US’ States move forward to implement health care law, build health insurance marketplaces – Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that more states are on track to implement the health care law and establish health insurance marketplaces, or Exchanges, in their states.
FDA proposes new food safety standards for foodborne illness prevention and produce safety — The FDA encourages Americans to review and comment on these important proposed rules – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed two new food safety rules that will help prevent foodborne illness. The proposed rules implement the landmark, bipartisan FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and are available for public comment for the next 120 days.
Caffeine may block inflammation linked to mild cognitive impairment – Recent studies have linked caffeine consumption to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, and a new University of Illinois study may be able to explain how this happens. Researchers have discovered a novel signal that activates the brain-based inflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases, and caffeine appears to block its activity.
FDA takes action against thousands of illegal Internet pharmacies — Agency participates in international Operation Pangea V to protect consumers from potentially dangerous, unapproved drugs – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in partnership with international regulatory and law enforcement agencies, took action this week against more than 4,100 Internet pharmacies that illegally sell potentially dangerous, unapproved drugs to consumers. Actions taken include civil and criminal charges, seizure of illegal products, and removal of offending websites.
Moderate alcohol consumption may increase risk of atrial fibrillation in people with heart disease – Moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of atrial fibrillation in older people with heart disease or advanced diabetes, found a study in CMAJ. “Moderate to high alcohol intake was associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation among people aged 55 or older with cardiovascular disease or diabetes,” writes Dr. Koon Teo, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, with coauthors.
Food safety guides for groups most vulnerable to foodborne illness now available — USDA and FDA partner on food safety booklets to help those with compromised immune systems prevent foodborne illness – The U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Department of Health and Human Services? Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have partnered to create six booklets with food safety advice for populations that are most susceptible to foodborne illness.
FDA approves first over-the-counter home use HIV test kit – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test, the first over-the-counter, self-administered HIV test kit to detect the presence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and type 2 (HIV-2). HIV is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Kellogg Company Unveils Updated Research Compendium Illustrating The Health Benefits Of Starting Each Day With Cereal – When it comes to breakfasts that give people a strong start to the day, cereal is near the top of the list ? and Kellogg Company wants to give people the facts on this nutritious breakfast food.
The most contaminated surfaces in hotel rooms – – TV remote and bedside lamp switch – An experiment of surfaces in hotel rooms finds television remotes to be among the most heavily contaminated with bacteria and items on housekeeping carts carry the potential to cross-contaminate rooms, revealed by researchers from the University of Houston.
NIH study shows poor quality malaria drugs pose threat — Drug resistance a growing concern in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa – Poor quality antimalarial drugs lead to drug resistance and inadequate treatment that pose an urgent threat to vulnerable populations. Emergence of malaria strains that are resistant to artemisinin drugs on the Thailand-Cambodia border make it imperative to improve the drug supply, stressed the researchers.
