.::. WMDT 47 News Delmarvas Choice .::.

TEST TO DIAGNOSE TUBERCULOSIS 9/2/10

Scientists are reporting a major advance in diagnosing
tuberculosis. They say that a new test can accurately show in less
than two hours whether someone has TB and if it's resistant to the
main drug for treating it.
Testing now is slow and misses more than half of all cases.
Experts say that a better test can help curb TB in poor countries,
where most people spread the lung disease before they are diagnosed
and treated.
In the U.S., clinics could use it to diagnose a drug-resistant
strain on someone's first visit and start proper treatment right
away.
The test was developed by university researchers working with a
California company and a Swiss-based nonprofit group. The U.S.
government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation paid for the
work.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DIET PILL HEART RISKS 9/01/10

NEW YORK (AP) - Editors of a top medical journal are questioning
whether the diet pill Meridia should stay on the market even if
it's restricted to people without heart disease.
A new study shows the appetite suppressant raises the risk of
heart attack and stroke in people with heart problems.
The strongly worded editorial in Thursday's New England Journal
of Medicine comes two weeks before government advisers review the
prescription drug.
The weight-loss pill has already been pulled in Europe and U.S.
drug regulators have added stronger warnings to the label.
The maker of the diet pill, Abbott Laboratories, says it's still
appropriate for obese people who don't have heart disease and who
can't lose weight through diet and exercise.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

GROUND BEEF RECALL 8/31/10

WYALUSING, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a Pennsylvania company has
recalled about 8,500 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated
with E. coli.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Saturday that Cargill
Meat Solutions is recalling 42-pound cases that were shipped to
distribution centers in Connecticut and Maryland and repackaged for
consumers, then sold under different brands that have yet to be
named. They have a use-or-freeze-by date of July 1, 2010.
Two E. coli-related illnesses have been reported in Maine and
one in New York. Federal inspectors have tied the illnesses to the
recalled beef.
E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea, dehydration, and in the most
severe cases, kidney failure. The USDA recommends that ground beef
be cooked to 160 degrees Fahrenheit to kill harmful bacteria.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

NEW FLU VACCINES AVAILABLE 08/31/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - This year's version of the flu vaccine is an
all-in-one inoculation that's supposed to protect against swine flu
and two other types of influenza -- and it's already available.
Last year's swine flu pandemic peaked well before enough vaccine
could be produced, leading to long lines. This time around,
shipments began so early that drugstores have been offering
vaccinations amid back-to-school sales.
Authorities are urging just about everyone to get one, except
babies less than 6 months old and people with severe allergies to
the eggs uses to brew the vaccine.
There's a special high-dose version for people 65 or older. The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it plans to track
whether the higher dose leads to less illness, but it's fine to
choose either version.
Most people will need just one shot.
A record supply of the flu vaccine is expected to be available. For more information, visit 47 Weblinks.

MORE C-SECTIONS 8/31/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - Government scientists say more women will be
giving birth by C-section for the foreseeable future.
A new study by researchers with the National Institutes of
Health found that nearly one-third of first-time moms delivered by
cesarean. That has consequences years later, since many doctors and
hospitals follow a policy of "once a cesarean, always a
cesarean."
The study also suggested a link between chemically induced labor
and higher likelihood of a C-section. Women whose labor was induced
were twice as likely to have a cesarean.
C-sections account for about one-third of U.S births, and many
medical experts think that's too high, providing little or no added
benefit, while subjecting women to additional risks.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DANGERS OF BEDBUG TREATMENT 8/31/10

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - With bedbugs on the rise, the U.S. finds
itself with another problem -- people who resort to dangerous
outdoor pesticides and fly-by-night exterminators.
The problem is so bad that the Environmental Protection Agency
is warning against using chemicals indoors that were meant for use
outside.
Bedbugs, which had been a common household pest for centuries,
all but vanished 60 years ago with the widespread use of DDT. But
DDT was banned in 1972 as too toxic to wildlife, and bedbugs are
resistant to other chemicals.
Ohio authorities, which are struggling with widespread
infestations, are pleading with the EPA to allow the indoor use of
the pesticide propoxur. The agency, however, considers the chemical
a probable carcinogen and banned it for in-home use in 2007.
It rejected Ohio's request in June, saying it will find other
new, potent chemicals.

VETERANS' PTSD MEDICATION 8/30/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - Some military families are calling on Congress
to investigate several deaths of soldiers and veterans who were
taking a potent anti-pyschotic called Seroquel.
Thousands of soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD) have received the same medication over the last
nine years.
It's unclear how many soldiers have died while taking Seroquel,
or if the drug definitely contributed to the deaths. But the drug's
potential side effects, including diabetes, weight gain and
uncontrollable muscle spasms, have resulted in thousands of
lawsuits.
The father of 23-year-old Marine Andrew White blames Seroquel.
White's father says his son was prescribed more than 1,600
milligrams per day - more than double the maximum recommended dose.
An investigation by the Veterans Affairs Department concluded that
White received the proper "standard of care."
The success of AstraZeneca's second-best-selling product has
been marred by allegations that the company illegally marketed the
drug and minimized its risks.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

