VirScan blood test can reveal viral history

VirScan blood test can reveal viral history

Your complete viral history revealed by VirScan – Blood test detects exposure to hundreds of viruses simultaneously – VirScan – a single blood test can now simultaneously test for more than 1,000 different strains of viruses that currently or have previously infected a person.

New CT scanner provides better images with minimal radiation

Next-generation CT scanner provides better images with minimal radiation – A new computed tomography (CT) scanner substantially reduces potentially harmful radiation while still improving overall image quality. National Institutes of Health researchers, along with engineers at Toshiba Medical Systems, worked on the scanner.

Breast cancer risk can be reduced by avoiding unnecessary CT scan

Breast cancer risk can be lowered by avoiding unnecessary medical imaging — UCSF analysis of IOM report on environmental causes of breast cancer suggests there is at least 1 way women can reduce risk – A report issued by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) last December reviewed all the available scientific data compiled to date about potential environmental risks of breast cancer?factors such as pesticides, beauty products, household chemicals, and the plastics used to make water bottles.

Airport full body scanners are safe, says ACR

American College of Radiology (ACR) statement on airport full-body scanners and radiation – Amid concerns regarding terrorists targeting airliners using weapons less detectable by traditional means, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is ramping up deployment of whole body scanners at security checkpoints in U.S. airports.

CT scans radiation raise cancer risk

Studies quantify radiation doses, cancer risks from CT scans — Variable doses of radiation raise safety concerns for CT procedures. – Radiation doses from common CT procedures vary widely and are higher than generally thought, raising concerns about increased risk for cancer, according to a new study led by UCSF imaging specialists.

Routine MRI scan to evaluate breast cancer is challenged

Study challenges routine use of MRI scans to evaluate breast cancer — Test is linked to delays in treatment, increase in mastectomy rates. – Women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who receive a breast MRI are more likely to receive a mastectomy after their diagnosis and may face delays in starting treatment, revealed by researchers.

Routine scans for low back pain do not improve outcomes

OHSU researchers find regular MRI, CT, radiography scans unnecessary unless a significant underlying condition is first identified. – Physicians should not immediately order routine scans for low-back pain unless they observe features of a serious underlying condition, researchers in the Oregon Evidence-Based Practice Center at Oregon Health & Science University report.

PET scans useful to assess Alzheimer’s disease

Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning useful in a non-invasive assessment of the formation of Alzheimer’s disease?related plaques in the brain. – A type of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning may be useful in a non-invasive assessment of the formation of Alzheimer’s disease?related plaques in the brain, according to small study posted online today that will appear in the October 2008 print issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

Brain scans reveal biological basis of cocaine addiction

Cocaine alters the parts of the brain responsible for controlling behaviour and making appropriate decisions. – Researchers looking at brain activity of cocaine users may have identified a biological lack of willpower’ that will help us understand why some people become long-term addicts while others can use the drug socially.

Australian Govt should allow GPs to order MRI scans for patients

Australian Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) recently advised that the incoming Government has put the GP MRI initiative on hold pending a review. – The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has written to Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, urging her to implement the previous Government’s policy to allow GPs to order Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans for their patients. Prior to last year’s election, it was announced that GPs would be able to directly refer patients for a Medicare-funded MRI scan of the knee or, where Multiple Sclerosis is suspected, of the brain.

Health Newstrack