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Updated November 9th, 2002
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Reuter's Health Headlines
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Reuters Health Summarys
Protein May Increase Risk Of Stroke, Alzheimer's
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Moderately high levels of the amino acid
homocysteine may substantially increase the risk of stroke and Alzheimer's
disease as well as a non-Alzheimer's form of dementia, researchers report.
Clot-busting Stroke Drug Safe During Menstruation
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A clot-busting drug that can reduce or prevent
stroke damage seems relatively safe in women who are having their menstrual
period, according to a new report.
Earlier Sexual Start May Bring Higher Herpes Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who become sexually active at a young
age are at increased risk of contracting herpes simplex virus type 1
(HSV-1), according to the results of a new UK study.
Migraines Cost Insurers And Businesses A Bundle
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People suffering from migraines incur higher
medical costs and cost companies more money than those who don't experience
the debilitating headaches, according to the results of a study.
Optimism In HIV+ Patients May Lead To Risky Moves
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - HIV-positive patients who believe they will
live for many years are more likely than their less hopeful peers to forget
to take their medications and to not practice safe sex, new study findings
demonstrate.
More Lights, Less Noise Could Cut Pharmacy Errors
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The millions of medication dispensing errors
made each year in community-based pharmacies in the US could be greatly
reduced by increasing lighting, having more employees on hand and making
other subtle changes, new study findings suggest.
Stress Protein Links Heart Disease In Blacks, Men
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A study in teens suggests that males and
African Americans have higher levels of a stress protein linked to
cardiovascular disease during both stressful and non-stressful situations.
HIV Infection Rates Dropping In IV Drug Users
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The rate of new HIV infections has dropped in
injection drug users over the past 10 years, a study of drug users in
Baltimore, Maryland reveals.
Study Suggests How Some Cancer Drugs Kill Tumors
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists have discovered a chemical process
in body cells that may explain how some of the most effective cancer drugs
can zero in on tumor cells.
Body Clock Gene May Suppress Tumors
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A gene involved in regulating the body's
internal clock may also serve to prevent cancer, new research suggests.
Long-term 'Pill' Users Just As Fertile As Others
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who take birth control pills for at least
5 years are able to conceive just as easily as non-users when trying to get
pregnant, new study findings suggest.
Veterans In Southern US May Get Worse Heart Care
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Healthcare for US veterans who suffer heart
attacks is of lower quality in the South compared with the Northeast or the
West, new study findings suggest.
Stem Cells Boost Motor Skills In Brain-injured Mice
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research in mice raises hopes that stem
cells may one day be used to treat brain injuries. Mice that had neural
stem cells injected into their brains shortly after a brain injury
experienced significant improvement in motor skills, researchers report.
West Nile Virus Could Be Spread Via Breast Milk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Health officials are investigating the cases of
two people from Michigan who tested positive for West Nile virus after
receiving blood products, one of whom also had a liver transplant. The
products both received were derived from a single blood donation
subsequently found to have evidence of the virus.
'Bubble Boy' Gene Trials Halt When Boy Gets Cancer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US government regulators said Thursday they were
suspending certain gene therapy trials after a boy in France who was
seemingly cured of "bubble boy disease" developed a condition similar to
leukemia.
Gene Maps Do Little For Malaria Vaccine-group
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The best hope of eliminating any disease is a
vaccine, but malaria vaccine experts say that any breakthroughs in their
quest are at least a decade away--despite the publication on Wednesday of
the entire genomes of both the malaria parasite and the mosquito that
carries it.
CDC: Babies, Toddlers Should Get Flu Shot This Year
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For the first time, the US Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) are encouraging flu shots for healthy
youngsters aged 6 to 23 months, their household contacts and out-of-home
caretakers, CDC officials said on Thursday.
Cargill Expands US Beef Recall
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. expanded its
voluntary recall of beef products to 2.8 million pounds due to an E. coli
outbreak that has sickened at least 56 people in the Midwest, the US
Department of Agriculture said late Wednesday.
WHO: Half Of World's Violent Deaths Are Suicides
LONDON (Reuters) - Violence in all its forms kills 1.6 million people
worldwide each year and around half the deaths are suicides, according to a
World Health Organization (WHO) report.
MTV Stages Seattle/Cape Town Gigs For AIDS Day
LONDON (Reuters) - The pop music channel MTV, bidding for a world audience
of at least two billion people, announced plans Thursday for concerts in
Cape Town and Seattle to mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.
Diesel Pollution At Unsafe Levels In US: Report
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Americans may be at a vastly increased risk
of cancer due to diesel fumes emanating from trucks and buses, industrial
vehicles and farm machinery, according to a report released Thursday by a
national consumer watchdog group.
Pneumovax Effect Weak In High-risk Patients-study
LONDON (Reuters Health) - The Pneumovax II vaccine, routinely given to
those at high risk of pneumococcal infections, may only have a protective
effect of around 30% against a specific type of infection in high-risk
people, according to the results of a small study.
Italian Kids Are Europe's Most Bullied-study
FLORENCE, Italy (Reuters Health) - Italian children are the most bullied in
Europe, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Italian
Society of Pediatrics, which ended on Wednesday in the Tuscan spa town of
Montecatini Terme.
German Soldiers' Lawsuit To Hit US Radar Companies
FRANKFURT (Reuters Health) - A lawsuit will be filed early next week in a
US federal court on behalf of German soldiers who claim to have developed
cancer after working on radar systems in Europe during the Cold War,
according to a German lawyer involved in the case.
US Investigates Food Outbreaks Linked To 20 Deaths
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US health and food officials said on Thursday they
are investigating the source of a foodborne listeria outbreak blamed for at
least 20 deaths and 120 illnesses in eight Northeastern US states.
US Awards Two Anthrax Vaccine Contracts
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The US government said it had made deals with two
companies to try to develop a new and better anthrax vaccine in case of a
biological attack.
If Congress Doesn't Fix Drug Rule, Medicare Might
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - If the US Congress fails to act this year to
fix the formula under which the Medicare program pays for outpatient
prescription drugs, the administration will act on its own, the program's
chief told a US House subcommittee Thursday.
HMOs Rates To Climb 17% In 2003
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - HMOs will raise rates an average of 17% next
year, Milliman USA Inc., a benefits consulting firm, confirmed on Thursday.
'Smart Furniture' Promises Office Air Protection
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Can the office worker of the future be
protected from both common indoor pollutants and the threat of
bioterrorism? Yes, says one American researcher--through the use of "smart
furniture" to detect air quality problems and protect individuals right at
their desks.
Panel Calls For New Human Research Protections
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - A panel of government advisers on Thursday
called for more protections for people who participate in clinical trials
and recommended the establishment of a central federal panel to oversee all
public and private research conducted in the US.
Progress Slows On Bill To Address Medical Mistakes
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Progress on compromise legislation to create
an anonymous reporting system for medical mistakes, which as recently as
last week appeared likely to pass before the US Congress adjourned for the
year, has slowed to a crawl.
US Consumers Challenge Spread Of Biotech Food
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Reuters) - Tomato genes crossed with fish. Vegetables
that glow in the dark.
Democrats Fume Over Prescription Drug Election Ads
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Republican lawmakers are indirectly using
millions in drug industry money to mislead voters on the issue of
prescription drugs, angry Democrats charged Thursday.
Ebola Vaccine Will Enter Human Trials Within Months
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - A vaccine against the Ebola virus should move
into human clinical studies within the next 6 to 8 months, a National
Institutes of Health official said Thursday.
Soy Cuts Insulin, Cholesterol In Diabetic Women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older women with type 2 diabetes who take a
daily soy supplement show improvements in cholesterol and insulin levels,
according to preliminary study findings.
Heart Attack Survival Less Likely If Kidneys Ailing
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older people are less likely to survive a heart
attack if they have even mild or moderate kidney disease, researchers
report. Although severe kidney damage has long been known to decrease heart
attack survival, the new findings suggest that other patients are at risk
too and should receive special attention after a heart attack.
Engineered Vitamin D May Help Strengthen Bone
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have discovered a modified form of
vitamin D that can help stimulate bone growth, a new study shows.
Natural Radiation May Affect DNA
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Concerns about the harmful effects of radiation
tend to focus on man-made sources, such as nuclear power plants and
weapons, but scientists report that exposure to high levels of naturally
occurring radiation can cause mutations in the genetic material DNA.
Blood Sugar Control May Be Linked To Birth Weight
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Babies born weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2.5
kilograms) have a more difficult time processing glucose in their bodies
than infants born at normal weight, a new study has found. This could put
them at risk for a host of chronic disorders in adulthood.
Playing Sick May Help People Feel Unique, Important
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research findings suggest that people who
fake or exaggerate illness or injuries may do so because of the favorable
attention they get by doing so.
CDC Warns Military Personnel--beware Of Lightning
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men and women in the armed forces face an
increased risk of being injured by lightning, largely because military
training and operations occur outdoors in all types of weather, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes in a new report.
Cholesterol Drug Safe For Kids With Gene Disorder
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A cholesterol-lowering drug commonly used in
adults is safe and effective for children who suffer from an inherited
cholesterol disorder, an international team of researchers reports.
Oral Drug May Prevent Re-narrowing After Stenting
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An experimental oral antibiotic may reduce the
risk that heart arteries will re-narrow after stenting, a procedure in
which wire mesh tubes are used to prop open blocked arteries, according to
the results of a new animal study.
Belly Size Better Gauge Of Heart Risk Than Obesity
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although obesity is a risk factor for heart
disease, the place where a person stores his or her excess weight may be a
more important variable, two new studies suggest.
Study Shows How Alcohol May Damage Fetal Brain
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists say that they have identified two
different experimental compounds that block alcohol's adverse effects on
the developing brain and nervous system cells of fetuses.
Myth Dispelled: Shoe Size, Penis Size Not Linked
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite eons of speculation to the contrary,
two British scientists have laid to rest the idea that a man's shoe size is
in any way correlated to the size of his penis.
Grandparent Contact May Help Kids Adjust To Divorce
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children may be better able to adjust to their
parents' divorce and remarriage if they stay in contact with their maternal
grandparents, according to recent study findings.
Location Of Breast Tumor May Influence Prognosis
ORLANDO (Reuters Health) - An analysis of more than 35,000 breast cancer
patients enrolled in a Danish breast cancer registry suggests that women
may be more likely to survive depending on where the tumor is located in
the breast.
