level of sodium in the blood (a condition known as hyponatremia) is a major predictor of poor outcomes for heart failure patients, researchers report.
U.S. Autism Rates Rise Sharply
The apparent rise in the proportion of children in the United States with autism appears to be real, a new analysis suggests.
'Designer baby' case opens in Britain's top court
Britain's top appeals court began considering whether to allow parents to produce babies whose genetic material would be used to help treat their sick siblings.
Heinz recalls cancer-causing dye-contaminated products in Chinese market
U.S. food giant Heinz has issued a recall of chili sauces, chili oils and other products in China suspected of containing a cancer-causing agent at the center of a European health scare.
British celebrity chef launches fight against junk food at school
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has launched a crusade against junk food served up in school canteens, forcing the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair to reassess Britain's nutritional standards.
Skin test gauges cholesterol, heart risk
A skin test to measure cholesterol levels almost instantly may challenge more complex and costly procedures now used to gauge cardiovascular risk, U.S. physicians said.
UN envoy, French health group raise alarm over mass rape in Darfur
The UN emergency relief chief raised alarm over the mass rape of women in Sudan's Darfur region as a French health group reported treating hundreds of victims in recent months.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Health Headlines - March 7
Egyptian 'Two-Head' Baby Has Second Operation
An Egyptian baby who had an operation to remove a second head last month has had a second operation to extract excess fluid from her brain, one of her doctors said Sunday.
Schools Moving to Rid Mercury From Labs
As mercury spills in schools disrupt classes, teachers and environmental groups want to rid student labs of the versatile but dangerous metal.
Drug-Coated Stents Transform Heart Care
A new generation of tiny metal scaffolds that prop open arteries has transformed heart care in just a few years and is allowing a growing number of people to avoid having bypass surgery.
At-Home Genetic Testing Raises Questions
Commercials hawking prescription drugs directly to consumers have driven doctors crazy for years. Now comes a new kind of medical marketing that is already troubling some medical professionals: at-home genetic testing.
Schwarzenegger Wants School Junk Food Ban
At the bodybuilding event named for him, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Sunday that he wants to ban all sales of junk food in California schools and fill vending machines with fresh fruits, vegetables and milk.
Ark., Iowa Governors Unite to Run Marathon
Nearly two years after he embarked on a diet and fitness regimen that left him 110 pounds lighter and diabetes free, Gov. Mike Huckabee finished the Little Rock Marathon Sunday ahead of his new running mate — Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa.
Vietnam Reports a New Case of Bird Flu
A man who worked as a nurse for a bird flu patient has contracted the deadly virus, but it was unclear whether he caught the disease from the patient, a Vietnamese health official said Monday in announcing Vietnam's fifth case in two weeks.
Abortion illegal in Iran -- with dangerous effects
A booming business in backstreet abortions has pushed Iran's religious conservatives to consider changing the law, which was supposed to have protected the lives of mothers.
Zambia bans maize exports due to looming hunger
Zambia has banned maize exports to neighbouring countries with immediate effect because of a countrywide drought that could lead to serious food shortages this year.
An Egyptian baby who had an operation to remove a second head last month has had a second operation to extract excess fluid from her brain, one of her doctors said Sunday.
Schools Moving to Rid Mercury From Labs
As mercury spills in schools disrupt classes, teachers and environmental groups want to rid student labs of the versatile but dangerous metal.
Drug-Coated Stents Transform Heart Care
A new generation of tiny metal scaffolds that prop open arteries has transformed heart care in just a few years and is allowing a growing number of people to avoid having bypass surgery.
At-Home Genetic Testing Raises Questions
Commercials hawking prescription drugs directly to consumers have driven doctors crazy for years. Now comes a new kind of medical marketing that is already troubling some medical professionals: at-home genetic testing.
Schwarzenegger Wants School Junk Food Ban
At the bodybuilding event named for him, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Sunday that he wants to ban all sales of junk food in California schools and fill vending machines with fresh fruits, vegetables and milk.
Ark., Iowa Governors Unite to Run Marathon
Nearly two years after he embarked on a diet and fitness regimen that left him 110 pounds lighter and diabetes free, Gov. Mike Huckabee finished the Little Rock Marathon Sunday ahead of his new running mate — Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa.
Vietnam Reports a New Case of Bird Flu
A man who worked as a nurse for a bird flu patient has contracted the deadly virus, but it was unclear whether he caught the disease from the patient, a Vietnamese health official said Monday in announcing Vietnam's fifth case in two weeks.
Abortion illegal in Iran -- with dangerous effects
A booming business in backstreet abortions has pushed Iran's religious conservatives to consider changing the law, which was supposed to have protected the lives of mothers.
Zambia bans maize exports due to looming hunger
Zambia has banned maize exports to neighbouring countries with immediate effect because of a countrywide drought that could lead to serious food shortages this year.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Health Headlines - March 6
Schwarzenegger Urges Steroid Crackdown
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Saturday he has urged bodybuilding officials to crack down on steroid use and suggested calling a summit of the sport's leaders to discuss the problem.
Camp Aids Kids Who Can't Go Out in the Sun
Caren and Dan Mahar can't stop the sun from shining to save their 12-year-old daughter, but they've done everything short of it. Since finding Katie has xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare genetic disorder that turns sunlight to poison, they created a shady world for her with window tint, hats and sunscreen. Katie plays by moonlight.
But the Hudson Valley couple have also shucked their comfortable suburban lives to run a charity that helps kids like Katie, raising $1.5 million for research and for a special camp for children who can't go out in the sun.
When the Mahars — like other parents of sick children — asked themselves `What can we do?' their answer was exceptional. The former mail carrier and stay-at-home mom not only are trying to coax along a lifesaving cure, but are helping families around the world with sun-sensitive children. They're raising funds, awareness and spirits with a special camp for kids.
"A lot of times I'm just petrified," Dan Mahar admitted, standing by the indoor pool at the camp they built. "I'm not the man who's best qualified for this job. But I'm the one who happens to have it."
The camp was started, in part, so Katie wouldn't feel isolated. It has placed the Mahars at the nexus of XP families all over. Neil Johnson, whose 18-year-old daughter Alixe is a camp regular, doesn't believe she would be doing as well physically or mentally without the Mahars, who have become close friends.
"I've got a kid with XP, but I didn't drop everything to pursue a foundation in search of a cure. I still have my 401k, I still have a job. I still have my benefits," said Johnson, of Greensboro, N.C. "Those two chucked all that with a vision."
Katie is the fourth of the Mahars' five children, a seventh grader with long chestnut hair and an unguarded laugh. She likes Spanish class, phoning friends and watching "Seventh Heaven" on TV.
But like others with the disorder, exposure to sunlight or other strong sources of ultraviolet radiation increases her cancer risk significantly. Many people with XP are plagued by tumors and die young, though with early diagnosis and aggressive shielding, sufferers can live at least into middle age.
The Mahars discovered Katie had a problem when she was a baby; a brief stay under a shade tree left her with painful blisters. Since then, the Mahars have essentially structured their lives to keep Katie out of strong light. Their home is a dimly lit cocoon where windows are tinted and bright fluorescent lights are banished.
Katie goes to school like her siblings. But she is slathered with sun screen and meets the morning bus wearing a hood, sunglasses, gloves and a tinted visor. The protective gear stays on until she gets to a classroom.
"If someone lifts up the shade, my friends will say, `Don't do that! Don't you know Katie's in the room?'" Katie said.
The couple realized that light-shielding strategies, though necessary, were not enough. What they really needed was a cure.
Overcoming their desire for privacy, the couple turned a spotlight on their lives to raise research money. A stream of reporters tramped through their house.
The family sold baked goods outside of Kmart for a year to raise $10,000. Caren recalls proudly bringing the check to scientists — and being told she collected the medical research equivalent of lunch money.
"They laughed in my face," Caren says. "I can't explain how sick and hurt I felt."
Undaunted, Caren and Dan pressed on with the Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society and its dual mission of finding a cure and supporting families. Days are now consumed with fund-raising and networking. Caren is the calm voice on the phone giving advice on window tinting to shellshocked parents grappling with XP.
And when she talks to scientists now, it's often as a speaker at symposiums.
For a time, the Mahars tried to cater to Katie's needs while living a normal suburban life. It was a bumpy ride. Caren recalls people parking nearby to watch Katie play in the back yard at night. "Like a freak show," she said.
And while a night camp in their yard did indeed bring kids with light sensitivity together, it also meant a llama wandering into their kitchen from the petting zoo in the garage.
"It got to the point where I couldn't focus anymore," Dan said. "It just had to be all or nothing."
Dan quit his postal job so the couple could devote themselves full-time to the fledgling organization, with Caren drawing a salary from it.
A couple who read about the Mahars sold them a cozy house in the woods. Uprooting all their kids was tough, but Dan told them they had chances to succeed in life that Katie didn't, and he needed to make things equal.
Since 2003, the rural spread has been home to Camp Sundown, tucked among rock outcroppings and tall pines behind the Mahar's home. For a few weeks each summer and one weekend each fall, campers spend sunlight hours playing games and splashing around a pool inside the sprawling main building. After dark, they sing around the campfire or go on field trips to ride go-carts or take a cruise around Manhattan.
Dan admits leaving the security of their old life was scary. But there are upsides. Katie's siblings have cottoned to country life. The Mahars are constantly amazed that strangers are so generous with time, money and materials. They say their life is more spiritual now.
