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Science News for April 9, 2010


Hospitalists key to success of health care reform

A leading hospitalist argues that hospital medicine can address fundamental problems in payment and delivery systems, improving access for millions of uninsured Americans. Hospitalists will be key in shaping the future of the American healthcare system, focusing on quality, safety, and efficiency.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Hospital Medicine·DateApr 9, 2010

Developing countries devoting more domestic spending to health, but international health aid is partly replacing, not supplementing, this spending in some settings

A new study reveals that developing countries are increasing their own health spending, but international aid is sometimes replacing this funding in low-income countries. Channelling aid through NGOs can actually increase government health spending, highlighting the need for better transparency and accountability.

SourceThe Lancet_DELETED·JournalThe Lancet·DateApr 9, 2010

Dirty waters

The US Department of Homeland Security is developing portable water purification systems to address the global issue of dirty water, which claims over a million lives annually. Several companies are participating in the SECURE program, creating self-contained and self-powered systems that can be used in emergency situations.

M. D. Anderson zeroes in on better way to predict prognosis in pediatric leukemia patients

Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have developed a new way to predict prognosis in pediatric leukemia patients using a common complete blood count test. The study found that combining the minimal residual disease indicator and absolute lymphocyte count provides better results than MRD alone, identifyin...

Most women unaware of risk for debilitating fractures

A recent international study on osteoporosis in women has found that most postmenopausal women are not aware of their actual risk of debilitating bone breaks. The study, which involved over 60,000 women aged 55 and older in 10 countries, highlights the need for public education about osteoporosis risk factors and treatment.

SourceMcMaster University·JournalOsteoporosis International·DateApr 9, 2010

Primary care physicians nationwide face clinical ethical conflicts with religious hospitals

A study found that nearly one in ten primary care physicians experience conflicts with religious hospitals, with younger and less religious physicians more likely to face these issues. Most physicians feel they should refer patients to another institution if clinical judgment conflicts with hospital policy.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Medical Center·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateApr 9, 2010

Honest deer every year

A study published in BMC Biology found that male fallow deer vocalizations contain accurate information about their competitive abilities, which change dynamically with age. The researchers also discovered that the deer's vocal identity changes substantially from one year to the next.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateApr 9, 2010

PANDAS don't like stress

A new study found that stress can aggravate the impact of prior streptococcal infection on symptoms of Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The researchers identified a link between psychosocial stress and worsening tic and obsessive-compulsive symptom severity in children with Tourette syndrome and OCD.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateApr 9, 2010

Endoscopic resection of a large ileal lipoma

A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology reports successful endoscopic resection of a large ileal lipoma using the modified endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) technique. The procedure, combined with endoscopic unroofing, allowed for complete removal of the lesion without complications.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 9, 2010

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis causes dysphagia in older patients

DISH is a common but often unrecognized systemic disorder that can lead to mechanical esophageal dysphagia in older adults. A recent study concludes that DISH should be considered an important cause of dysphagia among older adults, although it should not be accepted as the sole cause without ruling out other possible causes.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateApr 9, 2010

Closing in on a carbon-based solar cell

Indiana University chemists have developed an unusual solution to create large, stable graphene sheets by attaching a 3D bramble patch to each side. This allows for the creation of uniform-sized graphene sheets that can efficiently absorb sunlight, paving the way for cheaper and more sustainable solar cells.

SourceIndiana University·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 9, 2010