News

Did Leonardo da Vinci’s Genius Stem From a ‘Lazy Eye’?

Test Strips for Fentanyl May Help Prevent ODs

Antiviral Med Fuels Rapid Decline in New HIV Infections in Gay Men: Study

Clostridium difficile Spores Survive Laundering of Sheets

Spores on bed sheets able to survive laundering through a commercial washer extractor

Consuming Caffeine From Coffee Reduces Incident Rosacea

Significant inverse association for caffeinated coffee consumption; no link for decaffeinated coffee

Plasma-Based Genotyping Aids Targeted Tx of Metastatic NSCLC

Most patients who received targeted therapy based on plasma result achieved clinical response

Adverse Childhood Experiences Tied to Burnout in BSN Students

Nursing students, particularly women, with higher number of ACEs have more burnout, depression

Procurement Requirements Drive Interoperability in Health Care IT

Steps outlined for health systems to establish comprehensive, ongoing procurement strategies

Simple Clinical Assessment in ED Best for Predicting Mortality

Agreement between formalized triage assessment and simple clinical assessment was poor

Deep Learning Algorithm Can ID Mammographic Breast Density

Implementation of DL algorithm in routine clinical practice has agreement with radiologists

Limited Evidence for OTC Preps to Treat Nasal Symptoms of Colds

Nasal decongestants can be used for short periods for adults; their safety is unclear for children

CDC: Many Pregnant Women Not Receiving Immunizations

Less than half who were pregnant during peak flu vaccination period in 2017 to 2018 were vaccinated

Maternal Trauma Associated With Low Male Infant Birthweight

Combo of trauma history, higher levels of cortisol linked to lower birthweight in boys only

AHA: Ozone Pollution May Be Linked to a Type of Bleeding Stroke

E-Cigarettes Slowed Wound Healing in Animal Study

Skin Creams May Be OK During Cancer Radiation Therapies, Study Finds

Brain’s ‘Self-Control’ Center May Be Key to Weight-Loss Success

3-Drug Therapy Might Be Cystic Fibrosis ‘Breakthrough’

Health Highlights: Oct. 18, 2018

Sharp Drop in U.S. Life Expectancy Rankings by 2040: Study Congo Ebola Outbreak Not a Global Emergency: WHO Salmonella Cases Linked to Raw Chicken Products Rises to 92 in 29 States: CDC

Protein-Packed Foods That Should Be Part of Your Diet

Experts Sound Warning About ‘Baby Boxes’

Common Drug Shows Promise Against Lymphedema

Health Tip: Keep Ticks Away

Health Tip: Be Aware of Autumn Driving Hazards

CDC Warns of Salmonella Illnesses Linked to Raw Chicken

92 people in 29 states sickened so far; 21 hospitalizations; no deaths reported

Recreational Marijuana Now Legal in Canada

Canada is first major world economy to legalize recreational marijuana use

Giving Flu Shots in Pharmacies Could Up Vaccination Coverage

Reduction in influenza cases, deaths, costs by adding pharmacies during influenza epidemics

Hologram-Guided External Ventricular Drain Insertion Feasible

Fewer passes, less target deviation with hologram-guided external ventricular drain placement

American Academy of Otolaryngology, Oct. 7-10

Omega-3s in Seafood May Keep You Healthier, Longer

Preeclampsia Tied to Tripling of Dementia in Later Life

Menthol Cig Ban Didn’t Spur Black Market Sales: Study

Don’t Want Rosacea? Drinking Coffee Might Help

Scientists Closer to Drug That Cuts Nicotine Dependence

Compression Collar May Protect Brain of Female Soccer Players

No white matter changes among female high school soccer athletes who wore compression collar

Fertility Rates Down for Each Urbanization Level 2007 to 2017

Fertility rates decreased from 2007 to 2017 with larger decreases in metro versus rural counties

Lung Cancer Deaths 28% Lower in California Than Rest of U.S.

Among those aged 18 to 35, California has had larger drops in smoking initiation, intensity, more quitting

Well-Being of Young Adults on Kidney Replacement Tx Studied

Well-being and medication adherence negatively linked to psychological morbidity, dialysis

Gabapentin Beats Pregabalin for Chronic Sciatica

More frequent adverse events seen with pregabalin, especially when taken before gabapentin

Treatment Tied to Survival Benefit in Complex Bladder Cancer

Medically complex patients with superficial disease have reduced deaths with treatment vs. observation

Dose Range of IV Ketamine for Adjunct Tx of Depression Tested

Single IV doses of 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg better than active placebo at cutting depression symptoms

Long-Term Benzodiazepines Do Not Up Mortality in COPD, PTSD

No difference in mortality, but risk for suicide elevated with long-term benzodiazepine use

Seven-Day Metronidazole Better for Trichomoniasis Tx in Women

Women in the seven-day-dose group less likely to be positive at test of cure versus single-dose group

Recommendations Developed to Verify NGT Placement in Children

Recommendations include clinician education, use of gastric pH measurement, radiographs

AHA: No Direct Link Between Preeclampsia and Cognitive Impairment, Study Finds

AHA: Why It’s So Hard to Quit Smoking

Map of Mouse Hippocampus Could Be Weapon Against Alzheimer’s

Take 10 for Mindfulness

Pounds Regained After Weight-Loss Op Can Tell Your Doc a Lot

Number of Autism Genes Now Tops 100

U.S. Birth Rates Continue to Drop as Age of New Moms Rises

Health Highlights: Oct. 17, 2018

Salmonella Cases Linked to Raw Chicken Products Rises to 92 in 29 States: CDC Recreational Marijuana Now Legal in Canada Self-Lubricating Condom Might Increase Its Use