Alcohol Gels Top Soap For Hand Hygiene At Hospitals
SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - Hospital workers might say so long to good old
soap-and-water scrubbing, as new research finds that alcohol-based gels are
an easier, more effective way to disinfect dirty hands, experts say.
Antibacterial Products May Fuel Growth Of Superbugs
SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - New study findings add to growing concerns
that widespread use of products containing the antibacterial agent
triclosan may be promoting the growth of dangerous superbugs.
STD Surprisingly Tied To Low Prostate Cancer Risk
SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - In an unexpected result, Finnish researchers
found that men who have been infected with the sexually transmitted disease
(STD) chlamydia appear to have a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Bacteria Common In Foods, But Few Drug Resistant
SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - While many grocery store items may harbor
enterococci bacteria, the presence of these microbes in the food supply
does not pose a significant health threat to most people, according to a
researcher from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Gum Disease May Harm The Heart, Too
SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - Gum disease may spell more than torturous
hours in the dentist's chair.
Blood Pressures Similar For Africans, US Blacks
ORLANDO (Reuters Health) - New research from an international team of
epidemiologists has found that Africans living in Ghana and Uganda are just
as likely to have high blood pressure as blacks living in the United
States.
Experimental Drug Cuts Tuberculosis Contagion Rate
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Mid-stage trials of an immune system-enhancing drug
show it can greatly shorten the amount of time that tuberculosis patients
are contagious, US and Russian researchers said on Saturday.
Christopher Reeve Urges Stem Cell Research Rethink
LONDON (Reuters) - Christopher Reeve, the Hollywood star paralyzed from the
neck down, urged President Bush on Sunday to rethink his opposition to
controversial stem-cell research that might hold hopes for a cure.
AIDS Drug Combats Resistant Virus Strains-study
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - An experimental AIDS drug that stops HIV from
entering cells helps patients who have become resistant to other anti-HIV
drugs, researchers said Saturday.
Separated Twins Upgraded, One Leaves Intensive Care
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The condition of Maria de Jesus-Quiej Alvarez, one
of the conjoined Guatemalan twins separated at a Los Angeles hospital in
August, has been upgraded to good and she is out of intensive care,
hospital officials said on Friday.
FDA Launches Plan To Reduce Acrylamides In Foods
COLLEGE PARK, Maryland (Reuters Health) - The US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) on Monday set in motion a plan to identify how the
chemical acrylamide is getting into food and what can be done to reduce or
eliminate it, since it can cause cancer, neurological damage and
infertility.
Sri Lanka Cholera Outbreak Under Control
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Reuters) - A cholera outbreak in northern Sri Lanka
that has claimed three lives is spreading southward, but officials said on
Monday the epidemic was under control.
DES Daughters Face Higher Breast Cancer Risk: Study
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Thousands of women whose mothers were prescribed
a synthetic hormone to prevent miscarriages face more than double the
normal risk of breast cancer, British newspapers said on Monday.
Number Of Uninsured Americans Expands
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - With employers scaling back benefits, the
number and percentage of Americans who lack health insurance coverage leapt
higher last year, reversing a 2-year decline and creating a renewed sense
of urgency to solve the problem.
UN Environment Agency Seeks Tough Pesticide Curbs
BONN, Germany (Reuters) - UN environment agency head Klaus Toepfer called
on Monday for a worldwide clampdown on the export and use of dangerous
pesticides often banned in wealthier parts of the world but still widely
used in developing countries.
Lifelong Exercise May Cut Breast Cancer Risk
ORLANDO (Reuters Health) - Even moderate physical activity--for example
brisk walking for at least 2 miles three times a week--over the course of a
lifetime can reduce a young woman's risk of developing breast cancer by
33%, and the risk of breast cancer after menopause by 26%, according to
results of a study of women living in the San Francisco Bay area.
US Officials Release Money For Nurse Recruitment
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The Bush administration on Monday announced
it will send $8.4 million to US universities and health centers in an
effort to help ease the nation's shortage of nurses.
Antibiotic Use In US Livestock Fell In 2001-survey
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Antibiotic use in US farm livestock last year
declined for the third year in a row, according to an industry survey
released Monday, reflecting a trend among food companies to stop using
certain drugs in view of consumer concerns.
Surger Early Shown To Cut Prostate Cancer Deaths
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In findings expected to help answer the
long-debated question of how to treat early prostate cancer, new research
shows that prostate removal does cut men's risk of dying from the disease.
Blood Pressure Test May Signal Diabetic Kidney Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Nighttime blood pressure could serve as an
early warning of kidney damage in people with type 1 diabetes, preliminary
research suggests.
Sell 'morning-after' Pill Over The Counter: Expert
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women would not be at risk if emergency
contraception went from being available only by prescription to being sold
over the counter in pharmacies, according to one expert.
Gene Therapy Helps Heart Cells Become Pacemakers
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Working with the hearts of guinea pigs,
researchers have successfully applied gene therapy techniques to induce
some heart cells to alter their normal functioning and act as the organ's
pacemaker.
Gene In Rare Disorder May Boost, Cut Cancer Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists studying a rare disease that makes
people prone to multiple types of cancer have discovered a gene with an
unusual characteristic--it seems to protect against cancer in some
circumstances, but promote the disease in others.
CPR Of Hospital Patients Rarely Successful: Report
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite how well resuscitation works on
television medical dramas, most adults who experience a cardiac or
respiratory arrest while in the hospital do not survive, new study findings
show.
Vitamins C, E May Prevent Artery Damage: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Both vitamins C and E, taken alone, may prevent
a type of oxidative damage tied to cardiovascular disease. However, taking
the two vitamins together doesn't seem to give an added benefit, according
to researchers.
I Just Got Dumped--pass The Ice Cream, Please
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study validates why ice cream tastes so
good after a breakup, and why that nice jacket in the store window--that
you really can't afford--seems like a good buy once you've been dumped.
Many Sex Offenders Had Bad Fathering During Youth
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many incarcerated rapists and other violent
offenders may have had fathers who were unresponsive to their needs during
their early years, recent study findings suggest.
Flaxseed May Cut Cholesterol Slightly In Women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Flaxseed may help to reduce levels of
cholesterol in the blood of postmenopausal women, researchers report.
Toxin Accidents Jump During Spring In US Midwest
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A survey of four Midwestern states shows that
accidents involving hazardous substances tend to jump in the springtime,
often due to the increased transportation and use of fertilizers and
pesticides by farmers at that time.
Glaxo Anti-smoking Ad Ruled Misleading
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Britain's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)
ruled on Wednesday that an advertisement claiming a GlaxoSmithKline
nicotine therapy could triple smokers' chances of quitting was misleading.
Medicare Drug Benefit Need Is Growing: Advocates
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many seniors will choose to return to
traditional Medicare when their health plans drop out of the Medicare
program in January, further underscoring the need for a Medicare drug
benefit, patient advocates say.
Paralyzed Actor Reeve Regaining Movement, Sensation
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Christopher Reeve, the "Superman" actor who was
paralyzed seven years ago, has regained some movement and sensation in his
arms and legs, a spokeswoman for the actor said on Tuesday, and his doctor
holds out hope he may one day walk again.
UK Scientists Must Bank Embryo Stem Cells: Regulator
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Britain will force scientists working on
embryonic stem cells to donate their cell lines to the national stem cell
bank, the head of the body that regulates embryo research said on
Wednesday.
Science, Trial Design Hamper Biotech Cancer Drugs
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Another novel approach to fighting cancer stumbled
this week following disappointing trial results for experimental drug
Avastin, leading scientists to question whether drug trials are being
designed properly.
AIDS Virus Lurks In Fat Cells, French Study Finds
BALTIMORE (Reuters) - The AIDS virus, long known to infect immune system
cells, also takes up residence in fat cells, French researchers report.
US Officials Amend Sign Rules To Protect Road Crews
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - To reduce deaths and injuries to workers
building and maintaining America's roadways, the US Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) on Wednesday announced new rules governing
signs, signals and barricades aimed at lowering worker risk.
Anthrax Treatment In Development By Dutch Firm
LONDON (Reuters Health) - A drug that can treat advanced anthrax infections
could be on the market within 3 years if laboratory results are verified in
animal and human trials, a Dutch biotechnology company said on Wednesday.
Overuse Of Anthrax Drug May Prove Deadly: Scientist
LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - Overuse of the drug that was widely taken
during the US anthrax attacks last year could lead to more deaths from
antibiotic-resistant infections than from the bacteria, a British scientist
said on Wednesday.
US House Heading Towards Medical Malpractice Vote
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The US House Energy and Commerce Committee
next week is scheduled to take up a bill that would limit damage awards and
attorney fees in medical malpractice lawsuits, after the House Judiciary
Committee completed work on the bill Tuesday. Sponsors of the measure say
they hope the full House will take up the bill before the end of the month.
Regular Exercise Tied To Longer Menstrual Cycles
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Regular, moderate exercise may stretch out the
time a woman has between her menstrual periods, new study findings suggest.
Wait On Prilosec Ruling Gives Drugmakers Heartburn
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The drawn-out court battle over heartburn drug
Prilosec is giving industry watchers indigestion.
HRT May Not Interfere With Mammograms: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite concerns that hormone replacement
therapy (HRT) might make breast tumors more difficult to spot on
mammograms, new study findings suggest this is not the case.
Plaque-forming Enzyme Rises In Alzheimer's Brains
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An enzyme involved in making
Alzheimer's-related brain deposits is present in higher levels and is more
active in parts of the brain where the disease takes the heaviest toll,
researchers have found.
Normal Breast Cancer Gene Type Is DNA Fixer: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists have known for several years that
mutations in two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, increase the risk of breast and
ovarian cancers, but the purpose of the normal versions of these genes has
been unclear.
Genes Key To Stem Cells' "stemness" Identified
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In findings that could lead to a better
understanding of how stem cells work as well as help scientists to identify
new types of stem cells, two sets of researchers have identified sets of
genes that are shared by several types of stem cells.
Intimate Contact Not Likely To Spread Ulcer Bug
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People cured of stomach ulcers can cozy up to
their significant others without fear, according to a new study, which
found that the ulcer-causing bacterium Helicobacter pylori is unlikely to
be transmitted between married couples.