There is still no cure for XP, but Dan still harbors hope. He likes to think Katie will take a nostalgic walk through her old camp one day.
"I want Katie to bring her granddaughter back and say, `This is where I carved my initials in a tree.'"
Lose Weight, Feel Great With a Good Breakfast
A healthy breakfast that includes high-fiber cereal, fruit and milk can help you lose weight and fend off diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, says an article in the Harvard Men's Health Watch.
U.S. Panel Recommends Limiting Gene Therapy Trials
Federal health advisers recommended late Friday that two U.S. gene therapy trials for children with a severe immune deficiency resume but on a very limited basis.
Health issue heats up first round of British election campaign
Campaigning for Britain's expected general election in May has kicked off in a round of bare-knuckle politicking over the National Health Service, with opposition Conservatives showcasing one pensioner's plight and Labour defending its record.
Croatia's outdated law on IVF opens door for abuses
The fate of some 500 frozen embryos missing from a Zagreb hospital has given fresh impetus to calls for a review of Croatia's out-dated laws to prevent a "black market" in artificial fertilisation.
Death toll from Turkish counterfeit liquor hits 16
The death toll in Turkey from drinking bootleg liquor made from deadly methyl alcohol increased to 16 when one more person died in an Istanbul hospital, health authorities said Saturday.
China says cancer-causing red dye Sudan I found in Heinz products
China said that a cancer-causing agent at the center of a European health scare has been found in edible products made by a subsidiary of the American multinational food giant Heinz Company.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Saturday he has urged bodybuilding officials to crack down on steroid use and suggested calling a summit of the sport's leaders to discuss the problem.
Camp Aids Kids Who Can't Go Out in the Sun
Caren and Dan Mahar can't stop the sun from shining to save their 12-year-old daughter, but they've done everything short of it. Since finding Katie has xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare genetic disorder that turns sunlight to poison, they created a shady world for her with window tint, hats and sunscreen. Katie plays by moonlight.
But the Hudson Valley couple have also shucked their comfortable suburban lives to run a charity that helps kids like Katie, raising $1.5 million for research and for a special camp for children who can't go out in the sun.
When the Mahars — like other parents of sick children — asked themselves `What can we do?' their answer was exceptional. The former mail carrier and stay-at-home mom not only are trying to coax along a lifesaving cure, but are helping families around the world with sun-sensitive children. They're raising funds, awareness and spirits with a special camp for kids.
"A lot of times I'm just petrified," Dan Mahar admitted, standing by the indoor pool at the camp they built. "I'm not the man who's best qualified for this job. But I'm the one who happens to have it."
The camp was started, in part, so Katie wouldn't feel isolated. It has placed the Mahars at the nexus of XP families all over. Neil Johnson, whose 18-year-old daughter Alixe is a camp regular, doesn't believe she would be doing as well physically or mentally without the Mahars, who have become close friends.
"I've got a kid with XP, but I didn't drop everything to pursue a foundation in search of a cure. I still have my 401k, I still have a job. I still have my benefits," said Johnson, of Greensboro, N.C. "Those two chucked all that with a vision."
Katie is the fourth of the Mahars' five children, a seventh grader with long chestnut hair and an unguarded laugh. She likes Spanish class, phoning friends and watching "Seventh Heaven" on TV.
But like others with the disorder, exposure to sunlight or other strong sources of ultraviolet radiation increases her cancer risk significantly. Many people with XP are plagued by tumors and die young, though with early diagnosis and aggressive shielding, sufferers can live at least into middle age.
The Mahars discovered Katie had a problem when she was a baby; a brief stay under a shade tree left her with painful blisters. Since then, the Mahars have essentially structured their lives to keep Katie out of strong light. Their home is a dimly lit cocoon where windows are tinted and bright fluorescent lights are banished.
Katie goes to school like her siblings. But she is slathered with sun screen and meets the morning bus wearing a hood, sunglasses, gloves and a tinted visor. The protective gear stays on until she gets to a classroom.
"If someone lifts up the shade, my friends will say, `Don't do that! Don't you know Katie's in the room?'" Katie said.
The couple realized that light-shielding strategies, though necessary, were not enough. What they really needed was a cure.
Overcoming their desire for privacy, the couple turned a spotlight on their lives to raise research money. A stream of reporters tramped through their house.
The family sold baked goods outside of Kmart for a year to raise $10,000. Caren recalls proudly bringing the check to scientists — and being told she collected the medical research equivalent of lunch money.
"They laughed in my face," Caren says. "I can't explain how sick and hurt I felt."
Undaunted, Caren and Dan pressed on with the Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society and its dual mission of finding a cure and supporting families. Days are now consumed with fund-raising and networking. Caren is the calm voice on the phone giving advice on window tinting to shellshocked parents grappling with XP.
And when she talks to scientists now, it's often as a speaker at symposiums.
For a time, the Mahars tried to cater to Katie's needs while living a normal suburban life. It was a bumpy ride. Caren recalls people parking nearby to watch Katie play in the back yard at night. "Like a freak show," she said.
And while a night camp in their yard did indeed bring kids with light sensitivity together, it also meant a llama wandering into their kitchen from the petting zoo in the garage.
"It got to the point where I couldn't focus anymore," Dan said. "It just had to be all or nothing."
Dan quit his postal job so the couple could devote themselves full-time to the fledgling organization, with Caren drawing a salary from it.
A couple who read about the Mahars sold them a cozy house in the woods. Uprooting all their kids was tough, but Dan told them they had chances to succeed in life that Katie didn't, and he needed to make things equal.
Since 2003, the rural spread has been home to Camp Sundown, tucked among rock outcroppings and tall pines behind the Mahar's home. For a few weeks each summer and one weekend each fall, campers spend sunlight hours playing games and splashing around a pool inside the sprawling main building. After dark, they sing around the campfire or go on field trips to ride go-carts or take a cruise around Manhattan.
Dan admits leaving the security of their old life was scary. But there are upsides. Katie's siblings have cottoned to country life. The Mahars are constantly amazed that strangers are so generous with time, money and materials. They say their life is more spiritual now.
There is still no cure for XP, but Dan still harbors hope. He likes to think Katie will take a nostalgic walk through her old camp one day.
"I want Katie to bring her granddaughter back and say, `This is where I carved my initials in a tree.'"
Lose Weight, Feel Great With a Good Breakfast
A healthy breakfast that includes high-fiber cereal, fruit and milk can help you lose weight and fend off diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, says an article in the Harvard Men's Health Watch.
U.S. Panel Recommends Limiting Gene Therapy Trials
Federal health advisers recommended late Friday that two U.S. gene therapy trials for children with a severe immune deficiency resume but on a very limited basis.
Health issue heats up first round of British election campaign
Campaigning for Britain's expected general election in May has kicked off in a round of bare-knuckle politicking over the National Health Service, with opposition Conservatives showcasing one pensioner's plight and Labour defending its record.
Croatia's outdated law on IVF opens door for abuses
The fate of some 500 frozen embryos missing from a Zagreb hospital has given fresh impetus to calls for a review of Croatia's out-dated laws to prevent a "black market" in artificial fertilisation.
Death toll from Turkish counterfeit liquor hits 16
The death toll in Turkey from drinking bootleg liquor made from deadly methyl alcohol increased to 16 when one more person died in an Istanbul hospital, health authorities said Saturday.
China says cancer-causing red dye Sudan I found in Heinz products
China said that a cancer-causing agent at the center of a European health scare has been found in edible products made by a subsidiary of the American multinational food giant Heinz Company.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Health Headlines - March 5
Court Allows HIV Lawsuit Against American Airlines
Three applicants denied flight attendant jobs at American Airlines can sue even though they lied about their HIV-positive status, a federal appeals court ruled on Friday.
Older Patients Benefit from Obesity Surgery, Too
Stomach bypass surgery, using "keyhole," or laparoscopic techniques, is a safe method of achieving weight loss in older patients and the benefits in this age group are similar to those seen in younger patients, new research shows.
Leflunomide Useful for Drug-Resistant Juvenile Arthritis - 5 hours ago
Leflunomide therapy is well tolerated and benefits some patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) resistant to the drug methotrexate, according to results of a new study.
Forearm Test Not Good for Checking Blood Sugar
People with diabetes who need to monitor their blood sugar levels should not use their forearm to get a blood sample if they think their levels are low, two teams report.
Calif. Jury Clears Philip Morris in Smoker Case
A state jury on Friday rejected an ex-smoker's claim that Philip Morris caused his fatal lung cancer by hiding the dangers of smoking, the first clear victory for tobacco makers after a long losing streak in California courts.
Novartis Sees Jaw Damage in Cancer Drug Patients
Novartis AG has received 875 reports of jaw problems in patients treated with two cancer drugs, but it is not clear if the medicines are responsible, company officials told a U.S. advisory panel on Friday.
The Secret to Man's Aggression: in His Finger?
How long a man's second finger is relative to his fourth finger appears to predict whether he is prone to be physically aggressive toward others, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
U.S. Seizes Batches of Two Glaxo Drugs
U.S. officials on Friday seized batches of GlaxoSmithKline Plc's diabetes drug Avandamet and controlled-release antidepressant Paxil CR because of concerns over manufacturing quality.
Pfizer HDL Drug Linked to Hypertension in Some
Pfizer Inc.'s experimental drug to raise "good" HDL cholesterol was effective and well tolerated in two small mid-stage trials, but appeared to cause a small increase in blood pressure among some patients, according to industry analysts.
