Scientists have found 27 different regions in the genome where rare copy number variations – missing or extra copies of DNA segments – exist in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but not in those without the disease. These findings are reported in the most recent issue of PLOs Genetics, and came from additional analysis [...]
An impressive list of health geeks and supporters of patient empowerment have launched HealthDataRights.org, a new blog that seeks to ensure that patients regain control of their data. Most people don’t realize it, until they try to get a copy of their medical records, but patients have no inherent right to the information that providers [...]
The number of American adults looking online for health information has soared from 25% of the population up to 61% over the last eight years, according to results of a new survey by the Pew Research Center and the California HealthCare Foundation. The Internet is now one of the top three sources of health information [...]
The U.S. has probably reached 1 million cases of H1N1 (swine) flu, according to an estimate reached through mathematical modeling by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The Associated Press reports that a CDC official shared that estimate at an advisory meeting today. Only about 28,000 cases have actually been reported in the U.S., which [...]
Actress Farrah Fawcett died of cancer this morning at a Santa Monica, CA hospital. She’s famous for her rapid rise to pinup status, spurred by her role in the 1970s TV show Charlie’s Angels. Fawcett was the “blonde one,” sporting a trademark feathered mane that became popular overnight. She later proved herself as a serious [...]
An article in The New York Times today charges that that a “rogue cancer unit” at the veterans hospital in Philadelphia seriously botched 92 out of 116 procedures to treat prostate cancer. Dr. Gary D. Kao performed almost all of the botched procedures, which took place between 2002 and mid-2008, when the “problems” began to [...]
A painless patch that uses tiny micro-needles to monitor diabetic patients’ glucose levels is in development at the Electronic Technology group of the University of Seville in Spain, according to a press release. The needles are just 200 microns wide — about twice the diameter of a human hair — and they draw samples of [...]
Steve Jobs has had a liver transplant, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. That report speculated that Jobs may have gotten the transplant because cancer had spread from his pancreas to his liver. He had surgery to treat a neuroendocrine islet cell tumor in 2004. If such tumors spread to the liver [...]
Patients are increasingly able to cut back on doctor’s visits by using home monitoring devices that collect vital signs such as blood glucose, weight, and blood pressure, and send that data electronically to their doctor. Telemonitoring, as it’s called, is taking off both because of technology improvements and the need to cut the cost of [...]
In his latest weekly address to the Nation, U.S. President Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to passing health care reform this year. “It would be irresponsible to not act,” the President said. “We can’t keep shifting a growing burden to future generations.” He also announced that his administration is proposing an additional $313 billion in [...]
