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** ALCOHOL / ADDICTION / ILLEGAL DRUGS News **
'Traffic light' test could prevent hundreds of people developing alcohol-related cirrhosis
http://mnt.to/a/4h2G
A simple 'traffic light' test that detects hidden liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in high risk populations could reduce harmful drinking rates and potentially prevent hundreds of alcohol-related deaths a year.
Risk-factors identified for addictive video-game use among adults
http://mnt.to/a/4h2c
New research from the University of Missouri indicates escapism, social interaction and rewards fuel problematic video-game use among "very casual" to "hardcore" adult gamers. Understanding individual motives that contribute to unhealthy game play could help counselors identify and treat individuals addicted to video games.
Marijuana use has little measurable effect on self-reported health or healthcare utilization in adults using drugs
http://mnt.to/a/4gZL
Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found frequency of marijuana use was not significantly associated with health services utilization or health status.
New study suggests that you can never really completely leave addiction behind
http://mnt.to/a/4gZF
It is often said that once people develop an addiction, they can never completely eliminate their attraction to the abused substance. New findings provide further support for this notion by suggesting that even long-term abstinence from cocaine does not result in a complete normalization of brain circuitry.
Link between partner violence and specific drinking environments
http://mnt.to/a/4gZx
Researchers have long known that violence toward spouses and partners increases with the frequency and volume of drinking. A study published in the scientific journal Addiction shows that the context in which drinking occurs also appears to play a role in violence against partners, with male violence being linked to drinking away from home and female violence being linked to drinking at home.
Alcohol-related violence dependent on drinking 'context'
http://mnt.to/a/4gZ7
Although a high volume and frequency of drinking has been linked to an increase in violence toward a loved one, new research suggests that the context in which drinking occurs can play a role in violence against partners.
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** ALZHEIMER'S / DEMENTIA News **
Better pain management for patients with dementia
http://mnt.to/a/4gZX
Health care systems need to manage chronic pain better in people with dementia and dispel the notion that people with dementia feel less pain, states an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
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** ANXIETY / STRESS News **
Early identification of trauma risk in small children after an accident
http://mnt.to/a/4gZN
Accidents also traumatize small children. Around one in ten children still suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder a year after a road accident or burn injury, reliving aspects of the traumatic experience in the form of flashbacks or nightmares.
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** ARTHRITIS / RHEUMATOLOGY News **
Recommendations guide physicians in treatment of systemic juvenile arthritis
http://mnt.to/a/4h2w
In the U.S., there are nearly 300,000 children with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic illnesses according to estimates from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). For pediatric patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), effective treatment for this disabling disease is imperative.
Knee arthritis improved by combined diet and exercise
http://mnt.to/a/4h26
Overweight and obese adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis may benefit more from combined intensive diet and exercise regimes, rather than undertaking diet or exercise regimes separately, according to a study published in JAMA.
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** BIOLOGY / BIOCHEMISTRY News **
New pig model developed to study immune responses to leading cause of peptic ulcers
http://mnt.to/a/4h2D
Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute have developed a new large animal model to study how the immune system interacts with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the leading cause of peptic ulcer disease.
NPL-led studies explore bacteria-destroying proteins for more efficient antibiotics
http://mnt.to/a/4h2C
A research team, led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), has carried out studies into how protein fragments found in our bodies destroy harmful bacteria - potentially moving us a step closer to a new generation of antibiotic treatment that is less prone to bacterial resistance.
USC scientists ID protein that regulates cellular trafficking, potential for anti-cancer therapy
http://mnt.to/a/4h2j
Molecular microbiologists at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) have uncovered intricate regulatory mechanisms within the cell that could lead to novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
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** BLOOD / HEMATOLOGY News **
Some pediatric surgeries do not require preoperative blood typing
http://mnt.to/a/4h2f
Certain pediatric surgeries carry such low risk of serious blood loss that clinicians can safely forgo expensive blood typing and blood stocking before such procedures, suggest the results of a small study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.
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** BREAST CANCER News **
New patient-focused five minute Herceptin® (trastuzumab) jab given green light by regulators & NHS England
http://mnt.to/a/4h2q
Patients with a very aggressive form of breast cancer known as HER2-positive, could now benefit from a new faster, more efficient delivery method of Herceptin. The subcutaneous (SC) injection, given just beneath the skin, can be completed in 2-5 minutes, compared to the traditional, relatively time-consuming 30-90 minute intravenous (IV) infusion.
Task Force issues final recommendations on medications for risk reduction of primary breast cancer in women
http://mnt.to/a/4h2m
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against using medications such as tamoxifen or raloxifene for reducing the risk of primary breast cancer in average risk women, as the risks associated with these medications outweigh the potential benefits.
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** CANCER / ONCOLOGY News **
New treatments aim to combat renal cell cancer and melanoma
http://mnt.to/a/4h2P
Renal cell cancer vaccinesImmatics Biotechnologies' cancer vaccine IMA901 is currently in phase III trials for the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer. The drug, which was shown to have a positive safety profile in its single-arm Phase II trial, is expected to gain approval in the US and five major EU markets* by 2015.
USC scientists ID protein that regulates cellular trafficking, potential for anti-cancer therapy
http://mnt.to/a/4h2j
Molecular microbiologists at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC) have uncovered intricate regulatory mechanisms within the cell that could lead to novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.
