St. Jude and UF Proton Therapy Institute to begin proton therapy clinical trial Nov 10, 2009
Protons can also be energized for a desired degree of tumor penetration, thus sparing underlying tissues from radiation exposure. UF Proton Therapy Institute is one of only six proton therapy centers in the United States. (EurekAlert! -- Business News)
Making medical decisions Nov 9, 2009
Although the balancing of potential benefits against potential risks of harm usually applies to treatment, they also apply to some diagnostic procedures, e.g. a CT scan involves radiation exposure that is generally much larger than that of conventional X-rays, with the main risk being the small possibility of developing a radiation-induced cancer some time later in life. When there is a medical need, the benefit of a CT scan normally exceeds the small cancer risk. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Article lacked evidence of ambivalence Nov 8, 2009
danielh wrote on Nov 7, 2009 9:54 AM:" Col. Franklin O. Bernhoft, Ph. D.: Do you know what are the symptoms of radiation poisoning?Do you know what is the cause for the gulf war syndrome, and just exactly it entails?If you knew a battle field was irradiated, would you give orders to foot soldiers to march across?Do you care to address the chemical content of the Kinetic Energy Kill weapon projectile, which is used to kill tanks, and also valuable for reducing America's stockpile of depleted... (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Developmental Drug May Help Bone Fractures Heal After Radiation Exposure Nov 4, 2009
3, 2009) A drug currently under development by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine may help bone fractures heal more quickly after radiation exposure, according to a study by Pitt researchers ... For this study, researchers compared the healing time of fractures in a mouse model system treated immediately after radiation exposure with JP4-039 against a control group of mice that did not receive the drug ... Radiologists could soon measure the amount of radiation exposure experienced... (Science Daily)
Nasa to irradiate monkeys for space voyage research... Nov 3, 2009
" After the radiation exposure, the monkeys can look forward to a lifetime of being looked after by staff and veterinarians at McLean Hospital. Nasa said in a statement: "McLean Hospital is responsible for the lifetime care of the primates ... " How stupid do you all think we are? Was it a great joke to the reporter and/or others to word it like that? They'll die HORRIBLY of radiation exposure, if they get exposed to enough, and I doubt they're going to expose them to just 'a little bit.' That... (The Drudge Report)
Radiation from Medical Scans Soaring Oct 29, 2009
The last comprehensive assessment of radiation exposure was conducted in 1980-1982, a veritable eternity by medical and scientific standards. "We needed to get a grip on how much radiation the U.S. was getting and where it was coming from," Mettler said. (MEDLINEplus)
Herbal Tonic For Radiotherapy? Gingko Biloba Tree May Protect Cells From Radiation Damage Oct 27, 2009
The team uses a light microscope to look for lymphocytes undergoing programmed cell death, or apoptosis, as a result of radiation exposure ... Radiologists could soon measure the amount of radiation exposure experienced by different tissues using an implantable capsule. (Science Daily)
How Low Doses Of Radiation Can Cause Heart Disease And Stroke Oct 24, 2009
If the mechanism is valid it implies that risks from low dose radiation exposures (e ... Little MP, Gola A, Tzoulaki I. A Model of Cardiovascular Disease Giving a Plausible Mechanism for the Effect of Fractionated Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation Exposure. (Science Daily)
Radiation Treatments Made Safer for Cancer Patients Oct 23, 2009
The key is a biochemical signaling pathway that can influence how radiation exposure affects both healthy and cancerous cells ... "This dramatic protective effect occurred in skin, muscle and bone marrow cells, which is very encouraging. Cells that might have died of radiation exposure remained viable and functional when pre-treated with agents that interfere with the thrombospondin-1/CD47 pathway," Isenberg said ... The researchers also found that blocking this pathway delayed the regrowth of... (MEDLINEplus)
'Holy Grail' Of Cancer Therapy: Researchers Find Way To Protect Healthy Cells From Radiation Damage Oct 22, 2009
Long-term radiation exposure can lead to the scarring and death of normal tissue ... "This dramatic protective effect occurred in skin, muscle and bone marrow cells, which is very encouraging. Cells that might have died of radiation exposure remained viable and functional when pre-treated with agents that interfere with the thrombospondin-1/CD47 pathway." ... Radiologists could soon measure the amount of radiation exposure experienced by different tissues using an implantable capsule. (Science Daily)
