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Discovery Of An Area In The Brain Linked With A Sense Of Adventure

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:35:43 +1000

Wellcome Trust scientists have identified a key region of the brain which encourages us to be adventurous. The region, located in a primitive area of the brain, is activated when we choose unfamiliar options, suggesting an evolutionary advantage for sampling the unknown. It may also explain why re-branding of familiar products encourages consumers to pick them off the supermarket shelves.

In an experiment carried out at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging at UCL (University College London), volunteers were shown a selection of images, which they had already been familiarised with. Each card had a unique probability of reward attached to it and over the course of the experiment, the volunteers would be able to work out which selection would provide the highest rewards. However, when unfamiliar images were introduced, the researchers found that volunteers were more likely to take a chance and select one of these options than continue with their familiar - and arguably safer - option.

Using fMRI scanners, which measure blood flow in the brain to highlight which areas are most active, Dr Bianca Wittmann and colleagues showed that when the subjects selected an unfamiliar option, an area of the brain known as the ventral striatum lit up, indicating that it was more active. The ventral striatum is in one of the evolutionarily primitive regions of the brain, suggesting that the process can be advantageous and will be shared by many animals.

"Seeking new and unfamiliar experiences is a fundamental behavioural tendency in humans and animals," says Dr Wittmann. "It makes sense to try new options as they may prove advantageous in the long run. For example, a monkey who chooses to deviate from its diet of bananas, even if this involves moving to an unfamiliar part of the forest and eating a new type of food, may find its diet enriched and more nutritious."

When we make a particular choice or carry out a particular action which turns out to be beneficial, it is rewarded by a release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. These rewards help us learn which behaviours are preferable and advantageous and worth repeating. The ventral striatum is one of the key areas involved in processing rewards in the brain. Although the researchers cannot say definitively from the fMRI scans how novelty seeking is being rewarded, Dr Wittmann believes it is likely to be through dopamine release.

However, whilst rewarding the brain for making novel choices may prove advantageous in encouraging us to make potentially beneficial choices, it may also make us more susceptible to exploitation.

"I might have my own favourite choice of chocolate bar, but if I see a different bar repackaged, advertising its 'new, improved flavour', my search for novel experiences may encourage me to move away from my usual choice," says Dr Wittmann. "This introduces the danger of being sold 'old wine in a new skin' and is something that marketing departments take advantage of."

Rewarding the brain for novel choices could have a more serious side effect, argues Professor Nathaniel Daw, now at New York University, who also worked on the study.

"The novelty bonus may be useful in helping us make complex, uncertain decisions, but it clearly has a downside," says Professor Daw. "In humans, increased novelty-seeking may play a role in gambling and drug addiction, both of which are mediated by malfunctions in dopamine release."

Neurological Assessment Of Older Adults: A Crystal Ball To The Future

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:24:14 +1000

Standard neurological exams of older adults are good predictors of future brain health and quality of life. These tests should become part of the physician's routine examination of older adults say faculty from the Indiana University Center for Aging Research in an editorial in the June 23, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. The editorial accompanies a study by Italian researchers who used data obtained from standardized neurological exams to devise a simple scale measuring the total number of subtle neurological abnormalities found among disability-free older adults. The Italian study found that a higher number of subtle neurological abnormalities in patients without cognitive impairment at baseline predicted both cognitive and functional declines.

"The Italian study confirms that looking at subtle neurological abnormalities in healthy older adults gives the doctor an insight into factors that contribute to impairment of functional cognition which lead to disability and poor quality of life," said editorial co-author Malaz Boustani, M.D., M.P.H, an assistant professor of medicine at Indiana University School of Medicine, an Indiana University Center for Aging Research investigator and a Regenstrief Institute research scientist.

"Until now we haven't had proof of value of the standard neurological exam. We now know that the test is a good value for older adults and could even be used as a "cheap biomarker" of future cognitive decline because it appears to have predictive value similar to biomarkers," said Dr. Boustani.

More than 12 percent of the U.S. population is aged 65 and older. This percentage will increase to 20 percent by 2030.

Someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease every 72 seconds, according to the Alzheimer's Association. The average primary care physician, the doctors who see most older adults, sees 2,000 patients per year of whom 300 are aged 65 or older. Of these 24 will develop dementia.

