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November 2011

Wednesday November 30, 2011

• Docs Who Own MRIs Order Far More Scans – Imaging tests more likely to come back negative, suggesting they were unnecessary, researchers say.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 30, 2011
• Health Tip: Help Your Child Prepare for a Sibling – Suggestions to ease the transition.
• Health Tip: Recovering From Pneumonia – Help your body heal.
• Infant Vaccines May Work Better If Given in Afternoon – Babies slept more soundly when they had their shots after 1:30 p.m., researchers say.
• Most U.S. Drivers Engage in 'Distracting' Behaviors: Poll – Cellphone talk, texting, even applying makeup: Most know it's dangerous, but many do it anyway.
• New Hip Implants No Better Than Older Ones, Study Finds – Not enough data to tell which device is best, researchers say.
• Non-Fried Fish Might Help Ward Off Alzheimer's: Study – Older fish eaters have larger brain volume, less risk for the disease, study finds.
• Recovery From Concussions in Young Athletes May Take Longer Than Thought – But most in small study returned to normal within a month
• Women's High Blood Sugar Linked to Colorectal Cancer: Study – High blood sugar is a hallmark of diabetes.

Tuesday November 29, 2011

• 'Flat Head' Syndrome in Babies Usually Temporary – Rise in cases tied to 'back to sleep' campaign shouldn't worry parents, pediatricians say.
• Chronic Disease May Up Out-of-Pocket Costs for Insured – Researchers cite higher drug copayments for employees with diabetes, asthma, cancer and more.
• Could Soccer 'Headers' Cause Brain Injury? – MRI study suggests repetitive hits might be harmful, but more research needed.
• Creative Minds More Prone to Cheating – Study shows creative thinkers are more likely to act dishonestly during tests than others.
• Do Men Think About Sex All the Time? Maybe Not – Study debunks notion that males focus on the subject far more often than females do.
• Girls Feel Sadder Than Boys When Friends Let Them Down – Pre-teen girls may hold friends to a higher standard than boys do, study suggests.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 29, 2011
• Health Tip: Minimize Jet Lag – Here's what you can do.
• Health Tip: Signs That May Indicate ADHD – Potential symptoms of impulsive behavior.
• Lipitor Goes Generic, Saving Patients Money – Top-selling cholesterol-lowering drug will be available to more people.
• Many With HIV Not Getting Meds: CDC – Yet, antiretroviral drugs work well, help prevent spread of disease, experts say.
• Medication Review May Benefit Home Health Care Patients – Seniors who get prescriptions at medical office have fewer potentially inappropriate drugs: study.
• Men More Likely to Skip Cancer Screenings: Study – Findings suggest need to better educate guys on tests' value, researchers say.
• Mid-Morning Snacks May Thwart Diets – Women who ate between breakfast and lunch lost less, study found.
• New Software Might Help Predict Difficult Childbirth – Using 3-D reconstructions, program scores a mother's likelihood of normal delivery.
• Scans Reveal Differences in Psychopathic Brains – Findings could explain their anti-social tendencies, researchers say.
• Study Supports Mammograms For Women in Their 40s – It finds women with no family history as prone to develop breast cancer as higher-risk women.

Monday November 28, 2011

• Autoimmune Woes May Raise Risk for Lung Clots – Risks climbed for patients hospitalized for such conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's, study found.
• Brain Pathways Seem Disrupted in Kids With ADHD – Areas involving 'visual attention' and working memory less active, MRI scans show.
• Chronic Bowel Disease Drugs Linked to Skin Cancer Risk – Two studies find immunosuppressants called thiopurines may raise risk of non-melanoma cancers.
• Doctors in a Bind When Parents Want to Delay, Skip Vaccines – Study finds most pediatricians may consider 'alternative schedules,' but within limits.
• Fatty Liver Disease Doesn't Affect Survival, Study Finds – Researchers surprised that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease had no impact on health, longevity.
• Head Size Tied to Regressive Autism in Boys – Larger head circumference not seen in early onset autism or in girls, study says.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 28, 2011
• Health Tip: Breast-Feeding Is Good for Moms, Too – Here are potential benefits.
• Health Tip: Parenting a Disabled Child – You don't have to go it alone.
• Heart Attack Severity May Depend on Time of Day – In study, early morning hours were the worst time.
• Lengthy Hospital Transfers May Hamper Heart Attack Care – Recommended time is seldom met in switching patients to angioplasty or stent facility, study finds.
• Low-Cal Diet Cuts Fat Around Heart in Obese People: Study – That led to improved heart function, researchers said.
• Older Women Have More Post-Surgical Breast Reduction Infections – Researchers say lower hormone levels in women over 50 may explain it.
• Patches, Counseling, Persistence Can Help Smokers Quit – 'Keep working at it' could be key to success, studies suggest.
• Second Cancer Often Same Type as the First, Study Finds – Risk varies depending on original disease, Danish researchers report.
• Titanium Joint Debris May Trigger Painful Inflammation – Animal study suggests that worn artificial joints might lead to bone damage.
• Violent Video Games May Alter Brain Function: Study – It's not clear what those changes mean though, experts note.

