Culture

Sleep apnea-stroke connection just as high in women as in men

ATS 2014, SAN DIEGO ─ The link between stroke and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been established by several clinical studies in recent years, with the most significant risks attributed to male patients. Now, a new study by researchers from Boston says the link between OSA and stroke may be just as strong among women.

According to the study, because men tend to develop OSA earlier than women, studies that have evaluated the link between OSA and stroke among age-matched groups of men and women may have underestimated associations.

Physical activity can protect overweight women from risk for heart disease

May 20, 2014 – (BRONX, NY) – For otherwise healthy middle-aged women who are overweight or obese, physical activity may be their best option for avoiding heart disease, according to a study that followed nearly 900 women for seven years.

Reducing residents' work hours may have unintended consequences

TORONTO, May 20, 2014—Medical residents in Canada may work longer hours per shift and per week than their counterparts in Europe, Australia and New Zealand but there is conflicting evidence whether shorter shifts improve patient safety, a new study has found.

In fact, reducing medical resident duty hours may have unforeseen consequences and changes must be made carefully to ensure both patient safety and resident well-being, says Dr. Reena Pattani, the chief resident at St. Michael's Hospital.

Reducing resident hours may have unintended negative effects

Reducing medical resident duty hours may have unforeseen consequences; changes must be made carefully and evaluated rigorously to ensure patient safety and resident well-being, according to an analysis published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Receptive to music

This news release is available in German.

Cigarette smoking and male sex are risk factors for ocular sarcoidosis

ATS 2014, SAN DIEGO ─ Cigarette smoking and male sex are significant risk factors for developing ocular sarcoidosis, according to a new study presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

Sarcoidosis is a disease in which inflammation produces tiny lumps of cells (called granulomas) in organs throughout the body, most often in the lungs, but also in the eyes, lymph nodes, or skin. Ocular sarcoidosis, which can lead to blindness, affects 25-50% of sarcoidosis patients.

Elevated blood eosinophil levels are a risk factor for asthma exacerbations

ATS 2014, SAN DIEGO ─ In adults with persistent asthma, elevated blood eosinophil levels may be able to predict which individuals are at increased risk for exacerbations, according to a new study presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

Women repeatedly short-changed in case of premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual disorders in men. But it is not just the men who suffer; it also causes increased psychological strain and stress in women, as a new survey conducted by Andrea Burri, a clinical psychologist at the University of Zurich, reveals. Around 40 percent of over 1,500 women polled from Mexico, Italy and South Korea indicated that ejaculation control is very important for satisfactory intercourse.

New ESC-EACTS guidelines on myocardial revascularization to be released at EuroPCR 2014

20 May 2014, Paris, France: EuroPCR 2014 delegates will get a preview of the latest 2014 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) guidelines on myocardial revascularisation on Wednesday, 21 May at 10.30 am.

The guidelines will be a new version following the first edition in 2010. The new taskforce is chaired by Prof Stephan Windecker, President-elect, European Association for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI), and Prof Philippe Kolh, representing EACTS, who was also co-chair of the previous task force.

Little exercise and heavy use of electronic media constitute a significant health risk for children

The Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study, PANIC, carried out by the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Eastern Finland shows that low levels of physical activity combined with heavy use of electronic media and sedentary behaviour are linked to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and vascular diseases already in 6–8 year-old children. The study was published in International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, an esteemed journal in the field of exercise and nutrition.

Poorer patients present with more advanced pulmonary hypertension

ATS 2014, SAN DIEGO ─ Pulmonary hypertension patients from lower socioeconomic groups present for initial evaluation at a more advanced disease state than those from higher income groups, according to a new study presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

An Internet-mediated exercise program improves quality of life in COPD patients

ATS 2014, SAN DIEGO ─ A pedometer-based walking program supported by Internet-based instruction and support can improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a new study presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

Public reporting of ICU mortality does not improve outcomes

ATS 2014, SAN DIEGO ─ A large study of intensive care patients in California found that public reporting of patient outcomes did not reduce mortality, but did result in reduced admission of the sickest patients to the ICU and increased transfer of critically ill patients to other hospitals.

Research finds few seizing patients receive EEGs in emergency department

CINCINNATI—Even though it could impact their admission or care in the hospital, few seizing patients receive a diagnostic electroencephalogram, or EEG, in the emergency department, says a new study presented this week by University of Cincinnati researchers.

The research team, led by assistant professor of emergency medicine and neurosurgery William Knight, MD, looked at the use of EEGs to diagnose status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition in which the brain is in a state of persistent seizure for more than five minutes.

Better science for better fisheries management

Jon Grabowski, a marine science and fisheries expert at Northeastern University's Marine Science Center in Nahant, Massachusetts, has been working with other fisheries scientists as well as economists, social scientists, and policy makers to determine the best strategies for dealing with all of the Northeast region's fisheries that impact habitat, which includes cod, haddock, cusk, scallops, clams and other fish that live near the sea floor and are of significant socioeconomic value to the region.