YOUNG CONCUSSIONS 8/30/10

CHICAGO (AP) - Emergency room visits for teen athletes with
concussions have tripled in recent years in a trend that doctors
are calling disturbing.
The findings come in a study of 10 years of national data.
Experts say increasing awareness of head injuries is one reason ER
concussion reports are up. But the increasing intensity of kids'
sports probably plays a role, too.
The study was published online Monday in the journal Pediatrics.
The authors say kids who suffer a head injury should get medical
attention and never return to play until all symptoms, such as
headache and trouble concentrating, are gone.
---
Online:
Pediatrics: http://www.pediatrics.com
American Academy of Pediatrics: http://www.aap.org
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

SURF THERAPY 8/29/10

LONG BEACH, N.Y. (AP) - Learning to surf is a rite of passage
for teens in seaside communities around the world.
But in recent years in communities from Long Beach, N.Y., to San
Diego and Hawaii, children with disabilities ranging from
near-blindness to autism have been joining the fun, amazing their
parents, their counselors and themselves by hopping up on
surfboards and riding the waves.
No one suggests there are therapeutic cures amid the waves, but
the surge in self-confidence is easily evident.
On a recent summer afternoon in Long Beach, a group of
vision-impaired and blind students got their first lessons on a
surfboard. Among those who triumphed in the ocean surf was
14-year-old Meghan Fink of Seaford, N.Y.
She said feeling the wind through her hair and the water rushing
by was "just amazing."

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

JOHNSON & JOHNSON RECALL 8/26/10

WARSAW, Ind. (AP) - More trouble surfaces at Johnson & Johnson's
joint replacement business.
DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. says it's recalling two of its hip
replacement products.
The company, based in Warsaw, Ind., says a new study shows
higher-than-expected rates of patients needing a second hip
replacement procedure. That's called revision surgery, and is
needed when an artificial joint doesn't fit perfectly, causing pain
and trouble walking.
The recalled systems are the ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the
ASR XL Acetabular System. Acetabular refers to the bowl-shaped
socket part of the hip.
On Tuesday, DePuy was warned by the Food and Drug Administration
that it is illegally marketing two other joint replacement
products.

MEDICARE DRUG PLANS 8/25/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - An independent analysis says 3 million seniors
may have to switch Medicare drug plans next year whether they like
it or not.
The reason: a new effort by Medicare to try to make it simpler
for consumers to pick prescription coverage.
It could be an unwelcome surprise for seniors who hadn't
intended to make a change during Medicare's open enrollment season
this fall.
And it risks undercutting President Barack Obama's promise that
people can keep their health plans if they like them.
The analysis by leading researchers at Avalere Health estimated
that more than 3 million seniors will see their prescription plans
eliminated as part of Medicare's effort to winnow down duplicative
coverage and offer consumers meaningful choices.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

STEM CELL RULING 8/25/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - Scientists say promising medical studies are
in disarray as they await an appeal by the Obama administration of
a judge's ruling that undercuts taxpayer-funded research using
human embryonic stem cells.
The Justice Department said Tuesday it will go to court later
this week to appeal the order.
Researchers and patient advocates say if the ruling stands it
would be a major setback in the hunt for needed new treatments.
Labs around the country are trying to determine which
experiments aimed at fighting spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's
disease and other ailments will have to stop until the court fight
is over.
Government officials say researchers may use federal money
already received this year but that no more can be given out.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

OMNIPRESENT EGG 8/25/10

UNDATED (AP) - There's one ingredient that's a staple in
virtually every home, diner and bakery in America: the egg.
The omnipresent oval comes over easy and poached; baked inside
pastry crusts and rolled into yellow noodles; mixed into mayonnaise
and creamy salad dressings; used in other goods like shampoos and
vaccines.
Eating or using an egg is nearly unavoidable in a country that
produced more than 90 billion of them last year.
That's why consumers, chefs, store owners and home cooks are
scrambling after two Iowa farms recalled more than a half-billion
eggs linked to as many as 1,300 cases of salmonella poisoning.
Some people are turning to free-range eggs. Others are taking
pains to cook their eggs thoroughly. That's a solution the Food and
Drugs Administration endorses as it continues to investigate what
caused the outbreak.

ALCOHOL INCREASES BREAST CANCER RISK 8/22/10

While alcohol has long been known to put women at risk for breast cancer,it is now being associated with the risk of developing lobular cancer.
Lobular cancer is a more aggressive form of beast cancer that is much less common.
A new study has found that the risk for lobular cancer is elevated by any alcohol use, and the more alcohol, the greater the risk.
The chance of developing the disease was almost twice as high for women who had at least 2 drinks a day.