Friday November 25, 2011

• NIH Discontinues Tenofovir Vaginal Gel in 'VOICE' HIV Prevention Study
• Health Tip: Make Healthy Choices at Fast-Food Restaurants – Here are some suggestions.
• Health Tip: Pack Your Holiday Leftovers Carefully – And avoid foodborne illness.
• How to Extend Holiday Cheer – Schedule events all year to preserve the sense of fun and excitement, expert suggests.

Thursday November 24, 2011

• 1st Artificial Windpipe Made With Stem Cells Seems Successful – Using patient's own cells to create custom airway cut risk for transplant rejection, scientists say.
• Allergy Sufferers Should Prepare for Holiday Triggers – Asthma patients, those who react to food or environmental allergens should plan ahead: experts.
• Could Slow Eating Be Key to Staying Slim? – Overweight people eat faster, studies say.
• Doctor, Take a Cue From Shakespeare – Mind-body links frequent in the Bard's plays and poems, researcher says.
• Health Tip: Help Prevent Epilepsy – Some cases are avoidable.
• Health Tip: Protect Kids Who Have Food Allergies – Suggestions to keep them safer.

Wednesday November 23, 2011

• FDA approves first insomnia drug for middle-of-the-night waking followed by difficulty returning to sleep
• Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Safe for Long-Term Use, Study Finds – Statins reduce heart risks without raising odds of cancer, other illnesses, research shows.
• Four Common Meds Send Thousands of Seniors to Hospital: CDC – Blood thinner, aspirin, insulin and oral diabetes drugs account for two-thirds of nearly 100,000 hospitalizations.
• Gene Shortage Might Lead to Shorter Height, Study Says – In two separate groups, shortest people were missing copies of genes.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 23, 2011
• Health Tip: Don't Take Too Many NSAIDs – Painkillers' potential side effects include ulcer, stomach bleeding.
• Health Tip: The Food-Mood Connection – What you eat can affect your state of mind.
• Many Kindergarteners Already on Road to Obesity, Study Finds – To prevent health problems, lifestyle programs need to start in early childhood, experts say.
• Merck to Pay $950M to Settle Probe of Vioxx Marketing – Controversial painkiller was pulled from the market in 2004 due to heightened heart attack, stroke risk.
• Scientists Reveal Monarch Butterfly Genome – Research will shed light on understanding of long-distance migratory species, report says.
• Some Holiday Traditions Have Health Consequences: Expert – Curbing calories and alcohol intake can help prevent season-related heart attacks, strokes, experts say.
• Too Much Acetaminophen Over Time May Damage Liver – 'Staggered overdoses' are difficult for doctors to spot, researchers say.
• U.S. Teens Don't Eat Enough Fruits and Veggies: CDC – Vegetable consumption lowest among Hispanic and black high schoolers, report shows.

Tuesday November 22, 2011

• Cholesterol levels elevated in toddlers taking anti-HIV drugs
• U.S. Surgeon General declares Thanksgiving as "Family Health History Day"
• ER Visits for Energy-Drink Ills Soar in U.S. – Many patients combined the caffeine-loaded beverages with alcohol, other drugs, report finds.
• Get Rid of Bumpers, Stuffed Animals in Baby's Crib – Soft items can suffocate sleeping infants, pediatricians warn.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 22, 2011
• Health Tip: Parenting a Child With a Heart Defect – These children can live long and healthy lives, experts say.
• Health Tip: Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Damage Joints – Here are some typical symptoms to watch for.
• Meditation Can 'Turn Off' Regions of the Brain – Brain imaging shows experienced meditators can prevent their minds from wandering.

