Medscape Medical Students Headlines

Norway Finds H1N1 Mutation in Flu Fatalities

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:05:38 EST

Norwegian health authorities said on Friday they have discovered a potentially significant mutation in the H1N1 influenza strain that could be responsible for causing the severest symptoms among those infected.

U.S. Losing Ground to Europe in New Drug Approvals

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:05:38 EST

When it comes to getting new medicines, Americans are no longer automatically first in line.

Bivalirudin Reduces PCI Bleeding in Diabetics

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:05:38 EST

Bivalirudin monotherapy is less likely than heparin to cause bleeding in diabetics undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), Italian researchers report in the November 1 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology.

Did US Make Mistake in Leaving Adjuvants out of H1N1 Vaccines?

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:05:38 EST

As US health officials struggle to vaccinate tens of millions of Americans against the pandemic of swine flu, some are looking regretfully at one easy way to instantly double or triple the number of doses available: using an adjuvant.

Multiple Factors Likely Explain Drop in Male Births in the US

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:05:38 EST

Differences in sex ratio by race/ethnicity, gestational age, and singleton vs multiple birth pregnancies suggest that one mechanism alone is unlikely to explain the decrease in male births in the US, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the November issue of Human Reproduction.

Burden of Proof: Breast Cancer Changes Fall Short

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:05:38 EST

Making drastic changes to U.S. breast cancer screening guidelines will take much stronger evidence than that offered by a federal advisory panel this week, U.S. doctors said on Friday.

Normal Walking Speed Predicts Mortality in the Elderly

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:33:42 EST

An older person's usual walking speed is "strongly associated with mortality," Dr. Kate Machacova of Wayne State University in Detroit reported Friday at the Gerontological Society of America's annual meeting in Atlanta.

Pain Often First Sign of Knee Osteoarthritis

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:33:42 EST

A 12-year study in middle-aged adults suggests that knee pain is frequently the first sign of knee osteoarthritis.

In Androgen-Deprived Prostate CA, Zoledronic Acid Helps BMD Even If Started Late

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:33:42 EST

Zoledronic acid improves bone mineral density (BMD) in prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) even when started more than a year later, a study in the November issue of The Journal of Urology suggests.

High Waist-To-Hip Ratio in Midlife Linked to Later Dementia

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:33:42 EST

A high waist-to-hip ratio in mid-life in women is related to an increased risk of dementia later in life, researchers report in the November 10th issue of Neurology.

Retinoblastoma Radiotherapy Boosts Cataract Risk

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:33:42 EST

Radiotherapy for retinoblastoma in childhood greatly increases the subsequent risk of cataracts, researchers report in the November issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.

Catheter-Directed Therapy Safe and Effective for Massive Pulmonary Embolism

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:33:41 EST

Catheter-directed therapy is an effective treatment for acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) and the risk of major complications is relatively small, the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis indicate.

FDA Reports Apparent Excess of CV Events With Sibutramine in SCOUT

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:54:11 EST

An early analysis for the randomized placebo-controlled trial's primary end point, a composite of cardiovascular events, found a "higher than expected" rate of increase among those getting the appetite suppressant. The trial enrolled a population with a high CV risk, many of whom would not generally be recommended for the drug according to its current labeling.

More Obesity, Diabetes in South, Appalachia

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:44:05 EST

The CDC hopes new data will help target funds for obesity and diabetes.

Stem Cells May Be Used as Skin Grafts

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:22:10 EST

A study shows stems cells have potential to treat burn victims.

FDA Approves Intravenous Sildenafil for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:09:23 EST

Sildenafil injection allows continued treatment of patients unable to take the oral formulation.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine May Cut Swine Flu Risk

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:06:49 EST

Researchers say seasonal flu provides some cross-immunity against H1N1 swine flu.

Examining the Fingernails When Evaluating Presenting Symptoms in Elderly Patients

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:22:53 EST

Determine your patient's condition by looking at the fingernails -- another important review in this series on geriatric assessment.

Dirty Blood

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

This case raises several issues on patient self-care and physician-patient communication in the context of end-stage renal disease. Three commentaries offer insight into these issues.

Norovirus Outbreaks on Three College Campuses -- California, Michigan, and Wisconsin, 2008

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Norovirus outbreaks on colleges in California, Michigan, and Wisconsin in 2008 highlight the potential for widespread infection and rapid transmission in this setting.