Gentle Massage Of Preemie's Mouth Helps Them Eat
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Gently stroking the inside and outside of
premature babies' mouths before feeding helps them make the transition from
a feeding tube to drinking milk from a breast or bottle, new study findings
show.
Pregnancy Hormone Levels May Affect Coffee Craving
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although previous studies have suggested that
drinking coffee early in pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, a
new study suggests that it is the health of a woman's pregnancy that
influences her taste for coffee--not vice versa.
Tourists Beware: Monkeys Can Carry Nasty Virus
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Tourists may want to think twice before getting
too close to wild macaque monkeys, study findings suggest.
Body Piercing Plus Heart Defect May Spell Trouble
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with certain congenital heart disorders
may want to think twice before getting a body piercing, researchers
suggest.
Sex-related Counseling Needed For Heart Patients
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many elderly heart disease patients--women, in
particular--are not getting adequate information from their cardiologists
about the do's and don'ts related to their sex life, recent study findings
suggest.
Peanut Allergy From Playing Cards A Losing Hand
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The case of a man allergic to peanuts who
suffered a reaction after playing cards highlights the fact that there are
many hidden sources of peanut allergens, according to a new report.
TV Viewing Time Linked To Kids' Behavior Problems
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Kids who spend more time watching
TV--regardless of the content of the programming--are more likely to behave
aggressively and have other types of social problems, a study has found.
More Women Getting Adequate Folic Acid: CDC
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A national campaign to help ensure that all US
women of childbearing age get enough folic acid to prevent certain birth
defects appears to have paid off, according to a report released Thursday.
Patents Spell Costlier Drugs, Seeds For Poor-report
LONDON (Reuters) - Poor countries have little to gain and plenty to lose
from adopting Western standards of patent protection, a group of experts
appointed by the British government said on Thursday.
'Big Picture' Health Improvements For Americans
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Americans' average life expectancy and infant
mortality rates are at their best ever, though large gaps in health still
exist between races, according to a report released by federal health
officials Thursday.
FDA Offers Guidance On Livestock Antibiotic Safety
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
issued guidelines on how to determine whether new antibiotic drugs used in
animals are likely to lead to drug-resistant disease in the humans who eat
them.
Ibuprofen Syrup Helps Kids With Hip Inflammation
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children diagnosed with a temporary condition
known as "irritable hip" get better more quickly if they take an
anti-inflammatory syrup, according to the results of a small trial.
Nonsmokers Respond Better To Crohn's Disease Drug
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Crohn's disease patients who don't smoke, and
those who already take immune-system suppressing drugs, show a better
response to the drug infliximab, research shows.
UK Scientist Calls For DNA Database Of Everyone
LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - The British inventor of DNA fingerprinting
has called for the establishment of a database of DNA from every person in
the country, to fight crime.
'Anti-radiation' Trousers Fuel Mobile Phone Debate
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - US jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co. denied on Thursday
it was playing on consumer fears by launching a line of trousers fitted
with "anti-radiation" pockets for mobile phones.
US Debates Necessity Of Genetic Discrimination Law
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Legislation to bar insurers and employers
from discriminating on the basis of an individual's genetic information
could do more harm than good, witnesses told a US House subcommittee on
Thursday. But backers of stalled legislation to fill in what they say are
gaps in existing protections said the need is more critical than ever.
Four West Nile Virus Patients Were Blood Recipients
ATLANTA (Reuters) - Four people with the potentially fatal mosquito-borne
West Nile virus had recently received blood transfusions, US health
officials reported on Thursday.
US House Subcommittee OKs Medical Mistakes Bill
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Nearly three years after the Institute of
Medicine (IOM) raised the issue of medical errors to national attention, a
US House subcommittee Thursday approved a bill that would begin to
implement some of the agency's recommendations.
Oklahoma Hospital Nurse Reused Needles On Patients
NORMAN, Oklahoma (Reuters) - Six people contracted hepatitis at an Oklahoma
hospital and about 350 other patients were undergoing tests after a nurse
at the facility reused hypodermic needles, a hospital spokesman said on
Wednesday.
Woman's Dislodged Filling Causes Cluster Headaches
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The source of a woman's 8-year bout with
excruciating headaches was a dislodged tooth filling that found its way
into one of her sinuses, according to a report in a recent issue of the
journal Neurology.
Nicotine Patches, Gum Less Effective: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Now that nicotine replacement therapy such as
nicotine patches and gums are sold without a prescription, they may be less
effective at helping smokers kick the habit for good, new study findings
show.
Surgery Better Than Splint For Carpal Tunnel: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Surgery is more effective than splinting for
treating the painful wrist condition carpal tunnel syndrome, according to
the results of a study that compared the two treatments.
Disabled Adults Often Struggle With Obesity
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although they are just as likely to attempt to
lose weight, adults with a disability--whether they are blind, hearing
impaired, have trouble walking or have a serious mental illness--are nearly
twice as likely to be obese as their non-disabled peers, researchers
report.
Mild Head Injuries May Have Lasting Mental Effects
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although doctors often believe mild head
injuries in childhood are harmless events, new study findings suggest that
some children who suffer such injuries are at a higher risk of later
psychological problems.
Plant Compounds Keep Disease Away: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - An apple a day may indeed keep the doctor away,
new findings from Finland suggest.
Parent Stance On Kids' Smoking Varies By Ethnicity
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While parents of every ethnicity may try to
convince their children not to smoke, white and American Indian parents
seem to be more likely to leave the decision up to the teenager, recent
study findings suggest.
Spouses May Mimic Partner's Sickness And Health
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Spouses may not only support each other in
sickness and health, they may actually share their partner's health status,
the results of a new study suggest.
Teens Who Eat Less Meat No Healthier Than Others
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite their healthy diets, vegetarian youth
in Sweden and Norway do not practice other healthy lifestyle behaviors such
as exercising more or using alcohol or tobacco less frequently than do
their peers, according to recent study findings.
HRT, Drinking Milk Tied To Cancer Hormone In Women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Drinking milk may raise blood levels of a
cancer-promoting hormone in women, according to two recent studies. What's
more, taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or having multiple children
appears to reduce levels of the hormone.
Small Study Finds Uranium In Gulf War Vets
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A small study of British, Canadian and US
veterans with Gulf War illness found that just over half tested positive
for depleted uranium.
Routine Smallpox Vaccine Risky For Eczema Patients
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - As health experts and government officials
debate the merits of widespread smallpox vaccination amid renewed concerns
of bioterrorism, a report cautions that the vaccines can trigger severe
skin reactions among susceptible individuals.
Tissue-seeking Molecules Could Be Drug Vehicle
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In an advance that eventually may have
implications for the development of drug therapies and diagnostic tests,
scientists have succeeded in getting "nanocrystals"--molecules so small
that they are measured in billionths of a meter--to zero in on specific
tissues without accumulating in other tissues.
British Scientists Develop Quick Test For TB
LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - British scientists have developed a quick
test that can detect tuberculosis in two or three hours instead of weeks.
Second Probable West Nile Case Found In California
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A second probable case of West Nile virus has been
identified in the Los Angeles area in less than a week, but health
officials on Monday said they were confident that the Texas resident
acquired the potentially fatal disease in that state.
Emergency Teams Not Ready For Another 9/11 -Report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hospital staff, firefighters and other emergency
workers are still not ready to deal with another crisis like last year's
Sept. 11 attacks, but the government has the expertise to train them, a
scientist's group said on Monday.
Record Number Of Japanese Live To 100 Or More
TOKYO (Reuters) - Hitting the age of 100 need not mean you quit work or
stop pacing the fairway, according to a Japanese government survey released
on Tuesday.
UK Doctors Warn Of Drug-resistant HIV Spread
LONDON (Reuters Health) - A worrying proportion of people in Britain are
becoming infected with HIV that is already resistant to some drugs, leaving
them with limited treatment options, researchers warned on Tuesday.
Blood Supply: Lessons Learned After Sept. 11
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - About one third of the blood donated in the US
in the weeks following the September 11th terrorist attacks had to be
thrown out, officials at the government's General Accounting Office (GAO)
reported Tuesday.
Correcting Infant Vision Can Stop Further Problems
LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - Babies as young as nine months old could
benefit from wearing spectacles to correct their vision, scientists said on
Tuesday.
Even Cooked Sausages Can Harbor Salmonella
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Salmonella bacteria are found in a significant
proportion of cheap sausages and might not be killed even if the links seem
fully cooked, British researchers warned on Tuesday.
New AIDS Cases Down 11% In The EU In 2001
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The number of new AIDS cases fell 11% in the European
Union in 2001, but Portugal remained a black spot with five times the
average rate of incidence, official data showed on Tuesday.
Cancer Super Drugs 'might Cost Too Much To Make'
LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - Future cancer therapies could be tailored to
suit individual patients, but because the drugs are so expensive and will
have a limited market, they may never be made.
FDA OKs Herpes Drug For Cold Sores
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The US Food and Drug Administration has
approved the genital herpes drug Valtrex (valacyclovir) as a one-day
treatment for cold sores, the medication's maker GlaxoSmithKline Plc.
announced Tuesday.
Medicare Chief Urges Congress To Fix Medicare HMOs
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Congress needs to act before the end of the
year to boost payments for physicians and managed care plans that
participate in Medicare, the head of the program told a conference here on
Tuesday.
Bush Adviser: Still Time To Address Health Problems
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Even though the 107th Congress is winding
down, there is still time for lawmakers and President Bush to agree on not
just a Medicare prescription drug plan, but also help for those who lack
insurance, the administration's top health adviser told a policy conference
Tuesday.
Mouse Study Gives Clues To Nicotine-SIDS Link
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy
face a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and new research
in mice provides an early glimpse into how nicotine might increase this
risk.
Bigger Paychecks, Better Workers? Maybe Not
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Contrary to certain economic theories, higher
wages will not necessarily increase the effort workers put into a job, new
study findings suggest.
Research Offers Clues To Migraine Pain
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Italian researchers may have discovered how
certain genetic defects that are linked to a rare, inherited form of
migraine cause the painful headaches.
Early Flaws In Gene Programming May Doom Clones
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have discovered a possible reason
for why so few cloned embryos mature into healthy animals.