Married cancer patients 'likely to live longer'
http://mnt.to/a/4gZP
People who are married when they are diagnosed with cancer are more likely to live longer, compared with those who are unmarried. This is according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Human brain tumor cells destroyed in mouse model
http://mnt.to/a/4gZK
Working with mice, Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that weeks of treatment with a repurposed FDA-approved drug halted the growth of - and ultimately left no detectable trace of - brain tumor cells taken from adult human patients.
Simple screening for depression in cancer patients
http://mnt.to/a/4gZv
Cancer patients can be accurately screened for major depression with a simple two-question survey, according to a study presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's 55th Annual Meeting.
Microbiologists describe how 'natural killer' cells depend on enzyme to develop
http://mnt.to/a/4gZs
Natural killer (NK) cells in the human body can kill and contain viruses and cancerous tumors, and a new study from the University of Southern California (USC) describes for the first time how those cells can be manipulated by epigenetics.
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** CARDIOVASCULAR / CARDIOLOGY News **
Digoxin use associated with higher risk of death for patients diagnosed with heart failure
http://mnt.to/a/4h2y
Digoxin, a drug commonly used to treat heart conditions, was associated with a 72 percent higher rate of death among adults with newly diagnosed systolic heart failure, according to a Kaiser Permanente study that appears in the current online issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Low to moderate arsenic exposure linked to cardiovascular disease and mortality
http://mnt.to/a/4h2k
Chronic exposure to low to moderate levels of inorganic arsenic is associated with increased incidence of fatal and not-fatal cardiovascular disease. Inorganic arsenic in water and food (particularly rice and grain) is a major global health problem.
Expert questions benefit of blocked artery treatment after George W Bush has procedure
http://mnt.to/a/4h2g
The recent decision by former US president George W Bush to have a stent implanted, despite having no symptoms, has led to concerns about the benefits and potential harms of this procedure.One leading US cardiologist has called the practice of routine testing in patients without symptoms leading to procedures that are not indicated as "American medicine at its worst.
Researchers propose touch-to-access security for implanted devices
http://mnt.to/a/4h2b
Pacemakers, insulin pumps, defibrillators and other implantable medical devices often have wireless capabilities that allow emergency workers to monitor patients. But these devices have a potential downside: They can be hacked.
Assessing use of fingerstick blood sample with i-stat point-of-care device
http://mnt.to/a/4h29
Researchers have determined that fingerstick cardiac troponin I assay testing using the point-of-care i-STAT device is not accurate enough to determine the exact troponin level without the application of a corrective term.
Repairing damaged heart tissue with spring-like fibers
http://mnt.to/a/4gZW
The threat from a heart attack doesn't end with the event itself. Blockage of blood flow to the heart can cause irreversible cell death and scarring. With transplants scarce, half the people who live through a heart attack die within five years.
Children's heart infection risk may be increased by some heart birth defects
http://mnt.to/a/4gZt
Children with certain heart birth defects may have an increased risk for bacterial infection of their heart's lining and valves, according to new research in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
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** CHOLESTEROL News **
Stem cells play a key role in how 'bad' cholesterol causes atherosclerosis in humans
http://mnt.to/a/4gZY
University at Buffalo translational researchers are developing a richer understanding of atherosclerosis in humans, revealing a key role for stem cells that promote inflammation.The research was published recently in PLOS One.
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** CLINICAL TRIALS / DRUG TRIALS News **
New treatments aim to combat renal cell cancer and melanoma
http://mnt.to/a/4h2P
Renal cell cancer vaccinesImmatics Biotechnologies' cancer vaccine IMA901 is currently in phase III trials for the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer. The drug, which was shown to have a positive safety profile in its single-arm Phase II trial, is expected to gain approval in the US and five major EU markets* by 2015.
Phase 3 results demonstrate safety and efficacy profile of Invokana (canagliflozin) as add-on therapy for type 2 diabetes in adults
http://mnt.to/a/4h2J
Janssen Research & Development, LLC (Janssen) have announced results from a new 52-week analysis of Phase 3 results showing INVOKANA® (canagliflozin) provided substantial improvements in glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes who are inadequately controlled on metformin and a sulfonylurea, two of the most commonly used antihyperglycemic therapies.
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** CONFERENCES News **
One of the most fundamental changes in the pharma industry today to be discussed at Eyeforpharma Barcelona 2014, March, 18-20
http://mnt.to/a/4h3K
Pharma Gathers to Discuss 'One of the Most Fundamental Changes in the Pharma Industry Today'Representatives from every global pharmaceutical company including UCB, Novartis, Pfizer, Merck, Bayer and Grunenthal will gather at an annual industry summit to determine the future of patient-centric healthcare, which some believe to be the most fundamental change to the system in decades.
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** DENTISTRY News **
You can't hide your feelings! Women six times 'more disgusted by dental treatment' than men
http://mnt.to/a/4h2K
After looking at pictures of dental treatment scenes, researchers[1] discovered that female patients scared of the dentist were six times more likely to be disgusted with what they saw, compared with non-dental phobic women.
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** DEPRESSION News **
Acupuncture or counseling may help depression
http://mnt.to/a/4h3d
Patients who suffer from depression may benefit more from acupuncture or counseling alongside their usual care, compared with usual care alone. This is according to a study published in the journal PLOS Medicine.
Antidepressants linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes
http://mnt.to/a/4h2S
A new systematic review of published studies suggests when prescribing antidepressant medication, clinicians should be extra aware that they are linked to raised risk for type 2 diabetes, although the study does not suggest the drugs are the direct cause.