Monday November 21, 2011

• Acupuncture Safe for Children, Review Finds – Serious side effects generally related to less well-trained practitioners.
• Bullying Moves From Online to Text-Messaging: Study – Technologies change but distressed kids, concerned adults are constants.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 21, 2011
• Health Tip: Help Your Newborn Sleep at Night – Suggestions for weary parents.
• Health Tip: How to Look for Whole Grains – Choices extend beyond bread and cereal.
• New Canadian Guidelines Also Support No Routine Mammograms Until 50 – Advisory mirrors controversial recommendations issued by U.S. panel in 2009.
• Regular Sex May Be Key to Happy Marriage for Seniors – More-than-monthly sex also linked to happiness with life in general, survey findings suggest.
• School Hygiene Program Reduced Flu Cases – Reports of influenza A were cut in half, researchers say.
• Siblings Deeply Affected By Child's Cancer Death – Many kids reported feeling more mature, compassionate.

Friday November 18, 2011

• FDA Revokes Approval of Avastin for Breast Cancer Treatment
• Unprecedented tool developed for small businesses to find and compare health insurance plans
• C-Section Rate Drops for First Time in a Decade in U.S. – And teen birth rate falls to a record low, CDC says.
• Does Psoriasis Thwart the Benefits of 'Good' Cholesterol? – Chronic skin condition may be associated with changes in HDL composition, researchers say.
• Erwinaze Approved for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
• FDA Revokes Approval of Avastin for Breast Cancer – Agency says safety and effectiveness of the drug for this purpose hasn't been proven.
• For Nutritional Punch, You Can't Beat Plant-Based Foods – Still, 90 percent of Americans eat too few fruits and veggies, health experts say.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 18, 2011
• Health Tip: Eating Healthy for Vegetarians – Make sure you're getting enough nutrients and calories.
• Health Tip: Treat Yourself Well During the Holidays – Don't neglect your health.
• Hispanics With Diabetes Urged to Get Yearly Foot Care – Regular exams can prevent foot ulcers, nerve damage and amputations, podiatrists say.
• Not Everyone Shuns Fruits and Veggies – Learning to love them as a child proves advantageous later on, one woman explains.
• Tender Breasts From Combo HRT Linked to Higher Cancer Risk – Symptom is significant in estrogen-progestin treatment, not estrogen alone.
• Words Recognized by Looks, Not Sounds – Enhancing visual perceptions of words could help treat reading disorders, researcher say.

Thursday November 17, 2011

• Teen birth rate hit record low in 2010
• Antisocial Personalities May Find Social Niche in Gangs – Gang members seek a place to 'fit in' with others like themselves, study says.
• Bipolar Kids May Focus on Different Facial Features – Avoiding eyes could make it harder to determine others' emotions, study says.
• Cancer Doctors Still Not Great With Patients' Pain – It remains under-recognized and under-treated, survey finds.
• Fewer Diabetic Vision Problems Reported: CDC – Researchers say better control of the blood sugar disease could explain the trend.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 17, 2011
• Health Tip: Getting Ready for Childbirth – Create a birth plan.
• Health Tip: Giving Kids Medicine – It will help them feel better.
• One in 12 Teens Engages in Self-Harm: Report – Practice often disappears by adulthood, but can be a predictor of suicide.
• Routine Head Hits in Sports May Injure Brain, Experts Warn – Scans of young athletes reveal concussion-like damage from repeated mild blows.
• Smokeout Day: The Best Ways to Quit – Counseling plus medicine works better than going cold turkey, experts advise.
• Sunken Chest Demands Prompt Evaluation, Expert Says – Though rarely life-threatening, pediatric condition could indicate underlying disorder.

Wednesday November 16, 2011

• Blood Type May Be Associated With Stroke Risk: Study – Researchers say type AB raised chance of attack by 26%, but there's no proof of cause-and-effect.
• Drug-Coated Balloons Open Arteries Blocked by Narrowed Stents – Procedure keeps stents open, reduces bleeding in high-risk patients, researchers say.
• Gene Linked to Separation Anxiety – Researchers studied children with two rare genetic disorders
• Health Highlights: Nov. 16, 2011
• Health Tip: Using a Pedometer – Some handy suggestions.
• Health Tip: Why Antibiotic Resistance Is Serious – It can lead to life-threatening infections.
• Healthy Heart Habits May Also Guard Against Cancer – Good cholesterol, blood pressure levels and more appear to reduce tumor risk, study finds.
• Jakafi Approved for Rare Bone-Marrow Disease
• Losing Weight May Help Fight Gum Disease – Obese people who shed pounds showed improvements in gum health.
• Side Effects May Spur Men to Drop Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer – Weight gain, loss of sex drive common complaints, study finds.
• Southeast U.S. Still Using High Levels of Antibiotics, Study Shows – But overall, use of antibiotics fell nationwide about 12% between 1999 and 2007.
• Women More Prone to 'Broken Heart' Syndrome: Study – Associated with emotional stress, clinical condition mimics a heart attack.
• Women, Younger Men Under-Treated Before Heart Attack: Study – Older males more likely to get preventive medications, researchers say.

