ScienceDaily: Top Health News

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• New optimal screening threshold for gestational diabetes in twin pregnancies: Ideal 1-hour 50-g glucose challenge test cutoff ≥135 mg/dl
• Take a walk in the sun to ease time change woes, sleep expert says
• Heart's own immune cells can help it heal
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevalence in U.S. revealed by study
• Hygienic funerals, better protection for health workers offer best chance to stop Ebola
• Genetic factors behind surviving or dying from Ebola shown in mouse study
• High-intensity sound waves may aid regenerative medicine
• What do American babies eat? A lot depends on Mom's socioeconomic background
• Making lab-grown tissues stronger
• Young adults ages 18 to 26 should be viewed as separate subpopulation in policy, research
• Campaign to reduce firearm suicide wins support among firearm retailers in New Hampshire
• Toddlers copy their peers to fit in, but apes don't
• Could daylight savings time be a risk to diabetics?
• Sadness lasts longer than other emotions
• Blocking a fork in the road to DNA replication
• Why scratching makes you itch more
• Together we are strong -- or insufferable
• Identifying the source of stem cells
• Clock gene dysregulation may explain overactive bladder
• New molecule sneaks medicines across blood/brain barrier
• Size matters: Baby's size at birth may predict risk for disease later in life
• BPA exposure by infants may increase later risk of food intolerance
• Adapative 'nowcasting' key to accurate flu data trends using Google search terms
• Device developed for running shoes that prevents injuries
• Clinical practice guidelines address multimodality treatment for esophageal cancer
• Can parents make their kids smarter?
• Bat influenza viruses unlikely to pose a threat to human health
• Peripheral clocks don't need the brain's master clock to function correctly
• Ion adsorption matter in biology
• Breakdown in gut barriers to bacteria may promote inflammation and craving in alcoholics
• Pterostilbene, a molecule similar to resveratrol, as a potential treatment for obesity
• Even mild depressive symptoms result in poorer lumbar spinal stenosis surgery outcome
• Greater inequality within UK, USA than some developing countries, trade 'footprint' shows
• Model explains why HIV prevention dosing differs by sex
• National initiative shows multisystem approaches to reduce diabetes disparities
• High air pollution levels near unconventional oil and gas production sites
• Could copper prevent spread of Ebola?
• Reconstruction of patterned piece of spinal cord in 3D culture
• Diagnosing drug resistant TB
• Minutes in Criminal Procedures: Writing Style Influences Judges
• National Cancer Institute supports next-generation Austrian HPV vaccine
• Frailty increases kidney transplant recipients' risk of dying prematurely
• Lou Gehrig's disease study: Renewing brain's aging support cells may help neurons survive
• New tech aims to improve communication between dogs, humans
• Validation of patient reported outcomes obtained in the home infusion setting in the management of patients with neuromuscular disease
• Increased risk of co-existing autoimmune disease in myasthenia gravis patients
• Possible cause of common dementia found, opening avenues for treatment
• Researchers aim to simplify life saving drug Heparin
• 'Treasure in saliva' may reveal deadly diseases early enough to treat them
• Survival rates in pediatric umbilical cord transplants may indicate a new standard of care
• More attention to measles, vaccine experts urge
• Rolling back school nutrition standards would threaten progress against childhood obesity
• Polls show deep partisan divide over Affordable Care Act
• Study compares gastric bypass procedures in weight loss, complications
• Adult eczema may be unrecognized risk factor for fracture, other injuries
• Availability of tanning beds on, near college campuses
• Affordable Care Act Medicare payment reforms improve patient experiences
• Four years in, payment model lowers medical spending, improves care
• Breast, colorectal cancers remain more aggressive in children

New optimal screening threshold for gestational diabetes in twin pregnancies: Ideal 1-hour 50-g glucose challenge test cutoff ≥135 mg/dl Posted: 30 Oct 2014 01:49 PM PDT A common complication, gestational diabetes affects approximately 6-7% of pregnant women. Currently, screening is done in two steps to help identify patients most at risk; however, the suggested levels for additional testing were based on singleton pregnancy data. Now investigators have analyzed data from twin pregnancies and have determined that the optimal first step cutoff for additional screening appears to be a blood sugar level equal to or greater than 135 mg/dL for women carrying twins.

