Swimmers at public beaches exposed to contagious staph bacteria

Swimmers at public beaches show increased risk of exposure to contagious staph bacteria and MRSA. – Swimmers using public ocean beaches increase their risk for exposure to staph organisms, and may increase their risk for potential staph infections once they enter the water.

Cardiac imaging exams have radiation risks

People Without Symptoms of Heart Disease Should Exercise Caution in Obtaining Cardiac Imaging Exams, says Expert Panel led by Mayo Clinic Cardiologist – At the radiation dose levels used in cardiac imaging exams, such as cardiac CT or nuclear medicine scans, the risk of potentially harmful effects from ionizing radiation are low. However, since the exact level of risk is not known, people without symptoms of heart disease should think twice about seeking, or agreeing to, these types of cardiac studies.

Latisse approved for hypotrichosis of eyelashes

Allergan Announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Approval of LATISSE(TM) — First and Only Treatment Approved by the FDA for Hypotrichosis of Eyelashes. New Prescription Product Increases Length, Thickness and Darkness of Eyelashes. – Allergan, Inc. (NYSE: AGN) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved LATISSE(TM) (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% as a novel treatment for hypotrichosis of the eyelashes.

Weight loss maintenance through telephone is effective

Extended care delivered either by telephone or in face-to-face sessions improved the 1-year maintenance of lost weight compared with education alone. Telephone counseling constitutes an effective and cost-efficient option for long-term weight management. – Face-to-face and telephone follow-up sessions appear to be more effective in the maintenance of weight loss for women from rural communities compared with weight loss education alone, according to a report in the November 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

$62 million settlement with drug company Eli Lilly

Attorney General Martha Coakley and 32 Other Attorneys General Announce Record $62 Million Settlement with Drug Company – Eli Lilly and Company. – Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office, along with 32 other attorneys general, reached a record $62 million settlement with Eli Lilly and Company (Eli Lilly) resolving allegations of improper marketing of the atypical antipsychotic drug, Zyprexa.

Men with traditional views about women earn more

Study finds men who hold traditional views of women earn more than men who don’t, and women with egalitarian views don’t earn much more than those with traditional outlooks. – Men who believe in traditional roles for women earn more money than men who don’t, and women with more egalitarian views don’t make much more than women with a more traditional outlook, revealed by researchers.

US Food Protection Plan shows significant progress

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration – FDA agency unveiled the plan just months ago to help keep Americans enjoying one of the safest food supplies in the world. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Protection Plan Progress Report in conjunction with the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety Action Plan Update, shows significant areas of activity to further improve the safety of America’s food supply since unveiling its Food Protection Plan in November 2007.

March as Kidney Disease Awareness Month in US

The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is pleased to recognize March as National Kidney Disease Awareness Month. Recent research funded by the National Institute of Health put the number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in the United States at 26 million. – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is pleased to recognize March as National Kidney Disease Awareness Month. Recent research funded by the National Institute of Health put the number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in the United States at 26 million. AAKP recognizes National Kidney Disease Awareness Month with several planned educational programs and events.

Influenza vaccination for children 6 months through 18 years of age

CDC’s Advisory Committee Recommends Influenza Vaccination for Children 6 months through 18 years of age. – A panel of immunization experts voted to expand the recommended ages for annual influenza vaccination of children to include all children from 6 months through 18 years of age. The previous recommendation was for vaccination of children from 6 months to 59 months of age.

Protein may trigger insulin production in diabetic patients

University of Florida researchers have coaxed liver and pancreatic cells within diabetic mice into churning out insulin by injecting the animals with a naturally occurring protein called Pdx1, opening up a new research avenue that someday could lead to safer treatments for type 1 diabetes. Pdx1 activates the genes controlling the development of the pancreas cells that make and release insulin to maintain safe levels of glucose in the body. – If the human body were a stage, then proteins would rank among the lead actors in the play we call “Life.” These large biological molecules hold many starring roles, and their lines are dictated by information encoded in our genes. They are production powerhouses, regulating the basic processes of living and controlling countless functions. Many are enzymes that produce or use energy. Others regulate genes.

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