Co-author of the Archives of Internal Medicine editorial is Michael D. Justiss, Ph.D., assistant professor of occupational therapy at the IU School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, which along with the IU School of Medicine and the Regenstrief Institute, is located on the campus of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

Fibromyalgia Stumps Doctors

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:21:41 +1000

Physicians are often slow to diagnose fibromyalgia, and multiple reasons may account for the delay, new data suggest.

Children Still Not Getting Enough Physical Activity

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:10:45 +1000

According to a new report published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, there needs to be a revision in the UK and the US of the recommended amount of physical activity children need to prevent obesity. Currently, only 42% of boys and about 11% of girls are achieving the weekly recommended levels.

Device Blocking Stomach Nerve Signals Shows Promise In Obesity

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:00:49 +1000

A new implantable medical device, developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic researchers, shows promise as a reversible and less extreme alternative to existing bariatric surgeries, according to findings published in the current issue of the journal Surgery.

In a six-month open label trial involving three medical centers in Australia, Mexico and Norway, the 31 obese participants who received the vagal nerve blocking device, also called VBLOC(TM) vagal blocking therapy, lost an average of nearly 15 percent of their excess weight. A quarter of the participants lost more than 25 percent, and three patients lost more than 30 percent.

Michael Camilleri, M.D., is a gastroenterologist who helped design the study and one of the Mayo Clinic researchers whose previous work and know-how contributed to development of the device in collaboration with EnteroMedics, Inc. Dr. Camilleri says the goal is to find a less drastic alternative to bariatric surgery that will still yield significant weight loss. Bariatric surgery techniques include "banding" -- placement of a band around the top part of the stomach to reduce its capacity -- or bypass procedures which reroute food and remove part of the stomach.

"For this study, we wanted to get an initial assessment of whether blocking the vagus nerve electrically could cause obese patients to feel full after a normal-sized meal," Dr. Camilleri explains. "Patients were not put on any restricted diets or given counseling that typically accompanies gastric banding or bypass. We wanted to determine how much weight loss could be attributed to the device alone."

Dr. Camilleri says VBLOC therapy is similar to a heart pacemaker, but instead of stimulating a normal, regular heartbeat, it uses high-frequency electricity to block the nerve impulses between the brain and the stomach and pancreas. A pacemaker continuously monitors the heart and regulates its beating. But the patient flips a switch to activate the VBLOC device when the system is worn during the daytime hours so that the blocking signal can influence how the stomach functions and food is digested following a meal.

The lead wires are implanted in the abdomen laparoscopically, with electrodes attached to the vagal nerves and the neuroregulator, a pacemaker-sized device, is implanted just under the skin. While gastric bypass involves removing portions of the digestive tract and rerouting the flow of food and, therefore, is not reversible, the VBLOC delivery system can be removed if desired, and previous studies in animals have indicated that it does not damage or permanently affect the vagal nerves. With VBLOC, there is no distortion of digestive system anatomy as is the case with both gastric bypass and gastric banding, and to date there have been no significant issues related to food intolerance, nausea or vomiting as is common with both bypass and banding.

Dr. Camilleri was involved in designing the study, but because Mayo Clinic physicians and scientists participated in the development and preclinical testing of the device, the initial clinical research was conducted elsewhere to avoid having results affected by a conflict of interest. The participating centers for the initial study were Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia; Instituto National de la Nutricion (INNSZ), Mexico City; and St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway. James Toouli, M.D., Ph.D., of Flinders, is the co-lead author with Dr. Camilleri of the study findings published in Surgery.

Dr. Camilleri says a follow-up double-blinded study, which will involve up to 300 patients at multiple medical centers including a limited number from Mayo Clinic, will be important for gauging the device's true effectiveness.

"In an open label study such as the one being published this month, there is always potential for the device to 'work' because patients believe it will," he explains. "In the next study, which has already begun, all patients will have the device implanted, but one-third will not have it turned on during the first year of the study, so that after meals, it won't be blocking the nerve signals; this is called 'sham' treatment. Neither the patients nor their doctors will know whether the blocking signals are going through or not. This 'pivotal' study will tell us whether a placebo effect is responsible for some of the weight loss."