SMOKING IN MOVIES 8/19/10

NEW YORK (AP) - A new study shows that there's less smoking
depicted in movies in recent years.
Tobacco use on the silver screen peaked in 2005 and has been on
the decline ever since. Movies released last year showed about half
the number of smoking incidents than films four years earlier.
The study released Thursday looked at tobacco use in popular
films from 1991 to 2009.
Last year, about half of the 145 movies in the study didn't show
any smoking at all. For films aimed at children or teens, the
percentage was even higher at 61 percent. However, slightly more
than half of the movies rated PG-13 did show tobacco use.
The report is in a publication from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

HEARING LOSS IN TEENS 8/18/10

CHICAGO (AP) - A new study has found a stunning increase in the
rate of hearing loss among American teenagers. The report says
nearly one in five teenagers has at least slight hearing loss.
The cause is a mystery. But some experts are urging teenagers to
protect their hearing by turning down the volume on their digital
music players. They warn that slight hearing loss can cause
problems in school.
The reseachers compared hearing loss rates from the late 1980s
and early 1990s with rates in 2005 and 2006.
They found hearing loss increased from about 15 percent to
almost 20 percent of teens. That means about 6.5 million teenagers
have at least slight hearing loss.
The study appears in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical
Association.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

TYPHOID FEVER 8/12/10

ATLANTA (AP) - Health officials are investigating an outbreak of
typhoid fever that has been linked to a frozen tropical fruit
product used to make smoothies.
Seven cases have been confirmed - three in California and four
in Nevada. Two other California cases are being investigated. Five
people have been hospitalized.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said four of the
cases have been linked to a Goya brand of fruit pulp that was used
in milkshakes or smoothies. No other food was tied to the
illnesses.
The fruit pulp was made from mamey, a sweet, reddish
tropical fruit grown mainly in Central and South America. The
company has recalled packages of the pulp.
---
Online:
CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhoidfever/

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

FOOD POISONING 8/12/10

ATLANTA (AP) - Cooking chicken on the grill this summer? Be
careful. Health officials say poultry continues to be the leading
culprit in food poisoning outbreaks.
Chicken, turkey and other poultry accounted for 17 percent of
the foodborne illness outbreaks reported to the government. Beef
and leafy vegetables were close behind, at 16 percent and 14
percent.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the data
Thursday. It's based on reports from 48 states and Puerto Rico in
2007. But experts say it represents only a fraction of U.S.
foodborne illnesses.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

HARMING THE HEALER 8/11/10

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Violence against nurses and other medical
professionals appears to be on the rise around the country - as
more and more drug addicts, alcoholics and psychiatric patients
visit emergency rooms.
And nurses have responded, in part, by seeking tougher criminal
penalties for assaults against health care workers.
An Associated Press review has found the downturn in the economy
has made the problem worse. Cash-strapped states are closing state
hospitals, cutting mental health jobs, eliminating addiction
programs and curtailing other services.
Federal figures show ER visits related to drugs and alcohol rose
from about 1.6 million in 2005 to nearly 2 million in 2008.
Violence reports shot up from more than 16,000 in 2006 to more than
21,000 in 2008.

CLOT DEVICE PROBLEMS 8/9/10

CHICAGO (AP) - The government is advising doctors and patients
about problems with implanted medical filters designed to trap
deadly blood clots.
The Food and Drug Administration's advisory Monday says these
filters can move or break, especially when they're left in too
long. The FDA has received more than 900 reports about problems
with the filters since 2005.
The advisory coincides with the release of a study about
life-threatening problems in patients at a Pennsylvania hospital.
About 30,000 filters are implanted each year.
The filters are inserted inside a large abdominal vein, and have
spidery metal legs to stop blot clots from traveling to the lungs.
The FDA says doctors should consider removing the filters if
patients' clot risks subside.

BEEF RECALL 8/9/10At least seven people in California have fallen ill due to E. coli food poisoning after eating ground beef, leading to the recall of one million pounds of ground beef sold in California, Texas, Oregon and Arizona.
The ground beef recall was announced on August 6 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after it was notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of a cluster of E. coli food poisoning victims who all had the exact same strain of E. coli O157:H7. So far, seven people have been confirmed as sick due to the ground beef E. coli food poisoning outbreak; six of them fell ill between April 8 and June 18, 2010, and there was one other case involving the same strain in February.

As a result of state and federal investigations into the outbreak, Valley Meat Company, of Modesto, California, is recalling one million pounds of frozen ground beef and ground beef products. All of the recalled ground beef has an establishment number of “EST. 8268” inside the USDA mark of inspection and a production code of 27509 through 01210. The recalled meat was produced between October 2, 2009 and January 12, 2010 and distributed to retailers and foodservice providers in California, Texas, Oregon, Arizona and internationally. See the FSIS announcement for the entire list of affected products.

While most of the meat has probably been consumed, the FSIS is concerned that some of it may still be frozen in consumers’ freezers. The agency urges consumers to check their freezers and discard any meat affected by the recall.

E. coli O157:H7 is one of the more common causes of food poisoning in the United States. When left untreated, it can lead to dehydration and potentially life-threatening illness. While most healthy adults recover from food poisoning caused by E. coli within a few weeks, young children and the elderly could be at risk for more severe illness. If the toxin enters the blood stream, E. coli could also lead to kidney failure known as Hemolytic-Urenia Syndrome (HUS).

