A new study from researchers at the University of California at San Diego and Los Angeles suggests that a sharp uptick in fatal medication mistakes in July corresponds with the entry of thousands of trainee doctors into medical residency programs across the U.S.
Public Health
Surviving a heart attack can depend on your neighbors
A new study from researchers at the University of Michigan suggests that where you live — and whether neighbors willing to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) rush to your aid — can have a significant impact on whether or not you survive a heart attack. The findings, published in the June issue of the Annals of Internal
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Dengue fever appears in the Florida Keys
More than one-third of the world’s population lives in an area at risk for transmission of dengue fever, but the Florida Keys haven’t traditionally been among them.
Federal health officials report, however, that 28 residents and visitors to Key West, Fla., were infected with dengue fever between July 2009 and April 2010 — the …
Abortion ad sparks controversy in the U.K.
Marie Stopes International, a sexual health group akin to the U.S.’s Planned Parenthood that provides abortions and other services at clinics throughout the U.K., has purchased a time slot for a 30-second commercial scheduled to air Monday night, the Telegraph reports. The ad — which does not mention the word abortion, but directs
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An FDA proposal for improved transparency
In a 67-page proposal for a way forward toward more transparency, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration task force suggested broad changes that would increase public access to information about the oversight and regulatory process for everything form pharmaceuticals and food products to medical devices and tanning beds.
Why urinary tract infections are getting harder to treat
Increasing antibiotic resistance stemming from the use of antibiotics in raising livestock is contributing to growing difficulty in treating urinary tract infections, according to new research published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology. Dr. Pak-Leung Ho and colleagues at the University of Hong Kong say that genes which encode
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More children being hospitalized for MRSA infection
New research published today in the journal Pediatrics finds that the number of children being admitted to the hospital for antibiotic-resistant staph infections has surged dramatically in recent years. As the Associated Press reports, the rate of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infections (MRSA) grew from 2 per 1,000
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Food manufacturers to cut 1.5 trillion calories by 2015
Some of the nation’s largest food and beverage manufacturers announced today that, as part of the growing national anti-obesity campaign championed by First Lady Michelle Obama, they will trim 1.5 trillion calories from their products by 2015.
Timing is critical for stroke victims
When it comes to successfully minimizing physical — and subsequent mental and emotional — damage caused by stroke, timing is of the essence. Yet, according to new research published this week in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association too often patients suffering a stroke or their loved ones may wait too long to call 911
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Review: food allergies inconsistently diagnosed, poorly researched
Fewer than 10% of Americans have food allergies, yet sloppy studies, wrong diagnoses and inaccurate testing have been leading a far larger portion of the population to believe they too are allergic to certain foods, according to a new review of allergy studies published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. As the New
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Does new cancer report overstate environmental risks?
Cancer researchers are expressing concern over a new report highlighting the dangers of environmental toxins, suggesting that the findings overstate the risks of daily exposure to household and environmental chemicals in comparison to known risks such as smoking and obesity.
More deadly crashes after dark linked to teen cell use
An increase in fatal nighttime crashes involving teenage drivers is likely attributable to an increase in talking and texting while driving, according to a new report from the Texas Transportation Institute. As the Associated Press reports, researchers found that, across the U.S., deadly nighttime crashes involving drivers between the
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Raising awareness with bobbleheads and burger candles
In efforts to raise awareness — and money — for autism and malaria, a fast food chain and comedian and Major League Soccer (MLS) team owner have signed on for some unique promotional items.
