Culture | Science Codex

Job stress and mental health problems contribute to higher rates of physician suicide

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Doctors who commit suicide appear to be under-treated for mental health problems, despite their seemingly good access to health care, a new University of Michigan study shows.

Although more physicians than non-physicians in the study had known mental health problems prior to suicide, this didn't translate into a higher rate of antidepressant use, according to the study, which appears in General Hospital Psychiatry and provides a deeper look at why physicians may have a higher-than-average suicide rate.

Desecrated ancient temple sheds light on early power struggles at Tel Beth-Shemesh

Tel Aviv University researchers have uncovered a unique 11th century BCE sacred compound at the site of Tel Beth-Shemesh, an ancient village that resisted the aggressive expansion of neighboring Philistines. The newly discovered sacred complex is comprised of an elevated, massive circular stone structure and an intricately constructed building characterized by a row of three flat, large round stones. Co-directors of the dig Prof. Shlomo Bunimovitz and Dr.

Dealing with unprecedented surge of patients with rare central nervous system infection

A new article in Annals of Internal Medicine describes the diagnosis and treatment protocol established in a Roanoke, Va. hospital to care for dozens of patients presenting with suspected fungal meningitis related to contaminated epidural spinal injections. This unprecedented surge of patients seeking care for a rare central nervous system (CNS) infection required physicians to react quickly with little data to guide treatment decisions.

France, Germany statement on the handling of risk situations by scientists due to L'Aquila

In late October, Italian scientists were sentenced for supposedly not having warned sufficiently against the severe earthquake of L'Aquila 2009.

Due to this verdict, the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina and the French Académie des sciences publish a statement concerning the handling of risks situations by scientists. We forward the statement in the exact wording.

Obesity epidemic threatens health of all social groups equally

It is often assumed that those on low incomes and with low levels of education are overly represented in the major increase in obesity of recent decades.

A new thesis from the Lund University School of Economics and Management, Sweden, shows that obesity is increasing across all social groups and that we need to look at factors other than socioeconomic status to understand and solve one of the major public health concerns of the Western world.

Black patients with kidney cancer have poorer survival than whites

Among patients with the most common form of kidney cancer, whites consistently have a survival advantage over blacks, regardless of patient and tumor characteristics or surgical treatment. That is the conclusion of a new study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study's results suggest that additional efforts are needed to prolong the survival of all patients with kidney cancer.

Expert: Time to break the beta blocker habit?

Knowing his family history, and growing concerns over the extended use of some beta blockers, Bero and his doctor are keeping a close eye on his condition.

"Diabetes can creep up on you very slowly, even before you know it," said Baliga."Down the road, diabetes will likely cause more heart attacks, more strokes, more peripheral vascular disease and a variety of conditions," said Baliga.

Digital tablets improve speed and ease of reading for people with moderate vision loss

CHICAGO – November 11, 2012 – People who have eye diseases that damage their central vision can regain the ability to read quickly and comfortably by using digital tablets, according to a recent study. The research found that people with moderate vision loss could increase their reading speed by 15 words-per-minute, on average. Using a tablet with a back-lit screen resulted in the fastest reading speeds for all study participants, no matter what their level of visual acuity.

Mayo: Age-related macular degeneration treatment works even with other eye problem

ROCHESTER, Minn. -- The primary treatment for wet macular degeneration, a chronic eye condition that causes vision loss, is effective even if patients have macular traction problems, a Mayo Clinic study shows. The findings will be presented today at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Chicago.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients can get gout too, Mayo Clinic Study finds

WASHINGTON -- Refuting a belief long held by many physicians, a Mayo Clinic study found that rheumatoid arthritis patients also can get gout. The research is among several studies Mayo Clinic is presenting at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting in Washington.

Lower-income patients fare better than wealthier after knee replacement, mayo finds

WASHINGTON -- Patients who make $35,000 a year or less report better outcomes after knee replacement surgery than people who earn more, research by Mayo Clinic and the University of Alabama at Birmingham shows. The lower-income patients studied reported less pain and better knee function at their two-year checkups than wealthier people did. The study was being presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting in Washington.

VIDEO ALERT: A video interview with Dr. Lewallen is available for journalists to downloadon the Mayo Clinic News Network.

Study overturns common assumption about knee replacements in morbidly obese individuals

After total knee replacement (TKR) surgery, patients who are morbidly obese have similar pain and function outcomes as patients who do not fall into this weight category, according to a new study by researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery. The finding is surprising given that numerous studies have shown that obese patients have worse outcomes. The study will be reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals, to be held Nov. 9-14, in Washington D.C.

Hospital-based exercise programs benefit people with osteoarthritis

A low-cost exercise program run by Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City has significantly improved pain, function and quality of life in participants with osteoarthritis, according to new research.

The study adds to the growing evidence that exercise is beneficial for osteoarthritis and shows that a hospital-based program can work. The study will be reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ACR/ARHP), to be held Nov. 9-14, in Washington D.C.

Pussy Riot Gets An Expensive Tea Set About Them

A design student from Russia has decided to capitalize on the furor over punk band Pussy Riot in her homeland by creating a...tea set.

Muscovite Alina Tukhvatullina, 24, who has just completed an MA in design at London’s Kingston University, has designed what appears to be a traditional Russian tea set, but hidden among the Khokhloma floral patterns are the names of topics that are generating controversy in modern day Russia.

Phase I Japanese Red Cedar JRC-LAMP-Vax Vaccine Safety Study Begins

Immunomic Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company, announced today that it has dosed the first patient in a Phase I clinical trial of its lead candidate, JRC-LAMP-vax™ vaccine, at its clinical site in Honolulu, Hawaii.