Bench News: New Page Added

Ears up research hounds.....there is just so much emerging research and technology out there!  I've added a new page to Research Bench to list links to other Ah-ha! articles. 

Article: New Research: Food Safety is Studied Worldwide

Searching through upcoming academic journal articles, I ran across quite a few research activities related to food safety around the world.  I was not familiar with the "food code" before I explored this information.  Link to article on www.suite101.com by Melanie Hundley.

Bench News: New Topics

Fellow research hounds.....what additional research topics would be of interest to you? 

Article: New Research: Type 1 Diabetes Increases in Young Children

Researchers explore questions on whether the prevalence of type 1 diabetes in young children is increasing and progressing faster.  Article on www.suite101.com by Melanie Hundley

For more information on diabetes, consider:

2011: Did Exposure to PCBs Cause Thyroid Disease?

New research reports on the possible link between thyroid disease and PCBs

By Melanie Hundley

If you were a tot in the 1960s in the U.S., your frame of reference for PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) chemicals may have been similar to mine.  PCBs were around, but you were unaware of them. You probably did not hear about the cattle feed disaster in Michigan in 1973-74. At best, about 1980, your parents may have pointed to the big gray cylinders mounted on telephone poles (transformer pots) and told you to "never touch one of those if you find it on the ground."


Eventually more people did hear about the health hazards of PCBs, but news moved slowly in those olden days.  We had no ubiquitous Internet, limited news sources, and no online MSDS sheets to share that type of information. 

Article: 2011 Research: How Did Insulin Help These Type 2 Diabetics?

Italian researchers focus on macroangiopathy, diabetes, and insulin treatments

By Melanie Hundley

Type 2 diabetics interested in knowing more about new research on intensifying oral medication treatment may be interested in an emerging study. The study focused on "add-on" insulin therapy with the drugs detemir ("Levemir" brand) and glargine ("Lantus" brand) in aging patients already diagnosed with certain types of vascular disease.

Italian medical researchers in Milan and Padova recently collaborated to study the effects of "optimized glycaemic control" and insulin therapy for Type 2 diabetics with a concurrent diagnosis of macroangiopathy. Their report will be published in the August issue of "Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism."

Do You Know Your EPCs from your CECs?

Article: Could My Severely Disabled Child Ever Find a Job?

An encouraging bit of research is coming out of the University of Wisconsin - Madison for disabled kids.  And my follow-up with Dr. Erik Carter, one of the researchers, found him helpful and engaging.

The UWM team took a look at severely disabled teens who found work to supplement their early vocational training and hopefully get them on the road to a future career.  Researchers have identified several factors that may have contributed to the teens' success in finding early work.  My review of their report is available here: Link to article by Melanie Hundley on www.suite101.com.

Also for more information about people with disabilities, consider:

 

Article: New Report: Less Smoking in Movies For Kids?

Anti-cancer activists and parents may be cheering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report issued this past Friday. 2010 figures for smoking or "tobacco incidents" in top-grossing movies has declined, again. Special attention is given to stats for kid-friendly movies (G, PG, PG-13).  The Thumbs Up! Thumbs Down! project is highlighted.  Interesting look at our entertainment industry and possible drivers for their strategies on smoking. I hope you find this information helpful. Link to article by Melanie Hundley on www.suite101.com.

Please also consider:

Article: Beyond Metformin: When Are Doctors Intensifying Diabetes Treatment?

Dr. Alex Fu and a team of researchers reached into the belly of the mega-monster database collected by GE Centricity software in over 9000 doctor's offices and pulled out some information about treatment intensity in Type 2 diabetes.  Every diabetic who is diagnosed and told that they will "try metformin" for a while may wonder how long doctors typically allow monotherapy (just one med) before upping the ante with other or additional medications.  Thanks to Dr. Fu for sharing more info. with me. Read review of research article here: Link to review by Melanie Hundley on suite101.com; also appearing in Google News.

Please also consider:

Article: New Research: Asperger Syndrome and Depression

I was pleased to review this new article coming out in September 2011 by a group of university and hospital researchers in Sweden. It addresses the topic of Asperger's Syndrome (aka Aspergers or Asperger's) coupled with other conditions such as major depression. When I contacted them for more information, their dedication to their work was evident as they expressed sincere concern for increased awareness by care providers and the public on AS and associated depression.

Article: ADHD Treatments Reviewed

I was in contact with Dr. Scott Kollins at Duke University recently to get the info on their upcoming article on ADHD.  Their review of ADHD treatments and research is extensive and includes 200 plus references.  I thought their report would be helpful for parents or researchers digging into ADHD.  You can review my article 2011: ADHD Treatments Reviewed on www.suite101.com.  Melanie

Autism Article Recognized by Suite101.com

This week I received word that Suite101.com has bestowed their Editor's Choice Award on my article Police Work and Autism posted here July 8, 2011. This piece reviews a recent research article based on work completed by the University of Texas at El Paso.

Article: Medicare Fraud: Man Steals Identity of Medical Professionals

A NJ man has pled guilty to Medicare fraud and posing as a medical professional(s) serving home-bound elderly patients according to a U.S. Attorney Office report today.  Some ways to verify licensing of healthcare providers.  Link to article by Melanie Hundley on www.suite101.com.

For more information, consider:

Article: New GAO Report: Social Security Taxpayer Statements Suspended

After rummaging through my pile of snail mail for the umpteenth time, there just seemed to be something missing.  Where was my statement of earnings and projected benefits from the Social Security Administration?  Over the past ten or years or so, I have enjoyed reading it, looking over the annual income totals, remembering the ups and downs associated with a particular year.  And it was always fun to see the projected retirement benefit as I dreamed of my retirement years, truly a distant dream, but a dream nevertheless.  It also has served as a reminder to save.

Article: Another Painful Report: Oxycodone Deaths in Florida

Babyboomers beware.  I have been following the oxycodone abuse epidemic in Florida.  Today's release of 2003-2009 mortality report by the CDC punctuated the issue.  Link to article on www.suite101.com by Melanie Hundley.

For more information, consider:

Article: New Research Measuring C-Reactive Proteins and Inflammation

A common blood test for C-reactive protein is used to identify inflammation and infection levels.  A Taiwanese research group has published an article about their research to improve the test.  Read more here:  Link to suite101.com article by Melanie Hundley.

Article: Diabetes Testing: What Are You Waiting For?

The Brits may have a really good idea here.  Why can't Americans throw in a quick diabetes screening blood test at the optometrist?  Link to article on www.suite101 by Melanie Hundley.

For more information on diabetes, consider: