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Updated July 23rd, 2004
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Archive File of Past News Headlines
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Reuter's Health Headlines
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UK Cost Watchdog Backs Tamiflu For High-risk Groups
LONDON (Reuters Health) -- Britain's National Institute for Clinical
Excellence (NICE) on Wednesday backed use of Roche's Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
to treat people at risk of developing influenza complications.
Small Newborns May Put On Less Height Later
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Being small at birth may mean a greater
likelihood of staying small as an adult, at least as far as height, new
research suggests.
Common Heart Test Yields Info After Exercise Stops
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - One of the most commonly used tests to
determine heart risk--the treadmill exercise test--may yield just as much
information after exercise as it does during the workout, a new study
suggests.
Complications In Liver Donors Said Fairly Common
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Liver-tissue transplants from living donors are
increasing in the US, and although deaths among donors are rare,
complications are "not uncommon," researchers reported Wednesday.
Journal Takes Aim At Growth Hormone Advertisers
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is
taking action against advertisers it says are improperly using its name to
hawk human growth hormone as an anti-aging remedy, the journal announced
Wednesday.
Hot--or Not? Study Says Most Agree On Beauty
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men and women generally agree about how
attractive another person is, and are often quite accurate in predicting
how others will rate their own appearance, new study findings show.
Caffeine May Hinder Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The caffeine provided by less than two cups of
coffee a day might be enough to dull the effects of the drug methotrexate
in people with rheumatoid arthritis, a small study suggests.
People With Arthritis Can Exercise More: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While people with arthritis may know that
joint-friendly activities such as walking and gardening can help reduce
their pain and disability, study findings show that many of them still
remain completely inactive.
Medicare May Shortchange Chronically Ill: Experts
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The Medicare program is not currently
structured to care appropriately for people with chronic
conditions--particularly those with more than one chronic
condition--witnesses told a US House subcommittee Tuesday.
Critics Object To Drug Ads On Hospital Channel
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Doctors and consumer advocates are calling on
the nation's largest hospitals to "just say no" to General Electric's
"Patient Channel," which is televised in patient rooms and contains ads for
pharmaceuticals.
Study Raps Rap Music's Effects, But Experts Differ
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study suggests that African American teen
girls who spend more time than their peers watching rap music videos are
more likely to hit a teacher, be arrested, have more than one sex partner,
and pick up a new sexually transmitted disease.
Large Human Mad Cow Epidemic Unlikely--scientists
LONDON (Reuters) - A major epidemic in Britain of the human version of mad
cow disease is unlikely, scientists said on Wednesday, reducing their own
previous estimates of potential future cases and deaths from 50,000 to
7,000.
UN Says World Popping More Pills, Growing More Heroin
VIENNA (Reuters) - The use of synthetic drugs like ecstasy is booming among
the party-goers of the rich world, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
Calls For Doctors To Improve Communications Skills
LONDON (Reuters) - Doctors need to improve their communication skills
because patients say the information they are given when diagnosed with
cancer is incomplete or incomprehensible, according to a poll released on
Wednesday.
UK Study Finds Hormone Therapy Won't Protect Heart
LONDON (Reuters Health) -- The belief that hormone replacement therapy
(HRT) protects women against coronary heart disease was dealt another blow
by researchers on Wednesday.
Rural Education Can Cut Pesticide Deaths: Report
LONDON (Reuters) - Agrochemical giants must make amends for
pesticide-caused deaths by funding rural education in the developing world
and phasing out their most dangerous chemicals, an environmental group said
Wednesday.
Alcohol Industry Says Study On Alcohol Abuse Flawed
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A recent study of alcohol consumption by teen
drinkers and alcohol abusers is an "attempt to manipulate data to get
sensational headlines," representatives of the alcohol industry said
Wednesday.
Preventable Clots Killing Thousands In US: Experts
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Physicians are failing to prevent blood clot
formation in nursing home and hospital patients, leading to 60,000 to
100,000 preventable deaths each year, public health officials said
Wednesday.
US Supreme Court Rules For Anti-abortion Groups
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that federal
extortion and racketeering laws cannot be used against anti-abortion
activists sued for engaging in a nationwide conspiracy to shut down health
clinics.
UN Hits Out At Britain's Softening On Cannabis
VIENNA (Reuters) - The UK government's decision to ease laws on cannabis
has confused people to the point where they think the drug is now legal and
has undermined African efforts to curb production, according to a United
Nations agency.
Italy Says Better Pain Relief For The Dying Needed
FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters Health) - Too few terminally ill patients in Italy
are offered high quality end-of-life care, and more should be done to train
doctors in relieving the pain of those with terminal illnesses, the health
ministry said on Tuesday.
At Least 10 Dead In Nursing Home Fire; Man Arrested
HARTFORD, Conn. (Reuters) - Police arrested a man in connection with a fire
at a Connecticut nursing home early on Wednesday that killed at least 10
people and injured at least 23, officials said.
Lab Test Could Reduce Need For Animal Tests
VIENNA (Reuters Health) - German researchers have developed a new way to
test whether a substance causes an inflammatory reaction, which they
believe could reduce the need for animal testing by more than 25%.
Global Drug Sales Rose 7% In 2002
LONDON (Reuters) - Global pharmaceutical sales rose 7% last year, well
below the double-digit levels the industry enjoyed in the past, figures
released Wednesday showed.
US Lawmakers Urge Alternative To Human Cloning Ban
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - With the US House scheduled to vote Thursday
on a bill to ban all forms of human cloning, a bipartisan group of members
Wednesday urged colleagues to adopt an alternative that would allow cloning
of embryos for research.
Births Falling, UN Trims 2050 Population Forecast
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - UN demographers on Wednesday scaled back their
world population forecast for 2050 to 8.9 billion people from its 9.3
billion estimate of two years ago, citing rising AIDS deaths and declining
birth rates.
New Molecule May Help Enhance Cancer Treatments
LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists have identified a molecule they believe could
improve cancer treatments and help protect people from the lethal effects
of high levels of radiation in a nuclear attack.
UK Blood Clot Victims Lodge Appeal In Airline Case
LONDON (Reuters) - Victims of so-called economy class syndrome lodged an
appeal Wednesday to win the right to sue some of the world's largest
airlines for the potentially deadly blood clot condition they claim is
caused by flying.
US Favors Steps To Improve SUV Safety
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top US auto safety regulator said on Wednesday
he would let carmakers voluntarily improve the safety of sport utility
vehicles but left open the option of forcing them to make changes if
necessary.
Study Finds Drug Ads May Prompt Dialogue
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Prescription drug ads aimed at consumers may
spur important conversations between patients and physicians, which could
lead to new diagnoses, a research team from Harvard reported on Wednesday.
Malpractice Premium Jump Affects Patients: Survey
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Physician groups faced an average rate hike of
53% in malpractice premiums between 2002 and 2003, forcing many doctors to
consider retiring, moving or curtailing patient care services, according to
a survey by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).
Extensive Lung Cancer Screening Not Worth The Cost
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Though ads tout CT scans as a way to detect
lung cancer in its early stages, the costs of the screening test outweigh
the benefits, researchers report.
Exercise Firms Fat, Cuts Heart Risk In Older Women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Regular, moderate exercise can lower the risk
of heart disease among older women by boosting fitness and trimming tummy
fat, new research shows.
Those At Risk For Stroke Unaware Of Warning Signs
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Adults with the highest stroke risk are the
least likely to know the warning signs, according to a survey released
Tuesday that confirms previous findings.
Diet, Exercise Add To Cholesterol Drug Benefits
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For reducing the risk of heart attack and other
complications of heart disease, cholesterol-lowering drugs are good, but a
combination of medications, diet and exercise is better, new research
suggests.
