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First study of the emotional turmoil caregivers experience during the transition of their loved one from home to care facilities

A new study shows that caregivers of dementia patients who must make the difficult decision to place their relatives into institutionalized care get no relief from depression and anxiety, and in fact suffer additional emotional trauma following their decision.

26 Aug 2004

U.S. plan for influenza pandemic response

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has unveiled the draft Pandemic Influenza Response and Preparedness Plan, which outlines a coordinated national strategy to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic.

26 Aug 2004

1722 cases of malaria reported in the UK

New figures released by the Health Protection Agency have shown that there were 1722 cases of malaria reported in the UK in 2003, a decrease of 11% compared to 2002.

26 Aug 2004

Probiotics of no use for vaginal problems

"Friendly" bacteria (probiotics) are widely used and recommended for general health and specifically for vaginal problems.

26 Aug 2004

Complying with new flu guidelines may be impractical and costly

Complying with guidelines for the use of a new drug to prevent flu may be impractical and costly, according to new research published on bmj.com today.

26 Aug 2004

Environmental factors and diet may explain the higher rates of asthma seen in developed countries

The study involved 10,902 primary school children from three cities in China at different stages of modernisation (Hong Kong, Beijing and Guangzhou). Parents were asked about asthmatic symptoms and exposure to environmental factors.

26 Aug 2004

Asthma stable, allergies rising in British children

The rate of asthma among children in the United Kingdom seems to have stabilised, but the tendency for children to develop allergies is still increasing, according to a study in this week's BMJ.

26 Aug 2004

Success of breast screening varies between women

Breast cancer may be harder to detect and exclude among women with certain personal and lifestyle characteristics, according to research published in this week's BMJ.

26 Aug 2004

Cymbalta, treatment for major depression hits the market

Cymbalta, a new treatment for major depression, is now available by prescription in pharmacies across the United States, Eli Lilly and Company has announced.

26 Aug 2004

Eggs are a high in lutein, a carotenoid important for eye and skin health

The study published in the August 2004 issue of the Journal of Nutrition compared the bioavailability of lutein from various sources, in order to determine how it can impact dietary recommendations. Highly bioavailable forms of nutrients are those that the body can most easily absorb and utilize.

26 Aug 2004

New York Judge strikes down federal abortion ban

Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA) has applauded the New York court ruling issued today in National Abortion Federation (NAF) v. Ashcroft, a lawsuit challenging the federal abortion ban passed by Congress last October and signed by President Bush. Today's ruling invalidates the ban.

26 Aug 2004

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder high among Chernobyl children

In an extensive study of children exposed to varying levels of fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, Israeli researchers have found that Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) scores are higher among those who were in-utero at the time of the accident -- regardless of their actual level of radiation exposure.

26 Aug 2004