Bush administration pushes through midnight regulations
ProPublica Nov 21, 08 8:28 AM CST
(Newser)
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With the Bush White House pushing through a raft of last-minute rules, the nonprofit journalism group ProPublica offers a running list, with the status of each: Business-friendly safety regulations would loosen restrictions on exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace. Local police would get increased surveillance ability. Loaded guns would be allowed in some national parks.
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Company teams
with CDC to improve warning system
ABC News Nov 11, 08 6:27 PM CST
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Google is teaming up with the CDC to track flu outbreaks around the nation and give people earlier warnings, ABC News reports. The new site (http://www.google.org/flutrends/) relies on the notion that people turn to the Web when they're sick by typing phrases such as "flu symptoms" into Google searches. By keeping track of such searches and mapping them, the system could beat official CDC warnings by up to two weeks.
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$10M in public-health grants eschew peer review for innovation
Washington Post Oct 23, 08 2:13 PM CDT
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The Gates Foundation has awarded more than $10 million to medical researchers with quirky ideas that might not be funded otherwise, the Washington Post reports. The initiative, dubbed Grand Challenges Explorations, offered a simple 2-page application and vetting by entrepreneurs, not medical professionals. “Peer review—by definition almost—excludes innovation because innovation has no peers,” the Foundation’s global health director said.
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Warmer temperatures may cause spread of dangerous pathogens
Scientific American Oct 14, 08 10:34 AM CDT
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A dozen deadly diseases may become even deadlier as a result of climate change, Scientific American reports. Cholera, tuberculosis, yellow fever, and other ailments are spreading to new areas as temperatures rise, a Wildlife Conservation Society study says. The society suggests monitoring wildlife to prevent a human outbreak of “black death” proportions. Beware the following: Cholera: Water-borne bacterium thrives in warmer climes and can kill you in a week.
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Prohibition carries $5 penalty in country with average income of $1K
Wall Street Journal Sep 30, 08 5:45 PM CDT
(Newser)
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India is about to institute a ban on smoking in public places, including bars, restaurants, hotels and hospitals, the Wall Street Journal reports. The ban, which begins Thursday, is being greeted warmly by health officials, with skepticism by smokers on the ground. “Such rules are made and broken every day," one said. “The ban will have no effect on me.”
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Interest in public health leads to skyrocketing course enrollment
Washington Post Sep 19, 08 3:22 PM CDT
(Newser)
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In less than a generation, college students' international perspective has transformed many colleges' public health-related programs and courses. The AIDS epidemic served as a catalyst by opening young people’s eyes to the global character of disease, and the ease of worldwide travel and communication is spurring involvement abroad. The Washington Post looks at the transformation.
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Easily treated 'silent' condition kills about 100,000 each year
Associated Press Sep 15, 08 5:08 PM CDT
(Newser)
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An easily treatable complication related to blood clots kills 100,000 Americans every year, but a new federal awareness campaign aims to change that, the AP reports. Although deep vein thrombosis affects up to 600,000 people a year, "I don't think most people understand that this is a serious medical problem or what can be done to prevent it," the acting surgeon general said at the announcement of a "call to action."
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CDC finds 40% more cases than thought; blacks' rate alarming
New York Times Sep 12, 08 7:58 AM CDT
(Newser)
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A new CDC study of Americans with HIV conducted with new technology shows that the virus is spreading faster than previously thought, reports the New York Times . In 2006, more than 56,000 were newly infected with the virus that causes AIDS—40% more than anticipated. The study also showed that whites and blacks tend to contract the virus at different times in their lives.
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Vaccine has almost eradicated itchy childhood disease
Chicago Tribune Sep 2, 08 7:20 PM CDT
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Thirteen years after the introduction of a vaccine, chickenpox has virtually disappeared among American children. The virus that causes the itchy disease is now so rare that parents and physicians alike have difficulty recognizing it, the Chicago Tribune reports. New research reveals a 75% drop in pox-related hospitalizations over the last decade and as few as 15 estimated deaths per year.
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Ethiopia leads nations on finding US homes
Associated Press Sep 2, 08 1:16 PM CDT
(Newser)
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More US families are adopting HIV-infected children from overseas, primarily in Ethiopia, the AP reports. Stats from one international agency show 38 adoptions of infected Ethiopian children this year, up from 13 in 2007 and four in 2006. HIV adoptions have also increased in China, Ghana, Haiti, and Russia, say US adoption agencies, though at significantly lower numbers.
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Early screening's false positives may cause unneeded surgeries
New York Times Aug 26, 08 10:32 AM CDT
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Though a new ovarian cancer test gives hope that the 21,000 new cancer cases expected this year may be detected at a treatable stage, the FDA is worried OvaSure may do more harm than good, the New York Times reports. If the unregulated test detects cancer where there isn't any—as expected in 0.6% of cases—some women may have unnecessary surgeries.
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ANALYSIS
Strapped budgets can help people improve habits
Los Angeles Times Aug 25, 08 4:35 PM CDT
(Newser)
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A slow economy might mean more people are stressed, but research shows that tough times are actually good for us, the Los Angeles Times reports. Rates of illnesses—particularly those related to lifestyle changes, like heart disease—decrease, as do accident and death rates. And while some may drown their financial woes in drinking, overall alcohol and smoking rates also go down.
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Findings help fight against avian flu
Reuters Aug 18, 08 5:46 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The flu pandemic that killed up to 100 million people in 1918 left survivors with a strong set of antibodies—strong enough to still be viable today, Reuters reports. Mice given survivor antibodies managed to fight off the deadly flu when they were infected with the virus extracted from exhumed victims.
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