This is the 12th meat recall this year, and more than doubles the amount of meat that’s been pulled from stores in 2010, to a total of 1,786,859 pounds. There have been about 1,650 cases of E. coli illness to date, which puts 2010 on track to have significantly fewer E. coli sickness cases than 2009, which had 4,253 in total.
At least seven people in California have fallen ill due to E. coli food poisoning after eating ground beef, leading to the recall of one million pounds of ground beef sold in California, Texas, Oregon and Arizona.
The ground beef recall was announced on August 6 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) after it was notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) of a cluster of E. coli food poisoning victims who all had the exact same strain of E. coli O157:H7. So far, seven people have been confirmed as sick due to the ground beef E. coli food poisoning outbreak; six of them fell ill between April 8 and June 18, 2010, and there was one other case involving the same strain in February.

PET FOOD SALMONELLA 8/9/10

CHICAGO (AP) - Keep young kids away from the pet food.
That advice comes from researchers who are reporting the first
known salmonella outbreak in humans linked to dry pet food.
Most of the victims are young children. And the experts don't
think they're actually eating the pet food. They think the kids
probably became infected by touching affected animals or dirty pet
food dishes, and then putting their hands in their mouths.
The report deals with an outbreak that sickened 79 people in 21
states, mostly in the eastern part of the country, between 2006 and
2008. It's published online by the medical journal Pediatrics.
The authors recommend washing hands after contact with pets, pet
food and pet bowls. They say those bowls should be routinely
cleaned -- and not in the kitchen or the bathtub. And children
younger than 5 should be kept away from pet food and feeding areas.

OIL SPILL STRESS 8/6/10

GALLIANO, La. (AP) - Mental health professionals are concerned
about the toll this summer of uncertainty along the Gulf Coast
could be taking on kids.
Parents who have seen work slow down or stop because of the
massive BP oil spill are being forced to cut family budgets.
And mothers and fathers who hoped to pass down traditions linked
to the waters their grandfathers and great-grandfathers trolled
wonder if that way of life has been spoiled forever by millions of
gallons of crude.
A survey of 1,203 parents commissioned last month by the
Children's Health Fund found a third of children along the most
impacted area of the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Mississippi have
experienced physical or mental problems because of the spill.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AVOID SPECIFIC FLU SHOT FOR CHILDREN 8/5/10

ATLANTA (AP) - A government panel is recommending doctors steer
clear of giving one brand of flu vaccine to young children this
year because of problems with it in Australia and New Zealand.
At issue is a flu shot made by CSL Biotherapies, an Australian
company. There was an unexplained higher rate of fevers and
seizures in children who got the vaccine this spring in those
countries.
The Australian company is making vaccine for Americans this
fall, but only a small portion of the 170 million doses.
On Thursday, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
said doctors should avoid using the Australian vaccine in children
under 8, especially in those under 5.
U.S. officials say they have not seen similar problems with
other flu vaccines.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

MEDICARE/SOCIAL SECURITY 8/5/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - Medicare and Social Security are facing
strains from an aging population and an economy that can't seem to
get out of low gear.
And despite assertions to the contrary by the Obama
administration, the new health care law doesn't improve Medicare's
solvency by much.
As the government releases its annual financial checkup
Wednesday on the two giant programs that support millions of
retirees, the prognosis is guarded.
Demand for services is going up, and income from payroll taxes
can't keep pace. Meanwhile, the government has used trust fund
surpluses to pay for other needs, leaving Medicare and Social
Security with a pile of IOUs.
Wednesday's report is expected to delve into the effects of the
new federal health care law on Medicare.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DIET RATINGS 8/3/10

NEW YORK (AP) - New research suggests you can lose as much
weight on a low-carb diet as a low-fat one - and it might even be
better for your heart.
Both diets improved cholesterol in a two-year study that
included intensive group counseling. But those on the
low-carbohydrate diet got a bigger boost in their so-called good
cholesterol.
The latest test is one of the longest to compare the approaches.
At the end of two years, average weight loss was the same for both
- about 15 pounds or 7 percent of body weight.
The key difference was in good cholesterol. Low-carb dieters'
good cholesterol improved by 23 percent compared to 12 percent for
low-fat. The findings are published in Tuesday's Annals of Internal
Medicine.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

STEM CELL CLINIC DANGERS 8/2/10

NEW YORK (AP) - Beware of stem cell clinics.
Scientists have been making progress in testing stem cells to
treat a variety of diseases, but they're warning about clinics that
have been pushing unproven treatments.
Sean Morrison, a stem cell expert at the University of Michigan,
says there are clinics "selling snake oil" all over the world.
The International Society for Stem Cell Research says it's
concerned about aggressive marketing of treatments by clinics that
may not have safeguards to ensure safety or likely benefit.
In June, the society launched a website -
www.closerlookatstemcells.org - for people interested in such
clinics. It has already attracted more than 10,000 hits.
A U.S. government website called www.clinicaltrials.gov also
lists legitimate treatment studies all over the world.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

