2009 study posted for filing Contact: Kristen Woodward kwoodwar@fhcrc.org 206-667-5095 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Study finds a more than four-fold increased risk of ER negative second cancers SEATTLE – While long-term tamoxifen use among breast cancer survivors decreases their… Read More ›
Lethal or Unintended Side Effects
Health Canada suspends dispersal of Novartis flu shots after discovery of virus particle clumps
By Helen Branswell, The Canadian PressOctober 27, 2012 TORONTO – Canada is following the lead of several European countries and suspending distribution of flu vaccine made by the pharmaceutical firm Novartis. The decision relates to the discovery by the company… Read More ›
Active ingredients in marijuana found to spread and prolong pain : Transforms transient normal pain into persistent chronic pain
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Jim Kelly jpkelly@utmb.edu 409-772-8791 University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Research has implications for medical use of drug and concepts of chronic pain GALVESTON, Texas — Imagine that you’re working on your back… Read More ›
The popular insect repellent deet is neurotoxic: Urgent Action Needed
2009 Report posted for filing Contact: Graeme Baldwin graeme.baldwin@biomedcentral.com 44-203-192-2165 BioMed Central The active ingredient in many insect repellents, deet, has been found to be toxic to the central nervous system. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Biology… Read More ›
Macular Degeneration drugs may do More harm than good ( anti-VEGF drugs )
Scripps Research Institute Study Suggests Caution and Further Studies on Drugs Used to Treat Macular Degeneration LA JOLLA, CA – October 24, 2012 – Millions of people with “wet” macular degeneration are prescribed a class of medication known as anti-VEGF… Read More ›
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland now imposing partial ban on the Novartis Flu Vaccine
France halts sale of Novartis flu vaccine Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:18 GMT Source: reuters (Adds comment from European Medicines Agency) PARIS, Oct 26 (Reuters) – France said it was halting sales of an influenza vaccine made by Swiss drugmaker… Read More ›
Spain regulator halts sale of some Novartis flu vaccines
Update #2 : France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland now imposing partial ban on the Novartis Flu Vaccine Italy has banned them..Switzerland is now considering Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:57 GMT Source: reuters MADRID, Oct 25 (Reuters) – Spain joined… Read More ›
BMJ and Daily Telegraph’s fake hip exposes failing European device regulation: EU Places Personal Profit over Safety
Contact: Stephanie Burns sburns@bmjgroup.com 44-020-738-36920 BMJ-British Medical Journal Responsible bodies more interested in attracting business than patient safety A joint investigation by the BMJ and Daily Telegraph has exposed the major flaws in the current EU system used for regulating… Read More ›
Italy bans Novartis flu vaccines pending tests. Switzerland to also take precautionary steps.
Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:14 GMT Source: reuters ROME/ZURICH, Oct 24 (Reuters) – Italy banned the sale and use of anti-influenza vaccines produced by Novartis on Wednesday pending tests for possible side effects, prompting authorities in Switzerland to also take… Read More ›
Full-body or X-ray scanners used for airport security screening may affect the function of insulin pump or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices
Contact: Kathryn Ruehle, 914-740-2100, kruehle@liebertpub.com Can Diabetes Devices be Damaged by Airport Security Scanners? New Rochelle, NY, October 24, 2012—Full-body or X-ray scanners used for airport security screening may affect the function of insulin pump or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)… Read More ›
Study: Flame Retardant ‘Firemaster 550’ Is an Endocrine Disruptor: causes extreme weight gain
For Immediate Release Matt Shipman | News Services | 919.515.6386 Dr. Heather Patisaul | 919.513.7567 Release Date: 10.24.2012 Filed under Releases The flame-retardant mixture known as “Firemaster 550” is an endocrine disruptor that causes extreme weight gain, early onset of… Read More ›
Acid-reducing medicines may lead to dependency: After 8 weeks
Contact: Alissa J. Cruz media@gastro.org 301-272-1602 American Gastroenterological Association Data suggests proton pump inhibitors can induce acid-related symptoms in healthy adults Bethesda, MD (July 1, 2009) – Treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for eight weeks induces acid-related symptoms like… Read More ›
Kidney damage from medical imaging procedures can cause long-term health problems: Most patients are told that injury is only temporary