Two-item questionnaire proves to be a valid depression screening tool for radiation therapy patients
http://mnt.to/a/4h2x
Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) who are potentially suffering from depression can be effectively identified by a two-item questionnaire, according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
Simple screening for depression in cancer patients
http://mnt.to/a/4gZv
Cancer patients can be accurately screened for major depression with a simple two-question survey, according to a study presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's 55th Annual Meeting.
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** DIABETES News **
Antidepressants linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes
http://mnt.to/a/4h2S
A new systematic review of published studies suggests when prescribing antidepressant medication, clinicians should be extra aware that they are linked to raised risk for type 2 diabetes, although the study does not suggest the drugs are the direct cause.
Phase 3 results demonstrate safety and efficacy profile of Invokana (canagliflozin) as add-on therapy for type 2 diabetes in adults
http://mnt.to/a/4h2J
Janssen Research & Development, LLC (Janssen) have announced results from a new 52-week analysis of Phase 3 results showing INVOKANA® (canagliflozin) provided substantial improvements in glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes who are inadequately controlled on metformin and a sulfonylurea, two of the most commonly used antihyperglycemic therapies.
First CDC-recognized diabetes prevention program established in the Bronx by Health People
http://mnt.to/a/4h2F
Health People (HP) has announced the launch of its new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program for Bronx residents to help the borough combat its high diabetes-related death rate - the highest in the city.
EU marketing authorization granted for three new type 2 diabetes therapies, Vipidia, Vipdomet and Incresync
http://mnt.to/a/4h2t
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) today announced that the EuropeanCommission has granted Marketing Authorization (MA) for Vipidia[TM] (alogliptin), adipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes patientswho are uncontrolled on existing therapies[1]-[3]and for the fixed-dose combination (FDC)therapies Vipdomet[TM] (alogliptin with metformin) and Incresync[TM] (alogliptin withpioglitazone).
Shedding light on genetic and physiological basis for metabolic diseases
http://mnt.to/a/4h2d
A new study by a team of University of Notre Dame researchers, which appears in the Sept. 2 edition of the journal PLoS ONE, is a significant step in understanding the molecular genetic and physiological basis for a spectrum of metabolic diseases related to circadian function.
Researchers propose touch-to-access security for implanted devices
http://mnt.to/a/4h2b
Pacemakers, insulin pumps, defibrillators and other implantable medical devices often have wireless capabilities that allow emergency workers to monitor patients. But these devices have a potential downside: They can be hacked.
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** ENDOCRINOLOGY News **
Soldiers: blast-related brain injuries cause pituitary problems
http://mnt.to/a/4h44
Estimates show that 19.5% of surviving US troops deployed in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts have sustained blast traumatic brain injuries (bTBIs) since 2001. And now, new research shows that these injuries can cause pituitary hormone problems.
Long-term hormonal therapy in intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients does not improve overall survival
http://mnt.to/a/4h2z
A secondary analysis of the historic RTOG 9202 prostate cancer trial examined results of men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer who had received long-term hormonal therapy after radiation therapy, and concluded that there were no additional benefits when compared to short-term hormonal therapy, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
In intermediate risk prostate cancer, fewer weeks of hormone therapy before radiation reduces side effects
http://mnt.to/a/4gZG
A shorter course of androgen suppression therapy prior to radiation therapy, when compared to a longer course of androgen suppression therapy, yields favorable outcomes and fewer adverse effects for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) 55th Annual Meeting.
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** EYE HEALTH / BLINDNESS News **
Smartphone photography helps eye disease diagnosis
http://mnt.to/a/4h2R
A US team has devised a smartphone system for capturing high quality photos of retinas to help diagnose eye diseases. The cheap and easy-to-use system could bring the advantages of affordable telemedicine to ophthalmology clinics.
Treatment with NIR light can prevent the development of retinopathy of prematurity - could save the sight of premature babies
http://mnt.to/a/4h2v
Scientists at Australia's Vision Centre have made an important breakthrough that could save the sight of premature babies.The researchers found that treatment with near-infrared (NIR) light can prevent the development of retinopathy of prematurity - a disease that can cause blindness in children born prematurely.
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** GASTROINTESTINAL / GASTROENTEROLOGY News **
New pig model developed to study immune responses to leading cause of peptic ulcers
http://mnt.to/a/4h2D
Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute have developed a new large animal model to study how the immune system interacts with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the leading cause of peptic ulcer disease.
Pain management for children with abdominal pain In ER: Racial and ethnic disparities
http://mnt.to/a/4h23
Pediatric researchers have found race- and ethnicity-based disparities in pain management and length of stay among children who came to hospital emergency departments for treatment of abdominal pain.
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** GENETICS News **
Gene's contribution to asthma susceptibility revealed
http://mnt.to/a/4gZC
New research from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has uncovered the role gene ORMDL3 plays in the disease asthma. ORMDL3, a gene recently linked to asthma susceptibility, has now been linked to the body's ability to recruit inflammatory cells during an airway allergic reaction.
Microbiologists describe how 'natural killer' cells depend on enzyme to develop
http://mnt.to/a/4gZs
Natural killer (NK) cells in the human body can kill and contain viruses and cancerous tumors, and a new study from the University of Southern California (USC) describes for the first time how those cells can be manipulated by epigenetics.
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** HEALTH INSURANCE / MEDICAL INSURANCE News **
ACP publishes brief guide to ACA health exchanges
http://mnt.to/a/4h2n
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has written a brief to explain how health exchanges, or health insurance marketplaces, will work when the Affordable Care Act begins to roll out late this year.