After Bypass, Mood Brightens In Men But Not Women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - After surgery to reroute blood around blocked
arteries, men tend to be in better spirits and have better physical
functioning than women, new research suggests.
Older Americans Taking Supplements Need Them Least
BETHESDA, Md. (Reuters Health) - Though there is still very little solid
data on older Americans and dietary supplement use, most studies show that
those who take supplements tend to need them the least, while those who
need them most are not taking them, researchers said at a meeting Tuesday.
Low Fat Pre-teen Diet May Cut Breast Cancer Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Adolescent girls who follow a relatively
low-fat diet starting in puberty have lower blood levels of hormones that
are linked to breast cancer in adulthood, new research reveals.
Beauty May Have A Price When Job-searching
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New findings suggest that women who are
physically attractive may find the cards stacked against them when applying
for jobs in which appearance plays little or no role.
Study Shows Surge In Psychiatric Drug Use In Kids
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - About 6% of US children are taking drugs to
treat depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a
host of other behavioral and emotional problems, researchers said Monday.
Infant-adult Bed Sharing Becoming More Common In US
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Infant-adult bed sharing is growing more
popular in the United States, though the jury is still out on whether or
not the practice poses any danger to infants, a team of researchers
reports.
Light Helps Alzheimer's Patients Sleep All Night
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Providing people with Alzheimer's disease with
a few hours of bright light each day helps them sleep longer at night and
maintain a normal sleeping schedule, new study findings show.
Americans' Activity Wanes As Weight Soars: Survey
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new survey sheds light on why so many
Americans may be packing on the pounds.
One In Ten US Women Drink Alcohol During Pregnancy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In spite of widespread educational campaigns
about the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant, a new study found
that more than 1 in 10 moms-to-be drink.
Thalidomide Slows Blood Cancer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The drug thalidomide, which was banned in the
1960s for causing severe birth defects, slows the progression of a blood
cancer called multiple myeloma in some people with the disease, study
findings show.
Drug Errors More Likely In The Sickest Children
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children who are the most ill are more likely
than other youngsters in the hospital to experience drug mistakes, in which
the wrong drug or dose is administered, researchers report.
Magazine: Discord On German Bioterror Defense
BERLIN (Reuters Health) - The head of Germany's top disease tracking
institute has warned that smallpox virus "could be in the hands of people
who should not have it," making it essential that detailed plans are in
place to deal with a potential bioterror attack.
Queen Walks From Hospital After Knee Operation
LONDON (Reuters) - The Queen has walked unaided from hospital, a day after
undergoing an operation to remove torn cartilage from her knee.
AIDS Drugmakers Say They're Boosting African Supply
LONDON (Reuters) - Pharmaceutical companies said on Tuesday they were
increasing the supply of life-saving AIDS medicines to Africa but
acknowledged that current efforts only scratched the surface of the
problem.
Death Toll From South Asia Cold Snap Nears 900
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Thousands of people struggled to cope with a brutal
winter sweeping northern India, Bangladesh and Nepal as the death toll from
a month-long cold spell neared 900 on Tuesday.
Thimerosal-free Vaccines May Not Work As Well: UK
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Britain's Department of Health on Tuesday backed
continued use of thimerosal-containing vaccines, saying there was no
evidence they harmed children and warning that alternative vaccines without
the mercury-based preservative were less effective.
Group Releases Teen Drug Treatment Guide
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Drug abuse experts unveiled a new guide
Tuesday designed to help parents choose treatment programs for addicted
teens.
US Senate May Join House To Find Medicare Fee Fix
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - US Senate Republicans, after months of
telling their counterparts in the House they would not consider legislation
to cancel a scheduled 4.4% cut in Medicare physician fees except as part of
a broader Medicare payment package, appear to be relenting.
US Delays Gene Therapy Trials After Cancer Case
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US Food and Drug Administration said on Tuesday
it was halting about 30 gene therapy trials after learning a second child
in a French gene therapy experiment has leukemia.
Alcohol Surge, Youth Drinking Fuel Irish Debate
DUBLIN, Ireland (Reuters) - Derek swigged his fifth pint of beer at a
Dublin pub and swore he could handle 10 or 12.
'Exploding' Frying Pans Recalled
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 8,700 frying pans sold through America's Home
Shopping Network are being recalled because they can "explode" while in
use, according to US safety regulators.
GE Unions Begin Strike Over Health Care
LYNN, Mass. (Reuters) - More than 17,000 General Electric Co. workers began
a two-day nationwide strike on Tuesday, angered after GE boosted their
health-care co-payments. One striker was struck and killed by a car as she
picketed outside a plant.
US Supreme Court Hears HMO Case
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The US Supreme Court Tuesday heard the latest
in a long string of cases trying to sort out how much power states have
when it comes to regulating the health insurance system.
German Study: New Moms Should Avoid Fries, Chips
NUREMBERG, Germany (Reuters Health) - Pregnant women and nursing mothers
should sharply limit--or even cease--eating French fries, potato chips or
other foods that contain the chemical acrylamide, according to study
released Tuesday by German researchers.
Care For Seniors Improves, But Large Gaps Remain
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - America's seniors are getting better medical
care than they did in 1998, yet more than one in four Medicare
beneficiaries still do not receive services that could prevent disease and
prolong their lives, according to a study in the January 14th issue of the
Journal of the American Medical Association.
Buckle Up In Ambulances To Avoid Injury: Researcher
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People can best avoid being hurt or killed in
an accident while traveling in an ambulance--perhaps after leaving the
scene of another accident--by taking a few safety precautions, researchers
report.
Journal Highlights 2002 Health Breakthroughs
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Two health-related breakthroughs that occurred
in 2002 have been singled out by the editors of the journal Science in
their annual top 10 list of scientific advances.
Specific Protein Essential To Making Healthy Sperm
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When it comes to a protein involved in making
sperm, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Scientists have
found that extra amounts of the protein can interfere with an essential
step in sperm development in mice.
Docs Spread Infection In German Hospitals: Expert
FRANKFURT (Reuters Health) - Doctors are the prime culprits behind
inadequate hygiene in German hospitals, which results in up to 1 million
patients each year contracting needless infections, according to a German
expert.
Most Parents Don't Know Weight Of Child's Backpack
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Though some children may seem to literally
carry the world on their shoulders in their heavy backpacks, new study
findings show that many parents do not know what their child's bookbags
contain and are even less aware of how much the bags weigh.
Fair Treatment At Work Equals Less Sick Leave
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Workers who are not in the loop with regard to
deciding how work gets done and those who are just plain treated badly by
their bosses or co-workers are more likely to call in sick, new study
findings from Finland suggest.
Leave Stroke Surgery To Most Experienced-study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Surgery to prevent stroke should only be
entrusted to skilled surgeons who routinely perform the operation, new
study findings from Canada suggest.
PAHO: Tobacco Firms Lied To Latin Americans
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Several transnational tobacco companies hired
scientists throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to deceive the public
about the link between secondhand smoke and lung cancer and other serious
diseases, according to a report released this week by the Pan American
Health Organization (PAHO), a regional office of the World Health
Organization.
Smoking Byproduct Lingers Longer In Menthol Smokers
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Taste may not be the only difference between
menthol and other kinds of cigarettes, new research suggests. In a study of
women smokers, a nicotine byproduct lingered longer in women who smoked
menthol cigarettes.
Study Points To Sperm-saving Strategy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Trying to grow human sperm in mice may sound
like a crazy idea, but it could lead to a better way of helping some men
maintain their own sperm-producing capacity. For the first time, scientists
have succeeded in getting human stem cells that are the precursors of sperm
to survive in mice.
Watchdog Backs UK Health Service Hospital Purchase
LONDON (Reuters Health) -- Patients are benefiting following the
Government's decision to buy a failing private heart hospital and bring it
into the public service, the National Audit Office said on Thursday.