Tuesday November 15, 2011

• CDC now tracking antibiotic use in hospitals
• FDA - Kimberly-Clark Recalls Kotex Natural Balance Security Unscented Tampons Regular Absorbency from a Limited Number of Retail Stores Within the U.S.
• Honoring Our Women Warriors - DOL Blog
• The Heart Truth Professional Education Program: Free Resources on Heart Disease
• We Can't Wait: Health Care Innovation Challenge will improve care, save money, focus on health care jobs
• Wood stove intervention can reduce childhood pneumonia
• Cholesterol Drug Shows Promise in Early Research – If proven, it could cut bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol, but more study needed.
• Could Women's Use of 'the Pill' Raise Men's Prostate Cancer Risk? – New finding is highly speculative and doesn't demonstrate cause-and-effect, expert says.
• Does a Gene Make People Seem Kinder? – Specific DNA might alter personality, or ways of expressing feelings, small study suggests.
• Fewer Disease Risk Factors Yet More Fatal Heart Attacks – Healthier profile might delay cardiac problems until old age, researchers say.
• Got High Blood Pressure? Kiwi Fruit May Help – Small study found three a day lowered levels more than eating an apple a day.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 15, 2011
• Health Tip: Help Your Child Create a Healthy Body Image – How parents can foster self-esteem.
• Health Tip: Watch for Lactose in Foods – If you're lactose intolerant.
• Heart Patients Using Vitamins May Take Meds Improperly – Many unaware that dietary supplements reduce effectiveness of warfarin, study shows.
• Looking to Lose Weight? Get a 'Coach' – Studies find one-on-one contact, counseling help people shed more weight than going solo.
• Low Vitamin D May Increase Stroke, Heart Attack Risk in Women – Vitamin has anti-inflammatory effects on the arteries, researchers note.
• No Benefit From Niacin for Heart Patients in Study – The vitamin may increase stroke risk, researchers find.
• Pneumonia Most Common Infection After Heart Surgery – Nearly half of serious infections occur 14 days after patients are discharged, study shows
• Smart Kids More Likely to Try Illicit Drugs as Young Adults – High IQ at age 5 or 10 linked to raised risk of illegal drug use by age 30, study finds.
• Women Marathon Runners Have Less Artery Plaque: Study – Prior research had found male marathoners have more plaque than other men.

Monday November 14, 2011

• Abused Girls at Greater Risk for Heart Disease as Adults: Study – Doctors should look for history of sexual, physical abuse, researchers say.
• Babies Put on Transplant List Before Birth Get Hearts Faster – On average, unborn babies are put on the list 18 days before birth, study shows.
• Blood Thinner Xarelto Shows Promise for Heart Patients – Study found it cut odds of death and heart attack, but bleeding risk needs monitoring, experts say.
• Breast Cancer Chemo Tied to Memory Troubles – Study adds credibility for women who report symptoms of 'chemo brain,' experts say.
• Childhood Aggression May Predict Health Woes in Adulthood – But 'likeability' was linked to lower use of health services later on, study says.
• Drinking Risky for Women With Family History of Breast Cancer: Study – Risk of breast disease rose along with alcohol consumption.
• Experimental Drug for Irregular Heart Rhythm Raises Death Risk: Study – Dronedarone trial cut short after excess of deaths in patients with permanent form of atrial fibrillation.
• Exposure to Toxic Solvents Linked to Parkinson's Disease – Lifetime jobs, hobbies involving these chemicals raised risk, study says.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 14, 2011
• Health Tip: Make Your Garage Safer – Here are some organization suggestions.
• Health Tip: Protect Your Hearing – Use ear plugs in loud environments.
• Hearing Loss Far More Common Than Expected – Nearly one-fifth of Americans aged 12 and old show significant impairment.
• Intensive Control of Type 1 Diabetes Helps Kidneys: Study – Rate of serious complication halved for those on aggressive therapy.
• Low-Income Seniors at Greater Risk for Heart Failure – These Medicare recipients may not be able to afford out-of-pocket medical expenses, researchers say.
• More Heart Attack Patients Take Meds When They Are Free – Eliminating co-pay increased adherence, reduced costs, study says.
• More Teens Getting Vaccines Against HPV, Other Infections: CDC – Still a long way from full coverage, experts note.
• Poor Sleep May Lead to Fibromyalgia in Women – Sleep problems linked to the painful condition, especially in middle age and beyond, study says.
• Regular Teeth Cleanings Could Cut Heart Attack Risk: Study – Dental office visits protect the heart by curbing growth of harmful bacteria, researchers say.
• Sepsis Plus Heart Rhythm Disorder Linked to Stroke, Death – Hospital patients with severe blood infections and new atrial fibrillation found at higher risk.
• Shock Fear May Curb Sex for People With Heart Devices – Anxiety that cardio defibrillator will fire at wrong time inhibits sexual activity, study finds.
• Shot Might One Day Help Lower Cholesterol – In early trial, it lowered LDL levels by up to 64 percent.
• Stem Cells Show Promise in Healing Damaged Hearts – 3 studies show cells sourced from bone marrow or the heart itself may help after heart attack.
• Study Suggests Exercise May Help Memory of Fibromyalgia Patients – The trial was small, however, and the researchers were hoping for better results.
• Sugar-Sweetened Drinks May Pose Heart Risks to Women, Study Suggests – Problems can emerge even if no weight gain is evident, researcher says.
• Supreme Court to Rule on Obama's Health Care Reform – At issue is whether the federal government can require people to buy health insurance.
• Too Few Doctors Screen Young Athletes for Hidden Heart Trouble – Study of Washington state physicians, high school officials shows not enough are asking the right questions.
• Warfarin May Need Less Monitoring for Some – 12-week intervals likely OK for those with stable doses of blood thinner, study finds.

