Reuters - Health Report

Click to View in Browser

Friday, May 26, 2017

German kindergartens must report parents for refusing vaccine advice under new law

BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will pass a law next week obliging kindergartens to inform the authorities if parents fail to provide evidence that they have received advice from their doctor on vaccinating their children, the health ministry said on Friday.

Walking linked to improved brain function

A moderate-intensity walking regimen may reduce symptoms of mild cognitive impairment that are linked to poor blood vessel health in the brain, a small study suggests.

Drug approvals bounce back as R&D labs churn out new winners

LONDON (Reuters) - The number of new drugs approved for sale in United States and Europe has bounced back this year, suggesting a marked slowdown in 2016 was an aberration rather than a sign of flagging research and development productivity.

U.S. Alzheimer's deaths jump 54 percent; many increasingly dying at home

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. deaths from Alzheimer's disease rose by more than 50 percent from 1999 to 2014, and rates are expected to continue to rise, reflecting the nation's aging population and increasing life expectancy, American researchers said on Thursday.

Deadly brain infection in German MS patient prompts Roche investigation

ZURICH (Reuters) - A person in Germany treated with Roche Holding AG’s new multiple sclerosis drug Ocrevus has been diagnosed with an often-deadly brain infection after switching from another medication earlier this year, the Swiss drugmaker said on Wednesday.

Alcohol, drug, violence and self harm among teens need similar attention

It's obvious that youngsters who harm themselves need psychiatric care, but drugs, alcohol, and violent injuries should set off similar mental-health alarm bells, researchers say.

Red meat tied to higher risk of dying from many diseases

Eating more red meat is associated with an increased risk of dying from eight common diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease, as well as “all other causes” of death, according to a recent U.S. study.

Does telling patients of possible side effects make them more likely?

Patients who are told their medication can have certain side effects may report these symptoms more often than patients who aren't aware their treatment carries these risks, a study of popular cholesterol pills suggests.

How good are activity trackers at counting calories burned?

People who wear activity trackers to count the calories they're burning are probably not getting accurate estimates, suggests a new study.

Brazilian doctors use fish skin to treat burn victims

FORTALEZA, Brazil (Reuters) - Researchers in Brazil are experimenting with a new treatment for severe burns using the skin of tilapia fish, an unorthodox procedure they say can ease the pain of victims and cut medical costs.