NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center physician-scientists presented exciting new research at the 2007 American Urological Association (AUA) annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif. Among the most significant presentations were the following:Female Sexual Dysfunction in Urologic Patients: Findings From the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Area [862]Authors: Harry Fisch, M.D., Ithor S. Sawczuk, M.D., et al. [click link for full article]

Skin reactions to a powerful new class of anti-cancer drugs are frequent, but manageable through a simple and rational treatment approach - usually without the need to reduce the dose or interrupt treatment with potentially life-prolonging chemotherapy, according to an article in the May issue of “The Oncologist.”The special article presents the first recommendations on skin reactions to the new drugs, called Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors (EGFRIs). [click link for full article]

Three new members have been appointed to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, CQ HealthBeat reports. Bruce Stuart, a professor and executive director of the [click link for full article]

The House and Senate on Thursday likely will approve a $120 billion fiscal year 2007 supplemental appropriations bill (HR 2206) for military operations in Iraq that includes $17 billion for nonmilitary programs, such as SCHIP, the Washington Times reports (Miller, Washington Times, 5/14). [click link for full article]

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found in a database study of women heart patients that COX inhibitors such as traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may undermine any purported protection against heart disease in participants taking estrogen therapy. The results were described in PLoS Medicine. [click link for full article]

The United Nations World Food Programme Today Condemned A Series Of Armed Attacks And Looting Of WFP Food Trucks, Mainly In The South And West Of Afghanistan And Said It Is Working With The Authorities To Step Up Security Measures. The Attacks Have Resulted In The Loss Of More Than 500 Tonnes Of Food Aid Valued At US 350,000 dollars. [click link for full article]

A global conference on Cancer Control in Africa was recently held in London (10-11th May) to raise awareness of the looming cancer epidemic facing the African continent. The meeting was organised by Prof David Kerr, University of Oxford and founder of AfrOx (the Africa Oxford Cancer Consortium) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). [click link for full article]

Conditions for Iraqi children affected by violence and displacement have reached a critical point, UNICEF said today. The children’s organization requires $42 million to provide relief over the next six months for children inside Iraq, as well as those who fled with their families to neighbouring Jordan and Syria. View full report: [click link for full article]

The outlook for patients of a GP practice is bright after it took part in an innovative and award-winning project with the Met Office, South West SHA and the Improvement Foundation. Chilcote Surgery was already working with the Improvement Foundation’s long-term conditions collaborative to reduce hospital admissions and improve the quality of life for those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), when the opportunity arose to work with the Met Office. [click link for full article]

Studies have shown that Nasaleze significantly reduces the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and hay fever caused by pollen and dust mites. These studies will be presented by Professor Jean Emberlin at a conference on 23 May 2007. This body of evidence will also show that Nasaleze has the ability to stop a sneezing fit in minutes, providing effective treatment for the annual bout of hay fever. [click link for full article]