Friday November 11, 2011

• ADHD Brain Changes Appear to Persist Into Adulthood – Imaging shows more differences in those who still have symptoms: study.
• Exclusive Breastfeeding Not the Norm in U.S. – Personal and societal obstacles keeping rates lower than health experts would like.
• FDA Approves First Umbilical Cord Blood Product
• Flu Hits 90 Million Children Under 5 Each Year – Global tally also includes 20 million kids with flu who develop potentially deadly pneumonia.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 11, 2011
• Health Tip: Managing Diabetes While Under Stress – It can be a tough challenge.
• Health Tip: Recovering from Substance Abuse – Be sure to involve your doctor.
• Helping Others Helps Teens Beat Substance Abuse – Drug, alcohol cravings decreased for juvenile offenders, study found.
• High-Fiber Diet May Help Thwart Colon Cancer – Review of studies suggests cereals, whole grains deliver health benefits.
• Negative Anti-Smoking Ads Turn Off Anxious Viewers – Neurotic smokers more likely to avoid messages about health threats, study says.
• New Guidelines Urge Cholesterol Check for All Kids Ages 9 to 11 – Recommendations a shift from testing only children with family history of heart disease.
• Poorer Americans See Sharper Health Declines With Age – The rich have less trouble bathing, dressing, walking, study says.
• Seek Help for Breastfeeding Troubles, Young Mom Advises – Woman explains how to overcome obstacles so many face.
• Teachers Critical in Helping Abused Kids Succeed – Focusing on everyday life skills benefits academic performance, study shows.
• Vaccine Cut Flu Strain Linked to Meningitis, Pneumonia – However, other types of flu bacteria continue to cause disease.

Thursday November 10, 2011

• FDA acts to protect children from illegal tobacco sales
• New study shows smokers underutilize proven treatment and services for quitting
• Regional Town Hall Meetings Focus on Engaging Men in Ending Violence Against Women
• Statement from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Veterans Day
• 'Mini-Strokes' Linked to Earlier Deaths – The risk is highest among older people and those with a history of heart problems.
• Black Children Less Likely to Get Kidney Transplant Before Dialysis – Researchers say lack of affordable health care is probably a factor for some.
• Brain Study Suggests Some Vegetative Patients Are Aware – EEG technology might one day lead to way to communicate to the outside world, researchers say.
• Cave Art Accurately Depicted Horses of Different Colors – DNA evidence proves that 'leopard-spotted' horses in ancient paintings existed, report says.
• Classic Restless Legs Syndrome Not Linked to Parkinson's – But many with Parkinson's disease have daytime 'leg motor restlessness,' study found.
• Drugs Slipped Into Drinks Sending Many to ER: Report – Majority of victims are women, but nearly 40 percent are male, researchers note.
• Fatherhood May Help Tough Guys Straighten Out – Crime, alcohol use dropped among first-time dads, study finds
• Health Highlights: Nov. 10, 2011
• Health Tip: Focus on Preconception Health – Suggestions to prepare for pregnancy.
• Health Tip: Is the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine for You? – Some shouldn't get it.
• Heavy Meth Use Linked to Schizophrenia – Researchers say the drug may trigger the mental disorder in susceptible people.
• Most Smokers Want to Quit, CDC Report Finds – Drugs and counseling can double, triple odds of success, experts say.
• Stem-Cell Transplants Restored Pituitary Function in Mice – Expert said findings might someday help people with pituitary gland failure.
• Watch Scary Movie, Sell Your Stocks? – Study found people projected fear from film onto financial decisions.

