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Medicine/Health
Key: Meeting Journal Funder Dissertation
Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Effect of real-time CPR feedback reported at resuscitation science symposium
The Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium is the largest clinical research network to study prehospital treatments for cardiac arrest in the United States and Canada. ROC conducted the first randomized study to assess if real-time audio-feedback, during the EMS prehospital course of care, would improve clinical outcome. Results of the study were presented on November 15 during the Resuscitation Science Symposium 2009 program.
NIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Contact: Clare Hagerty
clareh@u.washington.edu
206-685-1323
University of Washington - Health Sciences/UW News, Community Relations & Marketing

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Science
Saving the single cysteine: New antioxidant system found
We've all read studies about the health benefits of having a life partner. The same thing is true at the molecular level, where amino acids known as cysteines are much more vulnerable to damage when single than when paired up with other cysteines.

Contact: Nancy Ross-Flanigan
rossflan@umich.edu
734-647-1853
University of Michigan

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of American Society of Nephrology
High blood pressure easy to miss in children with kidney disease
Spot blood pressure readings in children with chronic kidney disease often fail to detect hypertension -- even during doctor's office visits -- increasing a child's risk for serious heart problems, according to research from Johns Hopkins Children's Center and other institutions. A report of the findings appears online in the Journal of American Society of Nephrology.

Contact: Ekaterina Pesheva
epeshev1@jhmi.edu
410-516-4996
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
PLoS Genetics
Genetic analysis helps dissect molecular basis of cardiovascular disease
Using highly precise measurements of plasma lipoprotein concentrations determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, researchers performed genetic association analysis across the whole genome among 17,296 women of European ancestry. This large scale analysis of the effects of common genetic variation on plasma lipoprotein profile, a critical component of cardiovascular risk, identified 43 genetic loci contributing to lipoprotein metabolism. The findings are published on Nov. 20 in the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

Contact: Tamsin Milewicz
press@plos.org
44-122-346-3339
Public Library of Science

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Researchers identify role of gene in tumor development, growth and progression
Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine researchers have identified a gene that may play a pivotal role in two processes that are essential for tumor development, growth and progression to metastasis.

Contact: Sathya Achia Abraham
sbachia@vcu.edu
804-827-0890
Virginia Commonwealth University

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America
Older problem drinkers use more alcohol than do their younger counterparts
Older adults who have alcohol dependence problems drink significantly more than do younger adults who have similar problems, a new study has found. The findings suggest that older problem drinkers may have developed a tolerance for alcohol and need to drink even more than younger abusers to achieve the effects they seek.

Contact: Virginia Richardson
Richardson.2@osu.edu
614-292-1507
Ohio State University

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
ESC-EASD Joint Scientific Forum
ESC to give talks on diabetes in 3 cities in China
As a result of successful events organized last year, a second Joint Scientific Forum, organized by the European Society of Cardiology and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, two of the most respected professional medical organizations in Europe, will be held from Nov. 27-29 at three venues across China -- Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Contact: ESC Press Office
press@escardio.org
33-049-294-8627
European Society of Cardiology

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Conference
From toxic dust and algae to ill winds from Africa
Media tipsheet on USGS scientific presentations at SETAC conference, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
US Geological Survey

Contact: Kara Capelli
kcapelli@usgs.gov
703-648-5086
United States Geological Survey

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Occupational Medicine
Barn personnel experience higher-than-average rates of respiratory symptoms
The estimated 4.6 million Americans involved in the equine industry may be at risk of developing respiratory symptoms due to poor air quality in horse barns, according to a questionnaire study undertaken earlier this year by investigators at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
National Institutes of Health

Contact: Tom Keppeler
508-839-7910
Tufts University, Health Sciences

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Circulation Research
Carvedilol shown to have unique characteristics among beta blockers
In a new study, researchers report that a class of heart medications called beta-blockers can have a helpful, or harmful, effect on the heart, depending on their molecular activity.

Contact: William Gillespie
gillespi@illinois.edu
217-265-0722
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
International Journal of Radiation, Oncology, Biology, Physics
Rare pancreatic cancer patients may live longer when treated with radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is effective in achieving local control and palliation in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, despite such tumors being commonly considered resistant to radiation therapy, according to a largest of its kind study in the Nov. 15 issue of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

Contact: Beth Bukata
bethb@astro.org
703-839-7332
American Society for Radiation Oncology

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of Clinical Investigation
Discovery of new type of immune cells regulating inflammation in chronic diseases
Scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen and the Center of Allergy and Environment of Technische Universitaet Muenchen have discovered a new type of immune cells -- the Th22 cells -- which can protect the body against inflammation and aid in tissue repair.