"After the pivotal study is completed, those who had the 'sham' treatment will have their devices turned on so they can experience the benefits," Dr. Camilleri says. "And unlike the first study, participants also will have access to behavioral counseling and dietary modifications, which will lead to a more realistic comparison of the magnitude of weight loss through vagal blockade as compared with bariatric surgery. The findings published this month are promising, but the next study will tell us whether VBLOC therapy is a viable alternative to gastric bypass or gastric banding, and for which patients."

Dr. Camilleri received consulting fees and license payments as part of a formal business relationship between Mayo Clinic and EnteroMedics, Inc. The research was completely funded by EnteroMedics. Mayo Clinic has invested in EnteroMedics and holds a minor equity position.

Children's Meals At Theme Parks Shockingly Unhealthy

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:28:33 +1000

Children's meals at wildlife and theme parks, leisure centres and museums contain "shocking" levels of fat, salt and sugar, according to a report by the Local Government Association published today.

Appetite Increased By Morbid Thoughts

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:22:46 +1000

Can watching TV news or crime shows trigger overeating? According to new research in the Journal of Consumer Research, people who are thinking about their own deaths want to consume more.

Authors Naomi Mandel (Arizona State University) and Dirk Smeesters (Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands) conducted several experiments in Europe and the United States where participants wrote essays on their feelings about their own deaths. They then checked off items on a grocery list or ate cookies. Consumers who wrote about their own deaths wanted to buy more and ate more than those who wrote about a painful medical procedure (the control group).

"People want to consumer more of all kinds of foods, both healthy and unhealthy, when thinking about the idea that they will die some day," write the authors.

The researchers found people with low self-esteem, in particular, tend to over-consume after death-related thoughts. Mandel and Smeesters explain the effect using a theory called "escape from self-awareness." "When people are reminded of their inevitable mortality, they may start to feel uncomfortable about what they have done with their lives and whether they have made a significant mark on the universe. This is a state called 'heightened self-awareness.' One way to deal with such an uncomfortable state is to escape from it, by either overeating or overspending," they write.

The study also revealed that placing a mirror in front of the participants reduced the desire to over-consume.

"Consumers, especially those with a lower self-esteem, might be more susceptible to over-consumption when faced with images of death during the news or their favorite crime-scene investigation shows," the authors conclude.

Notes:

Naomi Mandel and Dirk Smeesters. "The Sweet Escape: Effects of Mortality Salience on Consumption Quantities for High- and Low-Esteem Consumers" Journal of Consumer Research: August 2008.

Miracle Diet From The Med

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:18:50 +1000

Adopting elements of a Mediterranean-style diet, which is high in fruit and vegetables and low on red meat and dairy produce, can reduce the risk of cancer by almost a quarter, according to a major study of people's eating habits.

Recommendations Contribute To Ongoing Reform Of Ambulance Service

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:12:34 +1000

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher today said the findings of a review into the performance of the Ambulance Service of NSW will add to the work already underway to better utilise ambulance resources for emergency response.

Ms Meagher said the review, conducted by Graeme Head, director of the Performance Review Unit in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, found the Ambulance Service "maintains a high standard of service against a backdrop of increasing demand".

"This review reinforces the fact that demand for ambulance services has grown significantly more than population growth over the past few years, with an 8.69 per cent increase in the number of emergency incidents since 2005-06," Ms Meagher said.

"Importantly, the review finds that despite this increasing pressure, our ambulance service has maintained response times and continues to deliver a high standard of service to the community."

Key facts highlighted by the review include:

There have been significant enhancements to both Ambulance Service staffing and fleet since 2004-05
The Ambulance Service employs more than 3,700 staff in 291 locations across NSW
89.7 per cent of staff are engaged in frontline service delivery roles such as paramedics, doctors, nurses and emergency call-takers
In 2006-07 the Ambulance Service provided more than one million responses
40 per cent of patients transported to emergency departments were in triage categories 4 or 5
Overall demand for ambulance services has increased by 5.2 per cent since 2005-06
The number of emergency incidents has increased by 8.69 per cent
Compared to other Australian jurisdictions the Ambulance Service is relatively efficient.

Ms Meagher said one of the key findings of the review was the need to look at 'tiered' system which separates the emergency response of the Ambulance Service from non-emergency patient transportation.