Acreage residents seek cancer answers from health officials Oct 21, 2009
Lox Resident: I know you said the experts at last nights meeting said radiation exposure only causes lung and bone cancer but I found evidence to say otherwise. Here is a clip from the report I found:"Risk Factors--Like most pediatric cancers, no specific risk factor explains more than a small proportion of childhood brain tumors. The known risk factors for childhood brain tumors include ionizing radiation and certain genetic conditions. Therapeutic doses of ionizing radiation to the head... (The Palm Beach Post)
Thyroid surgery safe for older patients, study finds Oct 20, 2009
While its exact cause is unknown, thyroid disease tends to run in families and radiation exposure is believed to be a risk factor for thyroid cancer. The increased availability of quality, non-invasive screening such as ultrasound likely means more cases are being identified at every age, Dr. Seybt says. (EurekAlert!)
A Slow Death by NHK-TV "Tokaimura A... Oct 20, 2009
A Slow Death stands as reminder of the terrible consequences of radiation exposure. It is a call, a demand really, for us to always balance the desire for technical achievement with humility and respect for the power of the atomic nucleus. (Suite101.com)
Treatment Not Testicular Cancer Poses Greatest Risk To Survivors' Long-term Health Oct 16, 2009
1, 2006) Radiation exposure may increase the risk of brain and spinal column tumors in survivors of childhood cancer, according to a study in the November 1 Journal of the National Cancer. . (Science Daily)
Doctors 'Shocked' by Radiation Overexposure at Cedars-Sinai Oct 14, 2009
Doctors Shocked By Radiation Exposure - ABC News ... "To me, even as a professional, this is a fairly shocking story. These patients received 8-10 times the normal dose for a head CT and probably reached their allowable radiation exposure for the year at a single test," said Dr. James Slater, associate professor of cardiology at the NYU Langone Medical Center ... While occupational radiation exposure is regulated by the government, there is no federal oversight when radiation is used for medical... (ABC News)
How Much Radiation Does Your Cell Emit? Oct 14, 2009
How Much Radiation Exposure Are You Getting From Your Cell Phone ... How Much Radiation Exposure Are You Getting From Your Cell Phone. (Fox News)
Public Attitudes To New Technology: Lessons For Regulators Oct 13, 2009
9, 2007) A new study has found that risks from radiation exposure to people involved in the Chernobyl incident may be much less significant than most of us. (July 16, 2008) Educating the public about nanotechnology and other complex but emerging technologies causes people to become more "worried and cautious" about the new technologies' prospective benefits, according. (Science Daily)
Survivors Of Childhood Cancer Less Likely To Marry Oct 9, 2009
"These conditions are known to be associated with certain chemotherapy and radiation exposures." ... 1, 2006) Radiation exposure may increase the risk of brain and spinal column tumors in survivors of childhood cancer, according to a study in the November 1 Journal of the National Cancer. (Science Daily)
Genetic Effects Of Radiation: Study Will Help Understand Radiation Exposure In Cancer Survivors And Their Children Oct 9, 2009
13, 2008) Radiation exposure before birth or during early childhood increased the risk of adult solid cancers, according to a study of survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings ... Radiologists could soon measure the amount of radiation exposure experienced by different tissues using an implantable capsule. (Science Daily)
Research funds flow to Buffalo groups Oct 1, 2009
3 million Grand Opportunities grant announced this week for cancer therapies related to radiation exposure. Total research grant funding awarded through ARRA was equal to about a sixth of the annual NIH budget. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
More cancer funds for Cleveland BioLabs Sep 30, 2009
The grant will enable the company to begin clinical treatment using its Protectan CBLB502, under development to mitigate gastrointestinal damage from radiation exposure. It supports both the advancement of a biologic license application for acute radiation syndrome; as well as furthers study of the compound to reduce or mitigate radiation-induced GI damage in medical settings. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
Should Americans Shop for Health Care the Way They Shop for Shoes? Sep 30, 2009