Take a walk in the sun to ease time change woes, sleep expert says Posted: 30 Oct 2014 01:30 PM PDT Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2. As clocks turn back one hour, we gain an hour of sleep but often still feel groggy and sluggish. A sleep expert says this change in sleep schedule is exacerbated by our tendency to alter our sleep patterns on the weekends anyway.

Heart's own immune cells can help it heal Posted: 30 Oct 2014 12:06 PM PDT The heart holds its own pool of immune cells capable of helping it heal after injury, according to new research. In a mouse model of heart failure, the researchers showed that blocking the bone marrow's macrophages from entering the heart protects the organ's beneficial pool of macrophages, allowing them to remain in the heart, where they promote regeneration and recovery. The findings may have implications for treating heart failure in humans.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevalence in U.S. revealed by study Posted: 30 Oct 2014 12:06 PM PDT Nearly 5 percent of U.S. children may be affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), according to a new study. FASD are a group of conditions that can occur in the children of mothers who drank alcohol during pregnancy. Characteristics are both physical and cognitive and can include abnormal facial features, smaller-than-average physical growth, poor coordination, learning disabilities and vision and hearing problems.

Hygienic funerals, better protection for health workers offer best chance to stop Ebola Posted: 30 Oct 2014 11:22 AM PDT Hygienic funeral practices, case isolation, contact tracing with quarantines, and better protection for health care workers are the keys to stopping the Ebola epidemic that continues to expand in West Africa, researchers said in a new report. They said broad implementation of aggressive measures they recommend could lead to its control in Liberia, the focal point, by mid-March.

Genetic factors behind surviving or dying from Ebola shown in mouse study Posted: 30 Oct 2014 11:22 AM PDT A newly developed mouse model suggests that genetic factors are behind the mild-to-deadly range of responses to the Ebola virus. The frequency of different manifestations of the disease across the lines of these mice are similar in variety and proportion to the spectrum of clinical disease observed in the 2014 West African outbreak. The new mouse model might be useful in testing candidate therapeutics and vaccines for Ebola, and in finding genetic markers for susceptibility and resistance to the disease.

High-intensity sound waves may aid regenerative medicine Posted: 30 Oct 2014 11:19 AM PDT Researchers have developed a way to use sound to create cellular scaffolding for tissue engineering, a unique approach that could help overcome one of regenerative medicine's significant obstacles.

What do American babies eat? A lot depends on Mom's socioeconomic background Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:35 AM PDT Dietary patterns of babies vary according to the racial, ethnic and educational backgrounds of their mothers, pediatrics researchers have found. For example, babies whose diet included more breastfeeding and solid foods that adhere to infant guidelines from international and pediatric organizations were associated with higher household income -- generally above $60,000 per year -- and mothers with higher educational levels ranging from some college to post-graduate education.

Making lab-grown tissues stronger Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:35 AM PDT Lab-grown tissues could one day provide new treatments for injuries and damage to the joints, including articular cartilage, tendons and ligaments. Cartilage, for example, is a hard material that caps the ends of bones and allows joints to work smoothly. Biomedical engineers are exploring ways to toughen up engineered cartilage and keep natural tissues strong outside the body.

Young adults ages 18 to 26 should be viewed as separate subpopulation in policy, research Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:35 AM PDT Young adults ages 18-26 should be viewed as a separate subpopulation in policy and research, because they are in a critical period of development when successes or failures could strongly affect the trajectories of their lives, says a new report.

Campaign to reduce firearm suicide wins support among firearm retailers in New Hampshire Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:35 AM PDT Nearly half of firearm retailers in New Hampshire displayed materials from a firearm suicide prevention campaign generated by a coalition of gun owners and public health professionals.

Toddlers copy their peers to fit in, but apes don't Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:33 AM PDT From the playground to the board room, people often follow, or conform, to the behavior of those around them as a way of fitting in. New research shows that this behavioral conformity appears early in human children, but isn't evidenced by apes like chimpanzees and orangutans.

