Results of the COURAGE trial, presented recently at the American College of Cardiology Annual Scientific Session, are unlikely to alter the approach that interventional cardiologists take in treating most patients with chronic stable angina, say leaders from the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), the leading professional society for interventional cardiologists in the United States. [click link for full article]

Annual computed tomography (CT) screening identifies a high proportion of patients with early-stage lung cancer, according to the latest findings of the New York Early Lung Cancer Action Project (NY-ELCAP) published in the April issue of the journal Radiology.”The regimen of screening determines how early the cancer is diagnosed. This is critical, as it provides the opportunity for earlier treatment which can be curative,” said NY-ELCAP principal investigator Claudia I. [click link for full article]

In a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, children often must be resuscitated, but these “code blues” are technically complex and require close teamwork. Through its Simulator Program, Children’s Hospital Boston provides specialized training using a mannequin with realistic heartbeats, pulses and other vital signs to rehearse high-stakes clinical situations. [click link for full article]

The city of London has launched an innovative service, funded by ESA, which delivers air pollution alerts and health advice via SMS text messages to those who suffer from asthma and other conditions vulnerable to poor air quality. [click link for full article]

Treating congenital heart defects in babies still in the womb is a high-risk procedure, but one that can improve babies’ outcomes after birth. Researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston and Brigham and Women’s Hospital reviewed the cases of 80 fetuses who had prenatal cardiac interventions during a six-year period (most often to avert hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a life-threatening condition in which most of the structures on the left side of the heart are small and underdeveloped). [click link for full article]

A herbal medicinal substance, Crataegus Extract WS®1442, safely extends the lives of congestive heart failure patients already receiving pharmacological treatment for the disease, according to a study presented recently at the American College of Cardiology’s 56th Annual Scientific Session. Crataegus Extract WS®1442 is an extract of leaves of the Crataegus tree, and is a natural antioxidant. [click link for full article]

For all the current emphasis on standardized testing and teaching requirements, the quality of elementary school instruction is mediocre at best, according to a study from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development study published in the March 30 issue of Science magazine.”Any given child has less than a 20 percent chance of having a rich classroom experience consistently through elementary school,” says Robert C. [click link for full article]

Can allergies and asthma be prevented from developing in children? There are many studies that have looked at a variety of ways to reduce the development of allergies and asthma…

Menstrual cycle problems and transient psychotic disorders are just some of the dangers faced by air crew who repeatedly work long haul routes, according to a Seminar in this week’s issue of The Lancet.The regularity of such journeys offers air crew no protection from the effects of jet lag, and can lead to decreased brain power and increased occurrence of major affective disorders. [click link for full article]

When HIV-positive mothers breastfeed exclusively, their babies have only a low risk of postnatal infection with HIV*. But early introduction of animal milks and solid foods increases HIV transmission risks. This evidence demands a revision of the present UNICEF, WHO, and UNAIDS infant-feeding guidelines, according to an Article published in this week’s issue of The Lancet. [click link for full article]