Down Syndrome :: Toward a faster prenatal test for Down syndrome
Scientists in California are reporting an advance toward rapid testing for pre-natal detection of Down syndrome and other birth defects that involve an abnormal number of chromosomes.
Physician
ADHD :: AHRQ & FDA to study possible heart risks with ADHD medications
Two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies will collaborate in the most comprehensive study to date of prescription medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the potential for increased risk of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problems.
Diabetes :: Abbott notifies users of blood glucose meters to check display screens
Abbott is initiating a worldwide medical device correction for users of its Precision Xtra™, Optium™, ReliOn® Ultima, Rite Aid® and Kroger® blood glucose meters manufactured after January_31, 2007.
Health Insurance :: Internal medicine physicians recommend key elements to guide state initiatives
A white paper that examines various state initiatives to expand access to health insurance, as well as proposals by the President and Congress in support of state efforts, was distributed today by the American College of Physicians.
Health :: United States continues to have highest level of health spending
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Princeton University report that the United States continues to spend the most on health care when compared to other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries.
Health Insurance :: Uninsured community health center patients often have difficulty accessing specialty services
Uninsured patients who receive their primary health care in publicly funded community health centers face significant obstacles accessing specialty services outside of these centers, even after a physician has deemed them necessary. While Medicaid patients, to a lesser extent, also face obstacles, insured/Medicare patients have a far easier time accessing needed services.
Older :: Drug-free treatments offer hope for older people in pain
Mind-body therapies, which focus on the interactions between the mind, body and behavior, and the ways in which emotional, mental, social and behavioral factors can affect health, may be of particular benefit to elderly chronic pain sufferers. A new study published in Pain Medicine provides a structured review of eight mind-body interventions for older people, including progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, hypnosis, tai chi and yoga.
Gastroenterology :: Gastroenterology sets standards for CT colonography
Recognizing that CT colonography will play a role in screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), and the critical need to increase overall CRC screening rates, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute issued minimum standards for gastroenterologist performance of the test. To ensure competence, a minimum of 75 endoscopically confirmed cases should be interpreted by the physician.
Dietary Supplement :: Bodee recalls Zencore Tabs dietary supplement
Bodee LLC, 2222 Avenue of the Stars, 702E, Century City, CA 90067, announced that it is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall of all the company’s supplement product sold under the name Zencore Tabs.
Healthcare :: Doctors and medical ethicist discuss whether doctors should participate in capital punishment
Should doctors be involved in the state-ordered administration of capital punishment? In the September issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, three anesthesiologists and a medical ethicist take an in-depth look at this question in a commentary and two editorials.