Gene-altered Follicles Grow Glowing Green Hair
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists have successfully inserted a foreign
gene into the DNA of mice that was later incorporated into growing hair
shafts.
Test Quickly IDs Fetal Heart Rhythm Abnormalities
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new test quickly and accurately detects
abnormalities in fetal heart rhythms as early as the 18th week of
pregnancy, an international team of researchers reports.
Anger, Stress Can Trigger Irregular Heartbeat
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Keeping feelings of stress and anger at bay may
lower the risk of sudden death in heart patients with an implantable
defibrillator, new study findings suggest.
Tight-gripped Golfer Damages Nerve In Hand: Report
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Beginning golfers may want to think twice about
their grasp the next time they wrap their hands around a golf club. A
too-tight grip could force the thumb-bone of one hand to pinch a nerve in
the palm of the other hand, causing numbness and possible nerve damage if
left untreated, according to a report published in the August issue of the
journal Neurology.
Dogs, Day Care Linked To Kids' Ulcer Bug Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children in day care or who have pet dogs are
more likely to carry Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium associated with
stomach ulcers, new study findings from Italy suggest.
Gender Impacts HIV Blood Levels, Report Says
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - At similar stages of HIV infection, women tend
to have lower levels of the virus in their blood than men, according to a
new report.
Doc-mom Communication Poor During Stressful Labor
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Delivering a premature baby is a stressful
experience, during which parents may need to make some tough decisions.
Study Finds Drug Errors Common In US Hospitals
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Medication errors, some with potentially
life-threatening consequences, are common in US hospitals, researchers
report.
Vitamin E May Help Keep Arteries Clear In Women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who take in less vitamin E may be at
greater risk of heart disease and stroke, even if they do not have other
risk factors, Italian researchers report.
Extra Folic Acid Cuts Birth Defect Rate In Canada
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Fortifying the food supply in Canada with folic
acid and educating women about the benefits of the B vitamin in preventing
neural tube defects has reduced the rate of these birth defects in Canada,
according to the results of two studies.
Docs Use Varying Criteria To Determine Brain Death
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Different doctors use different standards when
deciding if a patient is brain dead, and some may not perform all of the
tests required to show that all parts of the brain are no longer
functioning, US researchers report.
Late Artery-clearing Procedure May Not Help
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Getting artery-clearing angioplasty many days
or weeks after a heart attack appears to have limited benefits, according
to UK researchers.
UK Stem Cell Bank Should Be Running Within A Year
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Britain's national stem cell bank should have its
first cell lines in deep-freeze storage next year, the head of the body
charged with setting up the bank said on Monday.
Deadly Sore Throat Aliment On The Rise In UK
LONDON (Reuters Health) - A potentially deadly disease that begins as a
sore throat is making a comeback in the UK, possibly because doctors are
being told not to prescribe antibiotics for throat infections, scientists
said on Monday.
Skin Anthrax May Be More Common Than Thought In UK
LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - Skin anthrax, the less serious form of the
disease, may be more common in Britain than previously thought, a research
scientist told a conference Monday.
Scientists Develop Computer Mouse For The Blind
LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - Scientists looking for ways to help blind
people get more out of computers have developed a vibrating mouse and
combined it with sonic representations of graphs that would otherwise be
inaccessible.
Camera Recall Spurred By Reports Of Electric Shock
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - About 75,000 digital cameras are being
voluntarily recalled by Eastman Kodak Company of Rochester, New York, due
to reports of a manufacturing defect, the US Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) announced Monday.
Many 9/11 Workers Did Not Protect Their Own Health
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many of the New York City firefighters who
responded to the September 11th World Trade Center disaster did so without
wearing face masks or other protective respiratory equipment, according to
findings released Monday by the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC).
Health Plans Warn Of More Medicare HMO Pullouts
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A survey of health plans offering
Medicare+Choice has found that many will drop the Medicare managed care
plan by 2003.
Obesity Threatens To Reverse Gains In Longevity
LEICESTER, England (Reuters) - Obesity threatens to reverse gains in
longevity made during the last 100 years and in some cases could result in
parents outliving their children, a British nutritionist said on Monday.
New York Firefighters Sickened By Sept 11 Fumes
ATLANTA (Reuters) - Hundreds of New York firefighters and emergency
personnel have developed debilitating respiratory and stress-related
disorders since the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, US health
officials reported on Monday.
FDA Calls Botox Ads Misleading, Asks For Fix
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Print and television ads for the wrinkle-smoothing
drug Botox are misleading and should be pulled until they are changed, the
US Food and Drug Administration told the drug's maker Allergan Inc.
Psychotic Illness Behind Few Violent Acts: Report
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite a few well-publicized cases of people
with serious mental illness committing violent crimes, patients with
psychosis are responsible for little of the violence in society, according
to UK researchers.
Flashing Light Could Spot Brain Damage Before Birth
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers have shown for the first time that
it is possible to detect a fetal brain response to flashes of light
directed at the expectant mother's abdomen. They say that the non-invasive
technique could one day be used to spot brain damage before birth.
Sperm Study May Advance Male Infertility Treatment
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - UK and US scientists have put together a
genetic profile of healthy sperm, in what is being called a major step in
the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Link Suggested Between Water Acidity, Diabetes
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A preliminary investigation from Norway
suggests a possible link between acidic drinking water and type 1 diabetes.
Higher Dose Of Head-trauma Drug May Save Lives
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Upping the dose of a drug that helps alleviate
fluid build-up in the brains of patients with severe, life-threatening head
trauma may double their chances of survival, according to the results of a
study from Brazil.
Total Diet, Not Just Fat Intake, Determines Weight
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who eat a high-fat, high-sugar "empty
calorie" diet are likely to become overweight in later years, according to
a team of researchers, whose new study results provide more evidence that
you are--or will be--what you eat.
Obesity, 'spare Tire' Up Stroke Risk In Older Men
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men older than 70 who are obese and carry much
of their extra weight in the form of a "spare tire" around the waist have a
higher risk of suffering a stroke than their more svelte peers, new study
findings suggest.
Moms May Play Role In Risk Of Asthma From Cats
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some studies have suggested that exposure to
cats in early childhood can actually protect children from asthma and
allergies. However, a new report suggests that for children born to
asthmatic mothers, the opposite may be true.
Even Light Weights Can Help Elderly Get Stronger
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Resistance training with even light loads can
boost strength and endurance in healthy elderly adults, study findings
show.
Some Seek Attention By Making Pets Sick
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Some people have a rare disorder in which they
deliberately cause illness in others, and then use the illness to get
sympathy and medical attention. Most cases involve mothers who hurt their
own children, but a new report shows that people with this illness may also
hurt their pets.
More Behavior Problems For Low Birth Weight Kids
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Eleven-year-olds who were born weighing less
than normal are more likely to have psychiatric and behavioral
disorders--attention problems in particular--than their normal birth weight
peers, according to a team of Norwegian researchers.
Study Sheds Light On Cigarette Smoke, SIDS Link
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Study findings from Australia suggest that
babies with mothers who smoke have a harder time waking up, which may
explain the link between smoking and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Smoking + Chronic Infection = Artery Trouble
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While it's well known that smoking increases a
person's risk of heart disease, new findings from Italy suggest that the
risk may be due to a combination of smoking and chronic infection.
FDA Says New Drug Works To Open Airways
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A new drug to treat a smoking-related disease that
is America's No. 4 killer seems effective for opening patients' airways,
but its effect on shortness of breath is "less convincing," US Food and
Drug Administration staff said in a report released on Thursday.
Nurse's Talk Spurs Teens To Improve Health Slightly
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Teenagers who participate in a health promotion
program given by primary care providers exhibit a small but encouraging
change in health behavior, according to a study conducted in the UK.
Public Defibrillators Offer Small Survival Boost
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Making devices that shock the heart back into its
normal rhythm available in public sites would improve cardiac arrest
survival by only about 1.5%, UK researchers report in the September 7th
issue of the British Medical Journal.
West Nile Confirmed In Fourth Organ Recipient
ATLANTA (Reuters) - A fourth person who became ill after receiving a
donated organ from a Georgia car crash victim has tested positive for West
Nile virus, strongly suggesting the disease can be transmitted by means
other than a mosquito, US health officials said on Thursday.
Teenage Girls Shun Milk As They Get Older--study
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Despite popular ads featuring milk-mustached
athletes and rock stars, American teenage girls drink less milk as they
grow older and instead quench their thirst with sugar-filled soda, a new
study said on Thursday.
CORRECTION: Officials Alarmed By Rising US Drug Abuse Numbers
[Corrects first paragraph. Clarifies that the number of teens who start
using marijuana--not the total number of teen users--is at its highest
level in 20 years.]
Sept. 11 Attacks Caused Anger, Unhealthy Behavior
ATLANTA (Reuters) - The September 11 attacks caused emotional problems and
an increase in unhealthy behavior among New York-area residents, pointing
to a need for programs to help people cope with traumatic events, according
to a study released on Thursday by US health officials.
US Senate Votes To Ban Mercury Fever Thermometers
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate voted on Thursday to ban the sale of
mercury fever thermometers in order to curb a source of environmental
contamination.
US Insists Colombia Coca Spraying Is Safe
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States, accused of risking people's
health by spraying herbicide on coca crops in Colombia, believes the
chemical it uses is safe but will use a less toxic one to allay concerns, a
State Department report said on Thursday.
Two Virginia Teenagers Diagnosed With Malaria
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Virginia health officials said on Thursday they were
investigating two cases of malaria in Loudoun County involving two
adolescents who contracted the disease without traveling overseas.
Military Vaccine Red Tape Endangers Troops: Report
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Lack of funds, disorganization and a
multi-layer bureaucracy are keeping the Department of Defense (DoD) from
quickly identifying, developing or purchasing vaccines that can protect
troops against naturally occurring diseases and biowarfare pathogens, a
panel of expert advisers concluded in a report issued Friday.
Older Fathers' Kids Face Higher Schizophrenia Risk
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Swedish scientists have found that older men face a
much greater risk of fathering schizophrenic children than younger men.
Fired Researcher In Anthrax Probe Wants Apology
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A lawyer for Dr. Steven Hatfill, named as a "person
of interest" in the FBI's investigation of the 2001 deadly anthrax
mailings, has asked Attorney General John Ashcroft for an apology and to
help find a new job for the recently fired researcher.
