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Decreased air pollution continues to increase life expectancy in USA

Significant reductions in air pollution over the past decade have improved life expectancy across various US counties, report researchers, although they stress that optimum air quality levels have not yet been reached.

12 Dec 2012

Prematurity marks the adult heart

People born preterm have compromised cardiac structure and function as young adults, a study shows.

12 Dec 2012

The argument for vision insurance

Individuals with vision insurance are more likely than those without it to have had recent eye care visits, and to have no difficulty reading printed matter or recognizing their friends from across the street, report US researchers.

12 Dec 2012

Many deaths among schizophrenia, bipolar patients ‘avoidable’

More than half of all deaths in patients aged less than 75 years with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are avoidable, results from a UK study show.

12 Dec 2012

African–American rectal cancer patients wait the longest for treatment

African–American rectal cancer patients wait longer for treatment and are less likely to receive adjuvant chemotherapy than their non-African–American counterparts, results show.

12 Dec 2012

$Study finds increase in prevalence of nonrefractive visual impairment in the U.S.$

Study finds increase in prevalence of nonrefractive visual impairment in the U.S.

The prevalence of nonrefractive visual impairment (not due to need for glasses) in the U.S. has increased significantly in recent years, which may be partly related to a higher prevalence of diabetes, an associated risk factor, according to a study in the December 12 issue of JAMA.

12 Dec 2012

Epi-marks can lead to homosexuality

Epigenetics - how gene expression is regulated by temporary switches, called epi-marks - appears to be a critical and overlooked factor contributing to the long-standing puzzle of why homosexuality occurs.

12 Dec 2012

Emotion helps us recognize words quicker and more accurately straight away

Does the emotion in our voice have a lasting effect? According to Annett Schirmer and colleagues from the National University of Singapore, emotion helps us recognize words quicker and more accurately straight away.

12 Dec 2012

Older adults with visually impairing eye disease limit their activities due to fear of falling

A new study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science found that between 40 to 50 percent of older adults with visually impairing eye disease limit their activities due to a fear of falling. Vision scientists warn that this protective strategy puts seniors at risk for social isolation and disability.

12 Dec 2012

Age, functional status predict return to acute care for burn patients

Older age and lower functional status at admission increase a patient’s likelihood of being transferred from a burn rehabilitation unit back to acute care, show study findings.

11 Dec 2012

Sage could protect young chickens against salmonella

Adding sage extract to the diet of chickens has significant effects on biochemical markers of liver health, and reduces the hepatic Salmonella count, show study results.

11 Dec 2012

Lenalidomide effective alternative in lupus

The thalidomide derivative, lenalidomide, is a “safe” and effective treatment in refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus patients, although three-quarters of patients experience clinical relapse after the drug is withdrawn, say Spanish researchers.

11 Dec 2012

High-altitude treatment may help severe asthma patients

Individuals with severe refractory asthma may benefit from high-altitude treatment, irrespective of their sensitivity to airborne allergens, suggest findings from a study conducted in the Swiss Alps.

11 Dec 2012

Ultrasonography effective for diagnosing childhood pneumonia

Point-of-care ultrasound scanning can be used to diagnose pneumonia accurately in children and young people, show study findings.

11 Dec 2012

Cognitive impairments linked to mood episode recurrence risk

Cognitive impairments are associated with an increased risk for mood episode recurrence in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder, researchers report.

11 Dec 2012

Cognitive remediation may benefit youth with psychosis

Results from a Swiss study suggest that computer-assisted cognitive remediation may help improve certain aspects of cognition in adolescent patients with or at risk for psychosis.

11 Dec 2012

CYP2J2 implicated in preeclampsia

Study findings suggest that uteroplacental cytochrome P450 subfamily 2J polypeptide 2 overexpression contributes to preeclampsia.

11 Dec 2012

Recurrence unlikely in childhood cryptogenic stroke

Children with cryptogenic stroke, including that associated with previous varicella infection, are very unlikely to have a recurrence, report researchers.

11 Dec 2012

Spinal manipulations do not overstrain internal carotid artery

Chiropractic cervical spinal manipulations do not pose undue stress and strain on the internal carotid artery, researchers affirm.

11 Dec 2012

Telestroke networks benefit hospital bank balances

Telestroke networks can increase the number of patients successfully discharged home while saving money for all hospitals involved, show US study results.

11 Dec 2012