"The main function of our ambulance services are to provide emergency response for people in need of urgent care, and about 60 per cent ambulance transports are to take patients to a hospital emergency department," Ms Meagher said.

"But the remainder are taken up with non-emergency patient transport such as transferring patients between hospitals or taking patients home after discharge from hospital, and the review makes the point that this is something we could be doing better."

Ms Meagher said a review will be undertaken to consider options for delivering a more efficient non-emergency patient transport service.

The review will be undertaken by an independent expert and overseen by a steering committee comprising representatives from NSW Health, Ambulance Service of NSW, Department of Premier and Cabinet and NSW Treasury. Consultation with stakeholders such as the Health Services Union will be an important part of the review.

Ms Meagher said the review of non-emergency patient transport was one of 26 recommendations the NSW Government has accepted.

The Government will consider the remaining recommendation, which relates to the transfer of Ambulance Service rescue function to the NSW Fire Brigade, in consultation with the stakeholders involved before a decision is made.

The Ambulance Service of NSW is finalising a detailed implementation plan to address the review's findings, including:

the need for an ongoing public education campaign promoting appropriate use of ambulances
a review of all policies and procedures relating to complaints handling, grievance handling and bullying
updating the Code of Conduct to define and prohibit bullying and harassment by ambulance staff
the introduction of mandatory training for all supervisors and managers in better complaint handling and grievance management.

Ms Meagher said the Iemma Government is committed to delivering a high quality ambulance service across NSW and the recommendations from this review will contribute to the ongoing reform process already underway.

"This year we are investing $340.5 million in the Ambulance Service of NSW, delivering more paramedics, more ambulance vehicles and more resources to support out ambulance paramedics in delivering important emergency health services to the community."

The Performance Review: Ambulance Service of NSW is available on the Ambulance Service of NSW website at www.ambulance.nsw.gov.au

One Loss Condemns Steelers To 5th Place

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:05:14 +1000

Australian Wheelchair Rugby coach Brad Dubberley admits there is work to be done by his team if they are to seriously challenge the world’s best at the Beijing Paralympic Games this September.

Dubberley made the frank admission after the Steelers finished fifth, despite losing just one game at last week’s 2008 Canada Cup, the final Paralympic Games warm-up tournament which featured the best eight teams on the planet.

Buoyed by their stunning success at the International Wheelchair Rugby Super Series in May, the Australian Steelers arrived in Canada with high hopes and began their campaign in fine style with a 33-31 win over Germany.

But any hopes they held of lifting the Canada Cup were dashed in their second round match, when the Steelers were outclassed by arch-rivals New Zealand 44-38.

That left the Dubberley’s men with the task of thrashing Great Britain in their final round robin clash, in order to sneak into the semi-finals on goal difference, after the British disposed of New Zealand in their first match.

However, while they prevailed over Great Britain in an exciting battle, the Australian coach declared ill-discipline and errors at crucial times hampered his team’s chances of a clear-cut victory. Instead, the Steelers stole an overtime thriller – 53-52.

Condemned to the fifth-sixth play-off, NSW’s Ryley Batt inspired the Steelers to success against Japan 42-41, to cement his place as the dominant high-pointer in international Wheelchair Rugby.

Batt was later named the best 3.5 point player of the tournament.

“It has been a valuable tournament for us and an important part on our journey to the Beijing Games, there is still a lot of work to be done and it will be done,” Dubberley said.

“Nothing gives a team a better reality check than having to play off for fifth and sixth, when you know you are so much better than that.”

“All this result has done is fire the boys up even more to be ready to arrive in Beijing and not leave with any regrets.”

Reigning world champions, the USA, sent a warning to the rest of the world when they hammered New Zealand 44-31 in the final to clinch the Canada Cup. Hosts Canada defeated Great Britain 32-30 to seal third spot.

Round Robin

AUS vs. GER 38 - 31

AUS vs. NZL 38 - 44

AUS vs. GBR 53 - 52 (OT)

Play-off for 5th.

AUS vs JPN 42-41

FINAL STANDINGS

1. USA

2. New Zealand

3. Canada

4. Great Britain

5. Australia

6. Japan

7. Germany

8. China

Government to Increase Scrutiny of Aged Care Funding Claims

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:59:39 +1000

This week Commonwealth staff will begin a number of reviews of funding claims made by aged care providers to ensure Australian government financial payments are matching the level of care for the nation’s 170,000 people living in nursing homes.

