BBC News
Goggles help surgeons ‘see’ tumors
4/12/14
When surgeons remove a tumor, the search for every last cancer cell is critical. But the diseased tissue can be difficult to distinguish from the healthy. Now, researchers have developed high-tech goggles that allow doctors to see tumors glowing under infrared light. “The technology is quite amazing – almost like having a microscope to guide your surgery in the operating room,” said Dr. Ryan Fields. Other outlets: KSDK-TV, KCTV-TV(Kansas City),WGCL-TV(Atlanta, GA), KHON-TV (Honolulu, HI), WXIX-TV (Cincinnati, OH), WOIO-TV (Cleveland, OH), KPHO-TV (Phoenix, AZ), WBRC-TV(Birmingham, AL), and 40+ additional stations.
Related WUSM news release
NBC Weekend Today
Young boy inspires marathon soccer match
4/12/2014
Two-year-old Jackson Steinkuehler has spent the past year fighting a rare brain tumor at SLCH. As he bounces back, Blackburn College soccer players in Carlinville, Ill., took to the field to break a world record for the longest soccer match, all while raising money for pediatric cancer research. The Today Show catches up with them on day three of the marathon match. Jackson’s father is head coach of the team. Other outlets: KSDK-TV
Chicago Tribune
(Reuters)
Hearing aids for kids could improve speech and language
4/7/14
For young children who are hard of hearing, the longer they wear a hearing aid, the better their speech and language skills, according to a new study. In addition, their quality of life and overall functioning often improve, said pediatric otolaryngologist Dr. Judith E. Cho Lieu, who was not involved in the study. Other outlets: Yahoo News, Baltimore Sun
HealthDay
A failing mind may mean lower cancer death risk, study suggests
4/9/14
New research indicates that people over age 65 who experience a decline in mental skills are about one-third less likely than their peers to die of cancer. The results echo those of numerous other studies suggesting an inverse relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. “It’s possible that these two [diseases] share certain biological pathways that tipped in one direction mean cancer, or tipped in the other direction mean Alzheimer’s,” said Dr. Catherine Roe, who wasn’t involved in the new study.
MSN
13 health issues you’re too embarrassed to bring up: Low testosterone
4/15/14
Endocrinologist Dr. Robert Saltman highlighted symptoms of low testosterone in men: fatigue, inability to build muscle and decreased sex drive. Simple blood work can check testosterone levels, and there are natural ways to boost levels of the hormone, including getting more sleep and taking up weight training.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch (front page)
For babies who can’t grow hair or teeth, a cure might be on the way
4/14/14
Individuals with hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia can’t produce a protein important in the development of hair, teeth and exocrine glands such as sweat and salivary glands. The X-linked disorder appears once in every 5,000 to 10,000 births. WUSM is participating in a study testing the effectiveness of a replacement protein for newborn boys with the mutation for the disease. The first dose must be given within the first two weeks of life, making it a challenge to find participants. Recently, Dr. Kathy Grange treated at SLCH the third child in the world to be enrolled in the trial.
KFSN-TV(Fresno, CA)
New device to treat asthma
4/16/14
Doctors are testing whether treatment with a CPAP machine improves symptoms in asthma patients by making their airways less reactive. “At nighttime, their muscles that are around their windpipes are not being allowed to relax. In essence, they’re working almost 24 hours a day,” said Dr. Mario Castro. The machine pushes gentle air down the windpipe, forcing muscles to relax. It’s typically used for patients with sleep apnea, but doctors say it could be the first drug-free treatment option for asthma.
Other outlets: KING-TV (Seattle, WA), NWCN.com (news for Washington – Oregon- Idaho)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
University tries to close entrepreneurial gender gap
4/18/14
Until Washington University introduced 27 women faculty members to some veteran entrepreneurs, most of them did not know how to start a company or find investors. Women academics, it turns out, are less likely than men to start a business. Drs. Delphine Chen and Audrey Odom recently participated in an entrepreneurial education program that WUSM developed. “I’m realizing I could start a small business, and we could use that to attract the funding we would need,” she said. “It opens up a whole new avenue.”
KMOX-AM Radio
Study finds developments in treatment for paraplegics
4/8/14
An implantable electronic device that stimulates the spinal cord has helped four men paralyzed for years regain some movement in their legs. Commenting on the research, neurosurgeon Dr. Neill Wright said that the treatment doesn’t restore function to the spinal cord, but it potentially can magnify any residual function the patients have left.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Healthy Kids column: Managing your growing child’s health care transitions
4/17/14
Dr. Christina Ruby-Ziegler provided advice about young adults making the transition from pediatricians to doctors who treat adults. Many doctors recommend that kids stay with a pediatrician until they finish college.
KTVI-TV Fox 2
4/9/14
Parenting without yelling or spanking
As parents turn away from spanking, many are yelling at their children more often. Dr. Kathleen Berchelmann says neither method is effective in the long term. She suggested tips to help keep the peace, such as intervening early, redirecting the behavior, and using the same labels for behavior at home and at school or daycare, so there is consistency.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
4/10/14
Gun violence and youth forum offers stark statistics, advice for parents
Gunshot wounds are a leading cause of death among children and teenagers, higher than cancer, heart disease and infections. U.S. firearm deaths are expected to surpass deaths from car accidents in the near future. Dr. David Jaffee participated in a recent forum looking at gun violence from a public health perspective.
KMOV-TV
4/11/14
Metro-East mother turns daughter’s death into tribute
Kelsie Marchbanks lost her battle with cancer at age 20, but her family is making sure her legacy lives on. They continue to raise money in her honor, donating video games to the cancer floor at SLCH and supporting Dr. Todd Druley’s research.
KMOX-AM Radio
Study finds links between painkillers and heart rhythm disorder
4/11/14
A new study finds that pain relievers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, may increase the risk for atrial fibrillation. Dr. Phillip Cuculich said that Aleve and Motrin are the two most common NSAID pain medicines in the United States. “In general, I would say further studies are needed, but if your doctor believes that these NSAIDs are going to be helpful to manage your pain, then there’s no reason to suffer without them,” he added.