First Case Of West Nile Virus From Mom To Newborn
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A woman has transmitted West Nile virus to her
fetus during pregnancy, the first evidence that this type of infection is
possible, researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) reported Thursday.
EU Adopts Blood Safety Directive
LONDON (Reuters Health) - The European Parliament has adopted a new law
toughening European Union safety and quality standards for blood and blood
products.
Germans, Swedes, Canadians To Run Some UK Hospitals
LONDON (Reuters Health) -- German, Swedish and Canadian healthcare
companies, as well as private British companies, could run failing public
hospitals, the UK government announced on Thursday.
Few Side Effects In Israeli Smallpox Vaccine Drive
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's smallpox vaccination of 15,000 emergency
workers in preparation for a possible US-led war on Iraq caused few side
effects, a Health Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
New AIDS Drug Likely To Fall Short Of 2003 Demand
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Roche Holding AG said on Wednesday it has completed
the first commercial batches of its experimental HIV drug, but will be
unable to meet demand next year because it is still working to improve the
manufacturing process.
US Military Medics Vaccinated For Smallpox
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - About 100 military medics received smallpox
injections on Wednesday in the first wave of a US plan to immunize millions
of troops and emergency workers against the long-dormant disease, now
deemed a possible terrorist threat.
S.African Party Now Says AIDS To Top Its Agenda
STELLENBOSCH, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa's ruling African
National Congress put AIDS at the top of its development agenda Thursday,
saying the deadly pandemic could derail all other efforts to build the
nation.
Smoke Exposure Cuts Babies' Ability To Wake Up
LONDON (Reuters) - Babies exposed to tobacco smoke have a weaker arousal
response than other infants, which could partly explain why children whose
parents smoke have a higher risk of cot death, researchers said Thursday.
Canada's Chretien Urges Patience On Health Funding
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Prime Minister Jean Chretien urged Canada's provincial
governments on Wednesday to be patient as they clamored for more money from
the federal government to help run the country's hard-pressed health
system.
Estonian Genome Project Ahead Of Schedule
LONDON (Reuters Health) - A genome project set up by the tiny European
country of Estonia is accelerating plans to take blood samples from three
quarters of its population.
Study Shows Pacing Defibrillators May Damage Hearts
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The common practice of "pacing" the heartbeat may
damage patients' hearts, researchers said on Tuesday in a study of heart
devices that was terminated early because too many patients died.
Doctors Strike To Protest Italy's Health System
FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters Health) - A protest by Italian doctors on Thursday
has hit the country's health system, with health clinics closing and
routine hospital activities, including surgery, being halted.
Disease Management May Save Medicare Money-expert
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Medicare reformers in the US Congress should
move to change how the program treats patients with multiple chronic
diseases if they want to save the system money, one health financing expert
told reporters Thursday.
Stroke Patients Often Ignore Warning Signs
BERLIN (Reuters Health) - Stroke outcomes could be improved if at-risk
individuals were more aware of warning signs and called for emergency
medical help sooner, according to a new study from the University of
Cologne's neurology department.
AIDS Group Asks Court To Stop AZT Patent Defense
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The nation's largest provider of AIDS care said
Thursday it has asked a US Federal Court to stop British drugs giant
GlaxoSmithKline Plc. from defending its patent on the AIDS drug AZT, in
advance of a lawsuit the organization has filed over alleged patent fraud
and price gouging.
Europe Agency Warns Pregnant Women On Allergy Drug
LONDON (Reuters Health) -- The European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA)
said on Thursday it could not rule out the possibility that
Schering-Plough's allergy drug desloratadine might cause birth defects.
Canadian Sect Says First Cloned Baby Due In Weeks
MONTREAL (Reuters) - A Canadian cult that believes in free love and that
life on earth was created by extra terrestrials said it could deliver the
world's first cloned baby on Christmas day.
Medicare Reform To Dominate US 2003 Health Agenda
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Medicare reform tops a long list of health
issues the 108th Congress is expected to take up when it begins in January,
top US Congressional health aides said at a briefing Thursday. But they
also agreed that getting a bill passed will not be easy.
US Senator Seeks Probe Of Cipro Use For Anthrax
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The weakened condition of a Senate staffer has
spurred a request for congressional investigators to probe the effects from
the widespread use of Bayer antibiotic Cipro in Washington after
anthrax-laced letters were mailed to Congress last year.
One-click Marijuana Shopping For Sick Canadians
MONTREAL (Reuters) - Canadian activists for the medicinal use of marijuana
celebrated a court victory on Thursday by launching an Internet site
offering home delivery of cannabis for seriously ill people.
Secondhand Crib Mattress Linked To SIDS Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scottish researchers have found that babies who
sleep on secondhand crib mattresses seem to be at higher risk of sudden
infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, it is not clear if the mattress
itself is the cause of the association. Some unrelated factor may be
responsible for the link, according to the report published in the November
2nd issue of the British Medical Journal.
Study Ties Epilepsy To Social, Economic Deprivation
LONDON (Reuters Health) - People who live in the poorest areas seem to be
more likely to develop epilepsy than their counterparts in more affluent
neighborhoods, British researchers reported Friday.
C-section May Be Safer Option For Twins: Report
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Second twins born vaginally face a greater risk
of complications and death than twins delivered first, British researchers
report.
Genital Herpes Infection Could Skyrocket
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - By the year 2025, if no preventive steps are
taken, as many as 40% of men and 50% of women aged 15 to 39 in the US could
be infected with genital herpes, according to a mathematical model
developed by public health experts.
Many Parents Lack Info About Hepatitis A: Survey
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many parents do not know much about hepatitis
A, even though the infection is relatively common in children, according to
new survey findings released this week by the American Liver Foundation.
Fibroid Procedure May Complicate Pregnancy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Uterine artery embolization (UAE), a procedure
used to shrink benign uterine tumors called fibroids, may cause
complications in women who later become pregnant, researchers report.
Beta-blockers Eyed As Possible Osteoporosis Therapy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Widely used heart drugs called beta-blockers
have been shown to help build bone in mice, raising hopes that they may
also strengthen weak bones in people with osteoporosis.
New Function Discovered For Breast Cancer Gene
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers know that women who carry a
defective copy of the BRCA1 gene have a higher-than-average risk of
developing breast and ovarian cancer. And they have also long suspected
that BRCA1 normally has a role in repairing damaged DNA and cells that lose
the ability are more likely to become cancerous.
Brain Cancer Treatment Can Impair Mental Function
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Treatments for a certain type of brain tumor
may have detrimental effects on patients' long-term mental functioning, new
study findings suggest.
Bias Health Issue For Gays: Australian Doctor Group
SYDNEY (Reuters Health) - The Australian Medical Association (AMA) issued a
position statement on Thursday at the Amnesty International Global Human
Rights Conference, saying that prejudice can affect the health of gays and
lesbians.
Folic Acid May Help Prevent Pregnancy Complication
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who take supplemental folic acid appear
to be almost half as likely as others to develop high blood pressure during
each month of pregnancy, according to new study findings.
Being Fit Doesn't Cancel Out Risks Of Excess Fat
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - As long as you're fit, does it matter if you're
carrying around excess fat? It's the subject of ongoing debate among health
experts. Now a new study says that weight matters, even if you put in time
at the gym.
US Probes 2 Tenet Doctors For Needless Surgeries
NEW YORK (Reuters) - US prosecutors in California on Thursday probed
allegations that two doctors at a hospital owned by Tenet Healthcare Inc.
for more than three years performed a raft of unnecessary heart procedures
in a scheme to bilk the federal Medicare program.
US Seniors See Higher Costs, Fewer Benefits In 2002
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Medicare HMOs trimmed benefits and hit seniors
with substantially higher out-of-pocket costs in 2002, according to two new
reports released on Friday.