This review was officially announced by the Treasurer in the May 13 budget.

From July 1, Commonwealth Nursing Officers will conduct a 5,000 reviews under the Resident Classification Scale (RCS) in all States and Territories.

This follows data for the July 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008 period, which covers part of the previous Government and the Rudd Labor Government.

The data from the Office of Aged Care Quality and Compliance within the Department of Health and Ageing shows 37 per cent of claims upon examination had to be downgraded by Department of Health and Ageing assessors.

In addition, in some cases the reviews did occasionally result in the Commonwealth paying aged care providers additional funds, if it was found that they were under-claiming. This upgrading occurred in 3.9 per cent of cases.

Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot said: “Make no mistake, this is about making sure, frail and older Australians in nursing homes are getting the care taxpayers are paying for; good aged care providers have nothing to worry about from this process.”

“Staff working in our nation’s nursing homes are dedicated, hard working and the backbone of the sector.

“They are on the front-line providing quality care and the record 7,000 visits by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency announced earlier this week for 2008-2009 and review of funding claims support their valuable work.

“We must always remember the aged care sector is about the 170,000 residents who live there.”

The reviews of funding claims are responsible financial measures and are about accountability. Over the next four years, funding for aged and community care will reach record levels of more than $40 billion - with $28.6 billion of that on residential aged care alone.

“No government in Australian history has spent more on aged care and community care than this one. We are proud of our plans for aged and community care.

“I have visited nursing homes in every State and Territory and I have seen world class staff providing first rate quality care to residents. I always commend their great work,” Mrs Elliot said.

Review procedures and background

In the coming months, Commonwealth Nursing Officers will visit facilities and examine all relevant information about a resident’s care needs and consider the comprehensive care plans that detail how those needs are being met.

If documentation does not support the claim, review officers are required, under the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Act), to substitute the appropriate classification for that resident. This may be to increase, confirm or downgrade the funding level claimed.

Over claimed amounts are recovered through an adjustment to the monthly advance for up to six months if required, rather than a lump sum payment from the provider.

There is no financial penalty for incorrect claiming of a subsidy, merely a correction of the incorrect classification and claim, with backdating to the time of the facility’s appraisal and classification, or six months, whichever is the lesser.

Even if a provider has received funding for more than six months for a resident who is subsequently reclassified at a lower level, funding is only recovered for six months. This is in line with the requirements of the Aged Care Act.

However, the Act allows the Secretary of the Department of Health and Ageing to suspend an approved provider from classifying residents for funding where it repeatedly fails to conduct classification appraisals in a proper manner.

Watermelon Ingredient Can Trigger Viagra-like Results

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:56:32 +1000

A slice of cool, fresh watermelon is a juicy way to top off a Fourth of July cookout and one that researchers say could keep fireworks going long into the night.

Olympic Athletes: Trouble Breathing In Beijing?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:31:02 +1000

When the world's top athletes convene next month for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, some will face a challenge that tests more than their athletic abilities. Heavy pollution in the Chinese capital could pose problems for competitors, especially those with asthma, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

The ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitric oxide and other pollutants in Beijing's hazy air are asthmagenic - meaning exposure can inflame the airways of sensitive people and even cause an asthma attack. Similar problem were witnessed in past Olympic host cities of Atlanta, Athens and Seoul, but Beijing's place among the world's worst in air quality has experts concerned.

"Not only will athletes have irritated eyes, but a good portion may have decreased potential to be competitive," said Timothy Craig, DO, FAAAAI, and chair of the AAAAI Sports Medicine Committee. "Exercise can enhance the adverse effects air pollutants have on health. Rigorous exercise combined with pollutants can sometimes stimulate an asthma attack."

Research points to EIA origins

New research to be presented next month in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI), the official scientific journal of the AAAAI, investigates the origins of exercise-induced asthma.

Sandra D. Anderson, PhD, DSc, and colleagues report that exercise-induced asthma results from injuries to the airway caused by breathing poorly conditioned air - particularly cold, dry air - over long periods of time. The researchers concluded that cold-weather athletes and swimmers, who train in irritant environments, may be at risk of airway injury leading to increased airway sensitivity.