Wednesday November 9, 2011

• Aggressive Drivers Often Identify With Their Vehicles – Seeing your car as an extension of yourself may raise your risk for accidents, research shows.
• Computer 'Pathologist' Could Help Assess Breast Cancer Survival – Model under study may someday help, not replace, physicians, researchers say.
• Doctors Might Miss Some Cases of Child Abuse – Primary care providers failed to note some suspicious injuries, study found.
• Experimental Drug Slims Obese Monkeys – Killing fat cells in the blood signals potential new approach to weight loss, but more research needed, experts say.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 9, 2011
• Health Tip: Are You at Risk for Shin Splints? – Here are common risk factors.
• Health Tip: Help Keep Kids Safe on the Internet – How parents can participate.
• Low-Income Dads Are Involved With Their Kids, Study Finds – But doctors still focus mostly on moms, researchers say.
• Money Woes May Drive Some Seniors to Smoke, Drink More – Men and those with less education were most prone, study finds.
• More Evidence That HPV Vaccine Shields Against Cervical Cancer – Coverage against precancerous lesion called 'excellent' in large, multinational study.
• New Research Questions Wisdom of Cutting Down on Salt – While doing so lowers blood pressure, it might raise cholesterol, other risk factors for heart disease.
• New Treatment May Boost Survival in Advanced Lung Cancer Cases – Patients on 'epigenetic' combo lived an average of two months longer than expected in small, early study.
• Study Spots Early Signs of Math Disabilities in Kids – Certain difficulties in kindergarten predicted problems by fifth grade.
• Use Vanity to Reduce Young People's Sun Exposure: Task Force – Focusing on looks rather than skin cancer has more effect on youth, U.S. researchers find.

Tuesday November 8, 2011

• NIH study finds stroke risk factors may lead to cognitive problems
• NIH-funded study shows pre-birth brain growth problems linked to autism
• Teen musicians in drug treatment win 2012 Grammy experience - National Drug Facts Week
• We Can't Wait: President Obama Takes Action to Improve Quality and Promote Accountability in Head Start Programs
• 'Fake Marijuana' May Trigger Heart Trouble in Teens – Report details cases of three boys in Texas who smoked K2 and then suffered attacks.
• Advances in Breast Cancer Care May Not Be Reaching Older Women – Study finds patients 65 and older are not seeing same decline in death rate as younger patients.
• Autistic Children May Have Too Many Brain Cells – Small study finds excess number of neurons in region responsible for communication.
• Health Care Workers Often Trade Hand Hygiene for Gloves – More than half didn't wash hands after treating patients, risking spread of infection, study says.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 8, 2011
• Health Tip: Add Flavoring to Popcorn, Without the Fat – Enjoy this whole-grain treat.
• Health Tip: Causes of Failure to Thrive in Babies – Typical reasons for this condition.
• Heart Stress Test Likelier When Doctor Owns Equipment: Study – But unnecessary procedures might have dropped with recent guidelines, expert said.
• New Bypass Surgery for Stroke Riskier Than Drug Treatment – Medicine is safer for mini-stroke patients, as effective as new procedure, study finds.
• New Drug Shows Promise Against Huntington's Disease – Study suggests pridopidine eases symptoms, but doesn't attack origins of the disease.
• New Guidelines Issued for Genetic Heart Disease – Experts outline recommendations for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Public Smoking Bans May Spill Over to Households – Total tobacco bans in workplaces, restaurants linked to more smoke-free homes.
• Racial Disparities Still Exist for Kidney Recipients, Study Finds – But 2003 policy change narrowed gap between black and white patients, research shows.
• Suicide Checklist Spots People at Highest Risk – Every doctor's office visit should include the assessment, researcher says.
• Vaccine to Treat Breast, Ovarian Cancers Shows Promise – Patients with less advanced disease might benefit even more, small study suggests.

