Two U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies will collaborate in the most comprehensive study to date of prescription medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the potential for increased risk of heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problems. Researchers supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the U.S. [click link for full article]

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of its first radiofrequency (RF) wireless devices to treat patients with heart failure and with potentially lethal heart arrhythmias. [click link for full article]

Christiana Care Health System announced that it has been named a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence® by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Surgical Review Corporation. The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery. [click link for full article]

Beta, the gorilla, has been suffering since 2005 from abdominal discomfort and heavy vaginal bleeding caused by uterine fibroids, noncancerous tumors that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. She lives at the Brookfield Zoo in the suburbs of Chicago, IL, and is a 46-year-old menopausal western lowland gorilla. Doctors have attempted to treat her with endometrial ablation (removal of the lining in the uterus) with little success. Interventional radiologists, Drs. [click link for full article]

New data from two studies announced by Novo Nordisk at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) meeting confirms that Levemir (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) results in less weight gain than other basal insulins in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The studies also demonstrate that Levemir® provides good glycaemic control in both types of diabetes and reduced rates of hypoglycaemia. [click link for full article]

Many people think that wheezing is synonymous with asthma, when in fact, it is not. While true wheezing is a clue for asthma, not all asthmatics wheeze. Conversely, people who…

PROGENSA” PCA3, the world’s first molecular urine test to aid in the diagnosis of prostate cancer, was launched in London. Scientific data suggest that the test could be a vital clinical tool. 1-4 PROGENSA” PCA3 is manufactured and marketed by Gen-Probe Incorporated. Dr. Chris Hiley, Head of Policy and Research Management, at The Prostate Cancer Charity said: “Prostate cancer can be difficult to diagnose. [click link for full article]

Commenting on the publication of the European Cancer Research Managers Forum Second European Survey the Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney T.D. said: “This report analyses how cancer research is funded and enables us to monitor our progress in cancer research funding in relation to our European counterparts.” Of the 32 European countries surveyed, the report places Ireland in 9th place in terms of direct cancer research spend per capita. [click link for full article]

Air pollution is caused by any particulate matter, chemical, or biological agent that changes the natural characteristics of the atmosphere. Exposure to particulate matter has been linked to an increased risk of heart problems, including increased risk of heart attack. [click link for full article]

Several nutrition and medical groups in the UK have expressed their disappointment and outrage at the Food Standard’s Agency’s (FSA’s) refusal to act on food additives. A recent report has shown that several additives have a significant impact on ADHD in children - in fact, Professor Jim Stevenson, who carried out the research, stated that additives pose a threat to children’s psychological health. The FSA Board Meeting decided to pass the buck on to the European Food Safety Authority. [click link for full article]