Infant Mortality In Germany Linked To Clinic Size
BERLIN (Reuters Health) - Hundreds of newborns die in Germany each year
because they are delivered in small clinics and hospitals where expert help
is not always available, according to the results of a large 10-year study
on survival rates.
Study Looks Three Mile Island Cancer Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Overall, people who lived near the Three Mile
Island nuclear power plant appear to be no more likely to die of cancer
than those who live elsewhere in the US, a new study has found.
Relationship Woes Behind Much Insomnia: Survey
FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters Health) - Relationship problems are a leading
cause of insomnia among Italian women, according to the results of a
magazine survey published Friday.
Dutch Doctors Suggest Shortening Medical Training
AMSTERDAM (Reuters Health) - The national Union of General Practitioners in
the Netherlands has suggested that the government reduce the length of
medical training in an effort to overcome a shortage of doctors in the
country.
Germany To Battle Resistance To Health Cuts
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Health and Social Affairs Minister Ulla Schmidt
vowed on Friday to go ahead with spending freezes and cuts to soaring
health costs, despite fierce opposition from lobby groups for doctors and
drugs companies.
Officials Seek Comment On Childhood Smallpox Tests
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Federal health officials are seeking the
public's input on whether to go ahead with proposed testing of smallpox
vaccine in children, according to a notice released Thursday.
US Mental Health System 'dysfunctional': Panel
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - America's system for treating and
rehabilitating people with mental illness is in financial and bureaucratic
disarray and is plagued by complexities that make it nearly impossible for
many patients to receive needed care, according to a report issued Friday
by a presidential mental health commission.
Many Gene Research Consent Forms Misleading: Study
BALTIMORE (Reuters Health) - Informed consent forms now in use may confuse
people participating in gene transfer research experiments about what they
can expect from the experimental procedure, according to preliminary
results of a new study.
Singer Barry White Planning For Kidney Transplant
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Soul singer Barry White, battling kidney failure,
is resting comfortably while doctors conduct tests to find a suitable
transplant donor among his eight children, a spokesman said on Thursday.
FDA Issues Caution Regarding Use Of Bone Cement
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) -The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
issued a caution concerning the use of a type of bone cement to treat
osteoporosis-related fractures of the spine during procedures known as
vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
Drug Co., Fla. Make Pact To Thwart OxyContin Abuse
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Florida's top consumer watchdog on Friday
announced an unusual agreement with Purdue Pharma LP aimed at preventing
abuse of the prescription painkiller OxyContin.
Homes Of Non-English Speakers Worse For Asthmatics
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters Health) - In the United States, asthmatic children
whose families do not speak English are more likely than fluent English
speakers to live in a home that is chock-full of substances that can
trigger an asthma attack, new research shows.
Suicide Risk High Many Years After First Attempt
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The risk for suicide runs high for those who
have previously attempted to kill themselves, even decades after their
initial attempt, British researchers suggest.
Preschool Language Problems Said Hard To Screen For
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Preschoolers' speech and language difficulties
can be difficult to detect, whether it's by parents or by formal screening,
research suggests.
Study Suggests Fever Doesn't Up Miscarriage Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Pregnant women who have a fever during the
first 16 weeks of pregnancy are not at an increased risk for miscarriage, a
new study from Denmark suggests.
Possible Link Found Between Virus And Colon Cancer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A common type of herpesvirus may play a role in
the development of colorectal cancer, preliminary research suggests.
Light Therapy Used To Extend Lung Cancer Survival
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An experimental treatment that combines surgery
and so-called light therapy could extend the lives of patients with an
advanced form of lung cancer, early research suggests.
Bone Marrow Stem Cells May Help Repair Muscle
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - After muscle injury occurs, stem cells from
adult bone marrow may be recruited to help repair the damaged tissue,
animal research indicates.
Mom's PCB Exposure May Affect Kid's Mental Health
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children born to women exposed to high levels
of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) appear to have slightly lower IQs and
more behavioral and emotional problems than kids whose mothers were not
exposed to large amounts of the pollutant, a new study from Taiwan has
found.
Interpreters, Bilingual Docs Cut Costs In ER
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Language barriers, coupled with limited access
to interpreters, appear to cause non-English-speaking pediatric patients to
undergo more routine testing and incur higher medical expenses, new study
findings suggest.
Study Links Frailty In Elderly To Inflammation
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The tendency for certain elderly people to
become frail with age may have a biological explanation, scientists now
say.
UK Hospitals Underprepared For Bio, Nuclear Attack
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Many hospitals and ambulance services in England
are not well prepared to deal with the casualties from a chemical,
biological or nuclear incident, an independent watchdog said on Friday.
Food Makers Urge Halt To Food Crops For Medicine
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US food companies urged the government on Thursday
to temporarily ban the use of corn, soybeans and other food crops to
produce pharmaceuticals after a Texas company accidentally mixed its
gene-altered corn with other crops.
UK Says It's On Target To Cut Surgery Waiting Times
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Britain said on Friday it was on track to meet
next March's objective of having no patients waiting more than a year for
an operation--though this goal does not include the time people spend
waiting to get on hospital waiting lists in the first place.
Male Fertility Technique Produces Healthy Kids
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Children born after a technique used to treat
male infertility are as physically and mentally healthy as children
conceived naturally, a study of 5-year olds shows.
Secrets Of Lice Spread Revealed
LONDON (Reuters Health) - They cannot fly, hop or jump, yet head lice are
enjoying the kind of global expansion that would put the Roman Empire to
shame.
Britain Says 'act Now' On EU Pharma Competitiveness
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Europe must "wake up and act now " to boost the
competitiveness of its pharmaceutical industry so that it can compete with
the US, British Health Minister Philip Hunt said on Friday.
EU Says WTO Meeting Made Headway On Drugs
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Trade ministers meeting in Australia this week
made good progress on getting cheaper medicines into poor countries,
according to the European Union's trade commissioner, Pascal Lamy, but
humanitarian groups denounced the proposed solution as unworkable.
Africa Bloc Wants To Produce Cheap AIDS Drugs
LUSAKA (Reuters) - Africa's major free trade bloc has applied to the World
Trade Organisation for the right to manufacture cheap AIDS drugs, saying
the deadly disease was the biggest threat to regional economic development,
the group's secretary general said Friday.
Generic Switch May Save Swedes 16 Million Euros
STOCKHOLM (Reuters Health) - Generic substitution of pharmaceuticals could
save Sweden 150 million kronor (16 million euros) a year, the country's
pharmacy-monopoly Apoteket AB said after analyzing figures from the first
month of the new reform.
Higher Dose Of Drug Needed To Treat Tourette's Tics
MIAMI (Reuters Health) - A higher dose of the medication ziprasidone may be
necessary if a patient with Tourette's syndrome is receiving treatment and
still experiencing tics, according to Dr. Jorge L. Juncos.
Drug Via Patch May Help Restless Legs Syndrome
MIAMI (Reuters Health) - For people with moderate to severe restless legs
syndrome, help may be on the way in the form of medication delivered
through a patch worn on the forearm, according to Dr. J. Carsten Moller.
AIDS Activists, Roche Cross Swords Over Drug Price
ZURICH (Reuters) - Health activists accused Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding
AG on Friday of breaking its promise to cut the price of AIDS drugs in poor
countries.
Screening Could Cut Artery Rupture Deaths: Doctors
LONDON (Reuters) - A national screening program for elderly men could save
more than 2,000 lives each year by reducing deaths from ruptured blood
vessels, British doctors said on Friday.
Officials Say US Blood Supply Ready For Attacks
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Officials in charge of America's blood supply
said Friday that they have enough supplies to treat victims of a
large-scale terrorist event, even as the FBI issued a new bulletin warning
of "spectacular" attacks by al-Qaeda terrorists on US soil.