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** HEART DISEASE News **
Digoxin use associated with higher risk of death for patients diagnosed with heart failure
http://mnt.to/a/4h2y
Digoxin, a drug commonly used to treat heart conditions, was associated with a 72 percent higher rate of death among adults with newly diagnosed systolic heart failure, according to a Kaiser Permanente study that appears in the current online issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Expert questions benefit of blocked artery treatment after George W Bush has procedure
http://mnt.to/a/4h2g
The recent decision by former US president George W Bush to have a stent implanted, despite having no symptoms, has led to concerns about the benefits and potential harms of this procedure.One leading US cardiologist has called the practice of routine testing in patients without symptoms leading to procedures that are not indicated as "American medicine at its worst.
Repairing damaged heart tissue with spring-like fibers
http://mnt.to/a/4gZW
The threat from a heart attack doesn't end with the event itself. Blockage of blood flow to the heart can cause irreversible cell death and scarring. With transplants scarce, half the people who live through a heart attack die within five years.
Children's heart infection risk may be increased by some heart birth defects
http://mnt.to/a/4gZt
Children with certain heart birth defects may have an increased risk for bacterial infection of their heart's lining and valves, according to new research in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
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** IMMUNE SYSTEM / VACCINES News **
Inovio Pharmaceuticals targets transformation of monoclonal antibody therapies
http://mnt.to/a/4h2L
Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT: INO) has announced the publication of a peer-reviewed paper demonstrating the success of its new DNA plasmid technology in generating therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.
New pig model developed to study immune responses to leading cause of peptic ulcers
http://mnt.to/a/4h2D
Researchers at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute have developed a new large animal model to study how the immune system interacts with the stomach bacterium Helicobacter pylori, the leading cause of peptic ulcer disease.
Children will likely benefit from booster dose of new meningitis vaccine
http://mnt.to/a/4gZz
Clinical trialA study of 4CMenB, a new vaccine to protect against meningitis B bacteria (which can cause potentially fatal bacterial meningitis in children), shows that waning immunity induced by infant vaccination can be overcome by a booster dose at 40 months of age, according to a clinical trial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
Microbiologists describe how 'natural killer' cells depend on enzyme to develop
http://mnt.to/a/4gZs
Natural killer (NK) cells in the human body can kill and contain viruses and cancerous tumors, and a new study from the University of Southern California (USC) describes for the first time how those cells can be manipulated by epigenetics.
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** INFECTIOUS DISEASES / BACTERIA / VIRUSES News **
NPL-led studies explore bacteria-destroying proteins for more efficient antibiotics
http://mnt.to/a/4h2C
A research team, led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), has carried out studies into how protein fragments found in our bodies destroy harmful bacteria - potentially moving us a step closer to a new generation of antibiotic treatment that is less prone to bacterial resistance.
Should hospitals offer all patients single rooms?
http://mnt.to/a/4h28
The Scottish government has decided that all new hospitals should have 100% single rooms to offer privacy and reduce hospital acquired infections. On bmj.com, two experts debate the issue.Hugh Pennington, Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, argues that single rooms in hospitals "are important in preventing and controlling healthcare associated infections.
Need for improved detection of sepsis for all women in labor
http://mnt.to/a/4h22
Rates of severe sepsis and deaths from sepsis among U.S. women hospitalized for delivery have risen sharply over the last decade, reports a study in the October issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).
Children will likely benefit from booster dose of new meningitis vaccine
http://mnt.to/a/4gZz
Clinical trialA study of 4CMenB, a new vaccine to protect against meningitis B bacteria (which can cause potentially fatal bacterial meningitis in children), shows that waning immunity induced by infant vaccination can be overcome by a booster dose at 40 months of age, according to a clinical trial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
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** IT / INTERNET / E-MAIL News **
Early identification of trauma risk in small children after an accident
http://mnt.to/a/4gZN
Accidents also traumatize small children. Around one in ten children still suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder a year after a road accident or burn injury, reliving aspects of the traumatic experience in the form of flashbacks or nightmares.
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** LIVER DISEASE / HEPATITIS News **
'Traffic light' test could prevent hundreds of people developing alcohol-related cirrhosis
http://mnt.to/a/4h2G
A simple 'traffic light' test that detects hidden liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in high risk populations could reduce harmful drinking rates and potentially prevent hundreds of alcohol-related deaths a year.
----------------------------------------------
** LUNG CANCER News **
Patient-reported outcomes provide valuable insight regarding quality of life for patients with non-small cell lung cancer
http://mnt.to/a/4h2r
An analysis of quality of life (QOL) data of stage III lung cancer patients who received higher doses of radiation therapy (with chemotherapy) shows a significantly lower quality of life at 3 months after treatment compared to patients who received a standard dose of radiation (with chemotherapy), according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
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** MEDICAL DEVICES / DIAGNOSTICS News **
Smartphone photography helps eye disease diagnosis
http://mnt.to/a/4h2R
A US team has devised a smartphone system for capturing high quality photos of retinas to help diagnose eye diseases. The cheap and easy-to-use system could bring the advantages of affordable telemedicine to ophthalmology clinics.
'Traffic light' test could prevent hundreds of people developing alcohol-related cirrhosis
http://mnt.to/a/4h2G
A simple 'traffic light' test that detects hidden liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in high risk populations could reduce harmful drinking rates and potentially prevent hundreds of alcohol-related deaths a year.
Researchers propose touch-to-access security for implanted devices
http://mnt.to/a/4h2b
Pacemakers, insulin pumps, defibrillators and other implantable medical devices often have wireless capabilities that allow emergency workers to monitor patients. But these devices have a potential downside: They can be hacked.