Could daylight savings time be a risk to diabetics? Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:33 AM PDT Many will turn back the hands of time as part of the twice-annual ritual of daylight savings time. That means remembering to change the alarm clock next to the bed, which means an extra hour of sleep before getting up in the morning. But for some diabetics who use insulin pumps, researchers suggest that remembering to change the time on this device should be the priority.

Sadness lasts longer than other emotions Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:31 AM PDT Why is it that you can feel sad up to 240 times longer than you do feeling ashamed, surprised, irritated or even bored? It's because sadness often goes hand in hand with events of greater impact such as death or accidents. You need more time to mull over and cope with what happened to fully comprehend it, say researchers. This is the first work to provide clear evidence to explain why some emotions last a longer time than others.

Blocking a fork in the road to DNA replication Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:29 AM PDT A team of scientists has discovered the surprising manner in which an enigmatic protein known as SUUR acts to control gene copy number during DNA replication. It's a finding that could shed new light on the formation of fragile genomic regions associated with chromosomal abnormalities.

Why scratching makes you itch more Posted: 30 Oct 2014 10:29 AM PDT Turns out your mom was right: scratching an itch only makes it worse. New research reveals that scratching causes the brain to release serotonin, which intensifies the itch sensation. Scientists uncovered serotonin's role in controlling pain decades ago, but this is the first time the release of the chemical messenger from the brain has been linked to itch, they say.

Together we are strong -- or insufferable Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:49 AM PDT Everyone can have an impact on the dynamics of a group, particularly if they join forces with others, experts say. "What interested us most, however, was how the individual can contribute to the development of stable cooperation within the group," they say of their research, which was actually able to calculate mathematically which strategies promote cooperation.

Identifying the source of stem cells Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:49 AM PDT When most animals begin life, cells immediately begin accepting assignments to become a head, tail or a vital organ. However, mammals, including humans, are special. The cells of mammalian embryos get to make a different first choice -- to become the protective placenta or to commit to forming the baby.

Clock gene dysregulation may explain overactive bladder Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:49 AM PDT If you think sleep problems and bladder problems are a fact of life in old age, you may be right. A new report shows that our sleep-wake cycles are genetically connected to our bladder, and disruptions to one may cause problems with the other.

New molecule sneaks medicines across blood/brain barrier Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:49 AM PDT Delivering life-saving drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) might become a little easier thanks to a new study. In the new report, scientists describe an antibody, called 'FC5,' is one-tenth the size of a traditional antibody and able to cross the BBB.

Size matters: Baby's size at birth may predict risk for disease later in life Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:49 AM PDT Being overweight might be better in the long term than being underweight, at least when it comes to infants. "These findings support the hypothesis that common long-term variation in the activity of genes established in the womb may underpin links between size at birth and risk for adult disease," said one of the authors.

BPA exposure by infants may increase later risk of food intolerance Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:49 AM PDT Scientists show, for the first time, that there is a link between perinatal exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) at low doses and the risk to develop food intolerance in later life. "We may look back one day and see BPA exposure as one of the more important public health problems of our time," said one expert. "We know that too much exposure is bad, but exactly how much exposure is too much is still up for debate."

Adapative 'nowcasting' key to accurate flu data trends using Google search terms Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:48 AM PDT Google search data really can provide a more accurate real time picture of current flu infections, researchers have found. Official reports of influenza infection rates are produced with a delay of at least one week. Yet researchers from Google and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that data on searches for influenza related terms could be used to provide a real time estimate of the number of people with flu infections, with almost no delay.

Device developed for running shoes that prevents injuries Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:48 AM PDT A prototype running shoe has been designed with an integrated device that improves training management and prevents injuries. The device consists of a microelectronic measuring system capable of gathering biomechanical parameters that characterize the runner's technique during a race. This information is wirelessly transmitted to the runner's mobile phone and a mobile phone application provides real-time feedback, including level of performance and suggestions to change the running pattern or to stop running in case of detecting a high risk of injury.