Require hospitals to have a "radiation account" program to let patients track their cumulative lifetime radiation exposure (and their cancer risk) to discourage too many scans. Critics of more health care "choice architecture" might see a slippery slope where the government meddles in all sorts of other ways, like. (Slate)
Gov't adds to Cleveland BioLabs contract Sep 25, 2009
The contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is part of a broad-based program exploring therapies for conditions resulting from acute radiation exposure. Cleveland BioLabs is using the funds in the continued development of its Protectan CBLB502. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
NIH ups ClevelandBioLabs research Sep 23, 2009
The project, Medical Countermeasures to Enhance Platelet Regeneration and Increase Survival Following Radiation Exposure is funded through the Project BioShield Act of 2004 and administered by the. The goal of the program is to accelerate the development of safe and effective medical products after radiation exposure from radiological and nuclear terrorist attacks ... The company has received patent protection on a method of using the compound to treat radiation exposure in animals. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
Leading the way Sep 23, 2009
Neglecting our planet will prove a mistake somewhere along the line - whether it be in temperature increases, radiation exposure or another defining factor - and the right elements need to be preserved. Money is a man-made concept, and I don't believe it's the right entity to fight for. (BBC News -- Americas)
Nationwide Study Examines Youth Access To Indoor Tanning Sep 23, 2009
Youth Access to Artificial UV Radiation Exposure: Practices of 3647 US Indoor Tanning Facilities. Arch Dermatol, 2009; 145 (9): 997-1002. (Science Daily)
Radiologists find a technique to significantly reduce patient radiation dose during CT angiography Sep 21, 2009
"Radiation exposure continues to be a concern during CT procedures. However our study is significant because it shows radiologists are able to significantly decrease the radiation dose delivered to the patient during CT angiography," said Dr. Foley. "Prospective ECG-gated CT angiography is a technically robust, noninvasive imaging technique for the evaluation of vascular disease. It is safer than conventional angiography and the patient benefits from having it done intravenously rather than... (EurekAlert!)
Space-related Radiation Research Could Help Reduce Fractures In Cancer Survivors Sep 18, 2009
Bateman, an associate professor of bioengineering at Clemson University, and colleagues at Clemson and Loma Linda University have discovered in experiments with mice that bone loss begins within days of radiation exposure through activation of bone-reducing cells called osteoclasts ... After radiation exposure, osteoclasts appear to have a different shape ... The mice used in the research have received the amount of radiation exposure that is expected to occur during a lengthy mission to the... (Science Daily)
Comprehensive Cardiac CT Scan May Give Clearer Picture Of Significant Heart Disease Sep 16, 2009
"The ability to acquire anatomical visualization of coronary artery stenosis together with physiological assessment of myocardial perfusion in a single study could improve diagnostic accuracy while potentially reducing costs and radiation exposure. Since our study was relatively small, we need to test this approach in a larger multicenter trial and further investigate the additional value of CT perfusion studies over CT angiography." A consulting radiologist at MGH, Cury recently joined the... (Science Daily)
Study Identifies Which Children Do Not Need CT Scans After Head Trauma Sep 16, 2009
15, 2009) A substantial percentage of children who get CT scans after apparently minor head trauma do not need them, and as a result are put at increased risk of cancer due to radiation exposure ... In these low-risk children, the risk of developing cancer due to radiation exposure outweighed the risk of serious brain injury ... Radiation exposure to the brain of developing children is of particular concern and must be weighed carefully against the risk of traumatic brain injury that could cause... (Science Daily)
Not All Kids with Head Injuries Need Brain Scans Sep 16, 2009
Screening could cut down on radiation exposure, researchers say ... Using these clinically important traumatic brain injury prediction rules could have avoided the use of CT scans and resulting radiation exposure in 25 percent of children younger than 2 years old and in 20 percent of children older than 2 years, study author Dr. Nathan Kuppermann, of the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, and colleagues, said in a news release. (MEDLINEplus)
Questionable Radiation Levels In Cell Phones Sep 15, 2009
Experts say: an ear piece could also help reduce any potential radiation exposure. Copyright 2008 by. (KIRO TV, WA)
