In the U.S., a novel technology soon may be available to detect the spread, or metastasis, of breast cancer earlier than now possible, according to research presented at the first international meeting on Molecular Diagnostics in Cancer Therapeutic Development, organized by the American Association for Cancer Research. [click link for full article]

People at high risk of developing diabetes may be protected if they take Avandia (rosiglitazone), a drug currently used to treat the disease. A new study has indicated that high-risk people may reduce their chances of developing Diabetes Type 2 by over 50% if they take Avandia. Many volunteers in the study also found that the drug restored normal blood-sugar function. [click link for full article]

Cardiff University researchers have increased the understanding of why some painkillers increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.The most commonly prescribed medications for treating conditions such as arthritis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which include, for example, ibuprofen. These drugs reduce pain, fever and inflammation but also carry a greater risk of cardiovascular side effects in some patients. [click link for full article]

The Global Health Initiative of the World Economic Forum on Monday launched a public-private partnership that aims to address tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS in China, China Daily reports. [click link for full article]

Limited access to services for children and adolescents with behavioral problems or mental illness often leads to inadequate care and treatment based on insufficient scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness, concludes a report by the American Psychological Association (APA). [click link for full article]

New data(1) released today at the European Federation of IASP (International Association for the Study of Pain) Chapters (EFIC) has revealed that an innovative combination of analgesics may hold the key to unlocking the severe and relatively untreatable pain associated with common diseases like diabetes. Neuropathic pain such as diabetic neuropathy is traditionally one of the most challenging of pain syndromes. [click link for full article]

A research paper published this week in the international open access journal PLoS Medicine evaluated the feasibility, effectiveness, cost, and cost-effectiveness of a DOTS-Plus pilot project established at Makati Medical Center in Manila, the Philippines, in 1999. The authors, led by Katherine Floyd of the World Health Organisation, studied 117 patients and showed that in this setting the average cost to the health system was US$3,355, and US$837 to the patients. [click link for full article]

WHAT: A new study shows that a team-based approach to treating depression in primary care can significantly reduce suicidal thoughts in older adults. The results of the study will be presented to the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging September 14, 2006 as part of National Suicide Prevention Week. [click link for full article]

Adult patients with diabetes who took Exubera(R) (insulin human [rDNA origin]) inhalation powder were able to safely maintain good blood sugar control even if they developed a respiratory infection or were exposed to passive (second-hand) cigarette smoke. These analyses were presented today at the 42nd European Association for the Study of Diabetes. [click link for full article]

Title: Health Tip: After a Snake BiteCategory: Health NewsCreated: 9/15/2006 8:23:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 9/15/2006 8:23:24 AM