CONTACT LENS A DANGER? 7/30/10

CHICAGO (AP) - Government research says contact lenses are the
top cause of medical device complications in kids.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration researchers found that more
than 70,000 children and teens get emergency room treatment each
year for medical device-related problems.
Many problems are things like infections and eye abrasions in
contact lens wearers. These can result from wearing contact lenses
too long without cleaning them.
Other problems include puncture wounds from needle injections of
medicine or illegal drugs, and infections from implanted shunts and
catheters in chronically ill kids.
The study appears in Pediatrics, published online Monday.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

CHANGES IN CPR GUIDELINES 7/29/10

ATLANTA (AP) - New research shows that more bystanders are
willing to attempt CPR if an emergency dispatcher gives them firm
and direct instructions - especially if they can just press on the
chest and skip the mouth-to-mouth.
Two new studies conclude that "hands-only" chest compression
is enough to save a life. The studies are the largest yet to
suggest that breathing into a victim's mouth isn't needed in most
cases.
Only about 6 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside
a hospital survive. However, one study reported survival rates of
about 12 percent when bystanders were coached by dispatchers to do
CPR. There was no difference in survival rates between hands-only
and traditional CPR.
The studies are in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

FEMALE CONDOMS 7/28/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - Officials in Washington, D.C., have launched a
citywide effort to promote the use of female condoms, in hopes
making them available can help stop the spread of HIV in that city.
The District of Columbia has one of the highest infection rates
in the country. To encourage the use of female condoms, community
groups are handing out 500,000 of the condoms and doing
demonstrations on how to properly use them.
CVS is selling them in all its District of Columbia drugstores
though sales are slow so far. That makes Washington the only place
where people can get them outside a health clinic or community
group.
And city officials have begun a website and put posters on 460
buses, about a third of the city's fleet.
---
Online:
http://www.dcdoinit.com

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

KRAFT TO RAISE WHOLE GRAINS IN CRACKERS 7/26/10

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Kraft Foods Inc. says it will more than
double the amount of whole grain in many of its Nabisco crackers.
The moves are in response to consumer and health advocates'
demands for improved nutrition from packaged foods.
Kraft says it will increase the whole grain in more than 100
products over the next three years.
As a result, its Ritz and Premium crackers will contain whole
grains for the first time. Whole grain will more than double in the
company's Wheat Thins crackers and quadruple in Honey Maid graham
crackers.
Kraft said the move is solely a response to consumer demand. The
company declined to disclose the cost of the change but it has been
working on it for four years.
Kraft is based in Northfield, Ill.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

FATTY FISH GOOD FOR YOUR EYES 7/22/10

WMDT 47 NEWS - A new study shows that eating fatty fish may reduce the risk of severe age-related macular degeneration, or AMD.
Older adults who eat fatty fish, like salmon and mackerel, may have a lower risk of serious vision loss from AMD.
The American Heart Association already recommends that adults eat fatty fish at least twice a week for heart health benefits.

HEALTH CARE REFORM & ABORTION 7/19/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - It's a victory for anti-abortionists.
The Health and Human Services Department says insurance pools
for those not able to buy health insurance on their own can no
longer cover abortions. The only exceptions are in cases of rape,
incest and when the woman's health is at risk.
The issue flared after New Mexico became one state that decided
to allow coverage of elective abortions in a federally-funded
program to provide coverage for high-risk uninsured people. Health
and Human Services tried to head off more problems.
The change is even more restrictive than the new health care
law. Starting in 2014, federally subsidized health insurance plans
can cover abortions, if policyholders pay for coverage separately
and the money is not part of government funds.

TEST TUBE BABIES AND CANCER 7/19/10

CHICAGO (AP) - For the first time, a large study suggests a
higher rate of childhood cancer among test-tube babies. But Swedish
researchers say the reason probably has nothing to do with the
method.
More likely, it's related to the genetics of the parents who
used in vitro fertilization because of infertility. The study's
authors and other experts say there could be another reason:
Test-tube infants often are born prematurely and have breathing
problems at birth. Both have also been linked with increased cancer
risks.
But even with an elevated risk, far less than 1 percent of these
children develop cancer.
The findings were published online Monday in Pediatrics.
Whether similar results would be found among U.S. children is
uncertain.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

GETTING FLU SHOTS DELIVERED 7/19/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - Researchers developing a new method of vaccine
delivery are hoping that one day, people will get their annual flu
shots in the mail.
Researchers say the new method of vaccine delivery involves a
patch with microneedles. They're so small they can't even be felt.
Attached to a patch like a Band-Aid, the little needles barely
penetrate the skin before they dissolve and release their vaccine.
Researchers led by Mark Prausnitz of Georgia Institute of
Technology reported their research on microneedles in Sunday's
edition of Nature Medicine.
He says the business side of the patch feels like fine sandpaper
and that in tests of microneedles without vaccine, people rated the
discomfort at one-tenth to one-twentieth that of getting a standard
injection. Nearly everyone said it was painless.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

