Category: Health News

How hungry bacteria sense nutrients in their environment

University of Leicester researchers have shed new light on how bacteria sense nutrients in their environment — a finding that could provide important knowledge in the development of drugs and antibiotics to combat a range of diseases including tuberculosis. The research team, led by Dr Helen O’Hare from the University of Leicester’s Department of Infection,

Linguistic expertise key to improving Deaf health research

For the past two years, Tim Riker, a lecturer of American Sign Language at Brown University’s Center for Language Studies, has worked with a group of University of Massachusetts Medical School researchers to tackle a significant problem: low levels of health literacy within the Deaf community, due in part to the disconnect between biomedical researchers

Only 2 weeks of inactivity can hasten diabetes onset in seniors

As we get older, physical exercise becomes more and more important. The internet abounds with the latest research extolling the multiple benefits of physical exercise for seniors. For instance, aerobic activity and muscle training have been shown to improve the psychological well-being of elderly people, and even a few minutes of light exercise can increase

Three-dimensional model of human placenta developed

The placenta is the organ connecting mother and embryo. Its main functions are the exchange of nutrients, gases and metabolic products and the production of hormones and other substances essential for embryonic development. Placental malfunctions are the main cause of pregnancy complications and can lead to miscarriage and other serious disorders that endanger both mother

TGFB1 Mutation Ups Radiation-Induced Breast Fibrosis Risk

THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 — The C-509T allele in the promoter region of transforming growth factor β (TGFB1) is associated with radiation-induced breast fibrosis risk among patients with early-stage breast cancer, according to study published online July 19 in JAMA Oncology. Aaron J. Grossberg, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

New Short-Term Health Plans Have Large Coverage Gaps

THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 — There are large coverage gaps in short-term health plans that were approved Wednesday by the Trump administration, and are described by critics as “junk insurance.” The plans are meant to be a low-cost alternative to Obama-era plans with high premiums, but they don’t have to cover existing medical conditions and

CDC: Salmonella Outbreaks in 44 States Linked to Backyard Poultry

THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 — At least 212 people in 44 states have been sickened in Salmonella outbreaks linked to contact with live poultry in backyard flocks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty-six percent of the patients are children younger than 5. Thirty-four people have been hospitalized. No deaths have

Nurse navigators can help to improve oncology care

(HealthDay)—Nurse navigators are playing an important role in oncology care at the Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y., according to a report published in Managed Healthcare Executive. According to Annmarie Flannery, R.N., administrative nurse manager at Montefiore Medical Center, the center is looking for nurses with strong organizational skills, previous nursing experience in oncology, and

Can we predict the long-term outcome of boys with ADHD?

A study published in the August 2018 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry(JAACAP) reports on a group of boys diagnosed with ADHD in childhood (when they were, on average, 8 years old) and followed into adulthood (when they were in their early 40s). The goal was to examine

Are NSAIDs Like Ibuprofen Bad for My Liver and Kidneys?

How much ibuprofen can I take? To treat mild to moderate pain, minor fever, and acute or chronic inflammation, 200 mg to 400 mg of ibuprofen will work. That amount is comparable to 650 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin. Generally, the maximum amount of NSAIDs you should take per day is 2400 mg or

Wearable devices: Useful medical insights or just more data? A new review looks at the booming industry of measuring ‘every breath you take and every move you make’

Wearable devices are increasingly bought to track and measure health and sports performance: from the number of steps walked each day to a person’s metabolic efficiency, from the quality of brain function to the quantity of oxygen inhaled while asleep. But the truth is we know very little about how well these sensors and machines

Soccer heading may be riskier for female players

Researchers have found that women who play soccer may be more at risk than their male counterparts. According to a new study published in the journal Radiology, female soccer players exhibit more extensive changes to brain tissue after repetitive ‘heading’ of the soccer ball. Soccer is the most popular competitive sport in the world, and

Stem cell research for cystic fibrosis leaps forward

The fight against cystic fibrosis (CF) has taken a major step forward, with pioneering research by University of Adelaide scientists showing that cells causing the debilitating genetic disorder could be successfully replaced with healthy ones. The research published in the journal Stem Cell Research and Therapy applies cell transplantation therapy, normally used in bone marrow

Alcohol and breast-feeding: Is it safe and how does it affect baby?

What are the recommendations for alcohol consumption while breast-feeding? Moderate alcohol consumption is safe for mothers breast-feeding their infants. Moderate alcohol consumption is defined as about one drink per day. At this level, research shows there are no known harmful effects to the infant. However, more than one drink per day is not recommended. Of

Scans Help Spot Heart Trouble Early in People With Lupus

THURSDAY, Aug. 2, 2018 — Heart disease is a leading cause of death in patients with the autoimmune illness lupus. Now, research suggests high-tech scans can spot cardiac issues early. The scans can detect heart abnormalities even before patients have any symptoms, Chinese researchers say. “Our findings may affect current lupus diagnostics and treatment —

Front Desk Staff Can Set Up a Practice for Successful Billing

TUESDAY, July 31, 2018 — Allowing front desk staff adequate time and an uninterrupted environment to focus on billing can prevent problems later on, according to an article published in Physicians Practice. To prevent problems with billing and collections, it is important to get things right at the front desk. All front desk employees should