FDA Advisors OK Combined Therapy For Hepatitis C
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)
advisory committee on Thursday endorsed a two-drug combination made by
Roche Holdings AG for the treatment of hepatitis C.
Drugstore Chain Gives Card Plan Members A Discount
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Eckerd Corp., one of the nation's largest
retail drugstores, said it would cut the cost of most generic prescription
medications filled at its stores by 30% for seniors who participate in the
Together Rx drug discount card program.
Prior Approval Rules Endanger Asthma Patients: Poll
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An overwhelming majority of allergists in a new
poll say requiring physicians to seek prior approval to obtain coverage for
certain prescriptions places asthma patients' lives at risk.
Heart Failure Declines In Women, But Not Men
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New cases of heart failure have declined
steadily for women over the last 50 years, but the rates remain nearly
unchanged in men, new study findings show.
Babies Undergo Memory Brain Boost After Age One
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers at Harvard University have timed
babies' ability to retain long-term memories to the period during which
certain regions of the brain develop and mature.
Traffic Light Cameras Make Intersections Safer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Traffic monitoring cameras that catch red light
runners on film can reduce the number of car crashes and resulting
injuries, a study of one California town has found.
Many US Preschoolers Have Never Visited Dentist
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many children--particularly those from
low-income families--are missing out on regular dental visits, ending up
with more severe problems when they do get to the dentist, according to new
study findings.
Oral Contraceptives Cut Risk Of Ovarian Cysts
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women using oral contraceptives are
considerably less likely to develop ovarian cysts than those not taking the
pill, Danish researchers report.
Media Scare Led Some To Stop Pill, Get Pregnant
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A group of New Zealand researchers has found
that almost 10% of women seeking abortions conceived because they suddenly
stopped taking a type of oral contraceptive out of fear for their health.
Depo-Provera Users Can Miss Unplanned Pregnancies
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Just a tiny fraction of the women who use the
injected hormonal birth-control method called Depo-Provera become pregnant,
but many of those who do don't realize they are pregnant until after the
first trimester, US researchers report.
Heart Failure Drug Ups Death Risk In Women, Not Men
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women with heart failure who take digoxin, a
form of the drug digitalis commonly used to treat the heart condition,
appear to have a higher risk of death than women who don't take the drug,
according to a study released Wednesday.
Most Parents Say TV Programming Going Downhill
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Nearly half of US parents in a new survey say
they worry that their child spends too much time watching TV, and most feel
TV programming is getting worse and worse in terms of "bad language and
adult themes," according to a new report.
Thalidomide-like Drugs Have Anti-cancer Properties
LONDON (Reuters) - Drugs similar to thalidomide, which was taken off the
market four decades ago after causing severe birth defects, have
cancer-fighting properties, scientists said Tuesday.
US Court Protects Doctors Who Recommend Marijuana
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Doctors who recommend medical marijuana to sick
patients cannot be stripped of their licenses to prescribe drugs even
though marijuana is banned by federal law, a federal appeals court ruled on
Tuesday.
British Patients In Hospital Brain Disease Scare
LONDON (Reuters) - Twenty-nine patients at a hospital in northern England
may have been exposed to the deadly brain disease sporadic CJD after
infected equipment was used during surgery, officials said Wednesday.
NICE Backs Clot-busters For Heart Attack Patients
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Britain's medicines cost effectiveness watchdog
on Wednesday backed early use of clot-busting drugs for people who suffer a
heart attack.
WHO-Lifestyle Major Cause Of Global Health Problems
LONDON (Reuters Health) - The World Health Organization released a major
report Wednesday fingering alcohol, tobacco, high blood pressure and high
cholesterol as some the biggest causes of illness and death
worldwide--including the developing world.
Bush Admin. Extends Research Protection For Fetuses
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Key groups in Washington reacted Wednesday to
reports that the Bush Administration has broadened the charge of an
important research advisory committee to include human embryos.
'Breast Cancer Gene' Boosts Prostate Risk, Too
COVENTRY, England (Reuters) - A genetic variation that makes women more
susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer also raises a man's risk of
developing prostate cancer, a British scientist said Wednesday.
Russia Says Siege Gas Based On Fentanyl-agencies
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The mystery gas used in the siege of a Moscow theatre on
Saturday was based on fentanyl, Russian Health Minister Yuri Shevchenko was
quoted as saying by agencies on Wednesday.
Heart Test Could Point To Mad Cow-linked Disease
LONDON (Reuters Health) - British researchers are investigating the theory
that abnormalities in heart rate could be an early indicator of variant
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), the human form of mad cow disease.
German Doctor Warns Of Post-nipple Pierce Infection
BERLIN (Reuters Health) - Infected nipple piercings can in the worst cases
result in disfiguring abscesses, but not enough attention is paid to the
problem by doctors or people who have piercings, a German doctor said on
Wednesday.
Many Stopped Taking Anthrax Antibiotics: CDC
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Interviews with more than 6,000 Americans
offered antibiotics to prevent inhalation anthrax following last year's
attacks show that many patients stopped their medication too early and mild
side effects were a common problem.
EU Govt. Backs Plan To Halt Resale Of Cheap Drugs
BRUSSELS (Reuters Health) - The EU's executive body on Wednesday backed a
plan to stop cheap drugs intended for poor countries being exported back
into Europe, weeks after Dutch authorities uncovered the resale of
thousands of packets of cut-price AIDS drugs.
Group Slams Ashcroft On Oregon Assisted Dying Case
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The president of the leading advocacy group
for Oregon's physician-assisted suicide law blasted US Attorney General
John Ashcroft Wednesday, accusing him of acting on his "personal beliefs"
in the Bush Administration's attempts to disable the law.
FDA Tells Biogen To Stop Misleading Drug Promotion
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The US Food and Drug Administration has told Biogen
Inc. to stop publishing misleading promotions for its multiple sclerosis
drug Avonex.
Americans Get Bulk Of Nutrition Info From TV
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Television is the top source of nutrition
information for nearly three quarters of Americans, out-performing
newspapers and the Internet in a national survey.
Most US Moms Receive Many Interventions In Labor
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although most women in the United States appear
satisfied with their experience when giving birth to a child, the majority
also received seven different medical interventions during labor, according
to new survey findings.
Rat Study Suggests Estrogen May Worsen Alzheimer's
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The results of a new study in rats suggest that
estrogen replacement therapy may hinder--not help--memory in older women
with Alzheimer's disease.
Substance In Saliva Protects Babies From Mom's HIV
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Babies with relatively high levels of a
particular compound in their saliva appear to be less likely than others to
acquire HIV from their infected mothers at one month of age, according to
new study findings.
Smoking Can Hurt Healthy Men's Kidneys, Study Shows
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men who smoke have more than triple the risk of
developing impaired kidney function compared with their nonsmoking peers,
Australian researchers have found.
Little Proof That Chiropractic Care Helps Headache
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While many advocates of chiropractic spinal
manipulation say the technique is an effective treatment for headache,
there is little scientific evidence to support that claim, according to the
results of a new study.
Not All Garlic Supplements Created Equal
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Whether you're hoping to keep vampires away
this Halloween or using garlic supplements to scare off other health
threats, the product you buy may not contain enough of the smelly bulb's
active ingredient to do the job, according to a new report.
Day Care May Cut Allergy Risk, Raise Asthma Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children who spend time in day care centers or
have many siblings may have a lower risk of developing seasonal allergies
but an increased risk of asthma, according to the results of a European
study.
'Decoy' Ointment Relieves Chronic Skin Rash In Mice
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An ointment containing a "decoy" for a protein
involved in inflammation seems to be a promising treatment for the chronic
skin condition atopic dermatitis, according to the results of a new mouse
study.
High Or Low C-section Rates Predict Infant Outcomes
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Infants born at hospitals that perform more or
less than the expected number of cesarean sections appear to be more likely
than others to have complications, new study findings suggest.