More Seek Help for Marijuana Addiction
Treatment rates for marijuana nearly tripled between 1992 and 2002, the government says, attributing the increase to greater use and potency.
Elan, Biogen Confirm 2nd Case of Disease
A second patient taking a recently suspended multiple sclerosis-fighting drug, Tysabri, has contracted a rare disease of the central nervous system, the Irish and American companies who developed the highly touted medication confirmed Friday.
Officials Recommend Limiting Gene Therapy
Federal health advisers recommended Friday that gene therapy treatments for children with a severe immune deficiency be restricted to those who have no alternative.
WHO: Global Measles Deaths Drop 39 Pct.
Global deaths from measles have plummeted 39 percent since the 2001 launch of an international vaccination campaign to curb the disease, the World Health Organization and UNICEF said Friday.
Study of Lung Cancer Drug Iressa Under Way
A last-chance lung cancer drug that helped patients in preliminary trials didn't do well in a follow up, a failure that surprised manufacturer AstraZeneca PLC. The company is trying to determine why things didn't go better.
Maggots Make Move to Mainstream Medicine
First came the leeches, moving from the land of medical lore to modern doctors' offices. Now another creepy crawler -- the lowly maggot -- is poised to become the next big thing in animal-assisted care.
Discovery Could Prevent Blindness in Preemies
Doctors say they have discovered a protein that could prove key to preventing blindness in premature babies.
Double Carotid Artery Procedures Can Be Safe
In patients at high risk for stroke due to a narrowing of the carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain, doctors often resort to placing a stent -- a flexible tube -- within the artery, to help prop it open.
Dietary Fiber Fights High Blood Pressure
A high-fiber diet may help reduce high blood pressure and may even improve healthy blood pressure levels, a new study finds.
Meditate, and Feel Blood Pressure Fall
FRIDAY, March 4 (HealthDay News) -- Transcendental meditation (TM) may help blood vessels relax as it relaxes the mind, reducing heart disease risks along the way.
Joint Replacement Won't Banish Obesity
After undergoing joint replacement surgery of the knee or hip, many patients with arthritis expect to lose weight, assuming they'll be more active when their new joints work and feel better.
Thailand mulls human bird flu vaccine trial
Thailand was mulling whether to embark on a trial of US-manufactured human bird flu vaccine, as health officials said it would take at least two months before a final decision would be made.
U.N. says poor water sanitation among problems in Aceh tsunami barracks
The United Nations said poor water sanitation was among problems found in temporary housing for tsunami victims in Indonesia's Aceh province.
Toxic waste spawning radioactive diseases in Somalia coastline
Highly toxic waste washed on to Somali's coastline by last December's tsumani has spawned illnesses with symptoms like radioactive exposure in villagers along the shore of the shattered African nation, the UN Environment Programme said.
Three applicants denied flight attendant jobs at American Airlines can sue even though they lied about their HIV-positive status, a federal appeals court ruled on Friday.
Older Patients Benefit from Obesity Surgery, Too
Stomach bypass surgery, using "keyhole," or laparoscopic techniques, is a safe method of achieving weight loss in older patients and the benefits in this age group are similar to those seen in younger patients, new research shows.
Leflunomide Useful for Drug-Resistant Juvenile Arthritis - 5 hours ago
Leflunomide therapy is well tolerated and benefits some patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) resistant to the drug methotrexate, according to results of a new study.
Forearm Test Not Good for Checking Blood Sugar
People with diabetes who need to monitor their blood sugar levels should not use their forearm to get a blood sample if they think their levels are low, two teams report.
Calif. Jury Clears Philip Morris in Smoker Case
A state jury on Friday rejected an ex-smoker's claim that Philip Morris caused his fatal lung cancer by hiding the dangers of smoking, the first clear victory for tobacco makers after a long losing streak in California courts.
Novartis Sees Jaw Damage in Cancer Drug Patients
Novartis AG has received 875 reports of jaw problems in patients treated with two cancer drugs, but it is not clear if the medicines are responsible, company officials told a U.S. advisory panel on Friday.
The Secret to Man's Aggression: in His Finger?
How long a man's second finger is relative to his fourth finger appears to predict whether he is prone to be physically aggressive toward others, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
U.S. Seizes Batches of Two Glaxo Drugs
U.S. officials on Friday seized batches of GlaxoSmithKline Plc's diabetes drug Avandamet and controlled-release antidepressant Paxil CR because of concerns over manufacturing quality.
Pfizer HDL Drug Linked to Hypertension in Some
Pfizer Inc.'s experimental drug to raise "good" HDL cholesterol was effective and well tolerated in two small mid-stage trials, but appeared to cause a small increase in blood pressure among some patients, according to industry analysts.
More Seek Help for Marijuana Addiction
Treatment rates for marijuana nearly tripled between 1992 and 2002, the government says, attributing the increase to greater use and potency.
Elan, Biogen Confirm 2nd Case of Disease
A second patient taking a recently suspended multiple sclerosis-fighting drug, Tysabri, has contracted a rare disease of the central nervous system, the Irish and American companies who developed the highly touted medication confirmed Friday.
Officials Recommend Limiting Gene Therapy
Federal health advisers recommended Friday that gene therapy treatments for children with a severe immune deficiency be restricted to those who have no alternative.
WHO: Global Measles Deaths Drop 39 Pct.
Global deaths from measles have plummeted 39 percent since the 2001 launch of an international vaccination campaign to curb the disease, the World Health Organization and UNICEF said Friday.
Study of Lung Cancer Drug Iressa Under Way
A last-chance lung cancer drug that helped patients in preliminary trials didn't do well in a follow up, a failure that surprised manufacturer AstraZeneca PLC. The company is trying to determine why things didn't go better.
Maggots Make Move to Mainstream Medicine
First came the leeches, moving from the land of medical lore to modern doctors' offices. Now another creepy crawler -- the lowly maggot -- is poised to become the next big thing in animal-assisted care.
Discovery Could Prevent Blindness in Preemies
Doctors say they have discovered a protein that could prove key to preventing blindness in premature babies.
Double Carotid Artery Procedures Can Be Safe
In patients at high risk for stroke due to a narrowing of the carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain, doctors often resort to placing a stent -- a flexible tube -- within the artery, to help prop it open.
Dietary Fiber Fights High Blood Pressure
A high-fiber diet may help reduce high blood pressure and may even improve healthy blood pressure levels, a new study finds.
Meditate, and Feel Blood Pressure Fall
FRIDAY, March 4 (HealthDay News) -- Transcendental meditation (TM) may help blood vessels relax as it relaxes the mind, reducing heart disease risks along the way.
Joint Replacement Won't Banish Obesity
After undergoing joint replacement surgery of the knee or hip, many patients with arthritis expect to lose weight, assuming they'll be more active when their new joints work and feel better.
Thailand mulls human bird flu vaccine trial
Thailand was mulling whether to embark on a trial of US-manufactured human bird flu vaccine, as health officials said it would take at least two months before a final decision would be made.
U.N. says poor water sanitation among problems in Aceh tsunami barracks
The United Nations said poor water sanitation was among problems found in temporary housing for tsunami victims in Indonesia's Aceh province.
Toxic waste spawning radioactive diseases in Somalia coastline
Highly toxic waste washed on to Somali's coastline by last December's tsumani has spawned illnesses with symptoms like radioactive exposure in villagers along the shore of the shattered African nation, the UN Environment Programme said.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Health Headlines - March 4
Carnitine Supplement Helps Sperm Swim
Taking carnitine supplements seems to improve sperm mobility in men with poorly active sperm, a problem known as asthenozoospermia, Italian researchers report.
No Evidence That Echinacea Treats Colds
Most of the major studies on the effectiveness of echinacea for treatment of the common cold contain major flaws, suggesting that research has not yet established that this herbal medicine is effective, according to a new report.
Deaths from Measles Falling But Gaps Remain - U.N.
Deaths from measles are declining worldwide, but Nigeria, India and Pakistan need to step up immunization to beat the lethal virus, U.N. agencies said on Friday.
HIV Patients May Run Out of Drug Options
A growing number of HIV patients in Britain are in danger of running out of treatment options because their virus has become resistant to the drug combinations they have been taking, scientists said on Friday.
Smallpox Debacle Shows More Need to Talk
A federal program that is supposed to protect the United States against a smallpox attack has gone awry because of a lack of clear communication about the goals, a panel of experts said on Thursday.
Inhaler Option Makes Insulin More Acceptable
Giving patients who have type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes, the option of using an insulin inhaler may help them comply with insulin treatment recommendations, new findings suggest.
Young Men with Sleep Apnea Have Higher Risk of Death
Most patients referred for evaluation of sleep apnea, a condition in which airways become blocked during sleep and breathing stops for brief periods, are in their 50s, but men in their 20s with this condition appear to have the highest risk of death.
Healthy Lifestyle Could Reduce Alzheimer's Risk
Regular exercise and a healthy diet could go a long way to reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a medical expert said on Thursday.
Senate Votes to Block Canada Cattle Imports
The U.S. Senate voted to overturn a Bush administration plan on Thursday to allow imports of Canadian cattle, the second defeat in two days for the administration's efforts to normalize beef trade roiled by mad cow disease in North America.
Severe Obesity Linked to Increased Healthcare Costs
As waistlines grow bigger, healthcare costs get higher, according to the results of a study that found healthcare expenses to be nearly twice as high in morbidly obese individuals than in their normal-weight peers.