Real-time imaging technique offers first direct measurement of spinal cord myelin in multiple sclerosis
http://mnt.to/a/4gZQ
Researchers have made an exciting breakthrough - developing a first-of-its-kind imaging tool to examine myelin damage in multiple sclerosis (MS). An extremely difficult disease to diagnose, the tool will help physicians diagnose patients earlier, monitor the disease's progression, and evaluate therapy efficacy.
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** MEDICAL PRACTICE MANAGEMENT News **
Acupuncture or counseling may help depression
http://mnt.to/a/4h3d
Patients who suffer from depression may benefit more from acupuncture or counseling alongside their usual care, compared with usual care alone. This is according to a study published in the journal PLOS Medicine.
----------------------------------------------
** MENTAL HEALTH News **
Antidepressants linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes
http://mnt.to/a/4h2S
A new systematic review of published studies suggests when prescribing antidepressant medication, clinicians should be extra aware that they are linked to raised risk for type 2 diabetes, although the study does not suggest the drugs are the direct cause.
Should we carry out mental health screening on schoolchildren?
http://mnt.to/a/4h25
On bmj.com, a visiting scholar at the Feinberg School of Medicine suggests that mental health screening is carried out in primary schools to enable early identification and potentially save money.
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** MRSA / DRUG RESISTANCE News **
NPL-led studies explore bacteria-destroying proteins for more efficient antibiotics
http://mnt.to/a/4h2C
A research team, led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), has carried out studies into how protein fragments found in our bodies destroy harmful bacteria - potentially moving us a step closer to a new generation of antibiotic treatment that is less prone to bacterial resistance.
----------------------------------------------
** MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS News **
Real-time imaging technique offers first direct measurement of spinal cord myelin in multiple sclerosis
http://mnt.to/a/4gZQ
Researchers have made an exciting breakthrough - developing a first-of-its-kind imaging tool to examine myelin damage in multiple sclerosis (MS). An extremely difficult disease to diagnose, the tool will help physicians diagnose patients earlier, monitor the disease's progression, and evaluate therapy efficacy.
----------------------------------------------
** NEUROLOGY / NEUROSCIENCE News **
To make sense of novel situations our brains may rely on computer-like mechanism
http://mnt.to/a/4h27
Our brains give us the remarkable ability to make sense of situations we've never encountered before - a familiar person in an unfamiliar place, for example, or a coworker in a different job role - but the mechanism our brains use to accomplish this has been a longstanding mystery of neuroscience.
Mild hypothermia treatment may improve neuron survival after traumatic brain injury
http://mnt.to/a/4gZV
Moderate reductions in body temperature can improve outcomes after a person suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI). New research that identifies positive effects of mild hypothermia on brain tissue is presented in an article published in Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Human brain tumor cells destroyed in mouse model
http://mnt.to/a/4gZK
Working with mice, Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that weeks of treatment with a repurposed FDA-approved drug halted the growth of - and ultimately left no detectable trace of - brain tumor cells taken from adult human patients.
Avoiding specific region of brain during whole-brain radiotherapy prevents memory loss
http://mnt.to/a/4gZJ
Limiting the amount of radiation absorbed in the hippocampal portion of the brain during whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for brain metastases preserves memory function in patients for up to six months after treatment, according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
Children will likely benefit from booster dose of new meningitis vaccine
http://mnt.to/a/4gZz
Clinical trialA study of 4CMenB, a new vaccine to protect against meningitis B bacteria (which can cause potentially fatal bacterial meningitis in children), shows that waning immunity induced by infant vaccination can be overcome by a booster dose at 40 months of age, according to a clinical trial published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
----------------------------------------------
** NUTRITION / DIET News **
Low to moderate arsenic exposure linked to cardiovascular disease and mortality
http://mnt.to/a/4h2k
Chronic exposure to low to moderate levels of inorganic arsenic is associated with increased incidence of fatal and not-fatal cardiovascular disease. Inorganic arsenic in water and food (particularly rice and grain) is a major global health problem.
Knee arthritis improved by combined diet and exercise
http://mnt.to/a/4h26
Overweight and obese adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis may benefit more from combined intensive diet and exercise regimes, rather than undertaking diet or exercise regimes separately, according to a study published in JAMA.
----------------------------------------------
** OBESITY / WEIGHT LOSS / FITNESS News **
Shedding light on genetic and physiological basis for metabolic diseases
http://mnt.to/a/4h2d
A new study by a team of University of Notre Dame researchers, which appears in the Sept. 2 edition of the journal PLoS ONE, is a significant step in understanding the molecular genetic and physiological basis for a spectrum of metabolic diseases related to circadian function.
Knee arthritis improved by combined diet and exercise
http://mnt.to/a/4h26
Overweight and obese adults suffering from knee osteoarthritis may benefit more from combined intensive diet and exercise regimes, rather than undertaking diet or exercise regimes separately, according to a study published in JAMA.
How economic development might influence teen obesity, public health
http://mnt.to/a/4gZR
When it comes to addressing the obesity epidemic, fast food restaurants are a favorite target, with some communities, such as the city of Los Angeles, going so far as to ban the construction of new, standalone fast food restaurants in neighborhoods with a high density of fast food restaurants that are also plagued by a high obesity rate.
Guideline: ACP recommends weight loss and CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea
http://mnt.to/a/4gZy
People diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) should not consider surgery, according to new recommendations from the American College of Physicians (ACP). Instead, ACP recommends that patients lose weight and use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as initial therapy.