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Shari Leventhal sleventhal@asn-online.org 202-416-0658 American Society of Nephrology Kidney injury that can arise after undergoing certain medical imaging procedures increases a patient’s risk of having a stroke or heart attack over the next… Read More ›
Eli Lilly and Zyprexa Under the Spotlight for criminal activity
2009 Report posted for filing Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on June 14, 2009 Eli Lilly & Co.’s atypical antipsychotic medication, Zyprexa, was not only marketed to doctors for an unapproved, off-label use — the treatment of dementia… Read More ›
Sedatives may increase suicide risk in older patients: 4 Fold Increase
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Graeme Baldwin graeme.baldwin@biomedcentral.com 44-203-192-2165 BioMed Central Sleeping tablets have been associated with a four-fold increase in suicide risk in the elderly. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Geriatrics have shown that, even… Read More ›
Commonly used medications may produce cognitive impairment in older adults:
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Cindy Fox Aisen caisen@iupui.edu 317-274-7722 Indiana University Drugs, such as diphenhydramine, which have an anticholinergic effect, are important medical therapies available by prescription and also are sold over the counter under various brand names… Read More ›
Cancer drug causes patient to lose fingerprints and be detained by US immigration
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Emma Mason wordmason@mac.com 44-771-129-6986 European Society for Medical Oncology Immigration officials held a cancer patient for four hours before they allowed him to enter the USA because one of his cancer drugs caused… Read More ›
What we know and don’t know about fungal meningitis outbreak: incubation period from exposure to disease could be up to six months
Contact: Megan Hanks mhanks@acponline.org 215-351-2656 American College of Physicians Physician at the forefront of 2002 meningitis outbreak shares lessons learned: Without regulations ‘this will surely happen again’ In a new perspective piece being published Online First tonight in Annals of… Read More ›
Antidepressants linked to risk of brain bleeds: antidepressant users were about 40 to 50 percent more likely to suffer bleeding in or around the brain
Thu, 18 Oct 2012 00:18 GMT Reuters Oct 18 (Reuters) – People using a common class of antidepressants may have slightly increased odds of suffering bleeding in the brain – though the risk is still very small, according to a… Read More ›
Popular diabetes treatment could trigger pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Enrique Rivero erivero@mednet.ucla.edu 310-794-2273 University of California – Los Angeles Drug’s adverse effects negated when combined with older diabetes drug A drug widely used to treat Type 2 diabetes may have unintended effects on… Read More ›
Oral Contraceptives Impair Muscle Gains In Young Women
New study looks at effect of oral contraceptive use in resistance exercise training NEW ORLEANS—Many active young women use oral contraceptives (OC) yet its effect on their body composition and exercise performance has not been thoroughly studied…. Read More ›
Antibiotic contamination a threat to humans and the environment
Contact: Maria Granberg maria.granberg@bioenv.gu.se 46-766-229-534 University of Gothenburg Researchers from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, spend August in Sisimiut on the west coast of Greenland studying the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the effects of antibiotic emissions on communities of… Read More ›
Aspirin and similar drugs may be associated with brain microbleeds in older adults: Causes amyloid accumulation often related to Alzheimer’s disease
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Monique M.B. Breteler, M.D., Ph.D. m.breteler@erasmusmc.nl JAMA and Archives Journals Individuals who take aspirin or other medications that prevent blood clotting by inhibiting the accumulation of platelets appear more likely to have tiny, asymptomatic… Read More ›
Cholesterol-reducing drugs may lessen brain function, says ISU researcher
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Yeon-Kyun Shin colishin@iastate.edu 515-294-2530 Iowa State University AMES, Iowa — Research by an Iowa State University scientist suggests that cholesterol-reducing drugs known as statins may lessen brain function. Yeon-Kyun Shin, a biophysics professor in… Read More ›
First comprehensive paper on statins’ adverse effects released: Benefits have not been found to exceed their risks in those over 70 or 75 years old, even those with heart disease