U.N.: AIDS May Kill 80M Africans by 2025
More than 80 million Africans may die from AIDS by 2025, the United Nations said in a report released Friday, and infections could soar to 90 million — or more than 10 percent of the continent's population.
WHO: Global Measles Deaths Drop 39 Pct.
Global deaths from measles have plummeted 39 percent since the 2001 launch of an international vaccination campaign to curb the disease, the World Health Organization and UNICEF said Friday.
Specialists Push for Organ Swap Program
Kidney transplant specialists pushed Thursday for a national organ swap program that they say could be lifesaving for thousands of ailing patients on transplant waiting lists.
Shoppers Confused by Herbal Cold Remedies
Stuffy noses and sore throats are driving many cold sufferers to herbal and homeopathic remedies. But consumers may not realize they're buying alternative medicines when they choose wildly popular products such as Airborne and Zicam.
Cheap, Simple Care May Save Newborn Lives
More than 10,000 newborns die every day in poor countries, and more than 7,000 of them could be saved by simple, cheap — and deliverable — care, according to research announced Thursday.
CDC: Flu Season Less Severe Than Last Year
After all the panic last fall over the vaccine shortage, the flu season is turning out to be milder than last year's severe bout, but it may not have peaked yet, the government said Thursday.
Study to Examine Last-Chance Cancer Drug
The failure of a last-chance cancer drug to significantly improve survival rates in a clinical trial was a surprise and the manufacturer says it is trying to figure out why the product didn't do better.
Chiron Optimistic on Next Year's Flu Shot
Chiron Corp. chief executive Howard Pien said Thursday that he was optimistic the beleaguered company will be allowed to produce vaccine for next year's U.S. flu season, but he declined to say how many doses may be delivered.
Spit Test Predicts Tots' Tooth Troubles
The dentist's command to 'spit' might soon be part of dental diagnosis: Researchers say they've developed a simple saliva-based test that can predict whether children will get cavities.
C-section Preemies at Higher Childhood Asthma Risk
Premature infants born through Caesarean delivery are more likely to suffer severe childhood asthma than full-term infants, according to a new report.
Diet, Exercise a Real Shortcut to Health
Six short weeks is all it may take for simple changes in diet and exercise to start making dramatic reductions in risk for killer illnesses like diabetes, cancer or heart disease, researchers report.
Shallow Socket Ups Hip Arthritis Risk
A shallow hip socket is a strong risk factor for hip osteoarthritis, the leading cause of disability among the elderly, Dutch researchers report.
Ligament Tears Raise Knee Arthritis Risk
Tears of the knee's anterior cruciate ligament also increase the risk and severity of knee osteoarthritis, even in people who may not remember suffering a major knee injury in the past, researchers report.
School Anti-Smoking Programs Don't Work
Anti-smoking programs in schools are not enough to keep kids from lighting up later on down the road, Indiana University researchers say.
Virtual Reality Lets Children Escape Pain
Children who immerse themselves in a virtual world feel less pain.
Four billion dollars could reduce newborn mortality by 61 percent
Investment of little more than four billion dollars a year could slash the global death rate among newborn babies by 61 percent, according to research.
Experimental cancer treatments get better than expected results
People with advanced cancer would benefit from submitting to experimental treatment since it has yielded better than expected results, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Symptomless mitral regurgitation more dangerous than previously thought
Leakage of the mitral valve leading to blood flowing back from the heart's left ventricle into the left atrium presents a significant risk and requires surgical intervention, a study in the United States revealed.
New study brings good news about AIDS drugs
A long-term study into anti-HIV drugs confirms their ability to control the AIDS virus and suggests that, in the right conditions, the proportion of patients who fail to respond to these vital medications can be kept low and stable.
India in uphill anti-tobacco fight as world anti-smoking treaty takes force
India, which accounts for one-sixth of tobacco illnesses worldwide, faces an uphill battle to crack down on the use of the product as a global anti-smoking treaty takes effect, officials say.
China drafts nutrition guidelines to cut obesity, diabetes
A national nutrition regulation aimed at improving Chinese people's diet is being drafted as unhealthy eating increasingly causes chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, state media said.
One-third of teenage girls in Portugal have taken morning-after pill
Nearly one-third of sexually active Portuguese girls between the ages of 15 and 19 have taken the "morning-after" pill to prevent pregnancy, according to a study.
China's smoking problems will take years to rectify
China faces a huge challenge in its battle against smoking, and the problem will take years to rectify even if Beijing ratifies an international treaty aimed at cutting tobacco-related deaths, analysts say.
Bootleg booze kills ten in Turkey, spreads panic
The deaths of 10 people from bootleg liquor has sparked panic in Istanbul drinking establishments, with many bar owners blaming higher taxes on alcoholic beverages by a government with Islamist roots for the emergence of illegal liquor factories.
Nepal produces first test-tube baby
Nepal's first test-tube baby was born to a couple who had been childless for 18 years, state radio reported.
Taking carnitine supplements seems to improve sperm mobility in men with poorly active sperm, a problem known as asthenozoospermia, Italian researchers report.
No Evidence That Echinacea Treats Colds
Most of the major studies on the effectiveness of echinacea for treatment of the common cold contain major flaws, suggesting that research has not yet established that this herbal medicine is effective, according to a new report.
Deaths from Measles Falling But Gaps Remain - U.N.
Deaths from measles are declining worldwide, but Nigeria, India and Pakistan need to step up immunization to beat the lethal virus, U.N. agencies said on Friday.
HIV Patients May Run Out of Drug Options
A growing number of HIV patients in Britain are in danger of running out of treatment options because their virus has become resistant to the drug combinations they have been taking, scientists said on Friday.
Smallpox Debacle Shows More Need to Talk
A federal program that is supposed to protect the United States against a smallpox attack has gone awry because of a lack of clear communication about the goals, a panel of experts said on Thursday.
Inhaler Option Makes Insulin More Acceptable
Giving patients who have type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes, the option of using an insulin inhaler may help them comply with insulin treatment recommendations, new findings suggest.
Young Men with Sleep Apnea Have Higher Risk of Death
Most patients referred for evaluation of sleep apnea, a condition in which airways become blocked during sleep and breathing stops for brief periods, are in their 50s, but men in their 20s with this condition appear to have the highest risk of death.
Healthy Lifestyle Could Reduce Alzheimer's Risk
Regular exercise and a healthy diet could go a long way to reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a medical expert said on Thursday.
Senate Votes to Block Canada Cattle Imports
The U.S. Senate voted to overturn a Bush administration plan on Thursday to allow imports of Canadian cattle, the second defeat in two days for the administration's efforts to normalize beef trade roiled by mad cow disease in North America.
Severe Obesity Linked to Increased Healthcare Costs
As waistlines grow bigger, healthcare costs get higher, according to the results of a study that found healthcare expenses to be nearly twice as high in morbidly obese individuals than in their normal-weight peers.
U.N.: AIDS May Kill 80M Africans by 2025
More than 80 million Africans may die from AIDS by 2025, the United Nations said in a report released Friday, and infections could soar to 90 million — or more than 10 percent of the continent's population.
WHO: Global Measles Deaths Drop 39 Pct.
Global deaths from measles have plummeted 39 percent since the 2001 launch of an international vaccination campaign to curb the disease, the World Health Organization and UNICEF said Friday.
Specialists Push for Organ Swap Program
Kidney transplant specialists pushed Thursday for a national organ swap program that they say could be lifesaving for thousands of ailing patients on transplant waiting lists.
Shoppers Confused by Herbal Cold Remedies
Stuffy noses and sore throats are driving many cold sufferers to herbal and homeopathic remedies. But consumers may not realize they're buying alternative medicines when they choose wildly popular products such as Airborne and Zicam.
Cheap, Simple Care May Save Newborn Lives
More than 10,000 newborns die every day in poor countries, and more than 7,000 of them could be saved by simple, cheap — and deliverable — care, according to research announced Thursday.
CDC: Flu Season Less Severe Than Last Year
After all the panic last fall over the vaccine shortage, the flu season is turning out to be milder than last year's severe bout, but it may not have peaked yet, the government said Thursday.
Study to Examine Last-Chance Cancer Drug
The failure of a last-chance cancer drug to significantly improve survival rates in a clinical trial was a surprise and the manufacturer says it is trying to figure out why the product didn't do better.
Chiron Optimistic on Next Year's Flu Shot
Chiron Corp. chief executive Howard Pien said Thursday that he was optimistic the beleaguered company will be allowed to produce vaccine for next year's U.S. flu season, but he declined to say how many doses may be delivered.
Spit Test Predicts Tots' Tooth Troubles
The dentist's command to 'spit' might soon be part of dental diagnosis: Researchers say they've developed a simple saliva-based test that can predict whether children will get cavities.
C-section Preemies at Higher Childhood Asthma Risk
Premature infants born through Caesarean delivery are more likely to suffer severe childhood asthma than full-term infants, according to a new report.
Diet, Exercise a Real Shortcut to Health
Six short weeks is all it may take for simple changes in diet and exercise to start making dramatic reductions in risk for killer illnesses like diabetes, cancer or heart disease, researchers report.
Shallow Socket Ups Hip Arthritis Risk
A shallow hip socket is a strong risk factor for hip osteoarthritis, the leading cause of disability among the elderly, Dutch researchers report.
Ligament Tears Raise Knee Arthritis Risk
Tears of the knee's anterior cruciate ligament also increase the risk and severity of knee osteoarthritis, even in people who may not remember suffering a major knee injury in the past, researchers report.
