Latest science news in Health & Medicine
Why are magazines in practice waiting rooms mainly old?
Ever wondered why general practice waiting rooms contain mainly old magazines? Could it be that practice staff put out only old magazines or do they put out reasonably recent ones...
11th century king inspires novel doctor's appointment system
Getting a same-day appointment with a doctor can often be a challenge, but one practice has found a novel way to meet the daily demand for appointments.
Proved at last: Men really are idiots
Finally! A scientific explanation for Johnny Knoxville — he of “Jackass” fame — and the fans who keep him at his dangerous and moronic antics: Male Idiot Theory.
A key human gene modifies the immune response to flu vaccine
How much protection the annual flu shot provides depends on how well the vaccine (which is designed based on a 'best guess' for next season's flu strain) matches the actually...
Blood lipid metabolites allow early identification of cardiovascular disease
New circulating metabolites might allow early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. Scientists have identified novel lipid-derived molecules associated with future coronary heart disease events. The study has examined the metabolic profile...
Geospatial study identifies hotspots in deaths from HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C in Massachusetts
A new retrospective study by epidemiologists finds significant geographic disparities in HIV and hepatitis C related mortality in Massachusetts from 2002-2011. The study used geospatial techniques to identify hotspots and...
Memory lapses among highly educated may signal higher stroke risk
People with a high level of education who complain about memory lapses have a higher risk of stroke. Researchers suggest such people should be considered for screening for stroke risk.
Timing of test, surgery, insurance examined in sleep-disordered breathing cases; public insurance holders wait longer
Children with public insurance waited longer after initial evaluation for sleep-disordered breathing to undergo polysomnography (PSG, the gold standard diagnostic test) and also waited longer after PSG to have surgery...
Drug may help prevent bone fractures in patients on dialysis
In patients on dialysis, cinacalcet reduced the rate of bone fracture by 16% to 29%, after accounting for patient characteristics and other factors, researchers report. Patients with kidney failure who...
Rates of intracerebral haemorrhage in Australia appear to be falling
A large retrospective, observational study of hospital admissions and death registrations data has shown that both the overall incidence and mortality rates of intracerebral hemorrhage -- a type of stroke...
Poor diet links obese mothers, stunted children
Malnutrition is a major cause of stunted growth in children, but new research on mothers and children in Egypt suggests that the problem is not just about quantity of food...
Controversial nitrite hypothesis confirmed
Understanding how nitrite can improve conditions such as hypertension, heart attack and stroke has been the object of worldwide research studies. New research has potentially moved the science one step...
Man 'did not have to die' in ER wait room, says inquest report in ruling out homicide
The inquest into the death of 45-year-old double amputee Brian Sinclair in a hospital waiting room in Winnipeg has found it was not homicide and doesn't require a public inquiry.
Anti-pollution laws at risk in EU
The EU may scrap plans for legislation on air pollution and waste in a drive to boost the economy.
Hospital Pauses Test of an Ebola Vaccine Licensed to Merck
The hospital said it would halt injections of a vaccine licensed to Merck until next month, after some test subjects reported mild joint pain.
Judge Says Actavis Must Continue to Sell Namenda, a Drug for Alzheimer’s Disease
New York’s attorney general had accusing Actavis of forcing patients to switch to a newer version of the drug to thwart competition from generic manufacturers.
The New Health Care: Many States Will Be Unprepared if Court Weakens Health Law
States that have not established exchanges could face severe disruption, or the prospect of creating one from scratch.
The New Health Care: Why Most People Won’t Shop Again for Health Insurance
Research has shown a consistent bias for the familiar. This is especially true when something as complicated as health insurance is involved.
Many Choose Not to Save in the Health Marketplace
Data suggests that a lot of customers are keeping the health plans they purchased through the federal exchange, even though their premiums may rise in 2015.
Men Take More 'Idotic Risks,' Study Finds
In a tongue-in-cheek research article, researchers examine the gender make-up of the receivers of a Darwin Award over 20 years.
Tripling Internet access would do more good than tackling HIV: study
Dramatically expanding broadband access would boost the global economy and could do more good than investing in HIV prevention or clean drinking water, according to a study published Thursday.
Hepatitis C ruled out as cause of mental impairment in HIV patients
Advances in treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have made it possible for people with HIV to survive much longer. As they age, however, many experience impaired thinking, memory loss,...
Telomeres And The Genetic Impact On Aging
Some people just age better than others and it is isn't due to lifestyle. Most centenarians smoked cigarettes at one point, many were obese and almost all eat red meat. Perhaps...
Cocaine consumption quadruples the risk of sudden death in people between 19 and 49
The increase in sudden cardiovascular death with the recent consumption of cocaine has been, for the first time, documented by researchers. In people in the 19-49 age bracket this risk...
Major milestone in communications standards for diabetes devices
Interoperability standards for diabetes devices have been published. This work defines how diabetes devices, such as insulin pumps, blood glucose meters, and continuous glucose monitors, communicate with one another and...
Smoke flavorings, water vapor permeable bags for new fish smoking techniques
A new technique based on the use of water vapor permeable bags for fish salting and smoking has been developed by researchers. This technique, which combines a "controlled salting" with...
Why women’s bodies abort males during tough times
Church records reveal when fewer boys are born, they survive better
Contaminated drinking water in Somalia blamed for multiple deaths
JC FinleyMOGADISHU, Somalia, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Multiple people have died and dozens sickened in Somalia after drinking water from a newly constructed well in northern Mogadishu, officials said Thursday.