Pharmacy Blog

The researchers tried to use evolution to explain why men often prefer younger women and what typically drives women's desire for older men, said their leader, Vienna University anthropologist Martin Fieder.

While it is no surprise to hear that men pick younger women to bolster their reproductive fitness and that women choose older partners for security, the study is the first to quantify the age difference that results in the most children, he said.

"Nobody has shown before this has consequences for the number of offspring," Fieder said in a telephone interview.

(Continuation content ‘Age difference is key to having most kids: study (Reuters)’…)

A new gene therapy technique has been shown to reduce the amount of amyloid-beta protein (which forms the plaques found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease) in the brains of mice. (Continuation content ‘Gene Therapy Reduces Amyloid Plaques In Mice With Model Of Alzheimer Disease’…)

Jeroen de Munter and colleagues found that, in women in the US Nurses’ Health Studies, whole grain intake was inversely associated with risk of type 2 diabetes. The association was stronger for bran than for germ. (Continuation content ‘Whole Grain Intake And Type 2 Diabetes’…)

In order to cut the childhood death rate in South Africa, research on how to increase the number of children who receive vitamin A supplementation should be the top research priority according to a new study in PLoS Medicine.

Vitamin A supplements have been previously shown to reduce the childhood death rate in parts of the world where malnutrition is widespread, such as South Africa. (Continuation content ‘How Can We Cut The Childhood Death Rate In South Africa?’…)

Proposed rules in Massachusetts that would require some residents seeking no-cost care at hospitals to contribute deductibles and copayments would weaken the state’s health care safety net, according to testimony given on Wednesday at a public hearing on the rule, the reports (Dembner, Boston Globe, 8/23). (Continuation content ‘Massachusetts Holds Hearing On Rule Requiring Certain Residents To Contribute Copayments, Deductibles To Receive Care’…)

HEALTH: EU Opposes Cheap Medicines for AIDS in Thailand
By David Cronin

BRUSSELS, Aug 28 (IPS) - The European Union’s top trade official has called on Thailand to revise its efforts to provide cheap medicines to people with AIDS over concerns that the country could be undermining global rules on intellectual property.

Since last year, Thailand has issued compulsory licenses on several patented medicines to ensure that they are made available at more affordable prices than they would otherwise be. (Continuation content ‘HEALTH: EU Opposes Cheap Medicines for AIDS in Thailand’…)

The group on Wednesday filed a ballot proposal with the seeking to modify a state constitutional amendment that protects human embryonic stem cell research, the reports (Lieb, AP/Joplin Globe, 8/23).

The amendment — titled the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative and approved by Missouri voters in November 2006 — ensures that stem cell research permitted under federal law is protected in the state and prohibits human cloning. (Continuation content ‘Missouri Anti-Cloning Group Files Ballot Proposal To Modify Amendment Protecting Embryonic Stem Cell Research In State’…)

The seatbelt syndrome refers to a cluster of injuries that can involve the spine and abdomen, which may often initially appear to be minor. The syndrome may include rupture of organs in the abdomen or pelvis, injuries to major blood vessels, and fractures of the spine, ribs, sternum or clavicle.

Bruising of the abdominal wall in a child restrained with a lap belt during a motor vehicle accident "should warrant a search for other injuries, including spinal cord injury, vertebral fractures, and intra-abdominal injuries," write Dr.

(Continuation content ‘Lap belt injury can be more severe than it appears (Reuters)’…)

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Wednesday said he will veto a health care bill by Democratic lawmakers if it relies solely on employer contributions for funding, the reports. The Democrats’ bill would require employers to spend at least 7.5% of payroll on employee benefits (Yamamura, Sacramento Bee, 8/23). (Continuation content ‘California Gov. Schwarzenegger Threatens To Veto Democrats’ Health Care Legislation’…)

U.S. District Court Judge Robert Cleland last week approved a settlement in a federal lawsuit between child advocacy groups and the Michigan that will increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians and dentists who treat children and expand access to the program, the reports (Kresnak, Detroit Free Press, 8/23). (Continuation content ‘Court Settlement Increases Medicaid Reimbursements For Treatment Of Children’…)