School Anti-Smoking Programs Don't Work
Anti-smoking programs in schools are not enough to keep kids from lighting up later on down the road, Indiana University researchers say.
Virtual Reality Lets Children Escape Pain
Children who immerse themselves in a virtual world feel less pain.
Four billion dollars could reduce newborn mortality by 61 percent
Investment of little more than four billion dollars a year could slash the global death rate among newborn babies by 61 percent, according to research.
Experimental cancer treatments get better than expected results
People with advanced cancer would benefit from submitting to experimental treatment since it has yielded better than expected results, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Symptomless mitral regurgitation more dangerous than previously thought
Leakage of the mitral valve leading to blood flowing back from the heart's left ventricle into the left atrium presents a significant risk and requires surgical intervention, a study in the United States revealed.
New study brings good news about AIDS drugs
A long-term study into anti-HIV drugs confirms their ability to control the AIDS virus and suggests that, in the right conditions, the proportion of patients who fail to respond to these vital medications can be kept low and stable.
India in uphill anti-tobacco fight as world anti-smoking treaty takes force
India, which accounts for one-sixth of tobacco illnesses worldwide, faces an uphill battle to crack down on the use of the product as a global anti-smoking treaty takes effect, officials say.
China drafts nutrition guidelines to cut obesity, diabetes
A national nutrition regulation aimed at improving Chinese people's diet is being drafted as unhealthy eating increasingly causes chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, state media said.
One-third of teenage girls in Portugal have taken morning-after pill
Nearly one-third of sexually active Portuguese girls between the ages of 15 and 19 have taken the "morning-after" pill to prevent pregnancy, according to a study.
China's smoking problems will take years to rectify
China faces a huge challenge in its battle against smoking, and the problem will take years to rectify even if Beijing ratifies an international treaty aimed at cutting tobacco-related deaths, analysts say.
Bootleg booze kills ten in Turkey, spreads panic
The deaths of 10 people from bootleg liquor has sparked panic in Istanbul drinking establishments, with many bar owners blaming higher taxes on alcoholic beverages by a government with Islamist roots for the emergence of illegal liquor factories.
Nepal produces first test-tube baby
Nepal's first test-tube baby was born to a couple who had been childless for 18 years, state radio reported.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Health Headlines - March 3
Smoking Ups Risk of Premenopausal Breast Cancer
Both active and "passive" smoking (exposure to secondhand smoke) increase the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal but not postmenopausal women, a study of middle-aged Japanese women suggests.
Brain Stimulation May Curb Persistent Depression
Individuals with severe depression who do not respond to standard types of treatment may be helped with an experimental treatment called deep brain stimulation, Canadian investigators report.
Scientists Find Marker for Early Testicular Cancer
Danish scientists said on Thursday they had discovered a new method that could help to detect very early signs of testicular cancer.
U.S. May Drop Anti-Abortion Line at UN Conference
The United States signaled it may drop a demand for anti-abortion language that raised hackles at a U.N. women's conference, but the top U.S. delegate insisted on Wednesday that many nations agree with Washington.
Florida Sues Tenet on Racketeering Charges
Florida sued Tenet Healthcare Corp. on racketeering charges on Wednesday, saying the embattled hospital operator inflated fees to obtain $1 billion in improper reimbursements from a Medicare fund.
U.S. Says Expects to Approve More Generic AIDS Drugs
The United States expects to approve more generic AIDS drugs in coming months, the head of U.S. AIDS policy said on Wednesday, a move which would allow them to be included in a $15 billion U.S. anti-HIV program.
USDA Mulls Listing Stores Involved in Meat Recalls
U.S. consumers would no longer have to wonder whether their local grocery stores are selling recalled meat products under regulations being developed by the Agriculture Department, a senior USDA official said on Wednesday.
Asbestos Draft Bill Author Considers Changes
The author of a draft bill for a $140 billion asbestos compensation fund said on Wednesday he was considering changes to address concerns of fellow Republicans and would meet them again Thursday on the details.
Illegal Drug Sales Booming on Internet
Illegal drug sales on the Internet are booming as unlicensed online pharmacies selling drugs like morphine evade a patchy global effort to stop them, the United Nations narcotics watchdog said on Wednesday.
Steroid Injection Won't Quiet Ringing in the Ears
Contrary to some previous reports, a new study suggests that people who suffer with severe, disabling ringing in the ears known as tinnitus are unlikely to find relief with steroid injections in the ringing ear.
Study: Experimental Cancer Treatments Help
People with advanced cancers who try experimental treatments are helped more than previously thought, according to the most comprehensive look at government-sponsored tests over a decade.
Study Suggests Earlier Valve Leak Surgery
People with severely leaky heart valves that cause no symptoms — a situation thought to be relatively harmless — actually are in danger of dying and should consider surgery to get the problem fixed right away, a new study suggests.
Warning Issued on Use of Crestor by Asians
The cholesterol drug Crestor is being relabeled to add a caution that starter doses should be reduced in Asian-Americans and some other patients.
Kirstie Alley Goes for 'Big' Laughs on TV
The plate of snacks is tempting, filled with chocolates, cookies and more, but the only member of Kirstie Alley's household to bite is Bradley the dog.
WHO Seeks Increase in Smallpox Vaccines
The World Health Organization is seeking to expand its 2.5 million dose supply of smallpox vaccines as part of precautions against a biological terrorism attack, a senior official said Wednesday.
Chiron Free to Resume Making Flu Vaccine
British regulators gave the go-ahead Wednesday for Chiron Corp. to resume production of flu vaccine, ending a five-month suspension that caused widespread shortages in the United States. Chiron's stock jumped more than 6 percent.
Kentucky Legislates Student Nutrition
A House panel on Tuesday overhauled a proposal to improve student nutrition, creating a potential conflict with the Senate in the waning days to pass bills.
Chinese Conjoined Twins to Be Separated
Chinese conjoined twin boys who share a heart and liver have arrived in Shanghai to undergo a risky surgery to separate them.
Genes Predict Kidney Complications After Bypass Surgery
Variants of genes involved in inflammation and blood vessel constriction can hint at the likelihood of kidney damage occurring during heart bypass surgery, a new study finds.
European Doctors Often Withhold Life-Extending Care
Whether or not a European patient will receive life-prolonging treatment when they are near death may depend on the country in which they live, according to new study.
Sugar-Producing Proteins Point to New Diabetes Drugs
The interaction between two proteins -- called sirtuin1 and PGC1-alpha -- may offer a target for the development of new drugs to treat diabetes, researchers say.
For Better Bipolar Care, The Nose Knows
Smell cell receptors within the nose are giving researchers vital clues to bipolar disorder that might someday improve treatment for the condition.
Practice Improves Mammogram Diagnosis
The adage "practice makes perfect" may hold true for mammography, too: A new study suggests doctors become more accurate at interpreting mammograms as their experience increases.
New Clues to Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Doctors believe they've discovered a potential new treatment for painful inflammatory bowel disease, which is caused by inflammation of the intestines.
B Vitamins May Cut Fracture Risk After Stroke
Taking folate and vitamin B12 supplements after suffering a stroke can reduce the risk of hip fractures, a new study reports.
Study Confirms Tamoxifen Raises Endometrial Cancer Risk
Doctors often prescribe the drug tamoxifen to breast cancer patients over the long term, to help reduce the chances of cancer recurrence.
China's smoking problems will take years to rectify
China faces a huge challenge in its battle against smoking, and the problem will take years to rectify even if Beijing ratifies an international treaty aimed at cutting tobacco-related deaths, analysts say.
Europe updates contingency plans for flu pandemic
European health experts are holding a two-day meeting this week to update contingency plans in case of an influenza pandemic, after warnings linked to a bird flu virus in Asia, officials said.
Britain lifts suspension on production of Chiron flu vaccine
The British government announced that production of a flu vaccine made by US drugs company Chiron would resume at a factory in England after a near five-month suspension.
Japanese study deals blow to "link" between autism, triple vaccine
A major Japanese study should dispel lingering fears from a 12-year-old scare that a multiple vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) is to blame for a rise in autism, the British weekly New Scientist says.
Six Norwegians hospitalized after drinking methanol-laced alcohol
Six young Norwegians were hospitalized after drinking contraband alcohol laced with methanol, and one of them remained in critical condition, hospital officials said.
At Haiti's main hospital, the poor await care with bibles and prayers
Haiti's University Hospital is the country's biggest, but its condition -- like many of its patients -- is past critical: It lacks doctors, pregnant teens in labor lean against its walls, there are no drugs and the sick pray for deliverance.
Vietnam approves first anti-impotency drug
A Vietnamese pharmaceutical company has received a license to produce the country's first anti-impotency drug, a government official said.
Nine in 10 of Beijing's overworked women complain about health problems
Stressful lives and long hours cause 93 percent of all working women in Beijing to have health problems.
Both active and "passive" smoking (exposure to secondhand smoke) increase the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal but not postmenopausal women, a study of middle-aged Japanese women suggests.
Brain Stimulation May Curb Persistent Depression
Individuals with severe depression who do not respond to standard types of treatment may be helped with an experimental treatment called deep brain stimulation, Canadian investigators report.
Scientists Find Marker for Early Testicular Cancer
Danish scientists said on Thursday they had discovered a new method that could help to detect very early signs of testicular cancer.
U.S. May Drop Anti-Abortion Line at UN Conference
The United States signaled it may drop a demand for anti-abortion language that raised hackles at a U.N. women's conference, but the top U.S. delegate insisted on Wednesday that many nations agree with Washington.