FDA To Move Biologic Drugs Review To Drug Unit
CHICAGO (Reuters) - US regulators said on Friday they have placed review of
drugs derived from living organisms with the same unit that handles
chemical-based medications, a move that biotech companies hope will speed
up the approval process.
Food Inspectors Prepare For A Terrorism Spy Game
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The seemingly mundane world of government
food inspections is soon to gain a level of intrigue worthy of any spy
novel, if federal inspectors get their way.
Case Of West Nile Virus Suspected In Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Doctors suspect that a Los Angeles-area woman may
be infected with West Nile, marking the first human case of the potentially
deadly virus on the US West Coast, California health officials said on
Friday.
Air Bag's Benefit Slim Without Aid Of Seat Belt
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Evidence is mounting that air bags in vehicles
do little good--and may even cause harm--if the passenger is not also
wearing a seat belt, new study findings show.
Money Can't Buy Happiness For The Materialistic
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Even millionaires can be unhappy in life if
their material desires are bigger than their bank accounts, new research
suggests.
Low Self-esteem Can Sabotage Relationships
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with low self-esteem may look for
evidence their romantic partner is secretly unhappy with them, and when
they get it, they may put their partners down in response, new study
findings show.
Women Can 'walk Away' From Cardiovascular Disease
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Postmenopausal women who walk regularly lower
their heart disease risk just as much as women who do more vigorous
exercise, such as running or playing sports, US researchers report.
Girls' Activity Levels Fall As They Get Older
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - More and more girls in the United States are
becoming couch potatoes during the transition from late childhood to young
adulthood, new study findings show. In fact, their levels of physical
activity drop by nearly two-thirds or more by age 16 or 17, researchers
report.
Case Of HIV 'superinfection' Reported
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Doctors in Europe are reporting what they say
is the first proven case of HIV superinfection--in which an already
HIV-positive person becomes infected again with a different strain of the
virus.
Finding May Yield Safer Way To Fight Blood Clots
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists have discovered a potential new drug
for fighting blood clots--as well as a finely tuned "antidote" to reverse
the drug's action in the event of dangerous side effects.
Genes Mice Use To Sense Chemical Sex Signals Found
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Researchers may have isolated the genes that
enable mice to respond to chemical signals emitted by other mice. These
signals, called pheromones, can influence social and reproductive behavior.
Parents Need More Info About Kids' Immunization
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although most parents and expectant parents
realize the value of having their children vaccinated against MMR (measles,
mumps and rubella) and various other diseases, many are aware of only a few
of the immunizations available, survey findings show.
Eating Disorders May Affect Bone Health For Years
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Even years after a person is diagnosed with
anorexia nervosa, they have twice the risk of bone fractures as their peers
without the eating disorder, new study findings from Denmark show.
High-decibel Jobs To Blame For Much Hearing Loss
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - About 8% of men aged 55 to 64 and 4% of women
the same age have severe hearing loss, often due to working for years in a
noisy environment, UK researchers report.
Dopamine May Be Key To Kicking The Habit: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A drug that blocks a chemical critical to the
brain's "reward" system appears to aggravate cigarette cravings, while a
drug that boosts levels of the chemical, dopamine, may weaken the urge to
puff, according to the results of a study of heavy smokers.
Medicare Payment Bill High On US Senate Agenda
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The US Senate returned to the Capitol Tuesday
for one last work session before the November elections, with members
vowing quick action on a bill to boost payments to doctors, hospitals,
nursing homes and other Medicare health care providers.
Patients Halt Aspirin, Despite Ability To Cut Risk
BERLIN (Reuters Health) - Although taking low-dose aspirin daily is known
to reduce further heart risk in people who have survived a heart attack,
many of those who are prescribed the drug stop taking it soon after leaving
the hospital, researchers reported here Wednesday at the European Society
of Cardiology Congress.
Impotence From Beta-blockers Partly Psychological
BERLIN (Reuters Health) - Problems with erectile dysfunction (ED) among men
given beta-blocker drugs may in part be psychological and related to a
general knowledge that the drugs are associated with such difficulties,
Italian researchers reported on Wednesday.
New Radiotherapy Regimen Ups Lung Cancer Survival
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Treating lung cancer patients with a higher dose
of radiotherapy but giving them weekends off to recover can improve tumour
control and increase survival rates, according to the results of a new
study.
Drug Maker Amends Hormone Therapy Prescribing Info
ST. DAVIDS, Pa. (Reuters) - Drug maker Wyeth on Wednesday said it changed
the prescribing recommendations for women taking its hormone replacement
therapy products to reflect recent studies that raised safety questions
about the medicines and sparked a nationwide debate.
Earth Summit Agrees Health Care Is Human Right
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Earth Summit negotiators agreed that a World Trade
Organization treaty on patents should not prevent poor countries from
providing medicines for all, a key issue for those that cannot afford
costly AIDS drugs.
EPA: Diesel Fuel Exhaust Likely To Cause Cancer
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - US environmental regulators in a new report on
Tuesday formally classified for the first time diesel exhaust from trucks
and buses as likely to cause cancer in humans.
Scientist In Anthrax Probe Fired From University
BATON ROUGE, La. (Reuters) - Dr. Steven Hatfill, a physician and germ
warfare expert named by the FBI as a "person of interest" in the probe
surrounding last year's deadly anthrax mailings, was fired from his job at
Louisiana State University, the school said on Tuesday.
Gonorrhea Test Kits Recalled Due To Error Potential
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Thirty-two lots of laboratory test kits used
to diagnose gonorrhea have been recalled by the kits' maker because the
tests may give false negative results, according to the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA).
Vaccine Could Neutralize Deadly Biowarfare Toxin
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A vaccine against ricin, one of the deadliest toxins
known, works in mice and may work to protect people in case of a
bioterrorist attack, US researchers said Wednesday.
Exercise Can Ease Knee Pain From Arthritis
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Therapeutic exercise programs can help reduce
knee pain from osteoarthritis, and can also help the joint to function
better, an analysis of 14 studies shows.
Mom's Interest Key To Preventing Teen Sex-report
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Parents who dread having "the talk" with their kids
about sex may be putting it off for too long, missing years of opportunity
to play a role in their teen-agers' lives, experts said on Wednesday.
Scientists Develop Minuscule Insulin Particles
LONDON (Reuters) - Australian scientists have produced minuscule insulin
particles as fine as smoke, which seems to improve their effectiveness.
Consumer Group Criticizes Alzheimer's Drug Trial
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen on
Wednesday released a letter to US Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy
Thompson charging that a government-funded study testing two drugs in the
prevention of Alzheimer's disease is flawed and should be halted.
Abortion Rule Could Derail 'safety Net' Programs
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The group representing the nation's community
health centers is accusing a top House Republican leader of threatening the
future of the health centers program despite the wishes of President Bush.
Bush Asks Congress For $200m To Fight AIDS
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As part of a spending package totalling nearly $1
billion, US President Bush asked Congress Wednesday for $200 million to
help fight the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases around the
world.
Infant Deaths More Common Among Young Moms
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Healthy babies born to young teenagers are
three to four times more likely to die during their first few months of
life than babies born to older women, new study findings show.
Injectable Contraceptive May Affect Vessel Function
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Long-term use of the injected contraceptive
Depo-Provera may impair blood vessel function, the results of a small study
suggest.
Light Drinking May Lower 2nd Heart Attack Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men who survive a heart attack and who drink
between 2 and 4 glasses of wine each day are less likely to experience a
second heart attack than men who consume no alcohol, according to a French
study released Monday.
Cholesterol Drug May Cut Stroke After Heart Attack
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research offers more support for starting
cholesterol-lowering drugs within a few days of a heart attack. In a study
of patients who had a mild heart attack or an episode of heart-related
chest pain called unstable angina, those who started taking a high dose of
the drug atorvastatin (Lipitor) while still hospitalized were about half as
likely to have a stroke over the next few months as patients who took an
inactive placebo pill.
Breast Milk May Lower Cholesterol In Adulthood
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Breast-feeding is associated with a host of
medical and developmental advantages during infancy and childhood. Now, new
findings suggest that its health benefits may also extend into adulthood.
Child's Depression May Lead To Obesity: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Depressed children are at twice the risk of
becoming obese compared to their peers who are not depressed, new study
findings suggest.
Kids' TV Habits Linked To Later Smoking Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Children and adolescents who spend a lot of
time glued to the 'boob tube' are more likely to take up smoking than those
who spend two or less hours watching television every day, according to new
study findings.
Sugar Water May Delay Preemies' Development
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A solution of sucrose (a form of sugar) can
help newborns endure the pain of invasive tests given routinely in the
first week of life. But according to new findings, it may also slow the
development of premature babies.
Obesity Alone May Not Up Risk Of Heart Disease
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although obesity is a major risk factor for
heart disease, insulin resistance--a precursor to diabetes--may play a more
central role, researchers report.
Radiation Alone OK For Some Cases Of Rectal Cancer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Surgery is the standard treatment for rectal
cancer, but for some patients who are not good candidates for surgery or
who choose not to go under the knife, radiation therapy can effectively
treat the disease, results of a study suggest.
Pediatricians Say Kids With Lice Can Go To School
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Healthy children with head lice should not be
barred from school but should avoid close head contact with other
youngsters in the classroom, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) said
Tuesday.
Music May Soothe The Savage Backache
SAN DIEGO, California (Reuters Health) - While music is thought to soothe
the savage beast, a new study suggests it might come in handy when taming
that bad back as well, according to a study presented recently by Austrian
researchers at the 10th World Congress on Pain
Scientists Say Long-term Effects Of Ecstasy Unclear
LONDON (Reuters) - The party drug Ecstasy may be dangerous and could cause
brain damage, but its long-term effects are still unclear, a team of
researchers said on Monday.
Mosquito Diet Pill Seen As West Nile Weapon
VERO BEACH, Fla. (Reuters) - Biologists are calling them the "perfect diet
pill" for mosquitoes--yeast granules laced with a naturally occurring
hormone that starves them to death before they grow big enough to bite.
NY Man Dies Of West Nile, First In City This Year
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A 73-year-old New York man died over the weekend from
the West Nile virus, the first death this year in the city where the
mosquito-borne disease was first detected in the United States in 1999,
health officials said.