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** PAIN / ANESTHETICS News **
Pain management for children with abdominal pain In ER: Racial and ethnic disparities
http://mnt.to/a/4h23
Pediatric researchers have found race- and ethnicity-based disparities in pain management and length of stay among children who came to hospital emergency departments for treatment of abdominal pain.
Better pain management for patients with dementia
http://mnt.to/a/4gZX
Health care systems need to manage chronic pain better in people with dementia and dispel the notion that people with dementia feel less pain, states an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
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** PEDIATRICS / CHILDREN'S HEALTH News **
Recommendations guide physicians in treatment of systemic juvenile arthritis
http://mnt.to/a/4h2w
In the U.S., there are nearly 300,000 children with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic illnesses according to estimates from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). For pediatric patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), effective treatment for this disabling disease is imperative.
Treatment with NIR light can prevent the development of retinopathy of prematurity - could save the sight of premature babies
http://mnt.to/a/4h2v
Scientists at Australia's Vision Centre have made an important breakthrough that could save the sight of premature babies.The researchers found that treatment with near-infrared (NIR) light can prevent the development of retinopathy of prematurity - a disease that can cause blindness in children born prematurely.
Some pediatric surgeries do not require preoperative blood typing
http://mnt.to/a/4h2f
Certain pediatric surgeries carry such low risk of serious blood loss that clinicians can safely forgo expensive blood typing and blood stocking before such procedures, suggest the results of a small study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.
Should we carry out mental health screening on schoolchildren?
http://mnt.to/a/4h25
On bmj.com, a visiting scholar at the Feinberg School of Medicine suggests that mental health screening is carried out in primary schools to enable early identification and potentially save money.
Pain management for children with abdominal pain In ER: Racial and ethnic disparities
http://mnt.to/a/4h23
Pediatric researchers have found race- and ethnicity-based disparities in pain management and length of stay among children who came to hospital emergency departments for treatment of abdominal pain.
In children exposed to diesel exhaust from traffic, protein explains increased asthma severity
http://mnt.to/a/4gZZ
A new study shows that exposure to diesel exhaust particles from traffic pollution leads to increased asthma severity in children. Moreover, the study finds that this is due to increased blood levels of IL-17A, a protein associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases, in children with high diesel exposure.
The consequences of sibling bullying on relationship between siblings
http://mnt.to/a/4gZS
Sibling bullying is a type of violence that is prevalent in the lives of most children, but little is known about it, researchers say.Clemson University psychology professor Robin Kowalski said the phenomenon has been overlooked.
How economic development might influence teen obesity, public health
http://mnt.to/a/4gZR
When it comes to addressing the obesity epidemic, fast food restaurants are a favorite target, with some communities, such as the city of Los Angeles, going so far as to ban the construction of new, standalone fast food restaurants in neighborhoods with a high density of fast food restaurants that are also plagued by a high obesity rate.
Early identification of trauma risk in small children after an accident
http://mnt.to/a/4gZN
Accidents also traumatize small children. Around one in ten children still suffers from a post-traumatic stress disorder a year after a road accident or burn injury, reliving aspects of the traumatic experience in the form of flashbacks or nightmares.
Memory development continues deep into childhood
http://mnt.to/a/4gZD
Young Children Have Difficulty when Elements of Memory OverlapA new study provides evidence that one important part of memory undergoes substantial development even after the age of 7.Researchers found that episodic memory - the ability to remember not only what happened, but where and when - takes longer to develop than often assumed.
First-time mothers often experience problems with breastfeeding
http://mnt.to/a/4gZw
Most new mothers in the United States begin breastfeeding when their children are born, but new research shows that those who report early concerns or problems with breastfeeding are nearly 10 times more likely to abandon breastfeeding within two months.
Children's heart infection risk may be increased by some heart birth defects
http://mnt.to/a/4gZt
Children with certain heart birth defects may have an increased risk for bacterial infection of their heart's lining and valves, according to new research in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Dextrose gel could treat hypoglycemia in newborns
http://mnt.to/a/4gZd
A new study suggests that dextrose gel should be used to treat low blood sugars in newborn babies (neonatal-hypoglycemia) - a common and preventable cause of brain damage.Dextrose gel is an oral glucose gel, already used as form of treatment for reversal of hypoglycemia in diabetics.
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** PREGNANCY / OBSTETRICS News **
Need for improved detection of sepsis for all women in labor
http://mnt.to/a/4h22
Rates of severe sepsis and deaths from sepsis among U.S. women hospitalized for delivery have risen sharply over the last decade, reports a study in the October issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).
Dextrose gel could treat hypoglycemia in newborns
http://mnt.to/a/4gZd
A new study suggests that dextrose gel should be used to treat low blood sugars in newborn babies (neonatal-hypoglycemia) - a common and preventable cause of brain damage.Dextrose gel is an oral glucose gel, already used as form of treatment for reversal of hypoglycemia in diabetics.
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** PREVENTIVE MEDICINE News **
Task Force issues final recommendations on medications for risk reduction of primary breast cancer in women
http://mnt.to/a/4h2m
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against using medications such as tamoxifen or raloxifene for reducing the risk of primary breast cancer in average risk women, as the risks associated with these medications outweigh the potential benefits.
Preventing malaria in travelers to West Africa reduces health costs
http://mnt.to/a/4gZB
Not only do U.S. travelers to West Africa who consult health providers before they leave and take prescribed preventive medications substantially reduce their risk of contracting malaria, they also reduce costs to their health insurance providers and, in most cases, to themselves.
