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Obama Administration Faces Increasing Challenges To Health Reform
The Obama administration is facing increasing opposition to various aspects of health reform proposals - especially the idea of a "public plan."
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"Nature" And "Nurture" Variables Early Predictors Of AMD
Like many diseases, causes for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be categorized as either "nature" or "nurture". Researchers think these factors, when used in the proper model, can be strong predictors of the disease.
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Estrogen Getting Cool Reception From Dermatologists For Mixed Results In Improving Appearance Of Skin
For many women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can alleviate the physical symptoms associated with the change of life. But despite the initial hype generated by post-menopausal women who noticed a marked improvement in their skin"s appearance while on HRT, dermatologists argue that scientific studies of estrogen do not show definitive improvements for skin rejuvenation of photodamaged skin and the potential risks when used long-term outweigh any potential skin benefits.

What Is A Virus? What Is A Viral Infection?

A virus (from the Latin virus meaning toxin or poison) is a microscopic organism consisting of genetic material (RNA or DNA) surrounded by a protein, lipid (fat), or glycoprotein coat. Viruses are unique organisms because they cannot reproduce without a host cell. After contacting a host cell, a virus will insert genetic material into the host and take over the host"s functions. The cell, now infected, continues to reproduce, but it reproduces more viral protein and genetic material instead of its usual products. It is this process that earns viruses the classification of "parasite". How are viruses spread? Viruses may spread vertically (from mother to child) or horizontally (from person to person). A virus"s ability to spread depends on the makeup of the virus. Interesting articles What are bacteria? What is fungus? What are fungi? What is herpes?

Obama Administration Silent On San Francisco Health Insurance Ordinance.

"As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to consider a restaurant group"s challenge to San Francisco"s health coverage ordinance, one voice is noticeably silent: the Obama administration"s," The San Francisco Chronicle reports. "In contrast to President George W. Bush"s Labor Department, which unsuccessfully urged a federal appeals court to overturn the groundbreaking law, the new administration submitted no arguments before the July 10 deadline for briefs supporting or opposing Supreme Court review. President Obama, meanwhile, has praised the San Francisco program, the first of its kind in the nation, while pressing Congress to enact comprehensive health coverage." Compare whole body vibration machines

South Africa Launches HIV/AIDS Vaccine Trial.

"The first clinical trial of an HIV/AIDS vaccine designed and developed in South Africa was launched in Cape Town" Monday, the SAPA/The Times reports. The trial will seek to determine the immune response of HIV-negative people to two experimental vaccines -- SAAVI DNA-C2 and SAAVI MVA-C (7/20). Similar tests of the vaccine began in the U.S. earlier this year, the AP/Washington Post reports. The University of Cape Town developed the experimental vaccines with technical assistance and manufacturing of the vaccine provided by the NIH, according to Anthony Mbewu, president of South Africa"s Medical Research Council. "With 5.2 million already infected and with hundreds getting infected every day despite all the condom distribution and behavioral education programs, we know that a vaccine really is what we need," Mbewu said, adding, "When the next influenza pandemic hits the world, every country will be scrambling to develop a vaccine...

Diabetes UK Wants To Hear About Your Diabetes Experiences.

Diabetes UK is looking for people with diabetes to share their experiences of supported self-management to help with our campaign for World Diabetes Day (14 November). As 95 per cent of diabetes care is through self-management, this key issue is one of Diabetes UK"s priorities. It is about enabling people with diabetes to have the confidence and skills to better manage their lives with diabetes. The government"s plans In recent years, the Government has been trying to make a steady shift in the NHS from a sickness service to one that is also about supporting prevention of health problems. As part of this, people with diabetes should be able to expect information, education and support to be available, know where to access it and find it in a format that meets their needs, to help them understand their diabetes and how to live with it.