Monday November 7, 2011

• FDA approves Xarelto to prevent stroke in people with common type of abnormal heart rhythm
• New NIH brochure educates Hispanics suffering from the symptoms of serious illness
• Seniors Save More Than $1.2 Billion on Prescriptions Thanks to the Affordable Care Act
• Statement from Secretary Sebelius on National Native American Heritage Month
• Women's Health Issues Supplement Showcases Gender-Responsive National HIV/AIDS Programming for U.S. Women and Girls
• 'Food Challenges' Provide Best Allergy Diagnoses: Study – But too few U.S. doctors use them, researcher says.
• Air Fresheners, Scented Candles May Spur Allergic Reactions – One person's 'fresh' holiday scent is another's chemical irritant, research suggests.
• Alcohol, Asthma and Allergies Don't Mix – Alcohol can trigger or worsen existing allergies, experts say.
• Even Homes Without Pets Have Pet Allergens – Expert offers tips to pet owners for reducing allergens.
• Experts Debate Tylenol's Safety for Asthmatic Kids – Past research has linked fever-reducing drug to asthma flares.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 7, 2011
• Health Tip: Dealing With a Picky Eater – Suggestions to help ensure that your child gets all necessary nutrients.
• Health Tip: How to Keep Anger in Check – Breathe, relax and focus.
• Home Environment Affects Asthmatic Kids – Children from single-parent homes were more likely to be readmitted to hospital, study finds.
• Judge Blocks FDA Plan for Graphic Cigarette Warnings – Images of diseased body parts are designed to be part of packaging.
• Knee Arthritis Striking at Younger Ages, But Weight Loss May Help – Studies suggest playing sports longer, extra pounds might explain trend.
• People Seem More Likely to Follow Rules They Can't Beat – But if restrictions aren't absolute, rebellion more likely, study finds.
• Pregnancy Safe for Most Women With Lupus: Study – About 80 percent of women delivered without complications
• Runners Can Relax About Holiday Feasting: Study – Choosing meat over fruit tends to boost waist size, but risk may be lower for high-mileage runners.
• Studies Suggest Link Between Smog, Joint Disease – More rheumatoid arthritis in those exposed to certain air pollutants, researchers say.
• Text Message Reminders Prompt Kids to Take Asthma Medicine – In small study, children paid attention to texts but teens didn't.
• Vitamin D, Interferon Alpha Vaccine Show Promise Against Lupus – Experimental treatments altered immune response in small, preliminary studies.
• When Dads Have Depression, Kids May Be at Risk, Too – But study doesn't confirm a cause and effect.

Friday November 4, 2011

• Graduated drivers licensing programs reduce fatal teen crashes
• New Million Hearts tools announced by partners
• Change in Hepatitis Screening May Save Lives, Money – Researchers favor testing those born from 1945 to 1965.
• Drowsy Driving 'Unacceptable,' But One-Third Do It: Poll – Prevention tips include pulling over for a coffee and a short nap, travel safety experts advise.
• Drugs to Make You Look Beautiful -- But at What Price? – Pill to prevent gray hair might be next in 'lifestyle' drug pipeline.
• Earthquakes Put Millions of Lives, Major Cities at Risk – One of three victims will die from their injuries in massive temblors, researchers estimate.
• Health Tip: Help Prevent Breast Cancer – Things you can do.
• Health Tip: Signs of a Spinal Fracture – People with osteoporosis may be prone.
• Possible Genetic Link to Autism Identified – In boys, the gene variation was associated with about a 15% increased risk, study finds.
• Weighing Weight-Loss Programs – Commercial ones found more effective, cheaper than primary-care programs.

Thursday November 3, 2011

• NIH encourages annual dilated eye exams during National Diabetes Month
• Study of youth to seek origins of heart disease among African-Americans
• Artificial Heart Valve Doesn't Require Open-Heart Surgery
• College Students Still Vulnerable to Bullying – Harassment, especially cyberbullying, can continue beyond high school.
• Death Toll From Listeria Outbreak Hits 29 – Another 139 people sickened in 28 states, CDC reports.
• FDA OKs Heart Valve That Does Not Require Open-Heart Surgery – Experts believe the device will expand options for frailer, sicker patients.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 3, 2011
• Health Tip: Perform a Breast Self-Exam – Seek to identify any changes.
• Health Tip: Traveling With Prescription Medications – Suggestions for how to prepare.
• Home-Based Test Can Detect Cervical Cancer Virus: Study – The HPV self-test is good alternative to Pap smears for women in poor regions of the world, expert says.
• Improved Allergy Shots Might Be on Horizon – Methods being investigated could offer quicker, longer-lasting results, experts say.
• More People Landing in the ER After Abusing Muscle Relaxant: Report – Carisoprodol, when misused or taken with other meds, can have dangerous sedative effects.
• Radiation Plus Hormone Therapy Extends Life in High-Risk Prostate Cancer – But, surgery might even improve survival more, expert says.
• Skin Reacts to UV Light Faster Than Thought, Study Finds – Discovery could hold key to new types of sunscreens, researchers say.
• Too Many Meds May Be More Problem Than Cure – With people taking growing numbers of drugs, risks are multiplying, experts warn.
• Too Much Sitting Raises Odds for Cancer: Study – Sedentary hours at workplace as bad as couch-potato lifestyle at home.