Bifocals May Up Risk Of Falling In Older Adults
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A single pair of glasses that corrects both
close and distant vision may increase the risk of falls in older adults,
researchers report.
Children In Pakistan Have High Lead Levels
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Roughly 80% of children living in or around
Karachi, Pakistan have blood lead levels that exceed safe limits, new study
findings have found.
Hormone Linked To Higher Risk Of Ovarian Cancer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - High levels of a protein called insulin-like
growth factor (IGF)-I may increase women's risk of developing ovarian
cancer before age 55, the results of a new study suggest.
Survey: Sex Often Part Of Casual Teen Relationships
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new survey of 15- to 17-year-olds has found
that, at least in terms of teens' perceptions, oral sex and intercourse are
nearly as common in casual relationships as they are in more serious,
committed relationships.
Drug Store Machines OK For Testing Blood Pressure
EDMONTON, Alberta (Reuters Health) - Electronic blood pressure-monitoring
machines found in drugstores, supermarkets and other locations are
reasonably accurate, provided people take three readings about a minute
apart, a researcher reported here at the medical meeting Canadian
Cardiovascular Congress 2002.
Hot Tub May Be OK For Some On Blood Pressure Meds
EDMONTON, Alberta (Reuters Health) - People on blood pressure-lowering
drugs do experience a drop in blood pressure when sitting in a hot tub, but
a short soak does not seem to be harmful for such patients, according to
findings presented here at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2002.
Molecule Multiplies Stem Cells In Human Cord Blood
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A team of US researchers has for the first time
expanded the number of stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood,
raising the possibility that more adult patients will be able to receive
this rich source of stem cells in the future.
Breast-feeding May Lower Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who spend a total of 2 or more years of
their lives breast-feeding may be less likely to develop rheumatoid
arthritis than those who breast-feed for 3 months or less, new study
findings show.
5 UK Deaths From Anti-clotting Drug Reactions
LONDON (Reuters Health) - The European Medicines Evaluation Agency said on
Tuesday five patients had died of severe anaphylactic reactions after
taking the anti-coagulant Refludan.
New Tests May Detect Early Signs Of Common Cancers
COVENTRY, England (Reuters) - A new test that detects a group of molecules
only present in cancerous cells may help to pick up early signs of bowel,
cervical and other common cancers.
Single Cell DNA Testing Announced In Australia
SYDNEY (Reuters) - An Australian-based scientist announced on Tuesday he
had refined forensic DNA testing so that an individual can be identified by
a single cell.
Separated Twins' Return To Guatemala Delayed
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The twins separated in a 22-hour surgery in early
August after they were born joined at the head will not return home to
Guatemala on Tuesday as expected because the scalp of one girl has not
fully healed, hospital officials said on Monday.
FDA Approves New Type Of Cholesterol-lowering Drug
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new
type of cholesterol-lowering drug as a stand-alone treatment and also for
use alongside any members of the popular currently marketed "statin" family
of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Scientists Take New Approach To Fight Cancer
COVENTRY, England (Reuters) - British scientists are trying to develop a
drug that mimics the action of a natural protein in the body, which could
pave the way for a new approach to fighting cancer.
Opiate Likely In Moscow Theater Siege
MOSCOW (Reuters) - An opium-based gas, not a nerve agent, may have been
used in the storming of a packed Moscow theater held by a Chechen suicide
squad, a US embassy spokesman told Reuters on Tuesday.
UNICEF To Spend $9 Million To Fight AIDS In Zambia
LUSAKA, Zambia (Reuters) - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday
it would spend $9 million on AIDS programmes in Zambia where it said the
pandemic was placing a heavy burden on the country's children.
Crime Writer Says She's Got The Ripper's DNA
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Best-selling crime novelist Patricia Cornwell
thinks she may have uncovered Jack the Ripper's DNA and that it could be a
match for a British artist who liked to paint morbid scenes of violence
against women.
Italy Volcano Emissions Put Locals' Health At Risk
FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters Health) - Residents around the Italian city of
Catania have been advised to wear protective masks due to Mount Etna's
third full day of lava-spewing on Tuesday.
Global Team Will Hunt For Disease Hotspots On Genes
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Scientists from the United States, Canada,
the United Kingdom, China and Japan said Tuesday that they have begun
studies to map the major areas of common disease-causing genes in the human
genome, and to determine if these genetic variations are found in most
people around the world, regardless of ethnic heritage.
Older People Do Just As Well After Heart Transplant
EDMONTON, Alberta (Reuters Health) - Heart transplant recipients 60 years
of age and older at the time of the operation fare as well in the long run
as younger patients, according to the longest study ever done of older
people given a donor heart.
Trial Of Abortion Drug Set To Begin In Italy
FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters Health) - The abortion drug mifepristone, also
known as RU-486, is to be tested for the first time in Italy, the Sant'Anna
hospital in Turin announced on Monday.
Many Tumors Detected By Mammography Are Noninvasive
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - About 20% of the tumors detected by mammography
are noninvasive, meaning they have not progressed beyond the outermost
layers of the ducts inside the breast, a new study shows.
Very Elderly Have Eluded Many Major Disease Killers
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Those hardy individuals who make it to the
100-year mark have essentially "outlived" the major causes of death in the
general population, including most of the diseases for which lifestyle
plays a vital role, according to US researchers.
Roller Coasters Said Unlikely To Damage Brain
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite some reports of brain injury among
roller coaster riders, University of Pennsylvania researchers say the
thrill rides do not pack enough force to damage the brains of healthy
individuals.
Tumors Churn Out Protein That Hampers Immune System
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New insight on how some tumors may escape
attack by the immune system could lead to earlier diagnosis of breast,
lung, colon and other cancers as well as possible new ways to treat the
malignancies, researchers report.
'No More Tears' Onions? It May Be Possible: Report
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers from Japan have discovered that the
tear-inducing substance in onions is produced by a compound that, contrary
to previous expectations, has nothing to do with the onion's flavor.
Bystanders Save Lives With Automated Heart Devices
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Even people with no training can use publicly
accessible automated defibrillators to save the lives of cardiac arrest
victims, according to a study of three Chicago airports.
Experts: Docs-in-training Need More Sleep
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Doctors-in-training still work too many hours
without enough breaks--a scenario that could, on occasion, put patients in
danger, experts say.
Long Hours Behind Wheel Don't Damage Spine: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Road trips can take a toll on the back, but new
study findings suggest that even years of professional driving may not
speed permanent degeneration in the spine.
UK Leads In Heart Disease Rates, But Care Is Poor
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Britain has among the highest coronary heart
disease rates in the world, yet the provision of care for patients remains
poor, doctors said Wednesday.
Acupuncture May Help Break Urinary Infection Cycle
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who experience repeated bouts of urinary
tract infections (UTI) may want to try acupuncture to prevent another
episode, new study findings suggest.
Asthmatics May Be More Sensitive To Melatonin
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The results of a small, preliminary study
suggest that some asthmatics, particularly those whose symptoms worsen at
night, are more sensitive to melatonin, a hormone that regulates the body's
sleep-wake cycles.
Antibody More Common In Patients With Severe MS
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Virtually all patients with progressive
multiple sclerosis, a more advanced form of the disease, have a particular
antibody in their blood, according to study findings presented here Tuesday
at the 127th Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association.
Aging Sperm Prone To Genetic Damage, Study Finds
SEATTLE (Reuters Health) - While the effects of aging on women's fertility
have been well documented, less attention has been paid to men. But
according to new research presented here Tuesday at the American Society
for Reproductive Medicine's annual meeting, the sperm of older men is more
likely to suffer genetic damage that may, in turn, impair their fertility.
