Study indicates whole grains, bran may help fight hypertension in men

HealthDay (8/28, Reinberg) reported that, according to a study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “whole grain foods and foods high in bran” may “bring a boost to heart health” in men. For the study, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health “collected data on 31,684 men who [...]

New process may improve detection of retinal diseases

The Memphis Business Journal (8/28, Sheffield) reported that the Pseudo 2D Fractal Analysis, developed through “a collaboration between” the University of Memphis and the Southern College of Optometry, “could result in earlier detection of retinal diseases.” The new “process uses light beamed through the back of the retina to measure the thickness of retinal tissue [...]

Successful late-stage trial results for once-a-day eye drug announced

The AP (8/27) reports that on Aug. 27, ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced “successful late-stage clinical trial results for Xibrom QD [bromfenac ophthalmic], a new once-per-day eye drug.” According to the company, “Xibrom QD eye drops were significantly better than a placebo at eliminating eye inflammation 15 days after cataract surgery” in “299 patients who had [...]

Study indicates millions of Americans may be exposed to high doses of radiation from medical imaging.

The New York Times (8/27, A14, Berenson) reports, “At least four million Americans under age 65 are exposed to high doses of radiation each year from medical imaging tests,” according to a study appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers also found that an estimated “400,000 of those patients receive very high doses, [...]

Research suggests gene therapy may help improve vision in patients with Leber’s congenital amaurosistomet

Following a HealthDay story, Medscape (8/20) reported that, according to a letter published Aug. 13 in the New England Journal of Medicine, “three patients with Leber’s congenital amaurosis (LCA) demonstrated improved vision after injection of a viral vector carrying the wild type of the impaired gene.” For the study, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania [...]

Researchers develop wearable artificial kidney

HealthDay (8/20, Preidt) reported that, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, “a wearable artificial kidney may someday make life much easier for dialysis patients by eliminating the need to spend hours on a dialysis machine at a hospital every week.” Researchers have developed [...]

Microneedle patch may someday painlessly deliver medication to people with AMD

The Time (8/19, Sharples) Wellness blog reported that, according to a study presented Aug. 19 at a chemical society meeting, researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University “have developed a patch that has five rows of tiny ‘microneedles’ about as wide as human hairs that can be used to painlessly administer vaccines and [...]

CDC report indicates US life expectancy reached new high.

The CBS Evening News (8/19, story 7, 0:25, Rodriguez) reported, “The CDC said today that life expectancy is now nearly 78 years old, which is a new high.” Data also indicated that “the gap between men and women in life expectancy is narrowing,” with the life expectancy of men at 75 years and “80 years [...]

Poll indicates UK parents may be risking children’s eyesight by ignoring sun’s UV danger

BBC News (8/18) reports that, according to a “poll of 2,000 people” conducted on behalf of the UK’s College of Optometrists, “three in four parents” in Britain “are risking their child’s eyesight by exposing them to bright sun without appropriate protection,” and “nearly a third of parents…do not buy their children sunglasses.” Of the parents [...]

Expert emphasizes importance of regular eye examinations for people with diabetes

In a medical column in Florida’s Palm Beach Post (8/17), Andrew A. Moshfeghi, MD, of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, explained, “The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk of developing diabetic eye disease, which is the leading cause of blindness in young and middle-aged adults.” Dr. Moshfeghi pointed out that “diabetic eye disease” [...]