MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'developing'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:00:49 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5182066&cid=t_105664_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FcHHww-Xin4g%2F (Editor’s note: Pathways responsible for higher-order thinking in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), or executive center of the brain, remain vulnerable throughout life—during critical early-life developmental windows, when the PFC fully matures in the early 20s, and finally from declines associated with old age. At all ages, physical activity and PFC-navigated social connections are essential components to maintaining brain health. The Experience Corps, a community-based social-engagement program, partners seniors with local schools to promote purpose-driven involvement. Participating seniors have exhibited immediate short-term gains in brain regions vulnerable to aging, such as the PFC, indicating that people with the most to lose have the most to gain from environmental enrichment.) Over ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5182066 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:18:19 +0100 5182066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103338&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fresearch-finds-success-in-small-cheap-and-strong-test-for-hiv-and-syphilis%2F2011.08.06 Researchers from Columbia University have developed a “lab on a chip” HIV and syphilis test, and are now reporting the first results from tests in the field conducted in Rwanda. The mChip, as it is called, is the size of a credit card and replicates all steps of an ELISA test, at a lower total material cost and within 20 minutes. After application of a blood sample, the chip is inserted into a $100 battery-powered handheld analyzer. It needs only 1 μl of unprocessed whole blood and does not require any user interpretation of the signal, providing a clear-cut yes or no result. Right now, HIV testing in developing countries either relies on expensive laboratory testing taking a long time, or uses cheaper methods based on lateral flow, which, although very rapid, do not provide very reli... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103338 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 18:00:08 +0100 5103338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086170&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fwho-report-outlines-problem-of-hospital-acquired-infections%2F2011.08.01 The World Health Organization’s new patient safety envoy will take on health care acquired infections in his new role, he announced last week. Liam Donaldson, England’s former Chief Medical Officer, pointed out in his first report as envoy that patient safety incidents occur in 4% to 16% of all hospitalized patients, and that hospital-acquired infections affect hundreds of millions of patients globally. A WHO report outlined the problem. High-income countries had pooled health care acquired infection rates of 7.6%. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control estimated that 4.1 million Europeans incur 4.5 million health care acquired infections annually. In the U.S. the incidence rate was 4.5% in 2002, or 9.3 infections per 1,000 patient-days and 1.7 million affected ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086170 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0100 5086170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934302&cid=t_105664_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fsharing-on-the-global-scale.html There are obvious differences in quality of life in terms of food availability, access to fresh water, disease prevalence and medicine across many parts of the world. Until recently, the notion of the Third World had a far greater poignancy than the politically correct term “developing world”. While labelling the poorer nations as somehow separate from the West (the First World) and the old communist bloc (Second World) may have somehow eased the consciences of some, the term developing belies the true nature of life across the globe for billions of people. For those of us in Europe, the potential for surplus food production (cucumbers and bean sprouts aside), compared with current production and trade volumes as well as our well-off society ‘s desire to use land for non-... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934302 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:00:21 +0100 4934302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902474&cid=t_105664_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fdrug-firms-cut-vaccine-prices-in-developing-world.html Drug firms cut vaccine prices in developing world – This is good news: Several major drugs companies have announced big cuts to the amounts they charge for their vaccines in the developing world. GSK, Merck, Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi-Aventis have agreed to cut prices through the international vaccine alliance Gavi. I can think of one problem, however, aside from the antivax conspiracy theory nonsens that will arise, and that's the potential for blackmarket profiteering… Related Posts:H5N1 Vaccine AvailableBird Flu VaccineNeedle free bird flu vaccineEradicating polioThe push and pull of third world drugsCut-price vax for developing world is a post from: Sciencebase Science Blog (Source: Sciencebase Science Blog) Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902474 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 09:00:06 +0100 4902474 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893459&cid=t_105664_88_f&fid=38129&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifeinthefastlane%2FWZHV%2F%7E3%2F4KSMp8AaGAU%2F A surprising FEAST: "Fluid boluses significantly increased 48-hour mortality in critically ill children with impaired perfusion in... resource-limited settings in Africa." (Source: Life in the Fast Lane) Life in the Fast Lane blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893459 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 09:23:02 +0100 4893459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4794855&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FtWoXjvNiV74%2F Imagine life without your mother. For many around the world this is a reality.  Every 90 seconds a mother dies during pregnancy or childbirth, and 99% of these deaths take place in developing countries where a lack of access to basic medicines and services is taking mothers from their children. VSI is trying to end this. VSI is a California-based nonprofit organization committed to improving women’s health in developing countries by creating access to life-saving and affordable health solutions for all. Their largest safe motherhood program brings life-saving generic tablets to rural women for management of excessive bleeding after childbirth, or postpartum hemorrhage. VSI has assisted 17 developing countries in the integration of life-saving maternal health solutions, trained over ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4794855 Fri, 06 May 2011 13:11:00 +0100 4794855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4747801&cid=t_105664_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F10Umt_26UXc%2F I’m Canadian, so let me have my moment of smugness by bragging that a recent Gallup survey declares Canada the second-happiest place on earth. (No, the top spot doesn’t belong to Disney World; Denmark takes that honor.) Tying second place with Sweden, 69% of respondents rated their Canadian life as “thriving.” Respondents were asked to rate their lives at the moment and their expectations for the next five years on a scale from one to 10. If respondents rated their lives as seven or better and their expectations as eight or better they were considered to have “thriving” well-being. If people gave lower numbers, they were considered to be “struggling” or “suffering.” Respondents who were “suffering” rated their current ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4747801 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:12:05 +0100 4747801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4744821&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmoms-perspective-a-gluten-free-diet-in-babys-first-year-to-reduce-risk-of-type-1-diabetes%2F2011.04.23 (Alternate tittle:  “Bring out yer bread!”) Now that the little bird is the big O-N-E, we have completed one year as parents.  