POVERTY, NOT RACE, A FACTOR IN AIDS 7/19/10

ATLANTA (AP) - A first-of-its-kind government study has found
that poverty is perhaps the most important factor in whether
inner-city heterosexuals are infected with the AIDS virus.
The study says HIV is epidemic in certain poverty-stricken urban
neighborhoods. What's more, poor heterosexuals in those
neighborhoods are twice as likely to be infected as those who live
in the same community but have more money.
Federal scientists found race was not a factor. The research was
released Monday at the international AIDS conference in Vienna.
---
Online:
The CDC's HIV Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv
XVIII International AIDS Conference: http://www.aids2010.org/

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DANGERS OF SITTING 7/16/10

PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) - Scientists and health experts are
gathered in California at Stanford University to discuss the
dangers of sitting.
Although much of the research into the health risks is
preliminary, several studies suggest that people who spend
prolonged periods on their behind are more likely to be overweight,
have heart disease or even die.
The goal of the two-day conference that started Thursday in Palo
Alto is to discuss the existing science on the topic and what
research is still needed.
Experts hope that with more research and discussion,
policymakers will eventually be able to issue guidelines about how
much time in a seat is too much.
For now, scientists are encouraging people to take breaks and
move around more.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AVANDIA TO STAY ON MARKET 7/15/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - A majority of federal health experts has voted to keep the controversial diabetes pill Avandia on the market despite evidence that it increases the risk of heart attack.
A panel of Food and Drug Administration advisers voted 20-12 against withdrawing GlaxoSmithKline's once-blockbuster drug.
Panelists who voted to keep the drug on the market were split between several options, including adding new warning labels and restricting use of the drug.
The Food and Drug Administration has convened the panel to help untangle reams of conflicting data over whether the GlaxoSmithKline drug increases heart risks.
Despite an earlier vote that Avandia increases heart risks, panelists said the evidence wasn't strong enough to remove it from the market.

KELLOGG CEREAL RECALL 7/14/10

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Kellogg says that higher-than-normal
amounts of certain chemicals in its package liners caused the
unusual smell and flavor that prompted a recall of 28 million boxes
of its cereal in late June.
The food maker recalled Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot Loops and
Honey Smacks after about 20 people complained. Five reported nausea
and vomiting.
The company says it has identified chemicals normally present in
packaging called hydrocarbons as the source.
The Food and Drug Administration said it is reviewing Kellogg's
information and conducting its own risk assessment.
Kellogg Co. is based in Battle Creek, Mich.

NOT REPORTING MEDICAL ERRORS 7/14/10

CHICAGO (AP) - A new study finds too many doctors who work with
drunk, drug-addicted or incompetent colleagues fail to report them.
A surprising 17 percent of the doctors surveyed had personal
knowledge of an impaired or incompetent physician at work.
One-third of those doctors had not reported the problem to
hospital officials or state medical boards. The findings were based
on a survey of nearly 1,900 practicing U.S. doctors.
Programs exist for retraining doctors with weak skills and
getting addicted ones into treatment. The study's lead author,
Catherine Desroches of Harvard Medical School, says the survey
results suggest doctors aren't confident in the system.
The findings appear in Wednesday's Journal of the American
Medical Association.
---
Online:
JAMA: http://jama.ama-assn.org
Programs by state: http://www.fsphp.org/

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

SUMMERTIME DIP WARNING 7/12/10

ATLANTA (AP) - Federal health officials warn that salsa and
guacamole are increasingly important causes of foodborne disease.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says nearly one
out of every 25 restaurant-associated outbreaks with identified
food sources between 1998 and 2008 were traced to contaminated
salsa or guacamole.
The reason, the experts say, is that those dips often contain
diced raw hot peppers, tomatoes and cilantro -- all implicated in
disease outbreaks.
Also, they're often made in large batches, so even a small
amount of contamination can affect many people.
The CDC urges safe preparation techniques and proper
refrigeration to lower the risks.

Scientists are reporting advances in detecting and predicting
Alzheimer's disease at a conference in Honolulu this week. There
are better brain scans to spot signs of the mind-robbing illness,
and more genes that affect risk.
Studies show that getting enough exercise and vitamin D may
lower your chances of developing Alzheimer's. One study finds that
people who get moderate to heavy exercise are half as likely to get
dementia as less active people are.
However, researchers say work is still needed to find a drug
that can slow or stop the disease. Current drugs only treat
symptoms.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

OBESITY DRUGS 7/12/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - The first of a trio of new weight loss drugs
gets officially unveiled this week, carrying hope of success where
others failed -- safely delivering significant weight loss.
With U.S. obesity rates nearing 35 percent of the adult
population, expectations are high for the first new prescription
drug therapies to emerge in more than a decade.
But none of the three medicines represents a breakthrough in
research. Two of the drugs submitted for approval simply combine
existing drugs, but have worrying side effects. The third, a new
medication, is safer but less effective.
The FDA is expected to post its review of Vivus (VEE'-vuhs)
Inc.'s pill Qnexa on Monday and will hold a public meeting Thursday
to review the data.
Other drugs are set for review in October and December.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