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Debra Kain ddkain@ucsd.edu 619-543-6163 University of California – San Diego Provides evidence for reported side effects including muscle and cognitive problems A paper co-authored by Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at… Read More ›
Stream in India has record high levels of drugs
2009 study posted for filing By Margie Mason THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PATANCHERU, India — When researchers analyzed vials of treated wastewater taken from a plant where about 90 Indian drug factories dump their residues, they were shocked. Enough of a… Read More ›
Genes remember sugar hit: Australian research: ” capable of permanently altering DNA “
2009 study posted for filing Genes remember sugar hit: Australian research SYDNEY (AFP) – Human genes remember a sugar hit for two weeks, with prolonged poor eating habits capable of permanently altering DNA, Australian research has found. A team… Read More ›
Misuse of Vicks VapoRub may harm infants and toddlers: Irritant causes the body to produce more mucus
2009 study posted for filing Contact: Jennifer Stawarz jstawarz@chestnet.org 847-498-8306 American College of Chest Physicians Toddler in respiratory distress after popular salve used Vicks® VapoRub®, the popular salve used to relieve symptoms of cough and congestion, may be harmful for… Read More ›
Study finds faults in proposed mental disorder diagnosis: ” attenuated psychosis syndrome (APS), a new diagnosis that would identify those impaired by preliminary psychotic symptoms that do not meet the threshold for an existing diagnosis as having a psychotic disorder”
Contact: Holly Brown-Ayers hbrownayers@butler.org 401-455-6501 Women & Infants Hospital Providence, RI – A much anticipated addition to the revised Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) is questionable according to research findings. The newly revised DSM-5, the… Read More ›
Meningitis warning spreads to 23 states as investiagtors focus in on cause: fungal contaminate/foreign material in the contaminated steroid solutions
Officials said all of those infected received spinal injections of a steroid solution sold by a Massachusetts-based facility Karen McVeigh in New York guardian.co.uk, Thursday 4 October 2012 17.11 EDT Dr Robert Latham, chief of medicine at Saint Thomas, said… Read More ›
Black Hat hacker details lethal wireless attack on insulin pumps
Engineering Evil: A while ago we posted that Pacemakers can be hacked…. Unfortunately we stress that there is an urgent need to better secure these medical devices A.S.A.P. . Our nightmare scenario, is that wireless signals can be broadcast over… Read More ›
HALT-C researchers: Interferon as long-term treatment for hepatitis C not effective
2008 study posted for filing Contact: LaKisha Ladson lakisha.ladson@utsouthwestern.edu 214-648-3404 UT Southwestern Medical Center IMAGE:Dr. William M. Lee and other researchers have discovered in a multicenter study that using the drug interferon as a long-term maintenance strategy to slow the… Read More ›
Most scientific paper retractions due to misconduct: study
By Agence France-Presse Monday, October 1, 2012 21:13 EDT WASHINGTON — When a biomedical study is retracted, most of the time it is because of misconduct rather than error, a report published Monday said. Two-thirds of all retractions around the… Read More ›
Fluoxetine (Prozac) increases aggressive behavior, affects brain development among adolescent hamsters
October 1, 2012 BOSTON, Mass.—Fluoxetine was the first drug approved by the FDA for major depressive disorder (MDD) in children and adolescents, and to this date, it remains one of only two selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) registered for treatment… Read More ›
Pregnancy study finds strong association between two antidepressants and heart anomalies
2008 study posted for filing Contact: Annette Whibley wizard.media@virgin.net Wiley-Blackwell Three-country study looks at fluoxetine and paroxetine Women who took the antidepressant fluoxetine during the first three months of pregnancy gave birth to four times as many babies with heart… Read More ›
Mandatory HPV vaccination is unwarranted and unwise
2008 study posted for filing Contact: Amy Molnar journalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net 201-748-8844 Wiley-Blackwell Article explores how mandate does not represent public health necessity Washington, D.C. – November 12, 2008 – The HPV vaccine, sold as Gardasil in the U.S., is intended to… Read More ›
Dementia risk from sleeping tablets: Increases risk to Seniors by 50%
Dementia risk from sleeping tablets: Pensioners on pills taken by 1.5m are 50% more likely to be hit, warns Harvard study Academics say side effects could be so harmful doctors should avoid prescribing them Scientists believe sleeping pills may interfere… Read More ›
Common cancer treatments may create dangerous cancer stem cells
