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The latest blood pressure guidelines—what they mean for you

Updated blood pressure guidelines from the American Heart Association mean that many more Americans, notably older people, are now diagnosed with high blood pressure, or hypertension. This may sound like bad news, but the new guidelines highlight some important lessons we cardiologists and heart health researchers have learned from the latest blood pressure studies. » Read more Source: […]

Probiotics useful in the fight against Clostridium difficile infection

Probiotics may be a relatively safe, simple, and low-cost solution for preventing Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in hospital settings. Both studies show that treating patients who received antibiotics with multi-strain probiotics, cut down on CDI incidence rates over time. » Read more Source: Science Daily

Vitamin D deficiency linked to greater risk of diabetes

An epidemiological study conducted by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Seoul National University suggests that persons deficient in vitamin D may be at much greater risk of developing diabetes. » Read more Source: health.ucsd.edu

Asthma and hay fever linked to increased risk of psychiatric disorders

A new study is the first to find a significant link between asthma, hay fever and a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders. Over 15 years, 10.8 percent of patients with allergic diseases developed a psychiatric disorder, compared to only 6.7 percent of those without allergies. Monitoring the mental health of patients with allergies could help […]

Even a single mindfulness meditation session can reduce anxiety

Mindfulness meditation programs have shown promise for the treatment of anxiety, one of the most common mental health disorders in the US. New research suggests people can begin to derive psychological and physiological benefits from the practice after a single introductory session. » Read more Source: Science Daily

Relaxation response may reduce blood pressure by altering expression of a set of genes

A new study has identified genes associated with the body’s response to relaxation techniques and sheds light on the molecular mechanisms by which certain interventions may work to lower blood pressure. » Read more Source: Science Daily

How bacteria communicate in groups to avoid antibiotics

In a new study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry (JBC), researchers from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have found that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogen that causes pneumonia, sepsis and other infections, communicates distress signals within a group of bacteria in response to certain antibiotics. […]

New blood pressure guidelines could put lives at risk

The recent recommendations from American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association are as follows: » Read more Source: Science Daily

Another Test to Help Clinicians Diagnose Asthma More Accurately

Although about 24 million Americans are diagnosed with asthma every year, there is no single test that can diagnose the disease. Common symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough, are relatively nonspecific, and physicians may use multiple tests and observations to reach an accurate diagnosis. » Read more Source: ScienceNewsline

Better Treatment, Not More Spending, Saves Heart Attack Patients, Study Finds

A new long-term look at heart attack care and spending in America since the turn of the century shows more survival, more spending, and more variation between hospitals on both scores. » Read more Source: ScienceNewsline