In a European study of adolescent elite swimmers, Lars Pedersen, MD, and colleagues found that young competition swimmers had the same healthy airways as their non-swimming peers after two years in the sport. However, previous studies have shown a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms among adult endurance athletes, suggesting that these sensitivities develop over time and repeated exposure to the pool environment.

EIA common among athletes

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) affects an estimated 20 percent of top athletes and an estimated 1 in 6 of all Olympic athletes, according to the AAAAI. EIA frequently affects individuals who do not suffer from chronic asthma.

Typically, athletes with EIA experience difficulty breathing 5-10 minutes after exercise. Other symptoms include:

- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Prolonged or unexpected shortness of breath

Prescription asthma medications, including controller and rescue medication, can be used to control and treat EIA. Due to anti-doping regulations, which restrict the use of many asthma medications at the Olympic Games, athletes must obtain official approval for many medications.

Tactics that can help mitigate EIA include warming up before exercise and keeping hydrated.

Spectators should also prepare
In addition to athletes, high pollution levels threaten to take a toll on spectators with a history of allergies or asthma.

"Spectators may develop the same symptoms as the athletes and need to be prepared to treat their asthma and other allergic diseases if they develop or worsen," Craig said. "Remember to take your asthma medication as prescribed and carry albuterol and hydrating eye drops at all times to treat symptoms. Think 'avoidance' and be willing to stay indoors on a very poor air quality day so the rest of your trip is completed in health."

The AAAAI represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,500 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries.

Saving More Lives Through Organ Donation

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:25:29 +1000

The Australian Medical Association today congratulated the Rudd Government on its multi-million dollar proposal to assist in the organ transplant rate in Australia.

AMA President, Dr Rosanna Capolingua, said the answer to the organ transplant problem was not just about increasing the number of donations.

"The Government’s new funding of $136.4 million goes a long way towards ensuring that more organ transplants actually can take place," she said.

The AMA has been calling for an investment in doctors and capital infrastructure in this area for some time.

"It is very pleasing to see the Government has provided additional resources such as more hospital beds, equipment, and doctors in order for organ harvesting and organ transplantation to occur.

"This of course is in addition to the importance of providing more public education and counselling."

Dr Capolingua today called on the State and Territory Governments to formally back the proposal when the Prime Minister takes the package to tomorrow’s COAG meeting.

"It is important that all levels of government come on board with this plan. Even today, the lives of around 1,800 Australians are in the balance as they wait for a transplant.

"Every new organ donor can make a real difference.

"Up to ten people can receive organs and tissue from just one donor. That’s ten lives that benefit because of just one person.

"The Government is now investing in the essential tools and resources to enable this to happen," she said.

The AMA has been very active in raising public awareness and campaigning for an increase in organ donation for some time.

The AMA looks forward to continuing to work with governments to improve the rates of organ donation for transplantation.

"During Organ Donation Week in February this year, the AMA campaigned to encourage family members to talk about organ donation and provide advice and support to doctors who are involved in discussing this very difficult issue with the families," Dr Capolingua said.

Regulations Provide Truth In Advertising For Medical Services

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:21:30 +1000

NSW Minister for Health Reba Meagher said today's introduction of stronger regulations for the advertising of medical services would provide better protection for people contemplating cosmetic surgery.

Ms Meagher said the changes are included in the Medical Practice Amendment (Advertising) Regulation 2008 which comes into effect today.

"These changes put an end to the use of confusing scientific and statistical information and the misleading use of 'before and after' photographs which often give people unrealistic expectations about the results they can expect from certain medical procedures, such as cosmetic surgery," Ms Meagher said.

"These new regulations make it clear that there is no place within the practice of medicine for unscrupulous operators who use dubious advertising to promote their services."

Changes under the Medical Practice Amendment (Advertising) Regulation 2008 include:

A requirement that 'before and after' photographs are not altered or manipulated in any way
A requirement that 'before and after' photographs are of genuine patients
All 'before and after' photographs must include a prominent statement that they represent one person's experience and there is no guarantee that any other patient will experience similar results
Any scientific or statistical information used in advertising must be presented in a manner which is readily understood by people without scientific or medical expertise.

Ms Meagher said new cosmetic surgery guidelines developed by the NSW Medical Board also require a 'cooling off' period for people under the age of 18 years.