Florida Sues Tenet on Racketeering Charges
Florida sued Tenet Healthcare Corp. on racketeering charges on Wednesday, saying the embattled hospital operator inflated fees to obtain $1 billion in improper reimbursements from a Medicare fund.
U.S. Says Expects to Approve More Generic AIDS Drugs
The United States expects to approve more generic AIDS drugs in coming months, the head of U.S. AIDS policy said on Wednesday, a move which would allow them to be included in a $15 billion U.S. anti-HIV program.
USDA Mulls Listing Stores Involved in Meat Recalls
U.S. consumers would no longer have to wonder whether their local grocery stores are selling recalled meat products under regulations being developed by the Agriculture Department, a senior USDA official said on Wednesday.
Asbestos Draft Bill Author Considers Changes
The author of a draft bill for a $140 billion asbestos compensation fund said on Wednesday he was considering changes to address concerns of fellow Republicans and would meet them again Thursday on the details.
Illegal Drug Sales Booming on Internet
Illegal drug sales on the Internet are booming as unlicensed online pharmacies selling drugs like morphine evade a patchy global effort to stop them, the United Nations narcotics watchdog said on Wednesday.
Steroid Injection Won't Quiet Ringing in the Ears
Contrary to some previous reports, a new study suggests that people who suffer with severe, disabling ringing in the ears known as tinnitus are unlikely to find relief with steroid injections in the ringing ear.
Study: Experimental Cancer Treatments Help
People with advanced cancers who try experimental treatments are helped more than previously thought, according to the most comprehensive look at government-sponsored tests over a decade.
Study Suggests Earlier Valve Leak Surgery
People with severely leaky heart valves that cause no symptoms — a situation thought to be relatively harmless — actually are in danger of dying and should consider surgery to get the problem fixed right away, a new study suggests.
Warning Issued on Use of Crestor by Asians
The cholesterol drug Crestor is being relabeled to add a caution that starter doses should be reduced in Asian-Americans and some other patients.
Kirstie Alley Goes for 'Big' Laughs on TV
The plate of snacks is tempting, filled with chocolates, cookies and more, but the only member of Kirstie Alley's household to bite is Bradley the dog.
WHO Seeks Increase in Smallpox Vaccines
The World Health Organization is seeking to expand its 2.5 million dose supply of smallpox vaccines as part of precautions against a biological terrorism attack, a senior official said Wednesday.
Chiron Free to Resume Making Flu Vaccine
British regulators gave the go-ahead Wednesday for Chiron Corp. to resume production of flu vaccine, ending a five-month suspension that caused widespread shortages in the United States. Chiron's stock jumped more than 6 percent.
Kentucky Legislates Student Nutrition
A House panel on Tuesday overhauled a proposal to improve student nutrition, creating a potential conflict with the Senate in the waning days to pass bills.
Chinese Conjoined Twins to Be Separated
Chinese conjoined twin boys who share a heart and liver have arrived in Shanghai to undergo a risky surgery to separate them.
Genes Predict Kidney Complications After Bypass Surgery
Variants of genes involved in inflammation and blood vessel constriction can hint at the likelihood of kidney damage occurring during heart bypass surgery, a new study finds.
European Doctors Often Withhold Life-Extending Care
Whether or not a European patient will receive life-prolonging treatment when they are near death may depend on the country in which they live, according to new study.
Sugar-Producing Proteins Point to New Diabetes Drugs
The interaction between two proteins -- called sirtuin1 and PGC1-alpha -- may offer a target for the development of new drugs to treat diabetes, researchers say.
For Better Bipolar Care, The Nose Knows
Smell cell receptors within the nose are giving researchers vital clues to bipolar disorder that might someday improve treatment for the condition.
Practice Improves Mammogram Diagnosis
The adage "practice makes perfect" may hold true for mammography, too: A new study suggests doctors become more accurate at interpreting mammograms as their experience increases.
New Clues to Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Doctors believe they've discovered a potential new treatment for painful inflammatory bowel disease, which is caused by inflammation of the intestines.
B Vitamins May Cut Fracture Risk After Stroke
Taking folate and vitamin B12 supplements after suffering a stroke can reduce the risk of hip fractures, a new study reports.
Study Confirms Tamoxifen Raises Endometrial Cancer Risk
Doctors often prescribe the drug tamoxifen to breast cancer patients over the long term, to help reduce the chances of cancer recurrence.
China's smoking problems will take years to rectify
China faces a huge challenge in its battle against smoking, and the problem will take years to rectify even if Beijing ratifies an international treaty aimed at cutting tobacco-related deaths, analysts say.
Europe updates contingency plans for flu pandemic
European health experts are holding a two-day meeting this week to update contingency plans in case of an influenza pandemic, after warnings linked to a bird flu virus in Asia, officials said.
Britain lifts suspension on production of Chiron flu vaccine
The British government announced that production of a flu vaccine made by US drugs company Chiron would resume at a factory in England after a near five-month suspension.
Japanese study deals blow to "link" between autism, triple vaccine
A major Japanese study should dispel lingering fears from a 12-year-old scare that a multiple vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) is to blame for a rise in autism, the British weekly New Scientist says.
Six Norwegians hospitalized after drinking methanol-laced alcohol
Six young Norwegians were hospitalized after drinking contraband alcohol laced with methanol, and one of them remained in critical condition, hospital officials said.
At Haiti's main hospital, the poor await care with bibles and prayers
Haiti's University Hospital is the country's biggest, but its condition -- like many of its patients -- is past critical: It lacks doctors, pregnant teens in labor lean against its walls, there are no drugs and the sick pray for deliverance.
Vietnam approves first anti-impotency drug
A Vietnamese pharmaceutical company has received a license to produce the country's first anti-impotency drug, a government official said.
Nine in 10 of Beijing's overworked women complain about health problems
Stressful lives and long hours cause 93 percent of all working women in Beijing to have health problems.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Health Headlines - March 2
Study Backs Wider Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Women 65 and older with breast cancer should consider chemotherapy even though doctors have been reluctant to use it in that age group because of the side effects, a study said on Tuesday.
Europeans Oppose U.S. Anti-Abortion Push at UN Meet
European countries are opposing a move by the United States to push a U.N. conference into stating that women do not have the right to abortion, French and British officials said on Tuesday.
AIDS Drugs Might Combat Bird Flu
The anti-HIV drugs known as protease inhibitors may be effective against the bird flu virus, according to an Italian researcher.
Plant Derivative Kills Leukemia Cells
Parthenolide, a chemical derived from the feverfew plant, destroys acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, leaving normal bone marrow cells relatively unscathed.
Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy May Affect Mind
Men with more advanced prostate cancer often undergo treatment to reduce levels of testosterone, which drives tumor growth. Now, a new study shows that this so-called androgen deprivation therapy can affect mental performance.
New River ADHD Drug Meets Goal of Mid-Stage Trial
New River Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday said its experimental drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder met its primary goal in a small mid-stage trial and appeared similarly effective as Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc's popular Adderall XR drug.
NFL Players May Be Too Fat, Study Finds
America's professional football players may be bigger than life on the field but one in four is also so fat they risk weight-related health problems, a doctor said on Tuesday.
FDA Official: Power to Write Drug Labels Could Help
Information about serious side effects from drugs such as Merck & Co. Inc.'s withdrawn Vioxx could get to the public quicker if regulators had the power to write the warning labels themselves, a U.S. drug official told Congress on Tuesday.
Supplements Cut Post-Stroke Hip Fracture Risk
Dietary supplements of folate and vitamin B12 can reduce the risk of hip fracture in elderly patients following a stroke, according to a new Japanese study.
Grave Medicare Ills Await Attention
A looming Medicare shortage is seven times the size of the one that Social Security faces and nearly four times the entire federal debt. It is not being addressed by President Bush and Congress, and, to some, that is just as well.
Nearly 100 Become Sick Aboard Cruise Ship
Nearly 100 passengers and crew members were sickened with a gastrointestinal illness on a five-day Carnival Cruise Line voyage, the company said Tuesday.
Leavitt Urges Governors to Work With Bush
Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt urged governors to embrace President Bush's changes to reduce Medicaid costs now, promising that the administration is listening to their concerns and is willing to provide some flexibility.
U.S. Life Expectancy Rises to Record Level
Declines in death rates from most major causes — including heart disease and cancer — have pushed Americans' life expectancy to a record 77.6 years. Women are still living longer than men, but the gap is narrowing.
Blood Vessel Disorder Linked to "Mini" Strokes
French researchers have linked an obscure blood vessel disorder to "mini" strokes that can damage small areas of the brain.
Medication Errors Common During Hospital Admission
Medication errors are common when patients are being admitted to a hospital, and some have the potential to be harmful, Canadian researchers report.
More Genetic Clues to Lung Cancer's Cause
Researchers say they've identified two gene mutations key to the development of lung cancer, with one occuring more often in people who've never smoked.
More Can Be Done to Stop Colon Cancer
The majority of deaths caused by colorectal cancer could be avoided by better prevention and by expanding colorectal screening, according to a new American Cancer Society report.
Osteoporosis Linked to Celiac Disease
People with osteoporosis, the bone-weakening condition, may also have celiac disease and should be screened for that illness, too, a new study recommends.
Debris-Collecting Device Flunks Artery Test
A device that scoops up the fatty debris released when heart attack patients have angioplasty was not effective in a major study.