How Faulty Gene Raises Breast Cancer Risk
LONDON (Reuters) - Women with a faulty BRCA1 gene have an increased risk of
developing breast cancer because the defect disarms the immune system and
allows tumors to develop, scientists said on Tuesday.
Scientists Find Clue To Bowel Cancer Survival
LONDON (Reuters Health) -- Scientists said on Tuesday they had found a gene
that appears to play a key role in determining patients' chances of
surviving bowel cancer.
Mammogram Benefit Unclear For Women Under 50: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Getting regular mammograms before the age of 50
does not seem to reduce the chance of dying of breast cancer, according to
the latest study to look at the much-debated value of mammograms for women
in their 40s.
Magnesium Therapy Doesn't Help Heart Attack: Study
BERLIN (Reuters Health) - While it was thought that magnesium might help
protect the heart in patients who have already had heart attacks, a study
involving thousands of patients shows that it does not help.
Study Suggests Why Cigarette Smoke A SIDS Risk
BERLIN (Reuters Health) - Italian researchers have found a possible
explanation for why exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy may
increase a baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.
US Researchers Develop Allergen-free Soybean
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Soybeans, an ingredient in a myriad of processed
foods, are being developed to turn off a protein that triggers allergic
reactions in some children and adults, US Agriculture Department scientists
said on Tuesday.
McDonald's To Cook With Healthier Oil
CHICAGO (Reuters) - When consumers gobble down an order of McDonald's
French fries they may not think about their health, but the fast-food giant
said on Tuesday it will soon be cooking its fried potatoes in healthier
oil.
Medical Training Programs, Staff Are On The Rise
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Two studies released Tuesday indicate that
while the number of students entering US medical schools or residency
programs has remained stable or decreased, the number of faculty members
and training programs has increased.
Starchy Diet Linked To Pancreatic Cancer--study
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A diet high in white bread, white rice and potatoes
puts women at much higher risk of pancreatic cancer--especially if they are
overweight and do not exercise much, researchers reported on Tuesday.
West Nile Death Toll Rises To 37 In US
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Six new deaths from West Nile virus were reported on
Tuesday in Tennessee, Illinois and New York, bringing the probable US death
toll from the mosquito-borne disease to 37.
High Calcium Intake May Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women whose diet includes plenty of
calcium-rich dairy foods may have a lower risk of ovarian cancer,
preliminary study findings suggest.
Study: Airport Noise May Be Bad For Kids' Memory
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The loud noise that accompanies the take-off
and landing of airplanes may be more than an inconvenience for people
living near airports. New study findings suggest regular exposure may also
dampen children's memory.
Ritalin Use By Canadian Children Grew In Mid-1990s
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Prescriptions for drugs to treat
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Canadian children and
teens grew steadily during the mid-1990s, according to researchers.
Neurological Disease Tied To Eating Type Of Bat
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study provides further evidence to
support the link between a neurological disease among the indigenous
population on the island of Guam and a cultural tradition of eating a type
of bat.
Immune Factors May Influence Post-cancer Fatigue
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research suggests that immune system
molecules that promote inflammation may play a role in the fatigue that
plagues many women years after being treated for breast cancer.
Heart Attack Does Not Always Cause Chest Pain
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Chest pain is a tell-tale sign of a heart
attack, but it is not the only one. In a new study of more than 700
patients treated for a heart attack, nearly half came to the emergency
department because of symptoms other than chest pain.
US: Race Gap For Prostate Cancer Survival Closing
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Black American men have been less likely than
white Americans to survive prostate cancer, but the results of a new study
suggest that this racial survival gap may be narrowing.
Women Could Need Antioxidants More Than Men
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Might that morning glass of orange juice or
vitamin tablet be more important for women than men? It is too soon to say,
but for reasons that remain unclear, new study findings suggest that women
experience more oxidation--a process suspected of increasing the risk of
heart disease, stroke and several other diseases--than men. Vitamin C and
other antioxidant vitamins can counteract this process.
Fish Oil Plus Statins May Improve Cholesterol
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For obese people who are at risk of developing
diabetes, cholesterol-lowering drugs and fish oil both improve the balance
of fatty substances in the blood, study findings show.
High-fat Diet May Foster Prostate Cancer Spread
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research has linked a high-fat,
high-calcium diet to an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer. And
higher total calorie intake, the researchers found, appeared to boost the
risk of both localized and more advanced prostate cancer.
Combo Therapy Reduces Severity Of Cold Symptoms
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - It's not a cure for the common cold, but an
experimental combination of three medications provides some relief to cold
sufferers, the results of a study suggest.
Strawberries, Raspberries Halt Cancer In Rats
BOSTON (Reuters Health) - If animal studies are correct, black raspberries
and strawberries may be "very, very powerful" inhibitors of cancer growth,
an Ohio researcher reported here this month at the American Chemical
Society's annual meeting.
Whooping Cough May Be Common In French Adults
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite widespread vaccination, there appears
to be a high incidence of whooping cough among adults seeking treatment for
persistent cough in one French region, researchers have found.
Duration Of Type 2 Diabetes Tied To Impotence Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Impotence is known to be a common problem among
diabetic men, and new research suggests that the longer a man has had type
2 diabetes, the greater his chances of erectile dysfunction.
New Cleft Lip And Palate Gene Identified
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists have identified a gene mutation
behind cases of cleft lip and cleft palate, two of the most common major
birth defects in infants. They say the findings provide insight into normal
palate development and lay the groundwork for discovering what goes wrong
in this birth defect.
Genes, Virus Implicated In Multiple Sclerosis
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Certain genetic variations may make some people
more prone to developing multiple sclerosis (MS), researchers have found.
Sex Of Fetus May Influence Pregnancy Complications
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Pregnant women who are carrying a male fetus
and who develop high blood pressure tend to have higher levels of certain
hormones than those with normal blood pressure, study findings indicate.
Birth Defect Risk Unknown For Most New Drugs
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - More than nine-tenths of drugs approved since
1980 have not been properly tested to ensure they do not cause birth
defects if taken by pregnant women, study findings show.
Crossing The Legs Can Prevent Fainting Spells
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Simply crossing your legs and squeezing them
together may keep you from passing out, new research shows.
Study: Birth Weight, Blood Pressure Not Linked
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new report casts doubt on the popular theory
that infants born underweight are more likely to develop high blood
pressure as adults.
Allergies Soar In Greenland, Modernization To Blame
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Providing further support for the theory that
modern living contributes to allergic illnesses, new study findings suggest
that allergies nearly doubled among residents of Greenland from 1987 to
1998, a period marked by substantial Westernization.
To Stretch Or Not To Stretch, That Is The Question
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Stretching before sports has long been touted
by well-meaning gym teachers and coaches as a way to guard against muscle
soreness and injury. But two Australian researchers say that there is no
scientific proof that bending to and fro before physical activity does any
good.
No Proof That Most Wart Remedies Work: Report
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Among the variety of therapies used to treat
non-genital warts, only one type--treatments containing salicylic acid--has
been shown in well-conducted studies to help clear warts, UK researchers
report.
Asthmatics Also Likely To Have Panic Attacks
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Asthmatics and people with chronic bronchitis
or other breathing or lung diseases may be more likely to also suffer from
panic attacks, recent study findings suggest.
Passive Smoke Worse In Workplace Than In Home
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Nonsmoking women who are exposed to tobacco
smoke in the workplace may have a higher risk of developing lung cancer
than those who live with a smoking spouse, German researchers report.
Long Pack-a-day Habit May Up Breast Cancer Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While smoking is not traditionally associated
with an increased risk of breast cancer, an international team of
scientists say that women who are heavy smokers for many years may be at
greater risk of developing the disease.
Exercise Could Wipe Out Effect Of Stress On Heart
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who are physically fit may be able to
ward off the effect of stress on their body, possibly giving them
protection against developing high blood pressure down the line,
researchers report.
Heart Attack Risk Very Low With Latest Pill Version
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Third-generation oral contraceptives (OCs) do not
increase the risk of heart attack, according to a new study by researchers
who were involved in the controversy over the heart and blood vessel side
effects of third-generation pills.
Menopause Can Free Lead Lurking In Bone: Report
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women exposed to lead in the past may end up
stockpiling the dangerous compound in bone, which can then release lead
into the bloodstream after menopause if women opt out of bone-preserving
treatments, according to US researchers.
Study: No Link Between Cell Phones, Tumors In Mice
SYDNEY (Reuters) - A three-year study has found that radio emissions from
mobile phones do not trigger the growth of tumors in mice, Australian
researchers said Friday.
Most American Families Happy, Strong, Report Finds
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Media portrayals of family dysfunction and
strife may make for great drama, but in reality most US families get along
just fine, a new report suggests.
HIV Targets More Active Human Genes For Rapid Spread
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - As HIV replicates within human cells, it
latches on to specific DNA within the human genome. But rather than
grabbing genes at random, new research suggests the virus selects those
genes that will help it replicate in the quickest--and most lethal--way
possible.
Bush Administration Unveils Drug Card Program
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The Bush administration on Friday announced a
new, private prescription discount program that it says will save seniors
an average of $170 per person on medications they purchase.
Experts Offer Advice On Correct Tick Removal
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - To properly get rid of a nasty tick, you should
use a match to apply heat to the creature's derriere, right?
Adult 'bad' Behavior May Encourage Teen Sex - Study
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Parents who smoke and drink and otherwise fail to
take care of their health are influencing their children to do
likewise--but they may also be somehow giving them the nod to have sex,
researchers said on Friday.
Study Doubts Ear Thermometers' Precision In Kids
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Infrared ear thermometers may be
less-than-precise when it comes to measuring young children's temperature,
according to a new analysis.
Study Suggests Early Screen For 'lazy Eye' Is Best
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with amblyopia--commonly known as "lazy
eye"--can go on to injure their healthy eye later in life, putting them at
risk for severe vision impairment or even blindness, researchers report.
Many Healthy Donor Lungs Not Transplanted: Report
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many of the lungs that are rejected as donor
organs may, in fact, be usable for transplantation, according to US
researchers.
More Mammograms May Mean Fewer Mastectomies: Report
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite current controversy over the screening
test, new study findings suggest that women who get regular mammograms are
more likely to have breast-sparing surgery than mastectomy if they do
develop breast cancer.
