Adding to a growing body of evidence, new research shows that a daily dose of pistachios may offer protective benefits against cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the Volume 26, Number 2 issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.The study, conducted by James N. Cooper M.D., of George Mason University and Michael J. Sheridan, Sc.D. [click link for full article]

Two new studies find the uninsured and people with certain types of public health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced cancer compared to those with private insurance. The studies, published in the July 15, 2007 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, find availability and type of health insurance predict disease severity in patients presenting with cancer of the oral cavity and breast in the United States. [click link for full article]

The diaphragm, a shelf of muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity, is critical to sustaining life. A life-threatening birth defect known as congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), results from failure of normal diaphragm formation which in turn allows abdominal organs to migrate into the chest cavity. Abnormal lung development, so-called pulmonary hypoplasia, frequently co-occurs with CDH, and in fact is the major predictor of morbidity and mortality. [click link for full article]

Children from a lower socioeconomic environment have worse sleeping patterns than children from middle class status. Excessive daytime sleepiness due to poor sleep the night before may have a negative impact on a child’s academic performance and also put them at risk for developing health problems, according to a research abstract presented at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).The study, authored by Sanjeev V. [click link for full article]

Almost six in 10 eligible children whose parents applied for Medicaid in Virginia did not receive coverage for weeks or months because of federal rules that require beneficiaries and applicants to provide documentation of their U.S. citizenship, according to a recent survey conducted by the Virginia Health Care Foundation and the [click link for full article]

Geisinger and BC Decker have announced the release of a book series, entitled Frequently Asked Questions. The series features clear, concise answers to common healthcare questions drawn from the clinical practices of eight veteran Geisinger clinicians.Each book unfolds in a Question and Answer format on a range of topics within a single clinical practice specialty. [click link for full article]

Researchers have called for urgent studies into the long-term safety of newer antiepileptic drugs after discovering that the number given to children has increased significantly over recent years, reports the June issue of British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. [click link for full article]

Leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized nations in the final communique issued at the close of their summit in Heiligendamm, Germany, agreed to provide more than $60 billion to fight HIV/AIDS and address other issues in Africa, Germany’s Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul announced Friday before G8 leaders met with African and international officials, the [click link for full article]

“Factors Underlying the Growth in Medicare’s Spending for Physicians’ Services,” [click link for full article]

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is not a rash that itches. Rather, symptoms start out as itching of the skin. When the area of skin is scratched long enough, a rash…