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.
Public Health
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.
More wooden cribs recalled for faulty drop-sides
In the second crib recall in as many weeks, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall yesterday of 170,000 drop-side cribs sold by C&T International/Sorelle, of East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Prior to 2003, the cribs were also sold under the brand Golden Baby Inc.) The recall was prompted by 104 reports of
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President’s panel analyzes environmental cancer impact
Environmental toxins are a greater cause of cancer than previously believed, according to a new report from the President’s Cancer Panel — an advisory group that considers testimony from several cancer researchers to inform the president’s policies on cancer prevention. In the more than 200-page annual report (PDF), the authors say
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Tylenol recall: FDA condemns poor quality control
After Johnson & Johnson issued a recall of more than 40 different types of liquid medication this past weekend — recalling Tylenol and Motrin-branded over-the-counter cough and cold remedies for children — the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a report criticizing the manufacturer for a series of quality control issues
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Study: electronic hospital system may save lives
Researchers, doctors, patient advocates and public health officials alike have long been trying to find ways to improve patient safety. And recent research has suggested that seemingly simple measures like hospital checklist can make a significant difference. Yet studies highlighting the many ways in which medical mistakes can happen
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