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Popular Articles

Adult Brain Changes With Unsuspected Speed
The human brain can adapt to changing demands even in adulthood, but MIT neuroscientists have now found evidence of it changing with unsuspected speed. Their findings suggest that the brain has a network of silent connections that underlie its plasticity.

First Robotic Lung Surgery In Tampa Bay Performed At Moffitt Cancer Center
Ray Berkelbach is taking long walks three times a day just a couple weeks after having lung surgery. The 68-year-old retiree from Punta Gorda underwent robotic surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center to remove a cancerous part of his lung. His was the first lung procedure in the Tampa Bay area that used the robot-assisted da Vinci surgical system.
News of the day
WHO Approves HPV Vaccine Cervarix For Use In Developing Countries
The World Health Organization has approved GlaxoSmithKline"s human papillomavirus vaccine Cervarix, thus enabling United Nations agencies and partners to officially purchase millions of doses for use in low-income nations, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports (AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/9). Cervarix is highly effective at preventing HPV types 16 and 18, which cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases (GSK release, 7/9). According to the AP/Union-Tribune, more than 80% of the estimated 280,000 cervical cancer deaths annually occur in developing countries.Cervarix has not been approved for use in the U.S. and Japan, but it is available in 97 other countries. FDA is expected to decide in the next few months whether to approve Cervarix for use in the U.S. (AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/9). The agency in 2006 approved Merck"s HPV vaccine Gardasil for girls and women ages nine to 26. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend routine three-dose vaccination for girls ages 11 and 12 and for girls and women ages 13 to 26 who have not yet been vaccinated (CDC fact sheet, June 2008).The three-shot regimen typically costs about $360. It is unclear if GSK will provide Cervarix at a lower cost to U.N. agencies purchasing it for developing countries (AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/9). GSK said that it is "eager to work with our long-term partner GAVI as well as other private [non-governmental organizations] or governments of developing countries to identify financing mechanisms for the vaccine" (Stovall, Dow Jones, 7/9). The global health association GAVI is a major buyer of vaccines for the developing world. In 2008, GAVI prioritized the purchase of HPV vaccines for the world"s 73 poorest nations. The organization includes U.N. agencies, the World Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/9).
Cardiovascular

Do Some Homework Before Making Energy Drinks Part Of A Study Routine

For those who can"t imagine starting the day without an energy drink, RightHealth, the Guide to Health on the Web, is providing a wake up call. Although energy drinks can make all-night cram sessions easier to stay awake for, they may not receive a passing grade when it comes to health. While energy drinks may temporarily improve cognitive performance and alertness, studies show that their high sugar and caffeine content can cause sleep disturbance, dehydration, headache, increase in blood pressure and heart rate, and anxiety. Energy drinks like Red Bull® , Monster Energy® and ROCKSTAR contain significantly more sugar and caffeine than sodas or sports drinks. A 24 oz can of ROCKSTAR, for example, has as much caffeine as three espressos, and as much sugar as six large doughnuts. "The FDA regulates the caffeine content in sodas but not in energy drinks, even though the market for these beverages is upwards of $4 billion in sales," said Dr. Steven Chang of RightHealth. "Many parents don"t realize that energy drinks pack more sugar and caffeine than is recommended, and they often don"t know how much their teens are drinking. The shocking truth is that nearly a third of all 12- to 24-year-olds say they consume energy drinks on a regular basis." Dr. Chang warns that energy drinks can exacerbate teen health issues like sleep deprivation and obesity. Eighty percent of teens do not get the recommended nine hours of sleep on school nights, and researchers have linked too much caffeine and poor sleep to the increasing obesity rates in young adults. Today an estimated 17 percent of teenagers are obese, compared with just five percent in the mid-1970"s. "As a society, we"re already struggling to make sure our kids get adequate sleep and nutrition," said Dr. Chang. "Parents really need to take a second look at the ingredients in the drinks their teens consume, and understand the risks related to excessive caffeine and sugar intake. You can"t assume that because it"s sold on the grocery store shelf, it"s safe for you or your children." Dr. Chang recommends talking to a physician about energy drinks to better understand how large doses of sugar and caffeine might affect a specific child, particularly one who takes other medications or has a heart condition. RightHealth.com also offers a wealth of res, including news, reviews, doctor-reviewed reports, videos, discussions and social networks, that can help families make informed choices about energy drinks and their health. About Dr. Steven Chang Dr. Steven Chang is a staff physician with RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University-affiliated O"Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. RightHealth


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