Clinical practice guidelines address multimodality treatment for esophageal cancer Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:48 AM PDT New clinical practice guidelines for treating cancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (area where the esophagus meets the stomach) have been released. The guidelines include nine evidence-based recommendations that address issues related to multimodality care, including neoadjuvant therapy (chemotherapy and radiation therapy given prior to surgery). The goal of this therapy is to reduce the extent of cancer before an operation to maximize the chance of obtaining a cure.

Can parents make their kids smarter? Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:47 AM PDT Reading bedtime stories, engaging in conversation and eating nightly dinners together are all positive ways in which parents interact with their children, but according to new research, none of these actions have any detectable influence on children's intelligence later in life. A criminology professor examined a nationally representative sample of youth alongside a sample of adopted children and found evidence to support the argument that IQ is not the result of parental socialization.

Bat influenza viruses unlikely to pose a threat to human health Posted: 30 Oct 2014 08:47 AM PDT Veterinary researchers have completed new research that suggests the bat influence virus poses a low risk to humans.

Peripheral clocks don't need the brain's master clock to function correctly Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:28 AM PDT New research further adds to our understanding of the circadian rhythm by suggesting that the suprachiasmaticus nucleus clock, a tiny region of the hypothalamus considered to be the body's 'master' timekeeper, is not necessary to align body rhythms with the light-dark cycle.

Ion adsorption matter in biology Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:28 AM PDT Biological membranes are mainly composed of lipid bilayers. Gaining a better understanding of adsorption of solution ions onto lipid membranes helps clarify functional processes in biological cells. A new study provides a quantitative description of the equilibria between lipid membranes and surrounding solution ions. In addition to shedding some light on biological processes, these results could also have implications for, among other things, the future development of medical diagnostics.

Breakdown in gut barriers to bacteria may promote inflammation and craving in alcoholics Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:28 AM PDT Bacteria in the GI tract fulfill many vital functions and are critical for digestion. Yet, these same bacteria can induce strong inflammatory responses by the immune system if they penetrate the gut and enter the bloodstream. Prior research has established the involvement of inflammatory processes in the development of psychiatric disorders, including major depression and alcohol dependence, but the origins of such inflammation have remained unclear. Now, researchers have found that inflammatory pathways are stimulated in alcohol-dependent patients by bacteria that escape the gut barrier, which correlated with alcohol craving.

Pterostilbene, a molecule similar to resveratrol, as a potential treatment for obesity Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:28 AM PDT Pterostilbene is a phenolic compound in the same family as resveratrol and is present in small amounts in a large variety of foods and beverages like blueberries or red wine. Researchers have observed in animal models that its administration reduces the build-up of body fat, which could reduce the risk of developing other diseases like diabetes.

Even mild depressive symptoms result in poorer lumbar spinal stenosis surgery outcome Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:28 AM PDT Even mild depressive symptoms can weaken the outcome of lumbar spinal stenosis surgery, according to a recent study. Patients with depressive symptoms had a weaker functional capacity post-surgery even five years after surgery. "The results indicate that attention should be paid to even mild depressive symptoms both before and after the surgery. This would allow health care professionals to recognize patients who might benefit from enhanced psychosocial support as part of their surgery-related treatment and rehabilitation process," says the first author.

Greater inequality within UK, USA than some developing countries, trade 'footprint' shows Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:16 AM PDT An inequality footprint has been devised by researchers, demonstrating the link that each country's domestic economic activity has to income distribution elsewhere in the world. "The footprint maps the movement of commodities around the world. It is a new tool which can assist businesses, government and non-government organisations in understanding the complex dynamics of inequality and trade," said the lead author of the paper.

Model explains why HIV prevention dosing differs by sex Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:15 AM PDT A mathematical model predicts that women must take the antiretroviral medication Truvada daily to prevent HIV infection via vaginal sex, whereas just two doses per week can protect men from HIV infection via anal sex. This finding helps explain why two large clinical trials testing HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, in women failed to show efficacy.

National initiative shows multisystem approaches to reduce diabetes disparities Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:15 AM PDT Exciting results from an innovative, multicultural, five-year initiative, known as the Alliance to Reduce Disparities in Diabetes, have been published, revealing that a new model of chronic disease management for vulnerable populations with diabetes shows significant promise in strengthening coordination of care, reducing diabetes health disparities and improving health outcomes.

