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Added on the 12/02/2019 15:33:48 - Copyright : Wochit
UPI reports new research shows it's a very good idea to insist that healthcare workers get an annual flu shot. That's according to researchers from the University of Georgia, Montana State University and Monash University in Australia. They found that states with mandatory flu shots for hospital workers saw statewide reductions in deaths from influenza and pneumonia. They estimate that during the 2016-17 season alone, nearly 2,000 deaths were averted in the 15 U.S. states that had mandatory vaccination laws at that time. The findings suggest that health-worker vaccination laws may be a good way to protect the country's most vulnerable populations. The researchers say it's possible that similar benefits could also be seen with mandatory COVID-19 vaccination of hospital workers.
More than two dozen Palestinian cancer patients, who have crossed from Gaza into Egypt, arrive in Turkey for treatment in the early hours of Thursday. Two planes carrying the patients, many of them children, landed at Ankara airport shortly after 00:30 am local time (2130 GMT). IMAGES
Scientists have identified the brain's 'signature' for major depression. According to UPI, Japanese researchers used machine learning to ID distinct patterns of coordinated brain activity in people with major depressive disorder. Major depression is fairly easy to diagnose. However, the researchers say a better understanding of the brain networks associated with the disease could improve treatment. The new brain network signature could serve as a foundation for discovering brain network patterns associated with different types of depression. It could also reveal relationships between depression and other disorders.
A new study has identified a link between stress hormones and the recurrence of cancer. UPI reports the findings may explain why cancers can return long after seemingly being cured with chemotherapy or surgery. The study showed stress hormones and immune cells called neutrophils may awaken dormant cancer cells and cause tumors to regrow -- even after treatment -- according to a study published Wednesday by Science Translational Medicine. Tumor recurrence may be facilitated by common stress. Study co-author Dr. Dmitry Gabrilovich Chief Scientist, AstraZeneca Stress hormones such as cortisol have been linked with an increased risk for a number of health problems. Elevated levels of these hormones can increase a person's heart rate and lead to rises in blood pressure. Because of this, it can lead to insomnia, robbing the body of needed sleep, and mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.
Smoking is bad for health--that's undisputed. But for millions of smokers, quitting smoking seems nearly impossible. According to UPI, a new study published in JAMA Tuesday shows a program that combined phone counseling sessions with medication produces strong results. A program with telephone counseling sessions and one of two smoking cessation drugs was 50% more effective than telephone consultations alone. Among patients who had four bi-weekly and three monthly counseling sessions and either Wellbutrin or Chantix, 35% were able to quit smoking. Smoking cessation assistance should be an integral part of cancer care and sustained tobacco support can be effective for cancer patients who smoke. Elyse R. Park, Study Co-Author Associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Nobody in their right mind would want appendicitis, but a new study says there is a way to have a fighting chance of avoiding surgery for it. Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine found 7 in 10 appendicitis patients treated with antibiotics ultimately avoid surgery. Of 1,552 participants from 14 states, about 71% of those who took antibiotics did not have surgery within three months. What's more, UPI reports participants in the antibiotic group missed about 3 1/2 fewer days of work. With surgery, the appendix is fully removed. But with antibiotics, appendicitis can return. The researchers next want to study the frequency of reoccurrence.