Contact: Sven Winkler
presse@helmholtz-muenchen.de
49-089-318-73946
Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Biological Psychiatry
Possible link studied between childhood abuse and early cellular aging
Researchers from Brown University and Butler Hospital have determined that children who suffer physical or emotional abuse may be faced with accelerated cellular aging as adults. The findings are published online in the journal Biological Psychiatry. A print version of the article is also expected.
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health, NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders

Contact: Mark Hollmer
Mark_Hollmer@brown.edu
401-863-1862
Brown University

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Electronic Health Information and Privacy Conference 2009
Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Novel K-anonymity algorithm safeguards access to data
As electronic health records become more widely deployed, increasing amounts of health information are being collected. This data has many beneficial applications, such as research, public health, and health system planning. In a recent study, Dr. Khaled El Emam, the Canada Research Chair in Electronic Health Information at the CHEO Research Institute argues that there is a need for robust de-identification of patient data to avoid the negative impact that individual consent requirements have on studies using health record data for secondary purposes.
Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Contact: Isabelle Mailloux
imailloux@cheo.on.ca
Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of Biological Chemistry
Researchers begin to decipher metabolism of sexual assault drug
It's a naturally occurring brain chemical with an unwieldy name: 4-hydroxybutyrate (4-HB). Taken by mouth, it can be abused or used as a date-rape drug.

Now, a team of Ohio and Michigan scientists have determined new routes by which 4-HB is metabolized by the body. "This is new and important information," said K. Michael Gibson, professor and chair of biological sciences at Michigan Technological University and a member of the research team.
National Institutes of Health, Cleveland Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation

Contact: Jennifer Donovan
jdonovan@mtu.edu
906-487-4521
Michigan Technological University

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Funeral industry workers exposed to formaldehyde face higher risk of leukemia
Long durations of exposure to formaldehyde used for embalming in the funeral industry were associated with an increased risk of death from myeloid leukemia, according to a new study published online Nov. 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Contact: Steve Graff
jncimedia@oxfordjournals.org
301-841-1285
Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Reasonable alternative to invasive biopsy of palpable breast lesions with benign imaging features identified
Short-term follow-up is a reasonable alternative to invasive biopsy of palpable (capable of being touched or felt) breast lesions with benign imaging features, particularly in younger women with probable fibroadenoma (non-cancerous tumors that often occur in women during their reproductive years), according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Medical imaging technique identifies very common condition in women that often goes undiagnosed
In women with lower urinary tract symptoms, a medical imaging technique called dynamic MRI allows clinicians to diagnose pelvic organ prolapse -- a condition that often goes undiagnosed on static MRI and at physical examination, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Chest ultrasound as useful as chest CT in the eval of pediatric patients with complicated pneumonia
Chest ultrasound can serve as a viable alternative to chest CT in the evaluation of pediatric patients with complicated pneumonia and parapneumonic effusion (a build-up of fluid between the lung and chest wall), according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Simple blood test could reduce repeat breast MRI scans in premenopausal women with irregular periods
A simple blood test corresponding to the follicular phase (days 3-14) of a normal menstrual cycle can aid in optimal scheduling of breast MRI exams in premenopausal women with irregular cycles -- possibly reducing the number of repeat scans and non-diagnostic tests patients experience and providing clearer images on which doctors make their recommendations, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Roentgenology
Radiology procedure may help increase long-term survival in patients with severe liver cancer
In patients with unresectable (unable to be removed by surgery) liver cancer, an interventional radiology procedure called triple-drug transcatheter arterial chemoemobolization followed by a liver transplant may significantly increase a patient's chance of long-term survival, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Contact: Heather Curry
hcurry@acr-arrs.org
703-390-9822
American College of Radiology / American Roentgen Ray Society

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Promoting healthy skepticism in the news: Helping journalists get it right
An editorial published online November 20 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute discusses the exaggerated fears and hopes that often appear in news coverage of cancer research. The editorial provides guidance for both the media and journals to help alleviate the problem.

Contact: Steve Graff
jncimedia@oxfordjournals.org
301-841-1285
Journal of the National Cancer Institute

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
American Journal of Medicine
Projections of savings from health IT are baseless, Harvard researchers say
The increased computerization in US hospitals hasn't made them cheaper or more efficient, Harvard researchers say, although it may have modestly improved the quality of care for heart attacks. The findings contradict claims by President Obama and many lawmakers that health information technology, including electronic medical records, will save billions and help make reform affordable. The study uses data from the most extensive survey ever undertaken of hospital computerization.

Contact: Mark Almberg
mark@pnhp.org
312-782-6006
Physicians for a National Health Program

Public Release: 20-Nov-2009
Applied Health Economics & Health Policy
Dispensing prescription drugs in 3-month supplies reduces drug costs by a third
Purchasing prescription drugs in a three-month supply rather than a one-month supply has long been regarded as a way to save money. New research from the University of Chicago quantifies the savings for the first time.

Contact: Greg Borzo
greg.borzo@uchospitals.edu
773-795-0892
University of Chicago Medical Center

Public Release: 19-Nov-2009
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research
Examining mathematical abilities in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have a number of cognitive deficits. Mathematical ability seems particularly damaged in children with FASD. A new study supports the importance of the left parietal area for mathematical abilities in children with FASD.
Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network

Contact: Catherine Lebel, B.Sc.
catherine.lebel@ualberta.ca
780-492-8098
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research