High air pollution levels near unconventional oil and gas production sites Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:15 AM PDT Research suggests air pollutants released by unconventional oil and gas production are well over recommended levels in the US. High levels of benzene, hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde were found. The study is the first to be based on community sampling by people who live near production sites and could be used to supplement official air-quality monitoring programs.

Could copper prevent spread of Ebola? Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:12 AM PDT Copper could help to prevent the spread of Ebola, researchers have found. While hand washing, disinfectants and quarantine procedures alone have been found to be insufficient to contain the spread of the virus, research has offered promising evidence that antimicrobial copper - engineering materials with intrinsic hygiene benefits - could be a valuable addition to these existing measures.

Reconstruction of patterned piece of spinal cord in 3D culture Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:12 AM PDT The central nervous system in vertebrates develops from the neural tube, which is the basis for the differentiation in spinal cord and brain. Researchers have demonstrated for the first time the in vitro growth of a piece of spinal cord in three dimensions from mouse embryonic stem cells. Correct spatial organization of motor neurons, interneurons and dorsal interneurons along the dorsal/ventral axis was observed.

Diagnosing drug resistant TB Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:12 AM PDT While there are a number of different drugs available to people suffering from tuberculosis (TB), resistance to these drugs is a growing problem. People suffering from a drug-resistant strain of TB are more likely to die from the disease, and require treatment with what are described as "second-line" drugs. These drugs can cause more side effects and must be taken for longer. A rapid and accurate test that could identify people with resistant TB, including a type of TB that is resistant to almost all anti-TB drugs, called XDR-TB, is likely to improve patient care and reduce the spread of drug-resistant TB.

Minutes in Criminal Procedures: Writing Style Influences Judges Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:07 AM PDT The formal style of interrogation records influences the reception of judges and the decisions they take – even when the actual content is the same. This was shown in a large scale study in which 645 Swiss judges participated. To date, it had only been understood that minutes containing wrong or missing statements could provoke false rulings.

National Cancer Institute supports next-generation Austrian HPV vaccine Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:07 AM PDT The National Cancer Institute in the USA is supporting the new vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) with at least US$ 3.5 million. This is a major success for the developers and means that the foundations can now be laid for the clinical trials needed for licensing as a vaccine.

Frailty increases kidney transplant recipients' risk of dying prematurely Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:07 AM PDT Regardless of age, frailty is a strong risk factor for dying prematurely after a kidney transplant. This finding suggests that patients should be screened for frailty prior to kidney transplantation, and that those who are identified as frail should be closely monitored after the procedure.

Lou Gehrig's disease study: Renewing brain's aging support cells may help neurons survive Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:05 AM PDT Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, attacks muscle-controlling nerve cells – motor neurons – in the brain, brainstem and spinal cord. Patients typically survive only three to five years after diagnosis. Now ALS researchers know the effects of the attack are worsened, at least in part, by the aging and failure of support cells called astrocytes, which normally provide nutrients, housekeeping, structure and other forms of assistance for neurons.

New tech aims to improve communication between dogs, humans Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:05 AM PDT A suite of technologies that can be used to enhance communication between dogs and humans has been developed by researchers who say that it has applications in everything from search and rescue to service dogs to training our pets.

Validation of patient reported outcomes obtained in the home infusion setting in the management of patients with neuromuscular disease Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:05 AM PDT New information about how to monitor medications given at home has been provided by the results of new research. Many autoimmune neuromuscular disorders, such as Myasthenia Gravis, myositis, and CIDP, require the use of medications to suppress the immune system, such as IVIg. However, these medications must be given through infusions and are expensive when taken on a regular basis.

Increased risk of co-existing autoimmune disease in myasthenia gravis patients Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:05 AM PDT Myasthenia gravis is a disorder than can be associated with abnormal function outside of skeletal muscle. Two new studies demonstrate that there is a significant proportion of myasthenia patients with arrhythmias and co-morbid inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Possible cause of common dementia found, opening avenues for treatment Posted: 30 Oct 2014 07:05 AM PDT A major cause of dementia has been potentially discovered, scientists report. In the type of dementia studied, there is damage to the white matter (nerve fibres) of the brain apparent on computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of older individuals.