"These guidelines provide a three-month cooling off period between the time of the initial consultation and a second consultation when the surgery can be booked," Ms Meagher said.

"It is particularly important that young people contemplating cosmetic surgery have access to detailed information about the procedure and the time to fully consider the risks and the need for surgery without rushing to a decision."

'Good' Cholesterol Dementia Risk

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:48:42 +1000

Too little of one type of cholesterol has been linked by research to memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.

NSW Health to encourage participation in NAIDOC week 2008

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:10:39 +1000

NAIDOC celebrates the survival of Indigenous culture and the Indigenous contribution to modern Australia. All Australians are encouraged to participate in NAIDOC Week activities.

NAIDOC (which stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) week is to be celebrated across the country from July 6th to 13th this year and NSW Health are keen for their staff to take part.

Public health organisations have been encouraged to support and release Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander staff to participate in NAIDOC celebrations, and have also encouraged non-Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander public health staff members to support, and participate in, workplace celebrations wherever possible.

NSW Health staff members who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, are to be granted up to one day Special Leave so that they may participate in NAIDOC Week celebrations.

For further information on NAIDOC visit www.naidoc.org.au.

NAIDOC Week is to be celebrated from 6 to 13 July 2008.

A listing of NAIDOC week events in Queensland.

A listing of NAIDOC week events in Perth.

This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘Advance Australia Fair’.

Drinking More Water Improves Health In Elderly Care Home Residents

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:09:31 +1000

Residents and staff at a care home for the elderly in Suffolk, UK are convinced that the improvements in residents' health is because they are now drinking more water after a "water club" was introduced last summer.

Disturbing Findings In NY Teens Sexual Violence Study

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:57:55 +1000

The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, in collaboration with Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health's Center for Youth Violence Prevention, announced the results of a three-year, comprehensive research project on sexual and dating violence among New York City high school students, and the health impact of that violence on those victimized by it. A copy of the full study, "Partners and Peers: Sexual and Dating Violence Among NYC Youth," will be released in July.

The New York City Department of Education granted researchers permission to enroll New York City high school students anonymously with their parents' consent and their own permission given the agreement of school principals and district superintendents. Students from four schools, reflecting a range of those in New York's cultural groups, were asked to participate. Over 1,300 high school students ranging in age from 13-21 were included in these analyses. The majority of participants were 15 or 16 years old.

Findings in the study include:

One in six participants (16.2%) report having experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives;
The percentage of New York teens reporting having experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives is higher than the national average (nationally, between 7% and 10.2% of 12-17-year-olds report having experienced some form of sexual assault.);
89% of those who have experienced sexual violence knew the person who perpetrated the victimization;
28% of those who reported having perpetrated sexual violence against their dating partner also reported having carried a weapon in the past month;
60% of youth who were physically violent with their dating partners also reported having engaged in other physical fights in the last year; * Among those who experienced physical dating violence, more than one quarter (27.4%) reported having been pushed or shoved by a dating partner, and 17% reported having been slapped or hit;
Almost 10% of students who reported having a dating partner in the last year said that their partner touched them sexually when they didn't want to be touched and 6.7% said they were forced to have sex against their will;
Less than half (41.3%) of the students who self-identified as having experienced physical or sexual dating violence told someone about those experiences;
New York City high school students are most likely to tell their friends about sexual or dating violence. 71.8% told friends first. Only 12.8% first told a parent about the violence; 11.5% first told another adult;
Only 24.4% of youth experiencing sexual or physical dating violence sought help from a health professional, teacher or guidance counselor;
Both victimization and perpetration of physical and sexual dating violence was linked with adverse health outcomes for these youth. Victims of sexual dating violence reported more frequent pain and illness symptoms that results in high physical discomfort (31%) and higher emotional discomfort (28%) than teens who have not experienced sexual dating violence (20% and 18% respectively), and
Likewise, victims of physical dating violence also reported poorer health status (28%) and lower self-esteem (25%) than youth who have not experienced physical dating violence (21% and 18% respectively).

Leslie Davidson, MD, professor of clinical Epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and a lead researcher on the study, said "We know the long term adverse consequences on physical and emotional ill health from partner violence among youth. It is essential that New York City address this problem with a multi-faceted strategy."

