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Research
More kids exposed to ionizing radiation with CT scan
CT scans are being used on more and more children in the United States and this trend has concerned some health experts about the effects of radiation on this patient population. Repeated exposure to ionizing radiation emitted by CT scans can increase the risk of developing cancer. A study published this week in the journal Radiology said that in 1995 there were 330,000 children who were given CT scans in emergency departments of U.S. hospitals. But by 2008, the number has ballooned to 1.65 million. While specialized hospitals adjust the radiation dose for younger patients, general hospitals usually do not apply special CT scan protocols for children which can be subjected to adult-sized radiation doses. Modern health care technology has allowed clinicians to diagnose a condition quicker and better. The findings suggest that we may have to step back and consider the potential effects of CT scan tests and have them done only when absolutely necessary to reduce risks.
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Better bone health with green tea Drinking green tea and practicing Taichi may promote bone health of postmenopausal women and reduce the risk of inflammation, a new study suggests. The study findings by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) focused on postmenopausal women and investigated the potential for green tea to work synergistically with Taichi in enhancing bone strength of postmenopausal women. Originating as a martial art in China, Taichi is a mind-body exercise that utilizes slow, gentle movements to build strength and flexibility, as well as deep breathing and relaxation, or vital energy, throughout the body. Carried out as a double-blind, placebo-controlled, intervention trial (the “holy grail� of scientific studies), this experiment involved 171 postmenopausal women with the average age of 57 who had weak bones but not full-fledged osteoporo sis. Participants taking Taichi classes also reported significant beneficial effects in quality of life in terms of improving their emotional and mental health.
New trial can reduce cost and length of studies
Doctors at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System are testing a new kind of clinical trial that’s not only less costly but guides doctors to switch to the best treatment even before the trial is completed. The new approach - called a pointof-care clinical trial - was developed by Stanford University biostatistician Philip Lavori, PhD, and a Boston-based team as an alternative to expensive, lengthy, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials to compare drugs and procedures that are already in regular use. The high cost of medical care has spurred interest in weeding out costly, ineffective medical care, and in 2009, the economic stimulus package included $1.1 billion for studies, known as comparativeeffectiveness research, that pit one treatment against another.
Superbug research initiated by ICMR The scientists in Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) have invited research proposals from scientists across the country to study the superbug or the drug resistant bacteria. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced a national antimicrobial policy to help address the issue of superbug which became international news after the presence of such bacteria (NDM1). This study was reported in the British medical journal The Lancet, to check the presence of such bacteria in India. It will jointly conducted by the Ministry and a special task force set up for the purpose. The project coordinator and the surveillance team setup for the purpose in selected tertiary care hospitals will implement the surveillance of antimicrobials.
> www.ehealthonline.org > May 2011