October 26, 2011
In 1980, the Supreme Court ruled that living, human-made microorganisms could be patented by their developers. The ruling opened the gateway for cells, tissues, genetically modified plants and animals, and genes to be patented. (NPR)
October 26, 2011
Analysis of existing studies found that IVF puts mothers-to-be at higher risk of pre-eclampsia, which leads to high blood pressure and can cause seizures and even death. (Telegraph)
October 25, 2011
The New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 365, Issue 15, October 13, 2011) is now available on-line and by subscription only. Articles include: “Medicare Drug Prices and the Deficit” by R.G. Frank, available on-line. “The Central Question for Health Policy … Read More
October 25, 2011
For those worried about the shortage of doctors in the U.S. healthcare system, here is a bit of good news: The number of students enrolling in medical schools has reached its highest level in more than a decade. (LA Times)
October 25, 2011
It’s the one major health expense for which nearly all Americans are uninsured. The dilemma of paying for long-term care is likely to worsen now that the Obama administration pulled the plug on a program seen as a first step. … Read More
October 25, 2011
Transferring one embryo into women during in vitro fertilization (IVF) doesn’t lower their chances of giving birth but it does mean fewer women give birth to twins, with all the attendant health risks, a study said. (Reuters)
October 25, 2011
Jaden Lender, 3, sings along softly with the “Five Little Monkeys†app on the family iPad, and waggles his index finger along with the monkey doctor at the warning, “No more monkeys jumping on the bed!†(New York Times)
October 25, 2011
A federal government advisory committee could decide Tuesday whether to recommend doctors vaccinate boys as young as 11 against the human papillomavirus, commonly referred to as HPV. (CNN)
October 24, 2011
Journal of Internal Medicine (Volume 270, Issue 5, November 2011) is now available by subscription only. Articles include: “Epigenetics and Assisted Reproductive Technology” by A. N. Iliadou, P. C. J. Janson and S. Cnattingius, 414–420.
October 24, 2011
New research has found that stem cells derived from human cord blood could be an effective alternative in repairing heart attacks. (Medical News Today)
October 24, 2011
A few physician practices are scheduled to test a federally authorized system that would make it easier for patients to decide how, when and with whom to share their health data — and easier for doctors to know their patients’ … Read More
October 24, 2011
In a custody dispute that has reached the Supreme Court of North Carolina, a judge has ruled that children of a cancer patient must live with their father, in part, because of their mother’s Stage IV breast cancer diagnosis. (American … Read More
October 24, 2011
Russia’s parliament adopted a law Friday limiting abortions but rejected even tougher restrictions backed by the country’s conservative Orthodox Church. (Washington Post)
October 24, 2011
India has not had a case of polio in nine months, raising hopes the country is on the verge of defeating the disease, health officials said Monday. (Washington Post)
October 24, 2011
A study published last week suggests tired hospital doctors might make decisions better if they took a drug that combats fatigue. So much for the science – what is less certain is the ethics of doctors turning to drugs to … Read More
October 21, 2011
Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy (Volume 14, Issue 4, November 2011) is now available by subscription only. Articles include: “The Current Status of Decision-Making Procedures and Quality Assurance in Europe: An Overview” by L. Valerio, and W. Ricciardi. “The Sense … Read More
October 21, 2011
The Obama administration moved Tuesday to roll back numerous rules that apply to hospitals and other health care providers after concluding that the standards were obsolete or overly burdensome to the industry. (New York Times)
October 21, 2011
Back in the 1990s, the federal government tried an unusual social experiment: It offered thousands of poor women in big-city public housing a chance to live in more affluent neighborhoods. (Washington Post)
October 21, 2011
Roughly 1 in 25 adolescents in the United States are taking antidepressants, according to a new government study billed as the first to offer such statistics on that age group. (Washington Post)
October 21, 2011
Using animals as a source of organs for transplantation into humans was once one of medicine’s next big things – a solution to transplant waiting lists. (BBC News)
October 21, 2011
A soldier tries to sleep. But he is not safe in his dreams. Jolted awake by a nightmare, the combat veteran fumbles in the dark for his 3-D glasses. (Wired)
October 21, 2011
Nurses will be told they could go to prison for talking to patients about assisted dying. (Daily Mail)
October 21, 2011
As chairman and chief executive of her own company, Dr. Robin Smith is a significant player in the world of biopharmaceutical products and research. Self-confident, poised and well traveled, she is used to dealing with movers and shakers. (LA Times)
October 20, 2011
Bioethics (Volume 25, Issue 9, November 2011) is now available by subscription only. Articles include: “Procreative Beneficence – Cui Bono?” by Jakob Elster, 482-488. “Parental Love Pills: Some Ethical Considerations” by S. Matthew Liao, 489-494. “Abortion Counselling and the Informed … Read More
October 19, 2011
The effort to reduce painkiller overdoses and deaths is moving beyond prosecuting so-called pill mills to direct regulation of any physician who prescribes opioids for patients with chronic noncancer pain. (American Medical News)