Testosterone Fluctuation Tied To Women's Sex Drive
SEATTLE (Reuters Health) - A fluctuating level of testosterone may account
for a reduced libido in women in their 30s and 40s, researchers report.
Ob-gyn Docs, Nurses Don't Know When Fertility Falls
SEATTLE (Reuters Health) - Healthcare providers may be just as confused as
their patients when it comes to discussing infertility. Research presented
here at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine's annual meeting
found that doctors and nurses working in reproductive healthcare did not
realize just how early fertility begins to decline.
Blood Test Catches Prostate Cancer-report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A test that can detect ovarian cancer using a single
drop of blood can also catch prostate cancer, potentially saving many men
the embarrassment and discomfort of a biopsy, researchers said on Tuesday.
Generic Coupon Program In Michigan Saves Money
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An experiment aimed at enticing health plan
members to give generics a try has saved Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
$3 for every $1 spent on the program.
Team Claims Leap Forward Against Coeliac Disease
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Scientists said on Wednesday they may be able to
develop a potential vaccine for coeliac disease, the common, debilitating
complaint that forces sufferers to eat only gluten-free foods.
US Top Court To Hear Arbitration Appeal By 2 HMOs
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US Supreme Court said on Tuesday it would hear
an appeal by UnitedHealth Group Inc. and PacifiCare Health Systems Inc.
arguing that racketeering claims against them should be submitted to
arbitration.
Fire Fears Spur Target Jack-O-Lantern Recall
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Fire dangers could turn a decorative ceramic
Jack-O-Lantern into a Halloween horror, according to officials at the US
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
UK Warns About Salmonella In Eggs After One Death
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is warning food businesses about salmonella in
eggs after recent outbreaks of an unusual strain of the bacteria that led
to the death of one person.
US AIDS Group Steps Up Action Against Glaxo
An organization in the United States, said on Tuesday it had filed an amended
lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline Plc in a bid to invalidate patents on its
two top antiretroviral drugs.
Pfizer 'cautiously Optimistic' On Viagra For Women
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Pfizer said on Wednesday it was "cautiously
optimistic" about the chances of developing a female version of Viagra
following study results showing the drug can help women who have difficulty
becoming sexually aroused.
Rapid Early Growth Linked To Type 1 Diabetes
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Babies and toddlers who grow relatively quickly
may have a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes before adolescence,
according to a new report.
Italian Study Confirms Loud Snoring, Stroke Link
FLORENCE (Reuters Health) - An Italian study provides further evidence that
snoring not only annoys a person's bed partner; it may also be a risk
factor for stroke.
Brain-on-a-chip Technology Devised To Test Drugs
LONDON (Reuters) - An American biotechnology company has developed a way of
keeping brain tissue alive for weeks, which will allow scientists to test
new drugs for a range of psychiatric diseases including Alzheimer's and
schizophrenia.
Study: Growth Spurt In Brain Causes Teenage Angst
LONDON (Reuters) - Parents of teenagers can breathe a sigh of relief;
scientists believe they have discovered the cause of teenage angst.
US Bill To Renew 'safety Net' Care Nears Approval
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The US House on Wednesday approved a
compromise bill to renew for 5 years a variety of programs to provide
healthcare to those with low incomes or who live in geographically remote
areas.
Lawmakers Protest Possible Women's Health Appointee
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Women's groups and Democratic members of the
US House and Senate Wednesday called on the Bush administration to cancel
plans to appoint a controversial Kentucky obstetrician/gynecologist to a
Food and Drug Administration advisory committee that makes recommendations
on women's reproductive health drugs.
Self-attacking Antibodies Up Stroke Risk In Women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Young women who carry antibodies that attack
their own tissues appear to have a higher risk of suffering a stroke, new
study findings suggest.
Monkey Virus May Provide Clues To Kaposi's Virus
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists have detected genetic similarities
between a monkey herpesvirus and a human virus thought to be involved in
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a cancer commonly seen in AIDS patients.
Receiving An Apology Does A Body Good, Study Finds
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Most individuals who have been wronged would
agree that they feel better after receiving an apology. Now researchers
have found scientific proof to back up that claim.
Study: Kids Who Stutter Still Face Peer Rejection
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children who stutter are less likely to be
popular with their classmates and are more likely to be bullied, according
to the results of a UK study.
Study Sheds Light On Screening Kids For Diabetes
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Testing adolescents across the board for type 2
diabetes may not offer much benefit, study findings indicate. Instead,
focusing on children who are obese or who have a family history of the
disease appears to be a better way to identify kids at risk.
Gene Therapy For Parkinson's Shows Promise In Rats
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new gene therapy tactic appears to protect
the brain cells damaged in Parkinson's disease when given to rats with a
Parkinson-like condition, according to researchers.
Potential New Acetaminophen OD Treatment Strategy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists may have found a new way to treat
overdoses of the drug acetaminophen, better known as the active ingredient
in Tylenol and a variety of cold and flu remedies.
Understanding Of Emotion Tied To Kids' Aggression
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Preschoolers who have trouble recognizing
different emotions may be more likely than their more-perceptive peers to
behave aggressively once they start school, new study findings suggest.
Vitamin Intake Affects Mom-to-child HIV Spread Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Giving some pregnant HIV-positive women
multivitamin supplements may reduce their risk of transmitting the virus to
their children, and improve certain aspects of their babies' health, US and
African researchers report.
Support Helps Couples Struggling With Infertility
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Participating in just a few sessions with a
support group appears to lessen anxiety and increase optimism in some men
and women who are undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments for
infertility, study findings suggest.
Arthritis More Common In Smokers, Divorced
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have long known that people with
arthritis are more likely than others to be obese, older and less
physically active. Now, new research shows that certain other factors may
also be associated with the risk of arthritis.
It's Official: Jar Lids Are Screwed On Too Tight
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In a not-so-surprising finding, a new study
shows that many older women--and a lot of younger folks--find the caps on a
majority of processed-food containers beyond the limits of their strength.
Survival Up Slightly For Some Lung Cancer Patients
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Survival rates for patients diagnosed with
early-stage small cell lung cancer have seen modest improvements over the
last 25 years, new study findings show.
News Media Informs, Doesn't Inflate Hopes: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Patients who heard from media reports about a
clinical trial for cancer therapy had no higher expectations about its
success, and better understood the reasons for it, than those who heard
about it from others including doctors and researchers, according to a new
study.
Inuit Stick To Blubber Despite Arctic Pollution
SAARISELKA, Finland (Reuters) - The Inuit, an indigenous people of the
Arctic, will stick to a traditional diet including whale blubber despite
mounting pollution from industrial toxins and worries about global warming.
Device Extends Liver Cancer Patients' Lives-study
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Use of a radiofrequency device that kills tumors
with heat significantly extends survival in liver cancer patients not
eligible for surgery, researchers said on Wednesday.
CDC Reports 2nd Case Of Vancomycin-resistant Staph
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Officials from the US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday that a second person has
been found to be infected with Staphylococcus aureus that is resistant to
the powerful antibiotic vancomycin.
NIH Launches Centers With $157 Million In Grants
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI), a unit of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), committed
$157 million Wednesday to fund 10 special centers dedicated to proteomics,
a relatively new field of research focusing on the structure and function
of proteins.
Old Age, Illness Up Urination Frequency At Night
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Findings from a new study in elderly people
suggest that frequent nocturia--waking up at night to urinate--can be
related to age as well as a variety of health complications such as
diabetes, poor sleep or irregular heartbeat.
Safety Fears Spur US Recall Of 50,000 Baby Walkers
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - About 50,000 Bikepro brand baby walkers are
being recalled in the US because their design may lead to infants being
seriously injured.
US Drug Officials Support 'rave' Crackdown Law
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Drug officials voiced support on Capitol Hill
Thursday for a proposed federal law that would hamper popular "rave"
parties where some young people buy Ecstasy and other drugs.