"These data highlight the need for early identification, treatment as well as prevention," said Vaughn Rickert, PhD, professor of clinical Population and Family Health at the Mailman School of Public Health. "Unfortunately, funding for relationship violence among youth is not a priority. Funds need to be made available at the city, state, and federal levels in order to promote sound intervention and prevention strategies for youth."

"New York City's young people are subject to sexual and dating violence at rates far higher than national average, according to this study," said Harriet Lessel, executive director of the New City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. "These are alarming statistics any way you look at them, and we are hopeful that these findings will highlight an issue that has been kept in the shadows for far too long, and encourage more young people to seek help when they are victimized. We are grateful to the New York City Council for funding this landmark study and to the New York City Department of Education for its courage in allowing such a research project to take place in city schools; the cooperation we received from the four school principals, the teachers, the parents and from the students was unprecedented."

Notes:

The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault is a not-for-profit organization that develops advanced strategies, policies and responses that prevent sexual violence and limit its destabilizing effects on victims, families and communities.

The Columbia Center for Youth Violence Prevention (CCYVP) at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health is a multidisciplinary collaboration of researchers, policymakers, and community representatives committed to understanding and reducing youth violence. CCYVP is one of 12 Academic Centers of Excellence funded by the Centers for Disease Control.

About the Mailman School of Public Health

The only accredited school of public health in New York City, and among the first in the nation, Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health provides instruction and research opportunities to more than 1000 graduate students in pursuit of masters and doctoral degrees. Its students and more than 300 multi-disciplinary faculty engage in research and service in the city, nation, and around the world, concentrating on biostatistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health policy and management, population and family health, and sociomedical sciences.

Sexual Orientation, Genetics And Environmental Factors

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:42:28 +1000

Homosexual behaviour is largely shaped by genetics and random environmental factors, according to findings from the world's largest study of twins.

Writing in the scientific journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, researchers from Queen Mary's School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, and Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm report that genetics and environmental factors (which are specific to an individual, and may include biological processes such as different hormone exposure in the womb), are important determinants of homosexual behaviour.

Dr Qazi Rahman, study co-author and a leading scientist on human sexual orientation, explains: "This study puts cold water on any concerns that we are looking for a single 'gay gene' or a single environmental variable which could be used to 'select out' homosexuality - the factors which influence sexual orientation are complex. And we are not simply talking about homosexuality here - heterosexual behaviour is also influenced by a mixture of genetic and environmental factors.

The team led by Dr Niklas Långström at Karolinska Institutet conducted the first truly population-based survey of all adult (20-47 years old) twins in Sweden. Studies of identical twins and non-identical, or fraternal, twins are often used to untangle the genetic and environmental factors responsible for a trait. While identical twins share all of their genes and their entire environment, fraternal twins share only half of their genes and their entire environment. Therefore, greater similarity in a trait between identical twins compared to fraternal twins shows that genetic factors are partly responsible for the trait.

This study looked at 3,826 same-gender twin pairs (7,652 individuals), who were asked about the total numbers of opposite sex and same sex partners they had ever had. The findings showed that 35 per cent of the differences between men in same-sex behaviour (that is, that some men have no same sex partners, and some have one or more) is accounted for by genetics. Rahman explains:

"Overall, genetics accounted for around 35 per cent of the differences between men in homosexual behaviour and other individual-specific environmental factors (that is, not societal attitudes, family or parenting which are shared by twins) accounted for around 64 per cent. In other words, men become gay or straight because of different developmental pathways, not just one pathway."

For women, genetics explained roughly 18 per cent of the variation in same-sex behaviour, non-shared environment roughly 64 per cent and shared factors, or the family environment, explained 16 per cent.

The study shows that genetic influences are important but modest, and that non-shared environmental factors, which may include factors operating during foetal development, dominate. Importantly, heredity had roughly the same influence as shared environmental factors in women, whereas the latter had no impact on sexual behaviour in men.

Dr Rahman adds: "The study is not without its limitations - we used a behavioural measure of sexual orientation which might be ok to use for men (men's psychological orientation, sexual behaviour, and sexual responses are highly related) but less so for women (who show a clearer separation between these elements of sexuality). Despite this, our study provides the most unbiased estimates presented so far of genetic and non-genetic contributions to sexual orientation."