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** PRIMARY CARE / GENERAL PRACTICE News **
Marijuana use has little measurable effect on self-reported health or healthcare utilization in adults using drugs
http://mnt.to/a/4gZL
Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) and Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found frequency of marijuana use was not significantly associated with health services utilization or health status.
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** PROSTATE / PROSTATE CANCER News **
Long-term hormonal therapy in intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients does not improve overall survival
http://mnt.to/a/4h2z
A secondary analysis of the historic RTOG 9202 prostate cancer trial examined results of men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer who had received long-term hormonal therapy after radiation therapy, and concluded that there were no additional benefits when compared to short-term hormonal therapy, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
In intermediate risk prostate cancer, fewer weeks of hormone therapy before radiation reduces side effects
http://mnt.to/a/4gZG
A shorter course of androgen suppression therapy prior to radiation therapy, when compared to a longer course of androgen suppression therapy, yields favorable outcomes and fewer adverse effects for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) 55th Annual Meeting.
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** PSYCHOLOGY / PSYCHIATRY News **
Acupuncture or counseling may help depression
http://mnt.to/a/4h3d
Patients who suffer from depression may benefit more from acupuncture or counseling alongside their usual care, compared with usual care alone. This is according to a study published in the journal PLOS Medicine.
Risk-factors identified for addictive video-game use among adults
http://mnt.to/a/4h2c
New research from the University of Missouri indicates escapism, social interaction and rewards fuel problematic video-game use among "very casual" to "hardcore" adult gamers. Understanding individual motives that contribute to unhealthy game play could help counselors identify and treat individuals addicted to video games.
The consequences of sibling bullying on relationship between siblings
http://mnt.to/a/4gZS
Sibling bullying is a type of violence that is prevalent in the lives of most children, but little is known about it, researchers say.Clemson University psychology professor Robin Kowalski said the phenomenon has been overlooked.
Married cancer patients 'likely to live longer'
http://mnt.to/a/4gZP
People who are married when they are diagnosed with cancer are more likely to live longer, compared with those who are unmarried. This is according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Stronger sexual impulses make men cheat, study shows
http://mnt.to/a/4gZH
A study suggests that men are more likely to cheat than women, not because they have weaker self-control, but because they have stronger sexual impulses.Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University say previous studies have suggested men are more likely than women to pursue romantic partners that are "off limits," but that the explanation for this difference has been unexplored on a large scale.
Memory development continues deep into childhood
http://mnt.to/a/4gZD
Young Children Have Difficulty when Elements of Memory OverlapA new study provides evidence that one important part of memory undergoes substantial development even after the age of 7.Researchers found that episodic memory - the ability to remember not only what happened, but where and when - takes longer to develop than often assumed.
Alcohol-related violence dependent on drinking 'context'
http://mnt.to/a/4gZ7
Although a high volume and frequency of drinking has been linked to an increase in violence toward a loved one, new research suggests that the context in which drinking occurs can play a role in violence against partners.
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** PUBLIC HEALTH News **
Doctors fear decline in NHS patient care
http://mnt.to/a/4h2M
Doctors and patients are concerned about the current level of patient care offered by the NHS, according to a British Health Report commissioned by Your Legal Friend, a leading law firm, to ask doctors and patients their views on patient care, reform and experience of the British healthcare system.
First CDC-recognized diabetes prevention program established in the Bronx by Health People
http://mnt.to/a/4h2F
Health People (HP) has announced the launch of its new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program for Bronx residents to help the borough combat its high diabetes-related death rate - the highest in the city.
Should hospitals offer all patients single rooms?
http://mnt.to/a/4h28
The Scottish government has decided that all new hospitals should have 100% single rooms to offer privacy and reduce hospital acquired infections. On bmj.com, two experts debate the issue.Hugh Pennington, Emeritus Professor of Bacteriology at the University of Aberdeen, argues that single rooms in hospitals "are important in preventing and controlling healthcare associated infections.
Link between partner violence and specific drinking environments
http://mnt.to/a/4gZx
Researchers have long known that violence toward spouses and partners increases with the frequency and volume of drinking. A study published in the scientific journal Addiction shows that the context in which drinking occurs also appears to play a role in violence against partners, with male violence being linked to drinking away from home and female violence being linked to drinking at home.
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** RADIOLOGY / NUCLEAR MEDICINE News **
Two-item questionnaire proves to be a valid depression screening tool for radiation therapy patients
http://mnt.to/a/4h2x
Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) who are potentially suffering from depression can be effectively identified by a two-item questionnaire, according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
Patient-reported outcomes provide valuable insight regarding quality of life for patients with non-small cell lung cancer
http://mnt.to/a/4h2r
An analysis of quality of life (QOL) data of stage III lung cancer patients who received higher doses of radiation therapy (with chemotherapy) shows a significantly lower quality of life at 3 months after treatment compared to patients who received a standard dose of radiation (with chemotherapy), according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
Avoiding specific region of brain during whole-brain radiotherapy prevents memory loss
http://mnt.to/a/4gZJ
Limiting the amount of radiation absorbed in the hippocampal portion of the brain during whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for brain metastases preserves memory function in patients for up to six months after treatment, according to research presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO's) 55th Annual Meeting.