Concern about cumulative radiation of imaging tests has some doctors urging alternatives Sep 14, 2009
The cumulative radiation exposure from those scans, the researchers estimated, raised her lifetime risk of cancer by about 10 percent ... And, because a patient s radiation exposure depends on their size and other individual factors, estimates of increased cancer risk are just that, estimates ... Most hospitals and doctors don t have sophisticated alert systems, but Lauer said patients should not hesitate to ask their physician for their scanning history and whether the benefit of another scan... (Boston Globe)
Uravan lawsuit: Health hazards from the past versus today Sep 13, 2009
The ionizing radiation exposure levels at yellowcake mills, even in the poorly documented unregulated past, were probably somewhat lower than those at mines although they may have exposed much more of the residential population through tailings. Current uranium mill radon and ionizing exposures should be substantially lower although it is not realistic to presume that a new Pinon Ridge Mill or a possibly reconstructed Canon City Mill will have no occupational risk from radioactivity. (Montrose Daily Press, CO)
Group weighs in on cellphone radiation debate Sep 12, 2009
Radiation exposure, however, is as much about how a phone is used ... The American Cancer Society says that "although most current evidence does not link use of cellphone to cancer, it is reasonable for concerned individuals to (use) headsets and speakerphones" to reduce their radiation exposure ... Use of a Bluetooth device - those blinking blue devices worn on the ear that connect wirelessly to a nearby cell phone - could raise or lower radiation exposure, depending on the circumstances. (AZCentral -- Business)
Edward Announces New Neurosciences Institute in Partnership With Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation Sep 11, 2009
To meet the needs of the patients who'll be treated by the Neurosciences Institute, Edward has constructed a state-of-the-art neurointerventional suite featuring a biplane angiography system that provides dramatic image quality for physicians and, for patients, reduces their procedure time, radiation exposure and time under anesthesia. "In the new biplane lab we can stop a stroke in its tracks and even reverse its effects," says Jeffrey Miller, MD, Medical Director of the Edward Neurosciences... (PR Newswire)
Cleveland BioLabs inks Chinese deal Sep 10, 2009
Cleveland BioLabs is a drug discovery and development company that focuses on treatments for cancer, radiation exposure and other areas. Last month, the company received a notice of allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a method of protecting mammals from radiation using protein derivatives. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
Presby offers next-generation technology Sep 8, 2009
This is especially beneficial for children and young adults whose cells divide more rapidly, making them more susceptible to harm from radiation exposures ... Limiting radiation exposure is particularly important for patients who may need multiple imaging tests, such as cancer patients, Wen said ... ASIR technology reduces the actual time of the scan, capturing snapshots of the heartbeat so the total on time for X-rays is cut to less than a second, reducing radiation exposure by up to 83... (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Inhibition Of Key Inflammatory Protein, Reduced Radiation Toxicity In Zebrafish Sep 5, 2009
Radiologists could soon measure the amount of radiation exposure experienced by different tissues using an implantable capsule. The device contains a.. (Science Daily)
New Call for Cell Phone Safety Research Sep 3, 2009
So far the research seems to be split in terms of the risk of this radiation exposure. An ongoing multinational initiative known as Interphone, has yielded mixed results so far. (CBS News -- Sci/Tech)
Excessive Radiological Imaging Explained Sep 2, 2009
Lysdahl said, "Over-utilization implies wasteful investigations, such as those whose results are unlikely to affect patient management. Because some investigations carry risks from radiation exposure and many can be expensive to the health service, it is important to limit their excessive use.". The five highest scored causes of increased use were: increased possibilities due to new radiological technology; patients' increased demands for certain knowledge about their own health; referring... (Science Daily)
New study compares after-hours and daytime surgery success rates Sep 2, 2009
The data suggested similar healing time and intra-operative radiation exposure for the two groups. However, the data also showed some notable differences in outcomes between after-hours and daytime surgeries. (EurekAlert!)
