Category: news-perspectives

Two women with very limited vision appeared to improve after treatment with embryonic stem cells, researchers report. These cells are removed from human embryos. They can grow into many types of cells. Both women had some vision but were legally blind. Both had macular degeneration. This disease causes loss of central vision. One woman had the common “dry” form. The other woman had a rarer type. Each woman was injected in one eye with embryonic stem cells. Four months later, they showed some improvement in eye tests. For example, both could read more letters on vision charts. Doctors said the treatment appeared to be safe. The women had no signs of rejection or abnormal growths. The journal Lancet published the study online January 23. The Associated Press wrote about it.

A new report calls for more research to find the best ways for parents and other caregivers to fight obesity in children. The American Heart Association issued the statement. It reviewed studies that took different approaches. Some of these have been linked to better results. They include changing behaviors as a family, setting clear goals, keeping track of progress and keeping healthy foods in the home. About 17% of the studies found that kids lost more weight when parents were involved in treatment. Some studies also found that a role for parents also helped kids to keep weight off longer. But in other studies family involvement did not make a difference. The study authors said research has not focused enough on the roles of culture, family relationships and parenting styles, among other things. The journal Circulation published the study.

Treating diabetes and depression in a coordinated way can help to improve both, new research suggests. The study included 180 people with both conditions. They were randomly assigned to receive either usual care or an integrated program of care. People in the second group received extra help. A care manager worked with them to help them remember to take their medicines. The care manager also provided education about their conditions and other services to improve care. The program lasted 12 weeks. In the usual-care group, more than 3 out of 10 had improvements in blood sugar and depression symptoms. Among those who got extra care, 6 out of 10 improved. The journal Annals of Family Medicine published the study. HealthDay News wrote about it January 20.

Most heart patients are healthy enough to have sex, the American Heart Association (AHA) says. In a new statement, the group tries to clear up questions about what’s known about sex and heart disease. Heart patients should ask a doctor if they can safely have sex. Some may need heart rehab first. But most eventually get the doctor’s OK, even after a heart attack. Generally, the AHA says, if you can climb two flights of stairs without chest pain or gasping for breath, you can have sex. The risk of having a heart attack is two to three times higher during sex. But that’s still only a slight increase in a person’s overall heart attack risk, the AHA says. Only about 1% of heart attacks are caused by sex. Research suggests that the risk of sudden death from sex is greatest for a married man having an affair with a younger woman in an unfamiliar place.

Older women at low risk of osteoporosis may need to get bone density tests only every 15 years, new research suggests. The study included 5,000 women. They were part of a large, long-term health study. When the study began, they were at least 67 years old. A bone mineral density test at that time showed that none had osteoporosis. Some did have osteopenia. They had below-normal bone density, but not as low as in osteoporosis. During the next 15 years, only 1% of those with normal bone density developed osteoporosis. But the number was 62% for those with advanced osteopenia. Women who had normal bone density or mild osteopenia were found to be low risk. Researchers concluded that most could wait 15 years for another test. Some might need the tests more often if other factors increased their risk. Women with moderate osteopenia should repeat the test in 5 years, researchers said.

The U.S. government is developing a national strategy on Alzheimer’s disease. Its target is to find effective treatments by 2025. The Obama administration announced the effort January 17. Congress approved the campaign last year. Now an advisory group is writing the final plan. It will include more funding for research on prevention and treatment. Today’s treatments can relieve symptoms for only a short time. Experts believe that as many as half of those with the disease have not been diagnosed. Therefore, the new strategy will include a public awareness campaign. Officials hope this will encourage earlier diagnosis. Doctors will be given tools to assess Medicare patients for the disease during their annual checkups. The government also wants to support caregivers. It plans to spread the word about resources and programs that can help to improve care.

The number of children treated in hospitals for drowning injuries has dropped by half since 1993, a new study finds. Researchers said it appears that water safety campaigns have made the difference. Drowning means that a person can’t breathe because the airways have filled with water. Some survive but may have long-lasting disabilities. Researchers used a large hospital database. The study focused on children under age 20. The number treated at hospitals for drowning fell 51% between 1993 and 2008. The number who died dropped 42%. Boys were 4 to 6 times more likely to suffer drowning injuries than girls. Children under 4 drowned most often in bathtubs. Hospital visits for these accidents dropped 40%. Older children drowned most often while swimming. Hospital trips related to drowning while swimming fell by half for kids ages 10 to 14.

People who take a newer blood thinner to prevent strokes may have a slightly higher risk of heart attack, a review of research finds. The overall heart attack rate was small, however. The new review combined results of 7 prior studies. The studies included 20,000 people who used dabigatran (Pradaxa). They were compared with about 10,500 people who used older drugs, warfarin (Coumadin) or enoxaparin (Lovenox). Everyone in these studies had atrial fibrillation. This is a heart rhythm problem that increases formation of blood clots. People were taking blood thinners to prevent strokes caused by a clot. Among those taking dabigatran, 1.2% had a heart attack or had chest pain that occurred with little exertion. For those taking the other drugs, the rate of these heart events was 0.8%.

People with a very fast heartbeat that is not causing symptoms may still have a higher risk of stroke, new research finds. The study included 2,580 older adults with high blood pressure. All of them had a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted to help control their heart rhythm. This device kept a record of the speed and rhythm of their heart over time. None of the people had a known history of atrial fibrillation. This is a very fast, irregular rhythm in the heart’s upper chambers. It causes them to quiver rather than beat normally. Soon after the study started, the devices recorded a very rapid heartbeat that lasted several minutes in about 1 out of 10 people. They usually had no symptoms. But in the next 2 ½ years they were more likely to develop lasting atrial fibrillation. They also were more likely to have a stroke.

Women who use statin drugs may have a higher risk of developing diabetes, a large study finds. The results reinforce smaller studies that found a similar link for both women and men. But experts say people at risk of heart attacks should still take the drugs because the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Statins lower LDL cholesterol in the blood. Studies show they reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and early death for high-risk people. The new study included more than 153,000 women. All were in their 50s or older. They were part of a long-running health study. When the study began, about 7% took statins. Researchers collected health information from them for 7 to 15 years. By 2005, about 10% of the statin users had developed diabetes. Only 6.4% of those who did not use statins had developed the disease. The journal Archives of Internal Medicine published the study.