“Medicaid Benefits: Online Database,” Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured: The Kaiser Family Foundation’s Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured has updated its interactive online Medicaid database, which contains information on programs in the 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and U.S. territories. [click link for full article]

Most head-and-neck cancers that recur locally after prior full-dose conventional radiation therapy respond to Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). These results were obtained in a Phase I/II study at the Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. The scientific director of the research program, professor Heikki Joensuu, University of Helsinki, considers the results clinically significant and very interesting. [click link for full article]

The Government of the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico, has issued a red alert as hurricane Dean heads towards its coast. According to the web site, a red alert is issued when the moment of impact is within 18 hours. Quintana Roo’s population, which includes Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Isla Cozumel, Tulum, Chetumal and various other towns have been asked to listen to regular TV and radio bulletins. [click link for full article]

The Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS), the world’s largest and longest running respiratory health research study, is launching a new research phase focussing on the 21,000 brothers and sisters of the original sample.The TAHS (formerly the Tasmanian Asthma Survey) is a collaboration between the Menzies Research Institute in Tasmania, University of Melbourne and Monash University. Senior Member of the Respiratory Research Group at the Menzies Prof. [click link for full article]

The age alone of a liver transplant recipient seems not to be linked to the risk of death following liver transplant, says a report in Archives of Surgery (JAMA/Archives), August issue. The authors of the article explain that the over 70s are becoming a larger and larger proportion of the general population each year. [click link for full article]

Urticaria goes by many names, but no matter what you call it, this itchy rash makes people miserable. And, hives are extremely common, occurring in at least 20% of people…

Some family planning advocates Tuesday said the Philippine government is not equipped to handle the phase-out of a USAID-funded program that provides contraceptives to women in the country, the AP/International Herald Tribune reports (AP/International Herald Tribune, 8/14). [click link for full article]

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded $4.6 million over the next five years to the Medical College of Wisconsin to establish a Research Center of Excellence in Pediatric Nephrology at Children’s Research Institute. [click link for full article]

According to a recent analysis by the Associated Press (AP) news agency of figures from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Americans are using painkillers more than ever before. Between 1997 and 2007 the volume of five major painkillers sold and distributed in the United States by hospitals, retail pharmacies, doctors and teaching centres has risen by 90 per cent. [click link for full article]

CMS on Monday announced the cancellation of its Medicare Advantage contract with the SunCoast Physicians Health plan in South Florida, CQ HealthBeat reports. [click link for full article]