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Weight-loss surgery significantly reduces risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy

Obese women who have bariatric surgery before getting pregnant are at significantly lower risk for developing dangerous hypertensive disorders during pregnancy than those who don't, according to a study of medical insurance records by Johns Hopkins experts.

Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy — which include gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia — complicate an estimated 7 percent of pregnancies in the United States. Researchers say they are much more common in obese women, who make up a third of women of childbearing age.

Patients without health insurance more likely to delay seeking care for heart attack

Patients who do not have health care insurance, or those with insurance but financial concerns about accessing health care, are more likely to delay seeking emergency care for a heart attack, according to a study in the April 14 issue of JAMA.

Study finds wide variation in those infected by H1N1

This release is available in http://chinese..org/zh/emb_releases/2010-04/jaaj-sfw040910.php">Chinese.

An analysis of blood samples taken before, during and after an epidemic wave of influenza A(H1N1) in Singapore in 2009 finds variation in infection risks and antibody levels, with younger age groups and military personnel having higher infection rates than other groups, according to a study in the April 14 issue of JAMA.

Use of certain anticonvulsant medications may be associated with increased risk of suicide

This release is available in http://chinese..org/zh/emb_releases/2010-04/jaaj-uoc040910.php">Chinese.

An analysis of prescription and clinical claims data suggests that the use of certain anticonvulsant medications may be associated with an increased risk of suicide, attempted suicide or violent death, according to a study in the April 14 issue of JAMA.

People living in communities near oil sands can breathe easy: U of A study

Warren Kindzierski, University of Alberta researcher in the School of Public Health, says people living in the communities of Fort McMurray, Fort Mckay and Fort Chipewyan should feel confident that the air they are breathing is safe.

Kindzierski's research has found that, despite ongoing development, it's apparent that there is little or no pattern to the changes in concentrations of various air pollutants across the oil sands region over the past 10 years.

Community research guidelines set stage for 'real world' scholarship

Academia is sometimes viewed as an "ivory tower" environment with little connection to the real world, but new research from North Carolina State University should help academics striving to overcome that reputation. A new paper lays out guidelines that can be used to develop and implement partnerships between academics and local communities to foster research efforts that address social problems.

The next silicon revolution

The engineers from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of California, San Diego who are at the forefront of the latest "silicon revolution" will, for another year, dominate two of the most influential annual academic conferences focused on advanced wireless communications technologies — IMS 2010 and RFIC 2010.

Health fair referrals shown to help improve blood pressure among low-income immigrants

UCLA researchers sought to compare how two different approaches to providing follow-up care to health fair participants impacted blood-pressure control.

Energy wasted grinding switchgrass smaller to improve flowability

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Biofuels processors who mill switchgrass into fine bits to help its flowability should be able to save time, energy and money by not doing so, a Purdue University study shows.

AAN issues guideline on when people with Alzheimer's disease should stop driving

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The American Academy of Neurology has issued a new guideline to help determine when people with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia should stop driving. The guideline is published in the April 12, 2010, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, and will be presented April 12, 2010, at the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting in Toronto.

Strategy confirmed to help doctors determine when to treat retinopathy of prematurity

Scientists have shown that through an eye exam, doctors can identify infants who are most likely to benefit from early treatment for a potentially blinding eye condition called retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), resulting in better vision for many children.

Uninsured get poor care for migraine: Harvard study

Migraines, often characterized by excruciating headache and nausea, are much worse for the uninsured, a new Harvard Medical School study shows.

Researchers say migraine sufferers who lack private health insurance get poor care for their condition. They are about twice as likely to get inadequate treatment for their headaches as their privately insured counterparts. People with Medicaid also get substandard care.

Study: People with no health insurance get substandard migraine care

ST. PAUL, Minn. – People with no health insurance are less likely than the privately insured to receive proper treatment for their migraines, according to a study published in the April 13, 2010, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

American Academy of Ophthalmology issue statement on final visual acuity results, early treatment for ROP study

The American Academy of Ophthalmology considers the children's visual acuity results reported in the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity Study an affirmation of the efficacy and long-term benefit of current retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) diagnosis and treatment practices. Parents, as well as pediatric ophthalmologists, pediatricians and others who care for babies at risk of ROP can be reassured that treatment will help these children achieve their best possible vision.

Ultrasensitive imaging method uses gold-silver 'nanocages'

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - New research findings suggest that an experimental ultrasensitive medical imaging technique that uses a pulsed laser and tiny metallic "nanocages" might enable both the early detection and treatment of disease.

The system works by shining near-infrared laser pulses through the skin to detect hollow nanocages and solid nanoparticles - made of an alloy of gold and silver - that are injected into the bloodstream.