And one year doing the gluten-free diet with our baby.  This was important to me because I felt strongly about the ties between the early introduction of gluten and type 1 diabetes diagnoses. And after doing some research and discussing this as a family, Chris and I decided to keep our BSparl gluten-free for her first year. It was pretty easy, to be honest, keeping a little baby off gluten.  (Especially since she doesn’t have celiac, so our decision was elective instead of required.) The ease came mostly from the fact that BSparl breastfed for almost six months, and didn’t start on solid foods until just after she turned six months old.�... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4744821 Sat, 23 Apr 2011 12:00:21 +0100 4744821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4477753&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FFUfdKvy9hJA%2F By Lois Privor-Dumm. A decade can make a difference.  Eleven years ago this month, I had the privilege of launching pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) here in the US.  It was a vaccine that I knew would have a profound impact on children and families all over the country, Protection against severe meningitis and other infections allowed American children to move along the path of their lives –with a low risk of this potentially life-changing catastrophic disease. Children in developing countries though faced a different picture over the past decade. Pneumococcus in the developing world not only causes severe meningitis, but is a leading cause of pneumonia.  Without access to PCV, 3 month-old Dominic Mwangi, found himself in the district hospital undergoing antibiotic treatment for... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4477753 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:00:30 +0100 4477753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4352712&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcan-mobile-phones-improve-health-in-developing-countries%2F2011.01.15 The potential of mobile phones to improve health is most acutely visible in developing countries. iMedicalApps covered the recent mHealth Summit, where there were many inspiring demonstrations of how voice and simple text messages can have a profound effect on the health of those countries’ citizens. Jhpiego has successfully worked on these problems for three decades and was recently awarded a $100m grant. James Bon Tempo has extensive experience in this field and we are thrilled that he is sharing his insights with the readers of iMedicalApps. This is a guest post from James BonTempo. ********** Mobile Health In Developing Countries I am a user and an implementer of technology, not an inventor or developer, so my constraints, challenges and requirements are different than those of many... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4352712 Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:00:40 +0100 4352712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4343130&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fobesity-on-the-rise-in-developing-nations%2F2011.01.13 Emerging economies must act immediately to halt rising obesity rates before the epidemic becomes as severe as it is in first-world countries, according to new report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The OECD report was published in the Lancet. It characterizes the prevalence of obesity in Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa. Obesity rates were found to vary dramatically across these six countries. In Mexico, a stunning 70 percent of adults were reported to be overweight or obese. Nearly half of all Brazilians, Russians and South Africans fell into these categories. China and India had a lower prevalence of overweight and obesity, but were moving rapidly in the wrong direction, according to the OECD. Developing nations don’t have eno... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4343130 Thu, 13 Jan 2011 14:00:26 +0100 4343130 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3872515&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fe-readers-improve-literacy-kindles-distributed-in-ghana%2F Worldreader is a nonprofit aimed at increasing literacy in developing countries by distributing Kindles. It was co-founded by David Risher, the ex-vice president of Amazon.com, the company that donated Kindles to begin testing in Ghana earlier this year. The e-reader is becoming more widespread in that part of the world, and it could have a big impact on the availability of literature there. via Planet Green Post from: BlissTree E-Readers Improve Literacy: Kindles Distributed in Ghana (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3872515 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 21:06:03 +0100 3872515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3671768&cid=t_105664_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fthe-push-and-pull-of-third-world-drugs.html Diseases can be classified as Type I (those that are incident in both rich and poor countries); Type II (those that are incident in both rich and poor countries but with a substantial proportion in poor countries, for example tuberculosis [and malaria]) and Type III (those that are overwhelmingly or exclusively incident in poor countries, for example, African trypanosomiasis [and leishmaniasis and Chagas' diseases]). Type II diseases are often termed as neglected diseases and Type III as very neglected diseases. -– Public Health Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights, Report of the Commission on Intellectual property Rights, Innovation and Public Health, World Health Organization, Geneva. CIPIH, 2006, p 25. It is these demarcation lines drawn between the three “types&#822... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3671768 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:00:22 +0100 3671768 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3636026&cid=t_105664_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FW7QXXmjN2Dw%2F Internet addiction is a growing problem across the world. Anyone with a so called addictive personality may develop any other addiction including the internet. People recovering from alcoholism, addiction, co-dependency and compulsive gambling may be in danger of developing Internet Addiction. Via: Online Nursing Programs See also Internet Addiction My First Year in Recovery Undrunk; A Skeptics Guide to AA Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction What Blog Readers Read Hazelden and HCIBooks Online Spirituality Books Inspirational Books Love & Relationships Books Addiction & Recovery Books (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3636026 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:50:00 +0100 3636026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3346456&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theglobalhealthinitiative.org%2Fdocuments%2Freport_rmnch.pdf Editor’s note: This past December, the Disruptive Women in Health Care blog launched a series on The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World. In addition to Disruptive Women’s own pool of experts, a number of guests were invited to post on this critically important topic. We invite you to download the ebook or read the original posts. By Lois Privor-Dumm. It’s really simple.  