In intermediate risk prostate cancer, fewer weeks of hormone therapy before radiation reduces side effects
http://mnt.to/a/4gZG
A shorter course of androgen suppression therapy prior to radiation therapy, when compared to a longer course of androgen suppression therapy, yields favorable outcomes and fewer adverse effects for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients, according to research presented today at the American Society for Radiation Oncology's (ASTRO) 55th Annual Meeting.
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** REGULATORY AFFAIRS / DRUG APPROVALS News **
EU marketing authorization granted for three new type 2 diabetes therapies, Vipidia, Vipdomet and Incresync
http://mnt.to/a/4h2t
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Takeda) today announced that the EuropeanCommission has granted Marketing Authorization (MA) for Vipidia[TM] (alogliptin), adipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes patientswho are uncontrolled on existing therapies[1]-[3]and for the fixed-dose combination (FDC)therapies Vipdomet[TM] (alogliptin with metformin) and Incresync[TM] (alogliptin withpioglitazone).
New patient-focused five minute Herceptin® (trastuzumab) jab given green light by regulators & NHS England
http://mnt.to/a/4h2q
Patients with a very aggressive form of breast cancer known as HER2-positive, could now benefit from a new faster, more efficient delivery method of Herceptin. The subcutaneous (SC) injection, given just beneath the skin, can be completed in 2-5 minutes, compared to the traditional, relatively time-consuming 30-90 minute intravenous (IV) infusion.
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** RESPIRATORY / ASTHMA News **
In children exposed to diesel exhaust from traffic, protein explains increased asthma severity
http://mnt.to/a/4gZZ
A new study shows that exposure to diesel exhaust particles from traffic pollution leads to increased asthma severity in children. Moreover, the study finds that this is due to increased blood levels of IL-17A, a protein associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases, in children with high diesel exposure.
Gene's contribution to asthma susceptibility revealed
http://mnt.to/a/4gZC
New research from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has uncovered the role gene ORMDL3 plays in the disease asthma. ORMDL3, a gene recently linked to asthma susceptibility, has now been linked to the body's ability to recruit inflammatory cells during an airway allergic reaction.
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** SEXUAL HEALTH / STDS News **
Stronger sexual impulses make men cheat, study shows
http://mnt.to/a/4gZH
A study suggests that men are more likely to cheat than women, not because they have weaker self-control, but because they have stronger sexual impulses.Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University say previous studies have suggested men are more likely than women to pursue romantic partners that are "off limits," but that the explanation for this difference has been unexplored on a large scale.
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** SLEEP / SLEEP DISORDERS / INSOMNIA News **
Guideline: ACP recommends weight loss and CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea
http://mnt.to/a/4gZy
People diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) should not consider surgery, according to new recommendations from the American College of Physicians (ACP). Instead, ACP recommends that patients lose weight and use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) as initial therapy.
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** STATINS News **
Stem cells play a key role in how 'bad' cholesterol causes atherosclerosis in humans
http://mnt.to/a/4gZY
University at Buffalo translational researchers are developing a richer understanding of atherosclerosis in humans, revealing a key role for stem cells that promote inflammation.The research was published recently in PLOS One.
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** STEM CELL RESEARCH News **
Stem cells play a key role in how 'bad' cholesterol causes atherosclerosis in humans
http://mnt.to/a/4gZY
University at Buffalo translational researchers are developing a richer understanding of atherosclerosis in humans, revealing a key role for stem cells that promote inflammation.The research was published recently in PLOS One.
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** TROPICAL DISEASES News **
Preventing malaria in travelers to West Africa reduces health costs
http://mnt.to/a/4gZB
Not only do U.S. travelers to West Africa who consult health providers before they leave and take prescribed preventive medications substantially reduce their risk of contracting malaria, they also reduce costs to their health insurance providers and, in most cases, to themselves.
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** UROLOGY / NEPHROLOGY News **
New treatments aim to combat renal cell cancer and melanoma
http://mnt.to/a/4h2P
Renal cell cancer vaccinesImmatics Biotechnologies' cancer vaccine IMA901 is currently in phase III trials for the first-line treatment of metastatic renal cell cancer. The drug, which was shown to have a positive safety profile in its single-arm Phase II trial, is expected to gain approval in the US and five major EU markets* by 2015.
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** VETERANS / EX-SERVICEMEN News **
Soldiers: blast-related brain injuries cause pituitary problems
http://mnt.to/a/4h44
Estimates show that 19.5% of surviving US troops deployed in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts have sustained blast traumatic brain injuries (bTBIs) since 2001. And now, new research shows that these injuries can cause pituitary hormone problems.
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** WATER - AIR QUALITY / AGRICULTURE News **
Low to moderate arsenic exposure linked to cardiovascular disease and mortality
http://mnt.to/a/4h2k
Chronic exposure to low to moderate levels of inorganic arsenic is associated with increased incidence of fatal and not-fatal cardiovascular disease. Inorganic arsenic in water and food (particularly rice and grain) is a major global health problem.
In children exposed to diesel exhaust from traffic, protein explains increased asthma severity
http://mnt.to/a/4gZZ
A new study shows that exposure to diesel exhaust particles from traffic pollution leads to increased asthma severity in children. Moreover, the study finds that this is due to increased blood levels of IL-17A, a protein associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases, in children with high diesel exposure.
----------------------------------------------
** WOMEN'S HEALTH / GYNECOLOGY News **
First-time mothers often experience problems with breastfeeding
http://mnt.to/a/4gZw
Most new mothers in the United States begin breastfeeding when their children are born, but new research shows that those who report early concerns or problems with breastfeeding are nearly 10 times more likely to abandon breastfeeding within two months.
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