news 2013

The National Institutes of Health 's system for selecting research projects may be considered the gold standard for equitably awarding funding, but that hasn't kept the agency from dispatching three University of Wisconsin-Madison professors to probe the system for bias. "The NIH peer review system is viewed by other countries and organizations as the ultimate review system for research," says Molly Carnes , a women's health researcher and UW-Madison professor of medicine.

18 September 2013 The Menzies Centre for Health Policy and HCF Research Foundation have joined forces to attract Associate Professor Adam Elshaug, an academic with an increasing reputation in the field of disinvestment in low value health care. The Menzies Centre for Health Policy and the HCF Research Foundation are pleased to announce the appointment of Associate Professor Adam Elshaug as the HCF Research Foundation Principal Research Fellow and NHMRC Sidney Sax Public Health Fellow at the University of Sydney.

Completion emissions are lower than previously estimated; Data show emissions from pneumatic controllers and equipment leaks are higher than EPA national emission projections; Estimates of total emissions are similar to the most recent EPA national inventory of methane emissions from natural gas production.

A new free-to-access 'swap-shop', where scientists deposit and exchange data could reduce the cost of research and deliver a raft of new discoveries. The architects of such a service, say it could bring about new advances faster in all fields of science, medicine and engineering by bringing together results from different sources.

Posted under: Health and Medicine , News Releases , Research , Science , Technology Initial, positive results were reported today, Sept. 12,  on a therapeutic vaccine candidate for treating patients with genital herpes. This first-in-class, investigational, protein subunit vaccine, GEN-003, is under development by Genocea Biosciences, Inc.

New research has provided the first evidence to prove that active and engaged television viewing does help to accelerate language change. In particular the study, funded by Economic and Social Research Council and published in the American journal 'Language', looked at how watching the television soap 'EastEnders' is altering certain features of the Scottish accent.

Patients attending clinical nurse specialist clinics do not get inferior treatment to that offered by consultant rheumatologists, the results of a major new clinical trial have revealed. The results of the multi-centre trial at the University of Leeds, funded by Arthritis Research UK, showed that there may be some clinical benefit to people with rheumatoid arthritis, whose condition is managed in clinics run by rheumatology clinical nurse specialists, especially with respect to their disease activity, pain control, physical function and general satisfaction with their care.

A special iPhone case and app can be used to quickly and cheaply detect heart rhythm problems and prevent strokes, according to University of Sydney research presented at the Australia and New Zealand Cardiac Society conference today on the Gold Coast. The research found the AliveCor Heart Monitor for iPhone (iECG) was a highly-effective, accurate and cost-effective way to screen patients to identify previously undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) and hence help prevent strokes.

King's MSc students are studying insect behaviour to help solve murder cases King's has been at the cutting edge of forensic science for many years, working closely with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to develop innovative techniques and test new methods to collect and analyse evidence in criminal cases.

New research from UCLPartners, and funded by the NHS in London, has shown that centralising acute stroke services in particular London hospitals has led to significant reductions in both mortality and costs. Before 2010, stroke services in London were provided in 30 acute hospitals across the region.

Underserved populations need options for colorectal cancer screening if screening rates are to be improved, study finds Organized mailing campaigns could substantially increase colorectal cancer screening among uninsured patients, a study published in the August 5 online edition of JAMA Internal Medicine reveals.

Study shows that in the face of an epidemic, even moderate government-mandated travel restrictions would slow contagion. In an epidemic or a bioterrorist attack, the response of government officials could range from a drastic restriction of mobility - imposed isolation or total lockdown of a city - to moderate travel restrictions in some areas or simple suggestions that people remain at home.

A topical general anesthetic for amphibians developed by veterinary researchers at Illinois could be a low-cost, easy-to-administer tool for scientists conducting research in the field. Cane toads were used in the study. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. Veterinary researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a general anesthetic for amphibians that is administered through their skin.

ANN ARBOR-More low-income women are having potentially life-saving health screenings in states with expanded Medicaid eligibility for family planning services, according to new research from the University of Michigan. The study will be published in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

A new study reveals significant variation between hospitals in patient death rates following emergency surgical admissions in England. The study, published in the British Journal of Surgery , also found that survival rates were higher in hospitals with better resources. Patients presenting as emergencies account for the majority of deaths associated with general surgery.

U.S. agencies look to UAlberta medical expertise to help settle controversies in screening and diagnosing diabetes during pregnancy. Medical researchers at the University of Alberta are providing their expertise to the U.S. government to help guide recommendations on gestational diabetes screening.

New quasi-experimental research finds major impact of coal emissions on health. A high level of air pollution, in the form of particulates produced by burning coal, significantly shortens the lives of people exposed to it, according to a unique new study of China co-authored by an MIT economist. The research is based on long-term data compiled for the first time, and projects that the 500 million Chinese who live north of the Huai River are set to lose an aggregate 2.5 billion years of life expectancy due to the extensive use of coal to power boilers for heating throughout the region.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation has announced a $300 million initiative to support cutting-edge heart and stroke research at leading health institutions across the country. The funding initiative is the largest research commitment in the organization's 60-year history. It will accelerate the progress of the Heart and Stroke Foundation's goal of reducing Canadians' rate of death from heart disease and stroke by 25 per cent by 2020.

ANN ARBOR-An improvement in the African-American infant mortality rate in Genesee County, Mich., can be attributed in part to a program that opened the eyes of many in the community to the challenges faced by African-American mothers, according to research led by a faculty member in the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Researchers from a project which aims to deepen understanding of adults who choose to go missing are presenting their results for the first time today (Wednesday 19 June). Around 327,000 incidences of people reported as missing are reported to authorities each year in the UK, but little research exists which could provide practical insights to benefit those with responsibility for and to missing adults.