No Gastrointestinal Disorder Link To Autism-study
LONDON (Reuters) - Children with autism are no more likely than others to
have gastrointestinal problems, a study published Friday shows, adding
further scientific evidence to a battery of reports that show a
controversial vaccine is safe.
After Injury, Brain May Repair Itself--with Help
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Scientists have discovered that certain
immature cells in the brain can be coaxed to mature into functioning nerve
cells, replacing damaged ones, new study findings show.
Men: Going For The Grains May Cut Diabetes Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In the long run, men who chow down on a diet
rich in whole-grains may reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers
report.
Pregnant Moms' Diet Can Help Newborns Sleep Better
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Newborns whose mothers consumed adequate
amounts of a particular fatty acid during the last 3 months of pregnancy
exhibit healthier sleep patterns than others, US researchers report.
Steroids May Cut Risk Of Death From Septic Shock
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - New research suggests that steroid treatment
might help save the lives of some patients critically ill with septic
shock, an often fatal complication of widespread bacterial infection.
Bedwetting Treatment Eases Kids' Emotional Problems
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - It is not necessary to treat children who wet
the bed for any emotional or behavorial problems they may have prior to
treating them for bedwetting, new study findings suggest.
Custom-fit Aerobics May Cut Older Women's Fall Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Aerobic dance geared toward the older crowd may
give women the balance and agility to avoid falls, according to the results
of a small study in Japan.
Natural Protein May Protect Against Heart Disease
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Cholesterol-sensing proteins found on the
surface of white blood cells appear to protect against heart disease by
preventing clogging of the arteries known as atherosclerosis, which is a
major cause of heart attack.
'Key Hole' Bypass, Stents Work For Heart Patients
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Patients who have a specific type of blocked
heart artery seem to do equally well if they undergo artery-clearing
angioplasty or a minimally invasive "key hole" bypass surgery, researchers
report.
Key Ingredient Of Mediterranean Diet Could Be Fiber
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who follow the so-called Mediterranean
diet tend to live long lives and have lower than average rates of heart
disease--but what are the diet's magic ingredients? Large quantities of
antioxidant-rich wine? Preferences for fish full of protective omega-3
fatty acids?
Relax! Aging Puts Stress In Perspective
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - Young twenty- and thirtysomethings worried about
pressures they might face in middle age can breathe a sigh of relief:
According to researchers, their most stressed-out time may be right now.
Teen Drinkers Think Friends Drink Much More: Study
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - US high school boys who binge drink may justify
their alcohol use by grossly overestimating the amount their friends drink,
researchers report.
Puzzling Particles Found In Schizophrenia Patients
STOCKHOLM (Reuters Health) - Swedish scientists have found a tiny particle
in the spinal fluid of people with schizophrenia that could be a marker for
the disease, or even play some part in causing it.
Garlic May Help Heart, But Needs More Study: Report
BETHESDA, Maryland (Reuters Health) - Chemicals produced when garlic is cut
or mashed appear to protect against fungal and bacterial infections, high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood clots and even cancer. But there is
very little solid research to show how much garlic or what form of the
plant holds the most promise as a disease-fighter, scientists told US
government health officials here Thursday.
Poll Finds Momentum For Radical Healthcare Reform
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - With many different groups expressing
dissatisfaction with the US healthcare system, sentiment for "radical
reform" is growing, a new poll suggests.
Laser Before Liposuction Lets Docs Remove More Fat
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (Reuters Health) - Using low-level laser energy to
help "melt" fat before removal by liposuction is safe, and allows for the
removal of more fat tissue, Colombian doctors report.
Most Admit Attraction To Opposite-sex Friend: Study
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - First Monica and Chandler, now Joey and Rachel,
and next--most Americans? Researchers say a full 72% of us harbor feelings
of physical attraction for friends of the opposite sex.
Simple Steps May Help Homesick College Freshmen
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - Over the next couple of weeks, millions of
college freshmen will leave home for the first time, making their way in an
unfamiliar new world. Most will experience some form of homesickness,
experts say, but there are ways for even the shyest students to make this
transition relatively stress-free.
Glaxo Can Continue Running Paxil TV Ads For Now
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline Plc has won a three-week reprieve
from a federal judge's order to pull its television ads for the popular
antidepressant Paxil, a company spokesman said on Friday.
FDA Set To Join In Education Blitz On Generic Drugs
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The US Food and Drug Administration is about to launch
its first ever public advertising campaign to convince patients of the
quality of generic drugs, which cost a fraction of their name brand
counterparts.
Gene Variant Linked To Higher Arrhythmia Risk
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A gene variation found in more than 1 out of 10
African Americans increases the risk of potentially fatal heart rhythm
abnormalities called cardiac arrhythmias, new research suggests.
Some Stem Cells May Be Less Versatile Than Thought
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although past animal research has suggested
stem cells in adult bone marrow can develop into brain cells, the results
of a new study in mice indicate that this is not a universal phenomenon.
Developmental Delay May Underlie Some Bed-wetting
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A delay in the maturation of the brain-bladder
connection may underlie problem bed-wetting in some children, according to
UK researchers.
Epilepsy Drug Linked To High Rate Of Eye Problems
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - More than 40% of people with epilepsy who take
a particular drug to treat their symptoms may develop eye problems as a
result, UK researchers report.
Drug Cures Case Of Orgasm-induced Migraine
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Migraines that struck a 36-year-old woman soon
after she had an orgasm were successfully treated with the drug
lamotrigine, Italian researchers report.
Dental Device Cuts Pain, Lengthens Injection Time
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A computerized injection device can lessen the
pain children endure at the dentist's office, but it takes longer to
administer than the traditional anesthetic jab, which may mean kids who
receive it will spend more time squirming in the dentist's chair.
Eating Habits Of Obese Include More Late-day Meals
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Obese women eat one more meal a day than their
non-obese peers, and tend to consume more food later in the day, Swedish
researchers have found.
Gene For 'hunger Hormone' Plays Role In Obesity
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Two new studies shed light on the workings of a
recently discovered "hunger hormone" called ghrelin, adding more evidence
that the hormone plays a role in regulating how much food we eat and how
much weight we gain.
Professors Beware: College Kids Lying 70% Of Time
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - Maybe that dog didn't eat their homework.
According to a new study, most American undergraduate students say the
excuses they use to wriggle out of academic deadlines are little more than
bald-faced lies 70% of the time.
When Romance Cools, Others Look More Attractive
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - While it might not necessarily lead to cheating,
any increase in a man's roving eye could signal an ebb in desire for his
current mate, researchers report.
Heart Disease Hits Women Harder, Sexism A Cause
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - The added pressure of taking care of a house and
family may be a determining factor in why women with heart disease have
poorer quality of life than men, researchers have found.
Escape From Loneliness May Drive Ecstasy Use
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - Many young people drawn to the "party drug"
Ecstasy may use it as a way to banish feelings of loneliness, according to
new research.
Raging On The Road? Psychotherapy May Help
CHICAGO (Reuters Health) - Testy drivers prone to tailgating, loud honking
and cutting others off in heavy traffic might benefit from psychotherapy,
researchers report.
Study Confirms: No Advantage To Radical Mastectomy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - One of the longest running studies of breast
cancer treatments confirms what most cancer experts already believe: women
who undergo a radical mastectomy don't live any longer than patients who
have more conservative surgery.
Sports Injuries Send 4.3 Million To ERs Each Year
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Summer is a great time to run around outdoors,
but sporting aficionados may not be taking enough precautions to avoid
potentially life-threatening injuries, according to US government
researchers.
Company Inches Closer To Pig-to-human Transplant
LONDON (Reuters Health) - The British company that created the cloned sheep
Dolly said on Thursday it had bred four gene-knockout pigs whose organs are
more likely to be accepted by humans in transplant operations.
Chimps May Have Survived HIV Epidemic
LONDON (Reuters) - Chimpanzees may have survived a catastrophic virus
epidemic similar to HIV some two million years ago, which could explain why
they are now immune to AIDS.
Japan Confirms Fifth Case Of Mad Cow Disease
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan confirmed another case of mad cow disease on
Thursday, the first since May and the fifth since an outbreak last
September sent shock waves through the food sector and devastated consumer
confidence.
FDA Issues Warning To Colorado Tissue Bank
DENVER (Reuters) - The US Food and Drug Administration has cited AlloSource
Inc., a nonprofit tissue bank cooperative, for a series of safety problems,
the Centennial, Colorado-based company confirmed on Wednesday.
Web Tracking Firm, Drug Makers Win Privacy Lawsuit
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A now-defunct company that tracked visits to
pharmaceutical company Internet sites using "cookies" and "Web bugs" did
not violate federal wiretap, computer hacking or privacy statutes, a
federal court has ruled.
WTO, WHO See No Conflict In Trade Rules And Health
GENEVA (Reuters) - Two key global bodies agreed on Thursday there was no
basic conflict between open trade rules and health in poor or rich
countries but agreed to work together to avoid any clash in the future.
Earlier Diagnosis Needed For Fragile X Syndrome-CDC
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although a test for fragile X syndrome has been
available in the United States since 1991, many parents don't find out
their child has this inherited form of mental retardation until they've
already had a second child, according to a survey conducted by the US
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Study Suggests Ginkgo Ineffective Memory Enhancer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Hoping to give your memory or mental abilities
a boost with ginkgo biloba? You may be disappointed by the results of study
released Tuesday, which found no apparent memory-enhancing benefit for
healthy people over 60.
Methadone Care For US Heroin Addicts Found Lacking
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Although many US methadone maintenance programs
have made major improvements in treating heroin addicts since the late
1980s, some are still not supplying enough methadone to block patients'
heroin cravings, new study findings suggest.
Newborn Procedures May Boost Infants' Pain Response
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Newborns who undergo repeated heel sticks to
test their blood sugar levels shortly after birth may quickly learn to
anticipate pain and have a stronger reaction to it than other infants,
study findings show.
Parents Expect Boys To Stand More Pain Than Girls
SAN DIEGO, California (Reuters Health) - Parents tend to put off giving
their children painkiller medication after relatively minor day surgery,
even though their children may be in substantial pain, according to the
results of a study conducted in Finland.