Internet sale of mind-altering drugs surges, says drugs agency
The illicit sale on the Internet of pharmaceutical drugs with a narcotic effect surged in 2004, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) warned in a report.
WHO sees bird flu outbreak easing despite latest cases
The latest reports of bird flu in Vietnam are not necessarily alarming and the current outbreak is probably ending, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed.
Britain to stockpile drugs amid flu pandemic fears
Britain announced it was planning to stockpile anti-viral drugs in order to combat a future flu pandemic.
Rising use of injectible drugs may lead to HIV epidemic in Pakistan
Pakistan could face an AIDS epidemic because many heroin addicts are starting to inject the drug, UN and Pakistani officials warned.
Nuclear survivors say they were fed lies in government cover-ups
Survivors of two severe cases of nuclear contamination met in the Marshall Islands to mark the 51st anniversary of the first U.S. hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll, and accused authorities of lying about the effects of radiation.
Women 65 and older with breast cancer should consider chemotherapy even though doctors have been reluctant to use it in that age group because of the side effects, a study said on Tuesday.
Europeans Oppose U.S. Anti-Abortion Push at UN Meet
European countries are opposing a move by the United States to push a U.N. conference into stating that women do not have the right to abortion, French and British officials said on Tuesday.
AIDS Drugs Might Combat Bird Flu
The anti-HIV drugs known as protease inhibitors may be effective against the bird flu virus, according to an Italian researcher.
Plant Derivative Kills Leukemia Cells
Parthenolide, a chemical derived from the feverfew plant, destroys acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells, leaving normal bone marrow cells relatively unscathed.
Prostate Cancer Hormone Therapy May Affect Mind
Men with more advanced prostate cancer often undergo treatment to reduce levels of testosterone, which drives tumor growth. Now, a new study shows that this so-called androgen deprivation therapy can affect mental performance.
New River ADHD Drug Meets Goal of Mid-Stage Trial
New River Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday said its experimental drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder met its primary goal in a small mid-stage trial and appeared similarly effective as Shire Pharmaceuticals Group Plc's popular Adderall XR drug.
NFL Players May Be Too Fat, Study Finds
America's professional football players may be bigger than life on the field but one in four is also so fat they risk weight-related health problems, a doctor said on Tuesday.
FDA Official: Power to Write Drug Labels Could Help
Information about serious side effects from drugs such as Merck & Co. Inc.'s withdrawn Vioxx could get to the public quicker if regulators had the power to write the warning labels themselves, a U.S. drug official told Congress on Tuesday.
Supplements Cut Post-Stroke Hip Fracture Risk
Dietary supplements of folate and vitamin B12 can reduce the risk of hip fracture in elderly patients following a stroke, according to a new Japanese study.
Grave Medicare Ills Await Attention
A looming Medicare shortage is seven times the size of the one that Social Security faces and nearly four times the entire federal debt. It is not being addressed by President Bush and Congress, and, to some, that is just as well.
Nearly 100 Become Sick Aboard Cruise Ship
Nearly 100 passengers and crew members were sickened with a gastrointestinal illness on a five-day Carnival Cruise Line voyage, the company said Tuesday.
Leavitt Urges Governors to Work With Bush
Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt urged governors to embrace President Bush's changes to reduce Medicaid costs now, promising that the administration is listening to their concerns and is willing to provide some flexibility.
U.S. Life Expectancy Rises to Record Level
Declines in death rates from most major causes — including heart disease and cancer — have pushed Americans' life expectancy to a record 77.6 years. Women are still living longer than men, but the gap is narrowing.
Blood Vessel Disorder Linked to "Mini" Strokes
French researchers have linked an obscure blood vessel disorder to "mini" strokes that can damage small areas of the brain.
Medication Errors Common During Hospital Admission
Medication errors are common when patients are being admitted to a hospital, and some have the potential to be harmful, Canadian researchers report.
More Genetic Clues to Lung Cancer's Cause
Researchers say they've identified two gene mutations key to the development of lung cancer, with one occuring more often in people who've never smoked.
More Can Be Done to Stop Colon Cancer
The majority of deaths caused by colorectal cancer could be avoided by better prevention and by expanding colorectal screening, according to a new American Cancer Society report.
Osteoporosis Linked to Celiac Disease
People with osteoporosis, the bone-weakening condition, may also have celiac disease and should be screened for that illness, too, a new study recommends.
Debris-Collecting Device Flunks Artery Test
A device that scoops up the fatty debris released when heart attack patients have angioplasty was not effective in a major study.
Internet sale of mind-altering drugs surges, says drugs agency
The illicit sale on the Internet of pharmaceutical drugs with a narcotic effect surged in 2004, the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) warned in a report.
WHO sees bird flu outbreak easing despite latest cases
The latest reports of bird flu in Vietnam are not necessarily alarming and the current outbreak is probably ending, the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed.
Britain to stockpile drugs amid flu pandemic fears
Britain announced it was planning to stockpile anti-viral drugs in order to combat a future flu pandemic.
Rising use of injectible drugs may lead to HIV epidemic in Pakistan
Pakistan could face an AIDS epidemic because many heroin addicts are starting to inject the drug, UN and Pakistani officials warned.
Nuclear survivors say they were fed lies in government cover-ups
Survivors of two severe cases of nuclear contamination met in the Marshall Islands to mark the 51st anniversary of the first U.S. hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll, and accused authorities of lying about the effects of radiation.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Health Headlines - March 1
Study Links Osteoporosis, Gluten Intolerance
Some people develop osteoporosis, the mineral loss disease that leads to brittle bones, because their bodies cannot tolerate wheat flour, a study said on Monday.
Vietnamese Woman Confirmed to Have Bird Flu
A 35-year-old poultry market cleaner in northern Vietnam has contracted bird flu, which has killed 47 people in Asia, the Lao Dong newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Senators Seek Mandatory Drug Study Database
Drug and medical device companies would be required to report clinical trial results in a public database under legislation unveiled on Monday by a top U.S. Senate Republican and three Democrats.
Hospitals Get Guidelines on Reporting Infections
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines on Monday designed to help states track and alert the public to potentially deadly infections in hospitals and clinics.
Company Plans U.S. Future for Cannabis Drug
Britain's GW Pharmaceuticals said Monday it was accelerating plans to introduce its cannabis-based medicines into the United States as U.S. founder investors increased their stake in the business.
Biogen, Elan Halt Drug After Patient Dies
Biogen Idec (BIIB.O) and Elan Corp. Plc (ELN.N) (ELN.I) on Monday suspended sales of their much-heralded new multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri after a patient died from a rare and often fatal infection of the central nervous system.
Nordic Nations Call for New Limits on Sun Beds
The five Nordic nations called on the European Union Monday to impose a tighter limit on the strength of sun beds, and warned sun-starved citizens they were at more risk than others of contracting skin cancer from them.
Egyptian Baby Learning to Breathe After Operation
An Egyptian baby who underwent an operation to remove the head of a twin that failed to develop in the womb is gradually being trained to breathe independently, one of the doctors treating her was quoted saying Monday.
HIV Treatment: 2 Million Years of Life Saved
Progress in HIV care has saved at least 2 million years of life in the United States, according to the results of a study that quantified the total impact of HIV treatment in the US for the first time.
Zinc Shortage Linked to Esophageal Cancer
People with low levels of zinc in their tissues may be at increased risk for developing cancer of the esophagus, according to research reported in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
U.S. Life Expectancy Rises to Record Level
Declines in death rates from most major causes — including heart disease and cancer — have pushed Americans' life expectancy to a record 77.6 years. Women are still living longer than men, but the gap is narrowing.
IQ Loss Linked to Mercury Costs $8.7B
Lower IQ levels linked to mercury exposure in the womb costs the United States $8.7 billion a year in lost earnings potential, according to a study released Monday by researchers at a New York hospital.
Restaurants Slow to Drop Fat Menu Choices
For people trying to banish trans fat from their diets, dining out can be a big problem. Products free of trans fat are rapidly appearing in supermarkets snack aisles, but the fried chicken and french fries ordered in restaurants usually are cooked in shortening or oil containing trans fat.
Judge: Pharmacist Should Be Reprimanded
A Roman Catholic pharmacist who blocked a woman's attempt to fill a prescription for birth control pills should be reprimanded and required to attend ethics classes, a judge ruled Monday.
FDA Drug Approval Times Likely to Grow
The withdrawal of a multiple sclerosis treatment is likely to lead to even longer product approval times for pharmaceutical companies as pressure mounts on the Food and Drug Administration to improve drug safety, experts say.
U.S. Pushes U.N. on Abortion Declaration
Ten years after a landmark U.N. conference adopted a platform aimed at global equality for women, the United States is demanding that a follow-up meeting make clear women are not guaranteed a right to abortion.
Bush Tackles Governors' Medicaid Worries
President Bush told the nation's governors on Monday that he recognizes their alarm over soaring Medicaid costs and proposed federal cutbacks and vowed to work with them to try to reach common ground.
Prostate Cancer Therapy May Affect Mental Function
Hormone therapy used to fight prostate cancer may adversely effect men's mental abilities, a small Finnish study suggests.
Study Shows Snake Venom's Hisstory
Snake venom is one of nature's most sophisticated bioweapons, containing toxins that cause their victims' bodies to turn against themselves.
