Red Flags - Flash

Chronic Job Stress Raises Blood Pressure

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:49:19 -0400

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Chronic Job Stress Raises Blood Pressure

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“White-collar workers should beware, say experts who have shown that chronic job stress can raise blood pressure. High job demands, tight deadlines and low support in the workplace appeared to be triggers, particularly in men. The Canadian team at Laval University, Quebec, followed 6,719 workers over more than seven years.”

Psychological Intervention More Effective Than Drugs For Insomnia

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:04:44 -0400

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Psychological Intervention More Effective Than Drugs For Insomnia

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“These results suggest that interventions based on [cognitive behavioral therapy] are superior to zopiclone treatment both in short- and long-term management of insomnia in older adults.”

Inexpensive Diuretic Better Treatment For Metabolic Syndrome

Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:04:42 -0400

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Inexpensive Diuretic Better Treatment For Metabolic Syndrome

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“Metabolic syndrome affects the lives of 50 million Americans. New research shows a fairly inexpensive diuretic is a better treatment than another more expensive medication.”

Even Low-Level Pesticide Exposure Boosts Parkinson’s Risk

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:44:38 -0400

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Even Low-Level Pesticide Exposure Boosts Parkinson’s Risk

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“Exposure to pesticides — even at relatively low levels — may increase an individual’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 70 percent, according to a study of more than 140,000 people. Researchers say that the findings strengthen the hypothesis that such chemicals somehow promote the development of the disease.”

Study Shows Glycemic Index Works

Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:43:37 -0400

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Study Shows Glycemic Index Works

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“Researchers in the University of Toronto's Department of Nutritional Sciences have some reassurance for diabetics and carb counters. The glycemic index, the table that lists the quality of carbohydrates in more than 750 common foods, works just as predictably whether subjects consume a single portion of one item, or a normal meal.”

Cell Phones And Stormy Weather A Lethal Combination, Doctors Warn

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 20:57:20 -0400

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Cell Phones And Stormy Weather A Lethal Combination, Doctors Warn

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“Using a mobile phone or an iPod during a thunderstorm could kill you, doctors warned today.”

Is Standard Of Care Lower In For-Profit Nursing Homes And Hospitals?

Fri, 23 Jun 2006 20:56:31 -0400

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Is Standard Of Care Lower In For-Profit Nursing Homes And Hospitals?

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“For-profit nursing homes and hospitals on average provide an inferior quality of care compared with their nonprofit peers, according to an extensive review of studies published on Tuesday.”

Stem-Cell Grafts Cure Paralysis In Mice

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:31:53 -0400

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Stem-Cell Grafts Cure Paralysis In Mice

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“Embryonic stem cells have been used to restore limb movement in paralyzed mice, say scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The embryonic stem cells formed new nerve connections in the paralyzed mice….

The difference between this experiment and others is that this one has managed to get the neurons to make functional connections to muscle.”

No Human-To-Human Bird Flu Transmission In Indonesian Victims

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:31:08 -0400

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No Human-To-Human Bird Flu Transmission In Indonesian Victims

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“The investigation conducted by a team of the World Health Organization on the world's largest cluster death of bird flu in Indonesia's North Sumatra province found that the virus was transmitted from animal to human, Indonesian health minister said here Wednesday.”

Telephone Scam Targets Seniors Over Medicare Drug Plan

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 20:28:37 -0400

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Telephone Scam Targets Seniors Over Medicare Drug Plan

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“Even though this year's enrollment in the new Medicare prescription drug plan ended last month, scam artists continue to prey on senior citizens, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which runs the program known as Medicare Part D. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said yesterday that a telephone scam, in which seniors are asked for sensitive bank account information, continues to evolve.”

New Stroke Recovery Guide A Welcome Resource

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 20:27:59 -0400

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New Stroke Recovery Guide A Welcome Resource

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“Stroke Recovery Canada is thrilled to announce the availability of a new information resource for Canadians affected by stroke, A Patient's Guide to Stroke Recovery. ‘With more than 300,000 Canadians living with the effects of stroke, and 40,000 to 50,000 new strokes occurring each year, stroke rehabilitation has never been more important,’ says Kimberley Dowds, Associate Director of March of Dimes Canada, which operates Stroke Recovery Canada.”

Medic! Critical-Condition Diagnosis For American ERs

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 19:24:14 -0400

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Medic! Critical-Condition Diagnosis For American ERs

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“Stretched to its limit, U.S. emergency medical care is in poor shape to handle disasters and needs to expand capacity, improve coordination before and after patients arrive and address the special needs of children, according to a new report. Patients can waits hours and sometimes days to get a hospital bed, and ambulances are turned away from full ERs 500,000 times a year, the report said.”

New Brain-Wasting Disease Triggers Warning From Britain’s Food Watchdog

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 19:23:28 -0400

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New Brain-Wasting Disease Triggers Warning From Britain’s Food Watchdog

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“Meat eaters have been told that avoiding mutton, goat and some sausages is the only way to reduce the risks from a new animal brain disease. Britain’s food watchdog admitted yesterday that it could not rule out a risk to human health from the brain disease atypical scrapie, which is similar to BSE. The new disease is similar to classic scrapie, a brain-wasting disease that has been known in sheep for more than 100 years, but which has never posed health concerns in human beings.”

Acupuncture Relieves Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 20:37:11 -0400

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Acupuncture Relieves Fibromyalgia Symptoms

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“The traditional Chinese acupuncture could reduce the symptoms of a musculoskeletal disease that disables many people, a study released on Tuesday said….

[A]ccording to a research team led by David Martin, an anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic, fibromyalgia patients who received acupuncture reported improvement in fatigue and anxiety, among other symptoms.”

Three Days Of Antibiotics Enough For Common Pneumonia: BMJ

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 19:57:49 -0400

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Three Days Of Antibiotics Enough For Common Pneumonia: BMJ

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“Taking antibiotics for three days is just as effective for community acquired pneumonia as continuing treatment for the recommended 7-10 days, finds a study in this week's BMJ. Shorter treatment can also help contain growing resistance rates. The study raises questions about the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy for common infections.”