By Charles Q. Choi Published September 27, 2012| MyHealthNewsDaily Radiation therapy and chemotherapy aimed at killing cancer cells may have the undesirable effect of helping to create cancer stem cells, which are thought to be particularly adept at generating… Read More ›
Cholesterol Drugs ( Statins ) may contribute to Atherosclerosis
Engineering Evil Note: “Statins inhibit the action of HMGCoA reductase, the rate limiting enzyme of the cholesterol synthesis pathway. Plasma levels of markers of cholesterol synthesis (desmosterol, lathosterol) will be reduced by statins” Contact: Scott LaFee slafee@ucsd.edu 619-543-6163 University of… Read More ›
Popular HIV drug commonly prescribed anti-retroviral drug efavirenz attacks brain cells
Contact: Stephanie Desmon sdesmon1@jhmi.edu 410-955-8665 Johns Hopkins Medicine Popular HIV drug may cause memory declines Johns Hopkins study suggests the commonly prescribed anti-retroviral drug efavirenz attacks brain cells The way the body metabolizes a commonly prescribed anti-retroviral drug that is… Read More ›
No significant influenza (FLU) vaccine effectiveness could be demonstrated for any season, age or setting after adjusting for county, sex, insurance, chronic conditions recommended for influenza vaccination and timing of influenza vaccination
2008 study posted for filing Contact: Heather Hare 585-273-2840 JAMA and Archives Journals Use of the influenza vaccine was not associated with preventing hospitalizations or reducing physician visits for the flu in children age 5 and younger during two recent… Read More ›
Second lumpectomy for breast cancer REDUCES survival rates
2008 study posted for filing Contact: Karen Finney karen.finney@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu 916-734-9064 University of California – Davis Health System UC Davis researchers find disturbing trend in treating recurrent breast cancer (SACRAMENTO, Calif.) — A majority of women with breast cancer today are… Read More ›
Russia suspends import and use of American GM corn after study revealed cancer risk
The European Food Safety Authority orders review in to the research, conducted at a French university Russia’s decision could be followed by other nations Experts at the University of Caen conducted an experiment running for the full lives of rats… Read More ›
Children with MS were 1.74 times more likely to have received a certain type of hepatitis B vaccine, called Engerix B®. Those children with MS developed symptoms three or more years after the vaccine.
Public release date: 25-Sep-2008 Re-Posted for Filing Contact: Rachel Seroka rseroka@aan.com 651-695-2738 American Academy of Neurology Majority of children vaccinated against hepatitis B not at increased risk of MS ST. PAUL, Minn. – The majority of children vaccinated against hepatitis… Read More ›
Statins increase risk of postoperative delirium in elderly patients: 28% Increase
Contact: Kristine Galka kristine.galka@ices.on.ca 416-480-4780 Canadian Medical Association Journal The use of statins is associated with a 28% increased risk of postoperative delirium in elderly patients, found University of Toronto professor Dr. Donald Redelmeier and colleagues in a retrospective cohort… Read More ›
Lipitor drug mismarketed to women
2008 study posted for filing Contact: Amy Molnar journalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.com 201-748-8844 Wiley-Blackwell Ithaca, N.Y. – September 17, 2008 – Lipitor has been the top-selling drug in the world and has accounted for over $12 billion in annual sales. It has been… Read More ›
Common bronchodilator linked to increased deaths
2008 Post for filing Contact: Marla Paul Marla-Paul@northwestern.edu 312-503-8928 Northwestern University CHICAGO — A common bronchodilator drug which has been used for more than a decade by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been linked to a one-third… Read More ›
Sifting Social Media for Early Signs of Adverse Drug Reactions
ScienceDaily (Sep. 21, 2012) — The National Science Foundation has awarded a $130,000 grant to a team co-led by University of Virginia professor Ahmed Abbasi to fund research that will analyze social media, including tweets and online discussion forums, to… Read More ›
PRESS CONFERENCE on the threat of CSIRO’s GM Wheat
Expert scientists warn that genetically modified wheat may cause Glycogen Storage Disease IV, resulting in an enlarged liver, cirrhosis of the liver, and failure to thrive. Children born with this disease usually die at about the age of 5. Australia… Read More ›
Pacemakers Vulnerable to Hackers: Malicious hackers can kill
2008 posted for filing Contact: Claire Bowles claire.bowles@newscientist.com 44-207-611-1210 New Scientist How to stop a new type of heart attack PACEMAKERS are supposed to protect people from heart attacks. But to do that they have to provide digital as well… Read More ›
Engineering Evil 