Medscape Medical News Headlines

Coffee Associated With Lower Risk of Arrhythmias

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 17:38:56 EST

Drinking four or more cups of java per day is associated with an 18% lower risk of hospitalization for arrhythmias, new research shows. While the data are observational and researchers don't advocate for greater consumption, they say it is good news that coffee doesn't appear to be harmful to the heart's electrical system.

Physicians Say Onerous "Meaningful Use" Requirements Could Make EHR Incentives Meaningless

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 17:10:44 EST

In one survey, practice administrators said complying with meaningful-use standards would slow physicians down - read, "lower their income."

Ingenol Mebutate Gel Clears Actinic Keratosis Lesions

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 16:03:29 EST

An investigational plant extract gel, ingenol mebutate 0.05%, is well tolerated and highly effective in clearing actinic keratosis lesions.

Donating a Kidney Does Not Shorten Life

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 16:00:06 EST

Donating a kidney does not appear to significantly increase the donor's long-term risk for death.

Cilostazol Trumps Aspirin in Secondary Stroke Prevention

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 15:58:36 EST

A large randomized controlled trial suggests that the phosphodiesterase inhibitor cilostazol is more effective for the prevention of secondary stroke and has a superior safety profile.

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Skills Often Inadequate

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 15:00:32 EST

Nurses realize the importance of assessing patients for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, but most are not comfortable with their level of understanding about how to assess patients.

Study Identifies Need to Improve Communication of Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:04:47 EST

One fourth of women choosing breast cancer treatment do not achieve their preferred decision-making style.

Infliximab Reduces Psoriasis Activity in Etanercept-Resistant Patients

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:53:31 EST

Infliximab is effective, safe, and reasonably well tolerated in patients with plaque psoriasis who previously had a poor response to etanercept, according to results from the new PSUNRISE study.

Gardasil Protects Against Anal Disease in Young Men Who Have Sex With Men

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:36:41 EST

In a study of young men who have sex with men, Gardasil was protective against anal lesions associated with HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

Aspiration of Breast Lumps Reviewed

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 10:39:15 EST

A review describes an "in office" approach for immediate evaluation of women who present to their family physician with a breast lump.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors Do Not Exacerbate Postoperative Complications in Patients With Dementia

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 10:09:33 EST

The risk of postoperative complications is not exacerbated by cholinesterase inhibitor therapy in elderly adults with dementia who receive general anesthesia during hip fracture surgery.

Preliminary Mesothelioma Vaccine Appears Safe and Promising

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:45:07 EST

Early results of a small study show that a new immunotherapy treatment is safe, and antitumor responses were detected.

Neurologists in Washington to Promote Healthcare Reform

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:36:00 EST

More than 100 neurologists from 40 states will be on Capitol Hill this week explaining why change is important for specialists and their patients.

H1N1 Seen Lying Low, Then Rising Again in Europe

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:34:14 EST

Europe is unlikely to see another wave of pandemic H1N1 flu soon but local epidemics are likely as winter returns to the Northern hemisphere, health officials said on Monday.

U.S. Says Happy to Work With Iran on Tackling Drugs

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:34:14 EST

U.S. and Iranian officials, whose relations are normally fraught over Tehran's nuclear program, held a rare meeting at which a U.S. official told Iran they were ready to cooperate on fighting drugs.

School Drink Agreement Cuts Calories: Group

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:34:13 EST

An initiative to get sugary drinks out of U.S. schools has begun to work, with diet beverages and smaller portions replacing some full-size, full-calorie varieties in school vending machines, organizers said on Monday.

New Facility in India Will Increase Availability of Elephantiasis Drug

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:34:13 EST

Britain's GlaxoSmithKline said on Monday it was dedicating a facility in India to production of albendazole, part of a combined treatment for the elephantiasis-causing infection lymphatic filariasis.

IgE Analysis Identifies People With Severe Peanut Allergy

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:34:14 EST

Analysis of IgE to peanut allergen components may be helpful in identifying peanut-sensitized subjects who are at risk for severe symptoms, according to a report in the February 8th issue of Allergy.

With Nutrigenomics, Researchers Find Subtle Health Effects of Dietary Supplements

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 13:34:13 EST

A dietary supplement with anti-inflammatory properties appeared to modulate inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolism, with subtle effects detected by large-scale profiling of genes, proteins and metabolites.

CDC Reports 11 Cases of Malaria in Haiti Since January Earthquake

Mon, 8 Mar 2010 18:03:11 EST

Fears of an outbreak of malaria, which is endemic in Haiti, may become reality, as CDC officials report new cases among persons living in temporary shelters.