60 Years After First Soviet Nuclear Test, Legacy Of Misery Lives On In Kazakhstan Aug 30, 2009
"In general, I could go on for half an hour talking about what they don t have and don t know. There is practically no information about protection [from radiation exposure] from the government.". Dead Zones. (EurasiaNet.org)
How Safe Or Unsafe Are Medical Imaging Procedures? Aug 29, 2009
Nearly 20 percent of participants received at least moderate annual doses of radiation from diagnostic tests, and women and older individuals were at greater risk for radiation exposure, according to a report in the August 27 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine ... Computed tomography (CT) scans and nuclear imaging accounted for three-fourths of radiation exposure, with nuclear stress tests to detect coronary heart disease, also known as myocardial perfusion imaging, cited as the... (Science Daily)
Younger Americans Over-Exposed to Radiation Risk Aug 29, 2009
While diagnostic scans can give doctors valuable information, studies suggest too much radiation exposure can cause cancer, especially in younger people ... The two biggest contributors to radiation exposure were an advanced kind of X-ray called a computed tomography or CT scan and nuclear medicine scans -- in which a small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream and read by special cameras ... "Those two accounted for about three-quarters of all the radiation exposure... (Newsmax)
Medical Scans a Significant Source of Radiation Aug 28, 2009
"What we know is that the radiation exposure that people are getting now might entail a risk but we don't know the benefit.". Up to 2 percent of all cancers in the United States may be due to CT scans, Lauer added. (MEDLINEplus)
Radiologists, medical physicists work to make imaging procedures safer Aug 28, 2009
and colleagues reported that imaging procedures are a key source of ionizing radiation exposure in the U.S. and that repeat exams can result in high cumulative doses of radiation. "Elements of Danger The Case of Medical Imaging," a perspective by cardiologist Michael S. Lauer, M.D., goes beyond that conclusion to assert that most medical imaging exams offer net negative results with little high-level evidence of benefit. (EurekAlert!)
Study finds radiation risk in some medical tests Aug 27, 2009
Though the annual average radiation exposure from X-rays, CT scans and other tests was low, researchers found about 20 percent were exposed to moderate radiation doses and 2 percent were exposed to high levels ... The annual average radiation exposure was small, less than 3 millisieverts, a measure of dose. (AZCentral -- News)
Exposure to Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation from Medical Imaging Procedures Aug 27, 2009
8%) underwent at least one imaging procedure associated with radiation exposure. The mean ( SD) cumulative effective dose from imaging procedures was 2. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Tests' Radiation Levels Prompt Advisory Aug 27, 2009
Because exposure to radiation has been linked to the development of cancer and leukemia, repeated radiation exposure through these medical tests has become a potential concern ... Because these tests are powerful diagnostic tools, researchers said in most cases the information they supply is worth the potential risk of radiation exposure. (KERO 23, CA)
Not just nukes: SRS labs take on other tough tasks Aug 25, 2009
- Gamma irradiation facility: for testing materials' abilities to withstand radiation exposure. - Digital radiography facility: a high-tech alternative to traditional X-rays for verifying the quality of welds, detecting deformations and other uses. (The Augusta Chronicle)
5 tests that could save your life Aug 24, 2009
The test has one significant downside: The radiation exposure from your average cardiac CT is equal to 600 chest x-rays, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This produces a 1-in-5,000 risk of cancer, another study reveals. (MSNBC -- Health)
Home Remedy Natural Relief for Sun ... Aug 22, 2009
Tea - pleasantly cooling, and according to Mountain