TEENS BENEFIT FROM LATER SCHOOL DAY 7/5/10

CHICAGO (AP) - An eye-opening study says delaying high school
starting times by just 30 minutes can reap big rewards for tired
teens.
The research found that kids who started school at 8:30 in the
morning instead of 8:00 were more alert in class, had better moods
and fewer tardies. They even ate healthier breakfasts.
The study was last year at a posh Rhode Island boarding school,
St. George's School. Similar results have been found in some public
schools that let teens start school late.
Researchers say the reason may be biological; teens are in their
deepest sleep around dawn, and have difficulty falling asleep
before 11 p.m.
Patricia Moss is St. George's academic dean. She calls the
results stunning and says the school has made the change permanent.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

BERLIN HOSPITAL WAIT TIMES 7/4/10

BERLIN, Md. - Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland is now adding two more services onto their new online wait times website.
This allows you to track wait times in emergency rooms and outpatient facilities.
In a few weeks the wait times will be even more accessible.
They will be the first hospital in Maryland that will become mobile friendly.
That's right- you will now be able to download wait time apps.

CROWDED EMERGENCY ROOMS 7/2/10

CHICAGO (AP) - Emergency rooms are the only choice for patients
who can't find care elsewhere. They may grow even more crowded
under the nation's new health law.
That may come as a surprise to those who thought getting 32
million more people covered by health insurance would ease ER
crowding.
But experts predict a shortage primary care doctors will force
many newly insured patients to visit emergency rooms for their
health care.
That's happening now in Massachusetts where a 2006 law requires
insurance for almost everyone. ER visits there are continuing to
rise.
Many ERs closed during the 1990s, leaving fewer to handle the
load. American College of Emergency Physicians president Dr. Angela
Gardner says the nation is starting with crowded ERs and things may
only get worse.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

HOW TO LIVE LONG 7/1/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - Don't give up on diet and exercise just yet,
but researchers say most people who live to 100 or older share some
helpful genes.
A report in the online edition of the journal Science says a
study of centenarians found most had a number of genetic variations
in common.
That doesn't mean there's a quick test to determine who will
live long and who won't. Researchers say a healthy lifestyle and
other factors are also significant.
But researcher Thomas Perls of Boston University says the
finding may be able to determine who will be vulnerable to specific
diseases sooner.
The U.S. study found that about 85 percent of people 100 and
older are women. The reason: Perls says men are more susceptible to
age-related diseases and, once they get a disease, there's a good
chance they'll die.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

WEST NILE VIRUS 7/1/10

ATLANTA (AP) - Last year's West Nile virus season was the
mildest in eight years, and just one case of serious illness has
been reported so far this year.
U.S. health officials on Thursday said there were 386 cases of
severe West Nile illness and 33 deaths last year. That's a far cry
from the peak years of 2002 and 2003, when illnesses numbered
nearly 3,000 and deaths surpassed 260.
West Nile was first reported in the United States in 1999. It's
spread by mosquitoes that often pick up the virus from birds they
bite. Most cases occur in July through September.
Severe symptoms including neck stiffness, disorientation, coma
and paralysis.
One possible reason for fewer cases is that birds may be
developing immunity to the virus.
---
Online:
CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

SWINE FLU VACCINES EXPIRE, DESTROYED 7/1/10

ATLANTA (AP) - A whopping 40 million doses of swine flu vaccine
have expired and will be destroyed. That's believed to be a record
loss of flu vaccine.
And it means about a quarter of the swine flu vaccine supply for
the U.S. public wasn't used.
Some critics believe federal health officials overreacted to
swine flu. But the government says the purchase of 162 million
doses of vaccine for the public was to prepare for the worst.
Many health experts had feared the new flu could be the deadly
global epidemic they had long warned about, but it ended up killing
fewer people than seasonal flu.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DOCTORS MALPRACTICE 6/28/10

CHICAGO (AP) - A new survey says 91 percent of physicians say
doctors overtest and overtreat to protect themselves from
malpractice lawsuits.
The survey in Archives of Internal Medicine says that practice
is more common among male doctors than female doctors. More than
1,200 doctors nationwide were surveyed.
The findings echo a recent Associated Press story in which many
emergency room doctors said lawsuit fears are the main reason for
overtreating in the ER.
The survey didn't ask doctors if they personally ordered
needless tests because of malpractice concerns, or if it's the
major reason for overtesting.
The doctors say overtesting would decrease if there was more
protection from unwarranted lawsuits.

CHOLESTEROL DRUG 6/28/10

CHICAGO (AP) - Should healthy people with normal cholesterol
take a daily statin drug to prevent heart problems? The question is
dividing heart doctors and confusing patients.
An analysis published Monday questions previous research that
led to wider use of the AstraZeneca PLC drug Crestor. The Food and
Drug Administration in February approved prescribing the drug to
patients to help them avoid heart problems. That decision was based
on findings of a study two years ago.
But the new research says that earlier study was stopped to soon
to know if the drug would be clearly beneficial.
---
Online:
Archives: http://www.archinternmed.com