Wednesday November 2, 2011

• Break the Silence of Domestic Violence - DOL Blog
• NIH study examines nicotine as a gateway drug
• NIH urges you to make a plan to prevent diabetes, complications for National Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day
• Clearing Out 'Old Cells' Might Make for Healthier Old Age – In mouse study, eliminating derelict cells seemed to postpone diseases of aging, scientists say.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 2, 2011
• Health Tip: Sleep Soundly During Pregnancy – Suggestions to help you stay comfortable.
• Health Tip: What Triggers Irritable Bowel Syndrome? – Stress and other things to avoid.
• Hospital Rooms Crawling With Drug-Resistant Germs: Study – Nearly half of patient rooms sampled tested positive for Acinetobacter baumannii
• MelaFind Device Approved to Detect Melanoma
• No Such Thing as the 'Freshman 15,' Study Finds – But, after college graduation, the typical young adult gains 1.5 pounds each year.
• Obese Women Face Higher Complication Risk After Breast Surgery – Post-op inflammation is 20 times more likely than in non-obese women, study finds.
• Older Americans Encouraged to Get Fit – New 'Go4Life' program targets folks 50 and over.
• Overweight Teens Don't Seem to Grasp Weight Loss Rules – Researchers find girls still drink sodas while exercising, and boys don't exercise at all.
• Teen 'Sexting' Common and Linked to Psychological Woes – Survey of Boston-area students found more signs of depression in those involved
• Teen Pot Use Unaffected by Medical Marijuana Law: Study – Survey data shows no difference in kids' use after Rhode Island made it legal in 2006.

Tuesday November 1, 2011

• HHS announces refined survey standards to examine and help eliminate differences in care based on race, ethnicity, sex, primary language, or disability
• Prescription painkiller overdoses at epidemic levels
• 'Fecal Transplants' Show Promise for Gastrointestinal Ills – Help restore bacterial diversity, ease infections, studies show.
• 'Mini' Stem Cell Transplant May Help Seniors With Blood Cancer – One-third of study patients over 60 had improved overall 5-year survival, researchers report.
• As Few As 3 Drinks a Week May Up Breast Cancer Risk – But exposure is cumulative, and occasional drinkers shouldn't worry, expert says.
• Cancer Risk Doubles After Organ Transplant, Study Finds – But benefits still far outweigh the risk, say experts.
• Deaths From Abuse of Painkillers Triple in a Decade: CDC – Almost two-thirds of overdose deaths are from opioid pain relievers, agency says.
• Gluten in Cosmetics Threaten Those With Celiac Disease – Some facial products, body lotions carry the protein, researchers warn.
• Health Highlights: Nov. 1, 2011
• Health Tip: Install Car Seats Correctly – And other suggestions for seat safety.
• Health Tip: When a Cold Won't Go Away – It might be an allergy.
• Hepatitis May Lurk at Barbershops, Nail Salons – Better training, tighter controls needed to reduce infection risk, researcher says.
• Little Evidence of Heart Risks From ADHD Meds – But appropriate screening, monitoring recommended, researchers say.
• Loneliness Linked to Sleepless Nights – People who felt more isolated tended to wake frequently, study found.
• New Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Promising in Early Trial – Experimental drug, ocrelizumab, reduced active brain lesions in study patients.
• Poor Sleep Might Be Linked to Preterm Labor – Doctors should ask pregnant women about their sleep quality, researchers say.
• Red Wine Antioxidant Could Give Metabolism a Boost – Small study in obese men shows benefit from supplement containing resveratrol.
• U.S. Preterm Birth Rate Down Slightly – But a half-million babies a year still are born prematurely, says March of Dimes.
• Women No More Likely to Die After Angioplasty – But study finds they have more risk factors for heart disease than men.

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Content last updated November 30, 2011.

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