Culture | Page 1833 | Science Codex

Breast is best, but might not protect from allergies

SAN ANTONIO, TX (November 5, 2015) - Pregnant women and new mothers receive many messages regarding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for babies in the first year of life. Breastfeeding is thought to reduce the risk of allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, food allergies and eczema in children.

According to a new study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting, no significant difference in allergies were found between children who were ever breast fed versus those formula fed.

Hay fever sufferers prefer prescription medication, but use over-the-counter relief

SAN ANTONIO, TX (November 5, 2015) - Anyone suffering with seasonal allergies knows the local pharmacy carries shelves full of over-the-counter medications to help manage symptoms. Unfortunately, most seasonal allergy sufferers take over-the counter (OTC) products rather than the treatments they actually prefer - prescription medications.

Consider penicillin, even if you have had a prior reaction

SAN ANTONIO, TX (November 5, 2015) - Most people who think they're allergic to penicillin have been told so by a doctor after they've had a reaction to the drug. And the majority, even though they've never been allergy tested, never take penicillin again.

A study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting, examined the records of 15 patients who, after being told they were penicillin-allergic, tested negative for penicillin allergy, and were then able to be treated with intravenous penicillin on multiple occasions.

Kids with asthma can avoid the ER by avoiding the ER

SAN ANTONIO, TX (November 5, 2015) - Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, and one of the most difficult to manage, which is one of the reasons there are so many emergency department visits for asthma sufferers in the US. A new study has determined that the probability of future acute care visits increased from 30 percent with one historical acute care visit to 87 percent with more than five acute care visits.

Take 2 aspirin and make sure you're not allergic

SAN ANTONIO, TX (November 5, 2015) - Many patients with cardiovascular disease are treated with aspirin because it is effective, low-cost and has few side effects. Some patients who have a reaction to aspirin are told they are allergic without being tested by an allergist, and stop an otherwise effective therapy.

Economic growth is killing the planet, is not helping the poor

In an era of economic crisis, growth seems indispensable. Not so, argues "Degrowth: A Vocabulary for a New Era", which distinguishes recession from degrowth.

Degrowth involves new ways of organizing society to live prosperously without being obsessed with growth. “Degrowth” includes 50 chapters on the limits and pitfalls of growth as well as on concrete social and policy alternatives.

Warning over online access to sleeping tablets

The prescription only sleeping tablet zopiclone, that can become addictive if used for more than a few weeks, is easily available online, warn experts in The BMJ today.

Paul Dargan and colleagues from the clinical toxicology unit at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London, say regulatory authorities "must take measures to ensure that these websites comply with medicines and other regulations for the supply of this prescription only drug."

Should psychiatric hospitals ban smoking completely?

In The BMJ this week, experts discuss whether hospitals should ban smoking for psychiatric patients outside as well as indoors.

Banning smoking in the outdoor areas of psychiatric hospitals as well as indoors helps patients to quit smoking and leads to better engagement with psychiatric treatment, argue Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, and Simon Wessely, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Does defensive medicine work?

Higher-spending physicians face fewer malpractice claims, a study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School has found.

Nearly three-quarters of physicians report practicing defensive medicine, which is broadly defined as the ordering of tests, procedures, physician consultations and other medical services solely to reduce risk of malpractice claims. Defensive medicine is estimated to cost the U.S. as much as $50 billion annually.

Spending more on patients lowers doctors' malpractice risk, study finds

Physicians who spend more money and resources conducting tests and procedures for patients are less likely to be sued for malpractice, according to a new study that indicates "defensive medicine" may work.

Backswimmers use buoyancy aid like a gill

Ever since he can remember, Karl Jones has been fascinated by the animals that live in streams. 'I grew up next to a river in the Adelaide Hills where I spent many hours catching the creatures that live there', he recalls; and one group of aquatic insects that caught his eye was the backswimmers. However, two members of the Family (Anisops and Buenoa) have an even more remarkable talent: they can swim at depths that other backswimmers can only reach fleetingly.

GVSU nursing faculty member to present findings on 2 older adult studies

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A Grand Valley State University nursing faculty member will present research at a national conference about text messaging to promote medication adherence trials and an interprofessional approach to helping vulnerable older adults remain at home and out of nursing homes.

Sandra Spoelstra, associate dean for research and scholarship for the Kirkhof College of Nursing, will give two presentations at the Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting in Florida November 18 and 20.

Text message intervention trials

Study points to more individualized treatment options for youth with onset type 2 diabetes

Aurora, Colo. (Nov. 4, 2015) - New results from the Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Youth study (TODAY) examined predictors of the outcomes in youth with onset type 2 diabetes (T2D) based on early characteristics at diagnosis, and suggests the need for specific criteria for adolescents that are different from those in adults.

Resistance exercise during pregnancy has perceived positive effects

Swimming, walking and other mild physical activities, along with avoidance of resistance exercise, are often recommended for pregnant women. But a new PhD thesis at Sahlgrenska Academy has found that resistance exercise can relieve symptoms related to pregnancy and improve sense of control.

Recommendations for the intensity, duration and type of exercise during pregnancy vary widely. Most previous research has focused on the effects of aerobics and few have explored resistance exercise.

Suitable exercise

Antiepileptic drugs may progressively impair balance

In a study of 26 twin and sibling pairs where one of each pair had received long-term antiepileptic drug therapy, participants who were taking these medications swayed more during static and dynamic balance tests compared with their siblings who were not taking antiepileptic medications. They also showed a greater deterioration in sway tests over an average interval of 3 years.

Addressing these balance issues in patients taking antiepileptic drugs may help reduce their risk of falling, which can lead to fractures and other injuries.