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

OVERTREATED? 6/28/10

UNDATED(AP) - More Americans with terminal illnesses may be
spending their final days in hospitals rather than quietly at home
with loved ones.
An analysis suggests that Americans are increasingly treated to
death, racking up medical bills that have made medical care a
leading cause of bankruptcies.
The Dartmouth Atlas Project, which tracks health care trends,
says more than 80 percent of terminal patients say they want to
avoid hospitalization and intensive care when they are dying. Yet
the numbers show that's not what's happening.
Dartmouth says that during the last six months of life, there
was an increase from 1,302 hospitalizations per 1,000 Medicare
recipients in 1996 to 1,441 in 2005.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization says the
average time spent in hospice care is decreasing because many
terminally ill go into it too late - some as little as one week
before they die.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

TOO MUCH SALT 6/24/10

ATLANTA (AP) - A new government report shows that only a small
fraction of U.S. adults are meeting strict limits on salt
consumption.
Most adults should be eating less than a teaspoon of salt each
day to prevent high blood pressure, stroke and other problems. The
report say only one in 18 meet that goal.
Health officials say 70 percent of adults need to be stingy with
salt. That includes people with high blood pressure,
African-Americans and anyone over 40.
The research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
was released Thursday.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DOCTORS' WORK HOURS 6/23/10

CHICAGO (AP) - Rookie doctors will get shorter shifts and closer
supervision if proposed work changes for medical residents are
enacted.
The goal is promoting patient safety and reducing medical
errors.
The draft regulations from the Accreditation Council for
Graduate Medical Education affect sometimes sleep-deprived new
doctors although critics say the rules don't go far enough.
First-year residents would be more closely supervised and the
maximum length of their shifts would be cut from 24 hours to 16
hours. Maximum work shifts would remain 24 hours for other
residents.
Patients will also be told when they're being treated by rookie
doctors.
The proposal was released Wednesday by the New England Journal
of Medicine.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

CT SCAN RADIATION 6/23/10

Top imaging experts are urging new rules for CT scans, powerful
medical tests that use far more radiation than ordinary X-rays.
Each year, 10 percent of the U.S. population gets a CT scan, and
over time, too much radiation can raise the risk of cancer. The
imaging experts want the government to do more to limit the amount
of radiation the scans use and prevent medical mistakes where
people are given too much radiation.
The articles are published in Thursday's New England Journal of
Medicine.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

STEM CELLS BLINDNESS 6/23/10

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Italian doctors have restored sight to dozens
of people blinded or injured by chemical burns using the patients'
own stem cells.
The treatment was successful in 82 out of 107 cases.
Researchers took stem cells from the patient's healthy eye, grew
them in the lab and placed them into the damaged eye. One man whose
eyes were damaged more than 50 years ago now has near-normal
vision.
The research involved patients with chemical burns. The same
technique doesn't work for people with macular degeneration, the
leading cause of blindness.
The study was released online Wednesday by the New England
Journal of Medicine.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DRUG REPORT 6/23/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - The United Nations is reporting that global
drug use is shifting with consumption moving toward new narcotics
and markets.
In an annual report released in Washington on Wednesday, the
U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime said that opium production in
Afghanistan and coca production in the Andes is declining while
heroin and cocaine use has stabilized in developed countries.
At the same time, the report found signs of increasing illicit
drug use in developing nations.
The U.N. also says that abuse of stimulants and prescription
drugs is up worldwide. It says the use of synthetic drugs exceeds
opiates and cocaine combined.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

OBAMA HEALTHCARE 6/22/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has a warning for
Republicans who want to repeal his health care overhaul. He's
telling them, "We're not going back."
Marking the 90-day mark since the bill was signed, the White
House today rolled out some regulations that explain how parts of
the law will be carried out.
The so-called 'patient bill of rights' includes a prohibition on
denying coverage to children because of pre-existing medical
problems.
Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah said it's not a bill of
rights, but "a bill of goods that the American people aren't
buying."

FDA TOBACCO 6/22/10

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A year after a new law put tobacco in the
hands of federal regulators, it is clear that it may be years
before before any of the most aggressive steps suggested to reduce
deaths from smoking occur.
Anti-tobacco advocates suggest the law could lead to aggressive
moves like reducing nicotine levels and banning menthol cigarettes.
But the Food and Drug Administration is taking its time
assessing the scientific evidence for improving public health. That
leaves the future of the industry and effects on both companies and
consumers under a cloud of smoke.
The FDA's measured approach hasn't stopped it from making
changes prescribed by the law.
Public health experts want more to be done to reduce death and
disease caused by tobacco products.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

PFIZER DRUG WITHDRAWAL 6/22/10

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal health regulators say Pfizer has
agreed to pull a leukemia drug off the market after a follow-up
study showed it failed to slow the disease.
The Food and Drug Administration cleared the drug Mylotarg in
2000 under its accelerated approval program, which grants speedy
access to drugs that show early promise. The drug was approved for
patients older than 60 with acute myeloid leukemia, a bone marrow
cancer.
However, the FDA says a follow-up study of the drug showed no
increase in survival time when the drug is added to standard
chemotherapy. In fact, more patients taking Mylotarg died compared
with those taking chemotherapy alone.
The FDA says the drug will not be available to new patients.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)