Researchers aim to simplify life saving drug Heparin Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:44 PM PDT Heparin, the life saving blood thinner used in major surgeries and treatment of heart diseases, is a complicated drug but a research team has set out to make its use a lot safer by developing a universal antidote.

'Treasure in saliva' may reveal deadly diseases early enough to treat them Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:44 PM PDT Research could lead to a simple saliva test capable of diagnosing -- at an early stage -- diabetes and cancer, and perhaps neurological disorders and autoimmune diseases. The study, the most comprehensive analysis ever conducted of RNA molecules in human saliva, reveals that saliva contains many of the same disease-revealing molecules that are contained in blood.

Survival rates in pediatric umbilical cord transplants may indicate a new standard of care Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:43 PM PDT A new standard of care for children facing acute myeloid leukemia may be clear, following a multi-year study. Umbilical cord blood, a rich source of blood-forming stem cells, has previously been shown to benefit many patients with leukemia and myelodysplasia and other diseases, including bone marrow failure syndromes, hemoglobinopathies, inherited immune deficiencies and certain metabolic diseases.

More attention to measles, vaccine experts urge Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:43 PM PDT Doctors and public health authorities need to renew their attention to measles, researchers urge in an editorial. Measles is one of the most contagious of vaccine-preventable diseases, with the average person with measles capable of infecting 12-18 people if susceptible.

Rolling back school nutrition standards would threaten progress against childhood obesity Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:43 PM PDT Efforts to roll back current nutritional standards for the National School Lunch Program in the United States could jeopardize gains made in the fight against childhood obesity, write the authors of an article. "The School Lunch Program provides meals to more than 30 million students a day, and few other programs that can protect against obesity and chronic diseases have such a broad reach," says an author.

Polls show deep partisan divide over Affordable Care Act Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:43 PM PDT An analysis of 27 public opinion polls conducted by 14 organizations shows an electorate polarized by political party when it comes to the Affordable Care Act. A majority of Republican likely voters want the next Congress to repeal the law, with an additional 27 percent favoring scaling it back. A majority of Democratic voters want the new Congress to move ahead with the law, either by implementing the current law or expanding its scope.

Study compares gastric bypass procedures in weight loss, complications Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:43 PM PDT In a study of two of the most commonly performed bariatric surgery procedures, laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass resulted in much greater weight loss than adjustable gastric banding but had a higher risk of short-term complications and long-term subsequent hospitalizations, according to a report.

Adult eczema may be unrecognized risk factor for fracture, other injuries Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:42 PM PDT Adults with eczema had a higher prevalence of fracture and bone or joint injury, as well as other types of injury-causing limitations, in a nationally representative sample of patients with a history of the chronic inflammatory disorder that can cause skin itching and result in sleep disturbance, according to a study.

Availability of tanning beds on, near college campuses Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:41 PM PDT Among the top 125 colleges on a list compiled by US News & World Report, 48 percent have indoor tanning facilities either on campus or in off-campus housing despite evidence that tanning is a risk factor for skin cancer, according to a study.

Affordable Care Act Medicare payment reforms improve patient experiences Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:41 PM PDT Patients enrolled in Accountable Care Organizations reported improved experiences with care compared to the overall Medicare population. Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), a key Medicare payment reform component of the Affordable Care Act, are designed to improve patient experience and quality of care and to reduce health care spending.

Four years in, payment model lowers medical spending, improves care Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:41 PM PDT Enrollees in a Massachusetts global budget health care plan had smaller increases in medical spending and larger increases in quality of care over the first four years of the contract when compared to similar individuals in other states.

Breast, colorectal cancers remain more aggressive in children Posted: 29 Oct 2014 05:41 PM PDT Breast and colorectal cancers rarely occur in children, but when they do, these conditions are more precarious, according to a pair of National Cancer Data Base studies. Both breast cancer and colon cancer are known as adult conditions; 95 percent of new breast cancer cases occur in women age 40 and older. Colorectal cancer is also largely an adult cancer, with 90 percent of cases occurring in people who are age 50 and older. However, researchers wanted to investigate what happens when patients under age 21 are diagnosed with breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

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