Back Pain? Nerve Block May Not Help: Study
SAN DIEGO, California (Reuters Health) - Nerve blocks, commonly given to
patients with low back pain, don't seem to reduce pain, improve mood or cut
the use of analgesic medications, a researcher reported here Monday at the
10th World Congress on Pain.
St. John's Wort Weakens Cancer Drug's Effect
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - St. John's wort, an herbal medicine used to
treat depression, may also reduce the effect of a commonly-used
chemotherapy drug called irinotecan, according to a study of a small number
of patients.
Breast Cancer Gene May Carry Less Risk Than Thought
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For women who carry genetic mutations that have
been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, the risk may not be as
high as first thought, a new report suggests.
Antimicrobials In Soaps, Lotions Don't Help: AMA
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Consumer products such as soaps and lotions
often contain germ-killing antimicrobials, but there is scant evidence they
are helpful in preventing infections, according to an American Medical
Association (AMA) committee.
Air Pollutants Tied To Death Risk In Severe Asthma
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Exposure to two common air pollutants may
increase the risk of death among people with severe asthma, researchers in
Spain report.
Soy May Help Keep Postmenopausal Arteries Healthy
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A Western diet rich in tofu and other soy
products may help protect older women from artery disease, new study
findings suggest.
Whitening Treatment Can Cause Tooth Sensitivity
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Home tooth-whitening treatments may add luster
to your pearly whites, but they can also temporarily make teeth more
sensitive--particularly in people with receding gums, study findings show.
Fewer US Teens May Be Smoking, Using Drugs: Survey
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - US high school students have an easier time
buying marijuana than cigarettes and beer, according to a national survey
of public school students. At the same time, more public schools are drug
free than in the past 7 years.
US Human Tissue Supplier Faces More Federal Scrutiny
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - CryoLife Inc., which processes human tissue for
transplant, said on Monday that it is under investigation by the US
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), following a federal recall of the
firm's tissue products.
US FDA Clears Light-therapy Device For Acne
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
approved a device that fights acne using high-intensity light, the
manufacturer, Lumenis Ltd., announced on Monday.
Antidepressant Maker May Appeal US Ruling On TV Ads
LONDON (Reuters) - The world's second-biggest drugmaker, GlaxoSmithKline
Plc (GSK), said on Tuesday it may appeal a US court order to pull
television ads describing its antidepressant Paxil as "non-habit forming."
Report Cites 'dangerous' Cancer Advice On Web
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Some Internet sites that promote alternative
remedies for cancer are potentially dangerous to patients, according to the
results of a new survey.
Researchers Take Aim At Treatment-resistant Lice
BOSTON (Reuters Health) - Head lice in the US, Europe, South America and
the Middle East are becoming less and less vulnerable to the main
medication used to kill them. But just in time, Massachusetts researchers
have developed the first effective system for growing head lice in the lab.
Child ATV Accidents Rising In The US: Group
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - A consumer group says the number of injuries
and deaths involving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is on the rise in the US,
with an increasing number of these accidents involving children.
West Nile Death Reported In Kentucky
FRANKFORT, KY (Reuters) - The mosquito-borne West Nile virus has killed an
84-year-old Kentucky man, state health officials said on Tuesday.
Daily Aspirin Not Recommended For Everyone
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Research into the benefits of daily aspirin for
preventing heart attacks have not adequately measured the effects of the
drug in people at low risk of cardiovascular disease, according to US
researchers.
Backpacks Not Always To Blame For Kids' Back Pain
SAN DIEGO, California (Reuters Health) - Parents often warn their
school-age children not to carry heavy backpacks, worried that they'll get
backaches. But a new study has found that the load on the back is often not
the culprit when youngsters develop low back pain.
Ibuprofen Better Fever Reducer For Kids: Report
SAN DIEGO, California (Reuters Health) - The drug ibuprofen, the active
ingredient in Motrin, Advil and other over-the-counter drugs, is better at
reducing fever in children than acetaminophen, another often-used fever
reducer found in Tylenol and other medications, Australian researchers
reported Sunday at the 10th World Congress on Pain.
More Evidence HRT Doesn't Cut Heart Risk: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) does not
lower the risk of developing heart disease among postmenopausal women,
according to a review of more than 30 years of medical data.
Flu Vaccine Guards Against Illness And Saves Money
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Annual influenza vaccinations seem to protect
all adults--not just elderly and other at-risk individuals--during flu
season and may also be a money-saving option for employers, new study
findings suggest.
Left Side Of Brain Important For 'self-memory'
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Most of the time, the right side of the brain
is better at identifying familiar faces, but when it comes to recognizing
one's own face, the left side of the brain is tops, new research suggests.
Genetics May Up Risk Of Death From West Nile Virus
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The risk of dying from infection with the West
Nile virus may be partly determined by genetics, new study findings show.
Antibiotics May Benefit Heart Patients: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A short course of antibiotics may keep
high-risk heart attack patients from being readmitted to the hospital,
according to a team of British researchers who conducted the
first-of-its-kind study.
Almonds, As Part Of Healthy Diet, Cut Cholesterol
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Including almonds in an overall healthy diet
may help to reduce cholesterol levels, the results of a small study
suggest.
Enzymes Help Predict Death Rate After Angioplasty
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Checking levels of a heart-related enzyme may
identify patients who are at the greatest risk of dying after having
balloon angioplasty to unclog blocked blood vessels, according to the
results of a new study.
Jab-free Blood Sugar Test Inching Closer To Reality
BOSTON (Reuters Health) - Scientists are hard at work looking for ways
people with diabetes can measure their blood sugar without the painful and
scarring jabs now necessary for blood collection.
Heston, Facing Illness, Still Plans To Work
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Oscar-winning actor Charlton Heston, 77, in his
first published interview since announcing that he has symptoms consistent
with Alzheimer's disease, said he had no plans to retire.
UK Cancer Experts Say Mushrooms Should Be Studied
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Mushrooms used in traditional Asian medicines
should be studied more intensively in the West as they might yield
treatments for cancer patients, British experts said on Monday.
Australians Plead For Research On Embryo Stem Cells
CANBERRA (Reuters) - In wheelchairs and on crutches, a small band of people
with incurable diseases traveled to Australia's parliament on Monday to
pressure politicians to pass a new law allowing research to continue on
embryo stem cells.
GM Recalls Vehicles For Air Bag Problems
DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. said on Monday it was recalling
about 720,000 vehicles to fix two problems that could cause their air bags
to malfunction in a crash.
Honey Shown To Boost Antioxidants In Blood
BOSTON (Reuters Health) - If findings from preliminary research pan out,
honey could offer a sweet way to get a serving of antioxidants.
Broccoli-derived Pill May Help Ward Off Cancer
BOSTON (Reuters Health) - A new molecule based on the cancer-fighting
chemical found in broccoli, cabbage and other pungent vegetables (called
sulforaphane) is safer than the original and much cheaper, Chicago
researchers reported here Monday. And it appears, so far, to be equally
effective in building the body's defenses against cancer.
AIDS Protesters Now Being Audited By US Agency
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The US Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) is auditing the federal funding of several AIDS advocacy
groups that heckled HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson at a recent
international AIDS conference, a government spokesman confirmed on Monday.
Blueberries May Help Old Folks Keep Their Smarts
BOSTON (Reuters Health) - A cup of blueberries a day may keep "senior
moments" away, new findings suggest.
Backache After Childbirth Not Linked To Epidural
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Women who have an epidural during labour are at
no greater risk of lower back pain afterwards than women who have other
forms of pain relief, British researchers have found.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Patients are twice as likely to receive
referrals to see a medical specialist in the US as in the UK, new study
findings show.
Drug, Used Alone, Deemed OK For Ovarian Cancer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Treatment with the drug carboplatin alone can
be an adequate first-line therapy for women with ovarian cancer, according
to the results of an international study.
Many "strawberry" Birthmarks Fade Without Lasers
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many children with so-called "strawberry
birthmarks" on their faces and other body regions appear to do just as well
when doctors let the mark disappear naturally as when it is treated using
laser therapy, new study findings suggest.
Depression May Worsen Age-related Vision Loss
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Depression is common among older adults whose
vision is impaired by macular degeneration, and it may make their vision
seem worse than it is, researchers report.
Tremors Tied To Weight Loss In The Elderly
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Tremors that commonly affect the elderly may
spur weight loss by boosting their calorie expenditure, according to
researchers.
Clues To Brain Changes Behind Schizophrenia
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The brains of many schizophrenic patients may
be characterized by relatively low levels of an important chemical in a
region of the brain implicated in the condition, US researchers report.
Alcohol Initially Packs Bigger Punch For Some
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with a family history of alcoholism may
respond more intensely to alcohol's initial intoxicating effects and
develop a tolerance within a few hours, new study finding suggest.
Legionnaires' Disease Can Cause Lingering Symptoms
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who survive an outbreak of Legionnaires'
disease may have physical and emotional symptoms more than a year
afterward, a study of a Netherlands outbreak has found.
CDC Team Gauges Risk Of West Nile Spread Via Blood
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - West Nile virus infection, the mosquito-borne
illness now spreading across the US, could be transmitted through blood
transfusions, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) report.
Stimulation Boosts Brain Cells In Aging Mice: Study
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A stimulating environment in middle to late
life may be just the trick to bolster a region of the brain associated with
memory and learning, according to the results of a study in mice.
Third Parties Helpful During Doctor-patient Visits
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Many individuals find it helpful to take a
family member or friend along when they visit the doctor. And in the long
run, both patient and doctor appear to benefit from the presence of a third
party, researchers report.
UK To Import US Plasma To Skirt 'mad Cow' Issues
LONDON (Reuters Health) - Britain said on Friday it planned to import blood
plasma from the United States for transfusions for children born after 1996
to protect them from the theoretical risk of contracting the human form of
"mad cow" disease.
Man Dies Of West Nile In Illinois, 10th Nationally
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A 67-year-old Illinois man has died from West Nile
virus, the first death reported outside the southern United States and the
tenth fatality nationwide this year, public health officials said on
Friday.
FDA Charges Unfounded, Supplement Maker Says
WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - The lead attorney for dietary supplement
maker Metabolife International challenged the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) on Friday to produce "one shred" of evidence that the
company's products are unsafe or that it withheld information about adverse
event reports from the agency.
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"Life is not merely being alive, but being well."
--Martial, Epigrams