8.8 million children die every year.  Not here in the US, but in developing countries where they don’t have access to the same care that we do here.  How much of our global health budget goes to address these basic needs?  Less than $1 of every $10. Children are the future of every country.  Providing them with basic care to ensure they survive until their fifth birthday doesn... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3346456 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:02:29 +0100 3346456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3338212&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guttmacher.org%2Fpubs%2FAddingItUp2009.pdf By Tamar Abrams. Ninety-nine years ago, International Women’s Day was founded to honor the accomplishments of women and to press for equality between men and women. All these years later, there is still so much to do. Rather than tackling the overwhelming global needs of women, one organization – Women Deliver – is focusing on maternal health. The statistics are startling: Every minute of every day, a woman dies needlessly of pregnancy-related causes. That means that more than 560,000 women and girls die every year. Almost all of these deaths occur in the developing world, and ten million women are lost in every generation! What a tragic loss for our planet when at the same time we in the developed world have turned our attention to new ways of obtaining and sharing infor... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3338212 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 21:22:59 +0100 3338212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3311661&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPn31hW3p3fQ%2F By Sallie JamesAn article today in BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest (What? You don’t subscribe??) contains an explicit rejection by India’s trade minister of the idea that carbon border tax adjustments belong in the WTO’s agenda.  Border tax adjustments in this context refers to de facto tariffs that would “level the playing field” for domestic producers competing with foreign producers not subject to climate change policies of an equivalent rigour, also called “border carbon adjustments” or variations on that theme. While Minister Khullar predicts that these sorts of measures will be in place in 2-3 years time, he rejects that the WTO is the forum to deal with environmental issues. Furthermore, countries introducing such measures can expect liti... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3311661 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:21:19 +0100 3311661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239565&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fw5ENlx9Kky4%2F Human beings have a fundamental right to health, which must be equally distributed to all. To be able to provide the prevention, care, treatment and rehabilitative services needed for its population, Rwanda has embarked on an ambitious journey to transform its socio-economic situation by changing its economy from an agriculture-based to a knowledge-based economy. In this context, Rwanda has identified the use of science and technology as a key tool for achieving our socio-economic transformation and reaching the MGDs. Although a high tech strategy may appear inappropriate for the health system of a developing country, this is is not applicable to Rwanda because our health sector ICT plan is integrated into two master plans: our health sector strategic plan and our national ICT plan. We kno... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239565 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:18:09 +0100 3239565 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3235828&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fcaw7UitGmus%2F By Daniel IkensonDuring his SOTU address last week, the president declared it a national goal to double our exports over the next five years.  As my colleague Dan Griswold argues (a point that is echoed by others in this NYT article), such growth is probably unrealistic. But with incomes rising in China, India and throughout the developing world, and with huge amounts of savings accumulated in Asia, strong U.S. export growth in the years ahead should be a given—unless we screw it up with a provocative enforcement regime. The president said: If America sits on the sidelines while other nations sign trade deals, we will lose the chance to create jobs on our shores. But realizing those benefits also means enforcing those agreements so our trading partners play by the rules. Ah, the enforce... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3235828 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:46:09 +0100 3235828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100796&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Flsyqw_ZPxvw%2F The following guest post by Rachel Hampton, Research Associate at the Global Health Council, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Rachel’s areas of focus include maternal, newborn and child health and reproductive health. She has authored research briefs on private sector involvement in health systems, commercial sexual exploitation, the integration of maternal, newborn and child health and family planning, in addition to a variety of other publications from the GHC. Women’s economic autonomy and employment opportunities are crucial to their health, particularly their reproductive health. Each year, 536,000 women die, nearly 10 million are disabled, and 250 million years of reproductive ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100796 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:02:42 +0100 3100796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096855&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fbcq6qZOsmlU%2F The following guest post by Susan Crowley, President of Multilateral Consulting, LLC, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. By any measure, giving programs directed at developing countries by research-based pharmaceutical companies are the most generous of any industry. The Geneva-based International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), whose methodology and data presented in its most recent “Partnerships Report” were validated by the London School of Economics, reported $6.7 billion in giving. The 2009 “Index on Global Philanthropy,” published by the Hudson Institute, provides a measure of global private giving and, once again, demonstrates that private flows... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096855 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:23:47 +0100 3096855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089288&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsabin.org%2Ffiles%2Fattachment%2Fvalue_vaccination_bloom_canning_weston.pdf The following post by Lois Privor-Dumm, IMBA, Director of Alliances and Information for the PneumoADIP at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Lois heads up several vaccine projects related to advocacy and communications as well as access and implementation. She is currently working as Director, Large Country Introduction for the Accelerated Vaccine Introduction Technical Assistance Consortium (AVI TAC), a GAVI-funded project with an aim to accelerate introduction of pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines in low-income countries. Lois has been at Johns Hopkins since 2005 helping guide strategies and accelerated uptake on both the Hib Initiative and Pneu... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089288 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:03:19 +0100 3089288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067038&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhqlibdoc.who.int%2Fpublications%2F2009%2F9789241563864_eng.pdf The following post by Meryl Bloomrosen, Vice President at the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Ms. Bloomrosen supports a number of AMIA committees and task forces, provides executive oversight to AMIA’s contracts and grants, and provides support for AMIA’s ongoing efforts on Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and informatics workforce development. Prior to her position with AMIA, Ms. Bloomrosen was a Vice President at the eHealth Initiative and the Program Manager of the Connecting Communities for Better Health Program, a HRSA-funded, multi-million dollar cooperative agreement. My 30+ year health care career is catching up with me –  my e... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067038 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:01:29 +0100 3067038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056637&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FjyEw7n4hp5A%2F The following guest post by Maureen Lewis, Advisor to the World Bank’s Chief Economist, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Maureen was formerly the Chief Economist Human Development and Advisor to the Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank.  Much of her research, publications and policy work examine governance and efficiency in the social sectors, particularly health. Health is a concern in all countries.  But in the developing world poor women bear a disproportionate brunt of poor access and low quality health care. But the solutions to poor health in developing countries aren’t always obvious.  Moreover they vary across countries.  First, all developing countries aren’... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056637 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:01:18 +0100 3056637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056638&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.euro.who.int%2FDocument%2FE88086.pdf The following post by Karen Nielsen, President of Nielsen & Associates, LLC, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. Karen Nielsen has worked in the health care field for over 20 years, predominately focused on collaborative efforts between private and public organizations. Ms. Nielsen consults with industry and non-government organizations (NGOs) to identify and enable public health-centered solutions. A young girl in Africa awakens early to fetch water for her families’ daily needs. She will need to make multiple trips, carrying the largest volume possible to shorten the task. This daily ritual can take 3 hours or more. For these young girls there will be no school, basic necessities of life a... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056638 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:15:53 +0100 3056638 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3048103&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FxpXcVTHGauE%2F The following post by Robin Strongin, Creator of Disruptive Women in Health Care, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series. “As study after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity or to reduce child and maternal mortality. No other policy is as sure to improve nutrition and promote health, including the prevention of HIV/AIDS. No other policy is as powerful in increasing the chances of education for the next generation. That is why discrimination against women of all ages deprives the world’s children—all of them, not just the half who are girls—of the chance to reach their po... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3048103 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:05:29 +0100 3048103 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2950733&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unicef.org%2Fpublications%2Ffiles%2FPneumonia_The_Forgotten_Killer_of_Children.pdf The following guest post comes to Disruptive Women from Lois Privor-Dumm, IMBA, Director, Alliances and Information for the PneumoADIP, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.  She heads up several vaccine projects related to advocacy and communications as well as access and implementation.  She is currently working as Director, Large Country Introduction for the Accelerated Vaccine Introduction Technical Assistance Consortium (AVI TAC), a GAVI-funded project with an aim to accelerate introduction of pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines in low-income countries.   She has been at Johns Hopkins since 2005 helping guide strategies and accelerated uptake on both the Hib Initiative and PneumoADIP and has been leading projects in developing and donor countries to support strengthenin... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2950733 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:58:51 +0100 2950733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886413&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fs-Yd32ZixT8%2F A basic contention of developing countries (DCs) and various UN bureaucracies and multilateral groups during the course of International negotiations on climate change is that industrialized countries (ICs) have a historical responsibility for global warming.  This contention underlies much of the justification for insisting not only that industrialized countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions even as developing countries are given a bye on emission reductions, but that they also subsidize clean energy development and adaptation in developing countries. [It is also part of the rationale that industrialized countries should pay reparations for presumed damages from climate change.] Based on the above contention, the Kyoto Protocol imposes no direct costs on developing countries and ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886413 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:45:58 +0100 2886413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2851710&cid=t_105664_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F30%2Finternational-health-dh-objectives-and-ways-of-working%2F Title: International health: DH objectives and ways of working The Skinny: Guide intended primarily for DH staff to help theDH work more effectively internationally. It sets objectives for international work and describes the roles and responsibilities of different parts of DH. The role that the DH has in taking forward the government’s global health strategy is also discussed. It describes some of the key partners and  international organisations that the DH works with. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 54p Published: 29/09/2009 Posted in Grey Literature, Interagency Relations Tagged: Developing Countries, Grey Literature, Interagency Relations (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2851710 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:41:08 +0100 2851710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2807574&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmYnfZsuC1Nc%2F In the 2009 Economic Freedom of the World Report, Chile is now #5, one place ahead of the United States. In 1975, of 72 countries, Chile was No 71. How did this happen? The explanation lies in what I call the “Chilean Revolution”, because it was as important and transformative to my country as the celebrated American Revolution that gave birth to the United States. The exceptional political circumstances of this period have obscured the fact that from 1975 to 1989 a true revolution took place in Chile, involving a radical, comprehensive, and sustained move toward economic and political freedom (from a starting point where there was neither one nor the other). This revolution not only doubled Chile’s historic rate of economic growth (to an average of 7% a year, 84-98),  drastica... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2807574 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:52:50 +0100 2807574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2613817&cid=t_105664_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F17%2Fthe-lancet-2009-volume-374-issue-9685%2F This article finds that circumcision of HIV-infected men did not reduce HIV transmission to female partners over 24 months; longer-term effects could not be assessed. Condom use after male circumcision is essential for HIV prevention. (Print Subscription Held by the Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness Tagged: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Circumcision, Current Awareness, Developing Countries, HIV, Journals (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2613817 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:33:37 +0100 2613817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2598262&cid=t_105664_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2F4095.html Solar power need not be complicated. Research into complex materials that convert the energy from sunlight into electricity is well underway, but offers only low efficiencies. In contrast direct heating of water sidesteps the intermediary of converting sunlight into electricity and then using that to power a heating element in a water tank. All you need is some kind of pipework on a southerly facing roof in a hot climate. The pipework, painted matt black, carries a cold water supply and being held beneath glass heats up very quickly during the day, transferring the sun’s energy into the flowing cold water and producing piping hot water on the outflow. Similarly, as any sadistic school child with a magnifying glass and a trapped ant will tell you, focused sunlight can produce a lot of... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2598262 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:04 +0100 2598262 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2584183&cid=t_105664_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fthe-three-as-of-food-security.html Famine, drought, disease, crop failure, they might afflict any one of us, but in the developing world and on the margins of urbanised regions, the issue of food security is paramount for survival. There are three main factors to consider when one thinks of food security each of which must be addressed to offer a fourth factor, in which people have adequate nutritious food to eat despite shocks caused by natural, economic, social and policy stresses: Availability Access Action Availability is achieved when sufficient quantities of food are consistently available for the whole community, whether on a local, regional, or national level. Access to food involves individuals, families and communities have adequate resources to grow their own food, money to buy food, or fitness to work for food... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2584183 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:00:22 +0100 2584183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348294&cid=t_105664_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fthe-developing-digital-divide.html Are digital inclusion projects in the developing world booming or are they doomed to failure? That’s the question asked by legal expert Dinusha Mendis of the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK. Mendis has investigated the digital divide in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria, and how laws such as those governing intellectual property rights and copyright might be acting as a barrier to narrowing the digital divide between the developing world and technologically mature nations. “It is important to bridge the digital divide so that everyone can have equal rights to development, education, and freedom of expression,” Mendis explains. However, she asks whether developing nations can cope with stringent international laws and so embrace digital technology. Key to su... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348294 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:31 +0100 2348294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2217530&cid=t_105664_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fdeveloping-health.html Compulsory licensing is one of those euphemisms that hide a whole raft of issues. By definition - it is “authorisation to a government or company to make and sell a pharmaceutical drug without the permission of the patent holder”, which makes the intent clear. In its most obvious form, compulsory licensing is what occurs when a government allows a third party to produce a patented product or process without the consent of the patent owner. At first glance, it would seem to be nothing more than infringement of intellectual property rights. After all, one cannot imagine companies agreeing to a legal compulsory licensing system for music, movies, or even software. Of course, that’s the point, the breach of the patent becomes legal when a government says it is. So, if it seem... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2217530 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:03:06 +0100 2217530 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2190737&cid=t_105664_137_f&fid=35357&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAlzheimersNotes%2F%7E3%2FDd8lom89rAw%2F In addition to caring for an Alzheimer’s family member, some caregivers may operate a business at home which enables them to be readily available.  Or they would like to develop something that enables them to earn money from home.  My guest post at Susan Gunelius’ Women on Business blog gives you 10 Tips On Finding Time for Your Home Business. Whether you’re balancing a home business with caregiving or considering doing this, I hope you find these tips helpful. (Amazon image) Tags: Alzheimer's Notes, business tips, developing a home business, guest-post, home business, home business tips, Mary Emma Allen, Susan Gunelius, Women on BusinessShare This (Source: Alzheimer's Notes) Alzheimer's Notes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2190737 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:45:52 +0100 2190737 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056630&cid=t_105664_105_f&fid=36987&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FIvorKovicMd%2F%7E3%2F490902071%2F There are many healthcare problems in the developing countries, like lack of medical staff and equipment, and this is why I helped start the openECGproject. Now, a great concept to try an fix these problems is to utilize devices that are already present and hack them to be useful for patients. Devices like cellphones are a perfect example. And, this is exactly what the research team led by Dr. Aydogan Ozcan from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has done. They have developed an innovative lens-free technique for rapidly and accurately counting targeted cell types in a homogenous cell solution. Their vision is that individuals would one day be able to draw a blood sample into a chip the size of a U.S. quarter, which could then be inserted into a cell phone that would quickly ... Ivor Kovic, M.D. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056630 Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:24:22 +0100 2056630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1908042&cid=t_105664_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fopen-access-in-africa.html There is much talk about Open Access. There are those in academia who argue the pros extensively in all fields, biology, chemistry, computing. Protagonists are making massive efforts to convert users to this essentially non-commercial form of information and knowledge. Conversely, there are those in the commercial world who ask, who will pay for OA endeavours and how can growth (current recession and credit crunch aside) continue in a capitalist, democratic society, without the opportunity to profit from one’s intellectual property. Those for and against weigh up both sides of the argument repeatedly. However, they often neglect one aspect of the concept of Open Access: how they might extend it to the developing nations, to what ends, and with what benefits. Writing in a forthcoming ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1908042 Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:05:43 +0100 1908042 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1543007&cid=t_105664_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F24%2Fdisappearing-daughters%2F is research by ActionAid and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) shows that the number of girls born and surviving in northern India compared to boys falls far short of normal expectations, and continues to slide. Deeply entrenched discrimination against women has led to the survival rates of girls hitting an all-time low. With parts of society regarding girls as little more than economic and social burdens, families are going to extreme lengths to avoid having daughters. Although prenatal sex detection and sex-selective abortion is illegal, the law is not being enforced. Doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners are routinely violating the ban, performing abortions of female foetuses and benefiting financially. It is estimated that around 10 million female foetuses... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1543007 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 05:07:09 +0100 1543007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1469559&cid=t_105664_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F27%2Fno-one-to-turn-to-the-under-reporting-of-child-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse-by-aid-workers-and-peacekeepers%2F identifies that children living in countries affected by conflict and natural disaster are being sexually exploited and abused by - aid workers and peacekeepers. There is general silence surrounding the abuse. Children and their families are not speaking out because of fear and powerlessness. And international organisations are failing to respond effectively to allegations of abuse levelled against them. No One to Turn To from Save the Children Fund is based on research with communities and international organisations, examines the chronic under-reporting of abuse and the inadequate response to it. It provides new analysis on why this abuse persists despite international efforts to stop it, and proposes new solutions to tackle it. (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1469559 Tue, 27 May 2008 13:20:31 +0100 1469559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1367098&cid=t_105664_122_f&fid=36506&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FBrainSciencePodcastBlog%2F%7E3%2F268599841%2F I am not very good at keeping up with all the great blogs about neuroscience, but I did happen to find two that I thought you might enjoy. Both Developing Intelligence and Conscious Entities explore both the meaning of consciousness and the relationship between the human brain and computers. (Source: the Brain Science Podcast and Blog with Dr. Ginger Campbell) the Brain Science Podcast and Blog with Dr. Ginger Campbell blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1367098 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:44:58 +0100 1367098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1305999&cid=t_105664_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2F16%2Fgovernment-response-to-the-crisp-report%2F In 2007 was invited by the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health to look at how UK experience and expertise in health could be used to best effect to help improve health in developing countries in terms of needs as identified and expressed by people from those countries and in order to add practical value to work already under way.  This resulted in the Crisp report Global health partnerships: the UK contribution to health in developing countries.  The formal response Global health partnerships - the Government response is now available. (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1305999 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:49:17 +0100 1305999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1290943&cid=t_105664_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2F10%2Fhit-or-miss-womens-rights-report%2F Hit or Miss - women’s rights report from ActionAid shows that promises made by the world’s governments to tackle poverty are failing to deliver because the basic rights of women in the developing world are being ignored.  The report finds that women and girls formed the majority of the poor and hungry, and, in south Asia, women are getting a shrinking share of income as the economy continues to grow. Ten million more girls than boys miss out on primary school, while African women accounted for 75% of all young people living with HIV/Aids. (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1290943 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:00:19 +0100 1290943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1272490&cid=t_105664_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F03%2F03%2Fmaternal-mortality-in-developing-countries%2F House of Commons International Development Committee (2008) Maternal Health: Fifth Report of Session 2007–08,Volume I: Report, together with formal minutes. London: The Stationery Office  identifies that less progress has been made on maternal health than in any of the other goals for 2015 set by the UN. The report calculates that in any 24 hour period about 1,500 women will have died giving birth. Almost all the deaths will have been in the world’s 75 poorest countries. Most would have been preventable in more affluent nations.  It establishes that the true number of deaths might be 50% higher than the official estimates: with perhaps as many as 870,000 women die annually in the days around birth. For every death, another 30 women are reckoned to be left in some way disabled. In... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1272490 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:48:15 +0100 1272490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1021223&cid=t_105664_93_f&fid=34700&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnielsolson.us%2FHaversian%2F2007%2F11%2Fget_the_worlds_msot_innovative.php The OLPC laptop is here. This could be the biggest thing in educational computing ever. Some of the brightest minds in computer science have teamed with some of the biggest names in IT to bring this product to market. Only catch is it's only available to countries and only in the developing world. Until today. From now until November 26th, if you donate one laptop, they'll sell one to you as well. I'm getting one for my kids. Maybe the next time they're available I'll get another one and they can both play. Get it here. (Source: The Haversian Canal) The Haversian Canal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1021223 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:27:19 +0100 1021223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=825364&cid=t_105664_93_f&fid=34700&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnielsolson.us%2FHaversian%2F2007%2F08%2Fsources_for_hardtofind_maps.php I first posted this question on Edward Tufte's forum. Not a question about map programs, but about paper maps. This seems like the best thread. Can anyone recommend a good source for continent, country, provincial and city maps suitable