Health Tip: Using a Home Fireplace

Health Tip: Treating Plantar Warts

CDC Warns of Polio-Like Virus Striking More U.S. Children

127 cases reported in 22 states so far this year with 62 confirmed as acute flaccid myelitis

Harvard: Heart Researcher’s Papers Contain Fraudulent Data

31 scientific publications from the laboratory of Piero Anversa contain falsified and/or fabricated data

Bariatric Sx Cuts Macrovascular Complications in Obesity, T2DM

Lower composite incidence of macrovascular events, lower incidence of coronary artery disease at 5 years

American College of Chest Physicians, Oct. 6-10

Positive HPV Status Tied to Better Cervical Cancer Prognosis

Five-year relative survival ratio better for hrHPV-positive cases than for hrHPV-negative cases

N. Carolina Sees Alarming Spike in Heart Infections Among Opioid Users

Cataract Surgery, Hearing Aid May Boost the Aging Brain

Bigger Family, Lower Cancer Risk?

CDC Warns of Polio-Like Virus Striking More U.S. Kids

CHF in Pregnancy Up for Cancer Survivors With Cardiac Toxicity

Incidence of congestive heart failure at 31 percent among women with a history of cardiotoxicity

Job Market for Nephrologists Continuing to Improve

Despite lifestyle concerns, most fellows would recommend nephrology to med students, residents

Few Seniors Who Self-Harm Referred for Mental Health Care

Diagnosed mental illness, physical health condition more prevalent in seniors who self-harm

Clinical Trials Support Efficacy of Tretinoin Lotion for Tx of Acne

Phase 3 trials show significant improvement compared with placebo for moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris

ASA: Patients Assume Post-Op Opioids Are Best for Pain Relief

Ninety-four percent of patients who believe they will receive opioids think they will be effective

2006 to 2015 Saw Decrease in Medicare Beneficiary ICU Use

Admission rates to the ICU significantly decreased, with large variations seen by state

Change in Shelter Eligibility Policy Tied to More ED Visits

ED visits for homelessness at children's hospital increased 4.5 times after policy was enacted

High Risk for Readmission for Takotsubo Syndrome

Of TTS survivors, 11.9 percent readmitted within 30 days, with associated mortality of 3.5 percent

Gastric Banding, Metformin Similar for Improving Glycemia

Both preserved β-cell function in obese adults with impaired glucose tolerance, mild T2DM

Web-Based Lifestyle Program Works for Liver Disease Patients

Similar weight, liver enzyme improvements seen with group- and web-based programs for NAFLD patients

AHA: After 2 Breast Cancer Diagnoses, Survivor Learns She Needs a New Heart

Xanax, Valium Tied to Higher Suicide Risk in COPD Patients With PTSD

Obesity Surgery May Cut Heart Attack Risk in Diabetics

5 Strength-Training Mistakes to Avoid

ER Nurses Might Do Better ‘Eyeballing’ Patients

Head Blows Without Concussion May Not Damage Brain, Study Claims

New Nerve Stimulation Technique Might Relieve Back Pain

Gluten-Free Craze a ‘Double-Edged Sword’ for Celiac Patients

Health Highlights: Oct. 16, 2018

Heart Researcher's Papers Contain Fraudulent Data: Harvard WHO Calls Meeting on Congo Ebola Outbreak Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen Dead at Age 65

Health Tip: Considering Genetic Testing For Cancer?

Health Tip: Why You May Have Adult Acne

Without Medicaid Expansion, Poor Patients Forgo Medical Care

Seventeen states have not expanded Medicaid, and expansion is an election issue in several states

Number of Children Not Receiving Vaccines Slightly Increased

However, coverage with most recommended vaccines among children aged 19 to 35 months stable, high

American College of Gastroenterology, Oct. 5-10

β-Blockers in 1st Trimester Do Not Up Congenital Malformations

No large increase in the risk for overall, cardiac malformations in international cohort

In NSCLC, Longer Survival With Brigatinib Than Crizotinib

Longer progression-free survival in those with ALK-positive dz who did not previously take ALK inhibitor

Countries That Ban Spanking See Less Teen Violence: Study

Push-Button Pain Meds Curb Need for Opioids After C-Section: Study

Facebook Posts May Hint at Depression

Your Gut May Be to Blame for Your Bloodstream Infection

White House Wants Prices in Drug Ads, But Big Pharma Fights Back

Cataract Surgery Tied to Drop in Cognitive Decline in Seniors

Decline in episodic memory scores seen with older age slower after versus before cataract surgery

ASA: Review Links Opioids With Complications Post-Spine Surgery

Higher postoperative pain score, worse quality of life for post-op pain management with opioids

More Socioeconomic Challenges for Hispanic Women With HIV

Hispanic/Latina women receive more ancillary services than men and have similar clinical outcomes

Active Pharmaceuticals ID’d in >700 Dietary Supplements

More than 20 percent of the 776 adulterated products contained more than one unapproved ingredient

Age, Sex Affect Extended Post-Concussion Symptoms in Children

Female sex, pre-injury mood problems, lower family income, family discord tied to ongoing symptoms

Cannabinoids Mildly Effective for Treating MS Symptoms in Adults

Review shows limited effectiveness for aiding spasticity, pain, bladder dysfunction