Almost Lost in FDA Hearings, Naproxen Gets Thumbs-Up
As the spotlight continued to shine on a government panel's recent actions on cox-2 inhibitors, there was some good news for another pain drug that had also experienced some adverse test results. Naproxen, the active ingredient in Bayer's Aleve and in Roche's Naprosyn, both over-the-counter pain relievers, received a quiet green light from the government advisory panel meeting two weeks ago to examine the safety of the prescription pain relievers.
Obesity May Begin at the Grocery Store
Everyday concerns such as food prices, the time it takes to make a meal, and the location of grocery stores help determine the dietary fat intake of obese women, researchers report.
Sleep Disorder Treatment Also Aids Diabetics
Type 2 diabetics who suffer from sleep apnea may be able to significantly lower their glucose levels if they treat their breathing disorder, University of Illinois at Chicago researchers have found.
Health Tip: Preventing Staph Infection
Staph infections have been in the news in recent years after well-publicized outbreaks among some professional football players. They are likely spread through rough play, shared towels, whirlpools and weights.
But the best defense -- on or off the field -- may be better hygiene habits. Good hygiene helps prevent both staph and methicillin-resistant skin infections, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which offers these suggestions:
Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water.
Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing (for example, bandage) until healed.
Avoid contact with other people's wounds or material contaminated from wounds.
Australian researchers report HIV therapy breakthrough
Australian researchers have discovered a way to significantly boost the body's immune system to fight HIV and other deadly viruses, the scientists said.
SARS victims blast official indifference in letter to Beijing mayor
More than 100 former SARS patients sent an open letter to the mayor of Beijing, blasting official indifference to their plight nearly two years after the deadly outbreak.
With just one drop of blood, Japanese chip detects disease in 30 minutes
A Japanese firm has developed a plastic chip half the size of a business card which it said could detect a number of diseases, including cancer, within 30 minutes.
More than 30 countries face serious food shortages: UN agency
Thirty-six countries worldwide face serious food shortages due mainly to conflicts and bad weather, and need external assistance, the Food and Agriculture Organization said in a report.
Cholera kills 46 people in southwest Nigeria
Forty-six people have died and over 100 have been hospitalised following an outbreak of cholera in the southwestern Nigerian state of Oyo, state health ministry spokesman Lekan Kolade said.
Brazil tribe suffers malnutrition, suicide, violence
The sixth death from malnutrition of a Kaiowa child in two months, coupled with a recent spate of suicides and violent deaths, has elevated concerns over the survival of Brazil's indigenous Kaiowa.
Computer-assisted therapy may help silent pope communicate
Computer-assisted therapy could help Pope John Paul II to communicate after his throat surgery, a specialist doctor was quoted as saying.
Fifteenth bird flu death in Vietnam
A 21-year-old man from northern Vietnam has died of bird flu, becoming the 15th victim of the disease in the Southeast Asian country in the past two months.
Some people develop osteoporosis, the mineral loss disease that leads to brittle bones, because their bodies cannot tolerate wheat flour, a study said on Monday.
Vietnamese Woman Confirmed to Have Bird Flu
A 35-year-old poultry market cleaner in northern Vietnam has contracted bird flu, which has killed 47 people in Asia, the Lao Dong newspaper reported on Tuesday.
Senators Seek Mandatory Drug Study Database
Drug and medical device companies would be required to report clinical trial results in a public database under legislation unveiled on Monday by a top U.S. Senate Republican and three Democrats.
Hospitals Get Guidelines on Reporting Infections
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines on Monday designed to help states track and alert the public to potentially deadly infections in hospitals and clinics.
Company Plans U.S. Future for Cannabis Drug
Britain's GW Pharmaceuticals said Monday it was accelerating plans to introduce its cannabis-based medicines into the United States as U.S. founder investors increased their stake in the business.
Biogen, Elan Halt Drug After Patient Dies
Biogen Idec (BIIB.O) and Elan Corp. Plc (ELN.N) (ELN.I) on Monday suspended sales of their much-heralded new multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri after a patient died from a rare and often fatal infection of the central nervous system.
Nordic Nations Call for New Limits on Sun Beds
The five Nordic nations called on the European Union Monday to impose a tighter limit on the strength of sun beds, and warned sun-starved citizens they were at more risk than others of contracting skin cancer from them.
Egyptian Baby Learning to Breathe After Operation
An Egyptian baby who underwent an operation to remove the head of a twin that failed to develop in the womb is gradually being trained to breathe independently, one of the doctors treating her was quoted saying Monday.
HIV Treatment: 2 Million Years of Life Saved
Progress in HIV care has saved at least 2 million years of life in the United States, according to the results of a study that quantified the total impact of HIV treatment in the US for the first time.
Zinc Shortage Linked to Esophageal Cancer
People with low levels of zinc in their tissues may be at increased risk for developing cancer of the esophagus, according to research reported in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
U.S. Life Expectancy Rises to Record Level
Declines in death rates from most major causes — including heart disease and cancer — have pushed Americans' life expectancy to a record 77.6 years. Women are still living longer than men, but the gap is narrowing.
IQ Loss Linked to Mercury Costs $8.7B
Lower IQ levels linked to mercury exposure in the womb costs the United States $8.7 billion a year in lost earnings potential, according to a study released Monday by researchers at a New York hospital.
Restaurants Slow to Drop Fat Menu Choices
For people trying to banish trans fat from their diets, dining out can be a big problem. Products free of trans fat are rapidly appearing in supermarkets snack aisles, but the fried chicken and french fries ordered in restaurants usually are cooked in shortening or oil containing trans fat.
Judge: Pharmacist Should Be Reprimanded
A Roman Catholic pharmacist who blocked a woman's attempt to fill a prescription for birth control pills should be reprimanded and required to attend ethics classes, a judge ruled Monday.
FDA Drug Approval Times Likely to Grow
The withdrawal of a multiple sclerosis treatment is likely to lead to even longer product approval times for pharmaceutical companies as pressure mounts on the Food and Drug Administration to improve drug safety, experts say.
U.S. Pushes U.N. on Abortion Declaration
Ten years after a landmark U.N. conference adopted a platform aimed at global equality for women, the United States is demanding that a follow-up meeting make clear women are not guaranteed a right to abortion.
Bush Tackles Governors' Medicaid Worries
President Bush told the nation's governors on Monday that he recognizes their alarm over soaring Medicaid costs and proposed federal cutbacks and vowed to work with them to try to reach common ground.
Prostate Cancer Therapy May Affect Mental Function
Hormone therapy used to fight prostate cancer may adversely effect men's mental abilities, a small Finnish study suggests.
Study Shows Snake Venom's Hisstory
Snake venom is one of nature's most sophisticated bioweapons, containing toxins that cause their victims' bodies to turn against themselves.
Almost Lost in FDA Hearings, Naproxen Gets Thumbs-Up
As the spotlight continued to shine on a government panel's recent actions on cox-2 inhibitors, there was some good news for another pain drug that had also experienced some adverse test results. Naproxen, the active ingredient in Bayer's Aleve and in Roche's Naprosyn, both over-the-counter pain relievers, received a quiet green light from the government advisory panel meeting two weeks ago to examine the safety of the prescription pain relievers.
Obesity May Begin at the Grocery Store
Everyday concerns such as food prices, the time it takes to make a meal, and the location of grocery stores help determine the dietary fat intake of obese women, researchers report.
Sleep Disorder Treatment Also Aids Diabetics
Type 2 diabetics who suffer from sleep apnea may be able to significantly lower their glucose levels if they treat their breathing disorder, University of Illinois at Chicago researchers have found.
Health Tip: Preventing Staph Infection
Staph infections have been in the news in recent years after well-publicized outbreaks among some professional football players. They are likely spread through rough play, shared towels, whirlpools and weights.
But the best defense -- on or off the field -- may be better hygiene habits. Good hygiene helps prevent both staph and methicillin-resistant skin infections, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which offers these suggestions:
Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water.
Keep cuts and abrasions clean and covered with a proper dressing (for example, bandage) until healed.
Avoid contact with other people's wounds or material contaminated from wounds.
Australian researchers report HIV therapy breakthrough
Australian researchers have discovered a way to significantly boost the body's immune system to fight HIV and other deadly viruses, the scientists said.
SARS victims blast official indifference in letter to Beijing mayor
More than 100 former SARS patients sent an open letter to the mayor of Beijing, blasting official indifference to their plight nearly two years after the deadly outbreak.
With just one drop of blood, Japanese chip detects disease in 30 minutes
A Japanese firm has developed a plastic chip half the size of a business card which it said could detect a number of diseases, including cancer, within 30 minutes.
More than 30 countries face serious food shortages: UN agency
Thirty-six countries worldwide face serious food shortages due mainly to conflicts and bad weather, and need external assistance, the Food and Agriculture Organization said in a report.
Cholera kills 46 people in southwest Nigeria
Forty-six people have died and over 100 have been hospitalised following an outbreak of cholera in the southwestern Nigerian state of Oyo, state health ministry spokesman Lekan Kolade said.
Brazil tribe suffers malnutrition, suicide, violence
The sixth death from malnutrition of a Kaiowa child in two months, coupled with a recent spate of suicides and violent deaths, has elevated concerns over the survival of Brazil's indigenous Kaiowa.
Computer-assisted therapy may help silent pope communicate
Computer-assisted therapy could help Pope John Paul II to communicate after his throat surgery, a specialist doctor was quoted as saying.
Fifteenth bird flu death in Vietnam
A 21-year-old man from northern Vietnam has died of bird flu, becoming the 15th victim of the disease in the Southeast Asian country in the past two months.
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