Better Eyecare Could Save Poor Billions, WHO Says
GENEVA (Reuters) - Blindness and visual impairment are crippling and cost
poor countries billions of dollars in lost productivity, and 80% of cases
could be prevented or treated, health experts said on Thursday.
Iron Deficiency Still Common In Some Groups: CDC
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Mild degrees of iron deficiency are common in
US toddlers, teenage girls and women of childbearing age, although
full-fledged iron deficiency anemia remains rare, according to a new report
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Youth Tobacco Limits May Prompt Thefts: US Study
ATLANTA (Reuters) - Restrictions on the sale of tobacco to minors may be
prompting more teen-age smokers to steal cigarettes or get them from
parents and older friends, according to a US study of student smoking
habits in Texas.
Gene Therapy Likely Caused Cancer In Child-experts
GAITHERSBURG, Maryland (Reuters) - A gene therapy treatment that cured a
baby in France of a deadly immune deficiency probably caused him to develop
leukemia later on, US experts said on Thursday.
FDA Nominee May Be Blocked In Prenatal Care Fight
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - US Senate sponsors of a bill that would make
pregnant women eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP) are so outraged by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy
Thompson's withdrawal of support for the measure that they are blocking
final Senate approval of the administration's nominee to head the Food and
Drug Administration until Thompson explains his reversal.
Biggest Study So Far Backs Douching, Infection Link
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who douche at least once a month are 40%
more likely to have a mild bacterial infection of the vagina than women who
do not douche at all, researchers report.
Birth Weight Tied To Risk Of Adulthood Stress
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Lower birth weight and slower weight gain early
in life may be associated with poorer psychological health in adulthood,
new research suggests.
Prostate Cancer Screening Treatment Questioned
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men who receive prostate cancer screening and
treatment do not appear to gain a survival benefit compared to men who do
not undergo screening and treatment, study findings show.
Soy Supplements May Not Up Young Women's Bone Mass
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Soy supplements rich in estrogen-like compounds
called isoflavones do not appear to boost bone mass in young women,
according to the findings of a small study.
Chlamydia Infection May Boost Cervical Cancer Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who become infected with chlamydia appear
to be at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer, according to
European researchers.
Teenage Smoking Ups Later Breast Cancer Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Girls who begin smoking cigarettes during their
teen years appear particularly susceptible to developing breast cancer
later on in life, new study findings suggest.
Aspirin Does Not Blunt ACE Inhibitor Effect: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Taking aspirin for its heart benefits does not
appear to dull those of blood pressure-lowering ACE inhibitor drugs,
according to a new analysis of six major clinical trials.
Technique Could One Day Treat Deadly Brain Tumors
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - If new animal research holds up, scientists may
have found a way to deliver drugs directly to brainstem tumors that are
currently incurable.
Spirituality May Help Breast Cancer Patients Adjust
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who rely on their faith or other aspects
of their spirituality to adjust to a breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent
treatment appear to be less distressed by the diagnosis and have less fear
that their cancer will return after treatment, recent study findings
suggest.
Drugs, Alcohol Fuel Private Plane Pilot Impairment
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - When the pilot of a private plane has a fatal
crash due to a problem with his or her ability to control the aircraft,
drugs and alcohol are most often to blame, study findings suggest.
Some Children Are Allergic To Cooked Potato: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A team of Belgian researchers has identified
another food that may be responsible for severe eczema, vomiting and other
allergic reactions in infants and young children: cooked white potatoes.
Americans Fooling Themselves About Exercise Habits
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Expanding waistlines and dire health statistics
aside, most Americans think their exercise habits are just fine, according
to the results of a new survey.
Death, Depression Link Stronger In Men
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have long known that elderly people
who are depressed are at greater risk of dying in a certain time period
than their more hopeful peers. Now new study findings suggest that men may
be more susceptible to this effect than women--although the link may not be
as strong as previously suspected.
Tailoring Insulin To Diet Boosts Diabetics' Health
LONDON (Reuters Health) - A week-long course that teaches diabetics to
adjust their insulin intake to match their normal food consumption improves
their glycaemic control and reduces the impact of the disease on their
lives, British researchers said on Friday.
Patients In Big Practice Less Likely To See Own Doc
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Patients registered with large primary care
practices in the UK are much less likely to get to see their regular
doctors, according to the results of a new study that raises questions
about whether big practices can meet the needs of patients who want
personal continuity of care.
Antibody Region That Blocks HIV Identified
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research on people who remain uninfected
with HIV despite repeated exposures has identified the region on an
antibody in their immune system that blocks infection by binding to the
virus and neutralizing it.
High Hopes For Cannabis Medicine In Britain
LONDON (Reuters) - Somewhere in the south of England, cannabis plants worth
a small fortune on the street are growing in high-tech glasshouses.
Indiana Teen Saved After Online Suicide Bid
SEATTLE (Reuters) - In what may be the Internet's first attempt at a public
suicide, a young Indiana man posted his efforts to kill himself with drugs
on a Web discussion board, sparking a flurry of sympathy and taunts before
he was located and saved by police.
Call For Customs Curbs To Stop AIDS Drugs Resale
LONDON (Reuters) - Europe's drug industry called on Friday for tighter
customs controls to prevent the resale in developed markets of AIDS drugs
supplied to Africa at discounted prices. The Dutch government and
GlaxoSmithKline Plc said this week they had uncovered an illegal trade in
products being re-imported into Europe, threatening to undermine a system
of preferential medicine pricing for poor countries.
Policy May Scuttle Seniors' Drug Discount Cards
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The Bush administration may force
pharmaceutical manufacturers to slash the discounts they offer seniors
through their voluntary drug-discount card programs.
Cheap Cream Could Protect Against Parasitic Worms
LONDON (Reuters Health) - An inexpensive cream that contains ingredients
used widely in cosmetics could protect against Bilharzia, a water-borne
parasitic disease also known as schistosomiasis, British researchers
report.
Older Voters, Retirement Issues Shape US Election
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - This was the year when Medicare, Social Security and
pension reform were expected to dominate headlines and election
campaigns--issues close to the heart of elderly voters who turn out in
large numbers in mid-term congressional elections.
US Ready To Vaccinate Everyone For Smallpox
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has enough vaccine to inoculate
everyone in the country against smallpox if there were an attack tomorrow,
but officials said on Friday they are still weighing whether to vaccinate
people ahead of a biological strike, just in case.
New Guidelines Urge Tailored Menopause Care
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to combat symptoms of menopause must review
their individual risk factors with their doctor before making a decision,
according to a new set of recommendations issued by a North American Menopause Society panel.
US Officials Agonize Over Anthrax Decisions
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - One year after a series of mysterious anthrax
attacks killed five Americans, some top health officials say their agencies
could have moved faster to protect the mail system.
Philip Morris Ordered To Pay $28 Billion
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A Los Angeles jury on Friday ordered Philip Morris
Cos. to pay a record $28 billion in punitive damages to a 64-year-old woman
with lung cancer who blamed the tobacco giant for failing to warn her of
the risks of smoking.
Psychiatric Warnings Strengthened For Malaria Drug
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
issued an alert on Friday highlighting strengthened warnings recently added
to the labeling for Roche's Lariam (mefloquine), a drug used for prevention
and treatment of malaria.
Proposed Subsidies May Constitute Illegal Kickbacks
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A drugmaker's proposal to set up a nonprofit
foundation to help financially needy patients pay for the company's anemia
treatment may be illegal, according to a government advisory opinion.
Deli Meat Suspected Source Of Killer Bacteria: CDC
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Forty people in the US northeast have become
sick, and seven have died from infection with the foodborne Listeria
bacteria, according to officials at the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
"Life is not merely being alive, but being well."
--Martial, Epigrams