for planning in the developing world? I have not been able to find a map store in New Orleans. I'm looking for both topographic and political maps and aeronautical and nautical charts that take pencil and are durable enough to take many erasures, foldings, tape, and pins. English language would be preferable, but not necessary. USGS is a good standard, and in the military I would literally just go to the base NIMA office and buy USGS quality maps of, say, Manta, Ecuador, for, I think it was $3 apiece. Where can I get similar international maps as a civili... The Haversian Canal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=825364 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:57:31 +0100 825364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=823013&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F26%2Fscientists-to-discuss-epidemic-at-seattle-meetup%2F Filed under: Type 2, Research, Events, CareScientists from all over the world will meet up in Seattle October 22-23 to attend the Warren G. Magnuson Congress for a Global Diabetes Alliance. The initiative is intended to help fight the rapid rise of type 2 diabetes worldwide. International Diabetes Federation past president Pierre Lefebvre, who will be a speaker at the conference, says the need for such an alliance to fight the T2 global epidemic "could not be more urgent."More than one hundred diabetes experts hailing from over twenty countries will attend the congress. There's one main goal: the discussion of how to help under-served populations, such as indigenous peoples. However, the more general problems - prevention, treatment and the possibility of a cure - will also be on the table... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=823013 Sun, 26 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 823013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=811191&cid=t_105664_145_f&fid=35710&url=http%3A%2F%2Fksdescartin.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F20%2Fthis-artists-canvass-some-of-my-blahs%2F Thank you, Odette & Yuneeks for sharing this video. Thank you Joey Velasco for doing what you do. We all have a part. And it is very easy to forget. I hope the good collective intents and doings will have more and more tangible effects. The artist has done a very good service in letting the rest know what exists. Jose’ Rizal has always been right about bettering EDUCATION. With better education (and I mean real education and not just rote ABCs minus the practicality), people can think more, and can understand complexities of life more like the merits of planning and knowing when to have children or not. Procreation is a basic instinct. It is a primeval conduct. And personal evolution, seeing beyond and living beyond instincts, can be achieved with better education — better ... the story of healing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=811191 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 23:24:15 +0100 811191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=780631&cid=t_105664_93_f&fid=34700&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnielsolson.us%2FHaversian%2F2007%2F08%2Fframeworks.php C4I: Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence Four variables of project management: Time, Money, Quantity, Quality Types of capital: financial (not useful in most developing countries, where money is just "cash"), physical capital, institutional capital, human capital, security, and information. Public health: Infant mortality, HIV, TB, malaria, infrastructure (hospitals and clinics) Economics: Organize markets, $1 private investment beats $20 aid, reduce bureaucracy Ashraf Ghani's ten essential functions of the state * Legitmate monopoly over the means of violence * Administrative control * Management of public finances through wealth creation and involvement of the citizenry in taxation and redistribution * Investment in human capital * Provision of citizenship righ... The Haversian Canal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=780631 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 20:39:44 +0100 780631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=780632&cid=t_105664_93_f&fid=34700&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnielsolson.us%2FHaversian%2F2007%2F08%2Faid_vs_trade.php $1 of private investment is worth $20 of aid. —— Ashraf Ghani, first post-Taliban finance minister of Afghanistan. (Source: The Haversian Canal) The Haversian Canal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=780632 Sun, 05 Aug 2007 19:23:55 +0100 780632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1811747&cid=t_105664_113_f&fid=38059&url=http%3A%2F%2Fchirad-at.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F07%2Fopen-access-developments.html Two new developments today from the world of open access publishing:- BioMed Central has introduced a new information portal calling attention to the developing world's need for open access to the scientific and medical literature. It can be accessed at: http://www.biomedcentral.com/developingcountries/As part of the launch, BioMed Central is inviting researchers and others working in developing countries to share their stories about how open access to the online research literature is changing their work.- BioMed Central has also created a custom button for the Google Toolbar, to make finding open access research from BioMed Central’s research even easier. See http://www.biomedcentral.com/info/about/toolbar/googleCHIRAD supports moves to develop open access and signed up early to the Bu... The CHIRAD blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1811747 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:25:00 +0100 1811747 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=696885&cid=t_105664_137_f&fid=35350&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tangledneuron.info%2Fthe_tangled_neuron%2F2007%2F06%2Fchlamydia-pneum.html Summary: Infection with a common bacterium called Chlamydia pneumoniae may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The bacterium has already been linked to heart disease and hardening of the arteries. Work to investigate the role of viruses and bacteria such as Chlamydia pneumoniae in chronic diseases is in the early stages, but researchers hope it will help identify and treat the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s. More study is needed to confirm the bacterium’s relationship with dementia, and rigorous clinical trials would be necessary before any treatments based on this research could be recommended. I’ve written before about how viruses and bacteria can contribute to chronic diseases not previously linked to infections. It is now accepted that a type of bacteria contribu... The Tangled Neuron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=696885 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 15:21:15 +0100 696885 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=631653&cid=t_105664_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fif-you-cant-say-anything-nice.html They are all in bed being tucked in for the night after a long and busy day. This is also the time to lay to rest any outstanding snaggles, so that peaceful rest may ensue.“It dumb!” says my eldest boy with a limited word bank at the end of the day.“What is dumb dear?”“Doz fings.”“Which things?”“Todd Parr.” [Translation = the decorative ‘transfers’ on their wall]“I didn’t know you knew his name?” I mutter half rhetorically even though we have read all of those books more often that I care to recall.“Yes.”“Why don’t you like them?”“Dey are for babies.”“Space things are for babies?”“No!” I look up at their walls, spaceships, stars and cheerful primary colours. Spouse is with Junior on his bed, on the other side of the room. All four of us ... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=631653 Wed, 23 May 2007 02:53:00 +0100 631653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=623561&cid=t_105664_137_f&fid=35350&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tangledneuron.info%2Fthe_tangled_neuron%2F2007%2F05%2Fi_dont_know_why.html “I don’t know why I can’t remember words lately,” my maternal grandmother said to my mother. Grandma Ben (shown here at her college graduation in 1924) was then in her early 80’s, brisk and competent. Around the same time, my paternal grandmother (right) started getting lost while driving around our small town. “Kilo,” as we called her, was in her early 70’s. And when my father (below, on the Pamlico River with his dog Beau) was in his late 60’s, he too had trouble finding words. They all went on to develop dementia. So it isn’t surprising I had a personal interest in a presentation called “Family History as a Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s” at the Wisconsin State Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders earlier this month. The talk was given by... The Tangled Neuron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=623561 Sun, 20 May 2007 17:40:41 +0100 623561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=620279&cid=t_105664_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F05%2Fhirsute-pursuit.html I spray her entire head with detangling matter and set about the task of turning a bird’s nest into a respectable head of hair. This activity is far too close to the category of undoing knots, which is spouse’s department. Life is too short to undo knots. I refuse to undo "knots" I just snip them out. I am allergic to knots. Tangles are a subdivision of knots. I have long since delegated this category of tasks to spouse due to his superior skills, both fine motor and patience. She has decided to let her hair grown long. I have not decided whether to permit this course of action, or not? I am still dithering on my proverbial fence, weighing up the pros and cons. My daughter is under the impression that she has a choice. I wish to avoid the situation that I found myself in a decade ago... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=620279 Fri, 11 May 2007 19:46:00 +0100 620279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=549838&cid=t_105664_137_f&fid=35350&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tangledneuron.info%2Fthe_tangled_neuron%2F2007%2F04%2Fherpes_simplex_.html Summary: A British scientist, Dr. Ruth Itzhaki, has shown that the combination of latent Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV1) in the brain and the type 4 form of the APOE gene could account for 60 percent of all cases of late onset Alzheimer’s disease. Almost all elderly brains are infected with HSV1, which often causes no symptoms. Dr. Itzhaki’s lab found the virus in areas of the brain most damaged by Alzheimer’s, and has data relating HSV1 to plaques and tangles. The idea that a viral infection could underlie Alzheimer’s is part of an emerging understanding of the role of bacteria and viruses in chronic diseases. This kind of research is neither well-accepted nor well-funded, so don’t expect any Alzheimer’s treatments targeting HSV1 to be on the market anytime soon. I have o... The Tangled Neuron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=549838 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 18:32:12 +0100 549838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=525454&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F06%2Fbreast-cancer-risk-assessment-tool%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Services, Cancer Pre-vivorsDo you want to know your risk for developing invasive breast cancer? If so, you can use an online interactive tool for measuring your five year risk and also your lifetime risk of developing the disease. There are seven questions to answer to calculate your risk. It should not be used by women who already have had a breast cancer diagnosis. This tool has been used successfully in clinics for women with a strong family history of breast cancer. Keep in mind that other factors also affect the risk of developing breast cancer that are not accounted for by the online tool. Women who do not get mammograms will have a lower chance of having their breast cancer detected. Read | Permalink | Email this | Link... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=525454 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 525454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=489980&cid=t_105664_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F21%2Fthought-for-the-day-headed-for-melanoma%2F Filed under: Skin Cancer, Research, Daily news, Thought for the DayOh no. I think I 'm headed for melanoma. At the very least, I seem to have a very high risk for developing the disease, thanks to my once-stubborn pursuit of a silly tan.Think about this:A review of seven different studies concludes that using a tanning bed under the age of 35 -- I'm so guilty -- can increase the risk of melanoma by 75 percent. Even those who have ever used indoor tanning were 15 percent more likely to develop the disease.We're talking the deadliest form of skin cancer here. So deadly some experts are recommending strong measures to restrict the use of tanning beds by young people. Adults should be discouraged from tanning, some say, but access should be limited for those under the age of 18. New Jersey alr... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=489980 Wed, 21 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 489980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=512457&cid=t_105664_137_f&fid=35350&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tangledneuron.info%2Fthe_tangled_neuron%2F2007%2F03%2Fcholesterol_sta.html Summary: A new study shows that a decline in total cholesterol may be associated with the early stages of dementia. More research is needed to understand what this means. When Dad was in his mid-60’s, the results of his annual physicals were straight out of an advertisement about healthy aging. His weight and blood sugar were normal, and his blood pressure and cholesterol were low. Now it seems Dad’s low cholesterol levels weren’t such a good sign after all. Some research links high cholesterol in mid-life to increased risk of heart problems and dementia. But later in life, low cholesterol levels, not high, are linked to increased risk of dementia and even death. A new study, published in the Archives of Neurology, shows that a decline in total cholesterol may be associated with... The Tangled Neuron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512457 Tue, 06 Mar 2007 14:17:24 +0100 512457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=512460&cid=t_105664_137_f&fid=35350&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tangledneuron.info%2Fthe_tangled_neuron%2F2007%2F02%2Fcholesterol_sta.html Summary: Cholesterol is the Anna Nicole Smith of the Alzheimer’s world – it’s always in the news, and its relationships are hard to understand. High cholesterol in mid-life may be a risk factor for developing dementia. Studies on whether cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins can reduce that risk have had mixed results, with more recent research finding no effect. As with the men claiming to be the father of Ms. Smith’s baby, further tests will determine the role cholesterol-lowering drugs will play. Going through my father’s medical records, I found a 2004 notation from his first neurologist: The recent total cholesterol (on Mevacor) was only 139 (LDL 81). Therefore, the Mevacor will be decreased to 10 mg. daily beginning today. Mevacor is a statin, prescribed to lower chol... The Tangled Neuron blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=512460 Sat, 24 Feb 2007 17:15:34 +0100 512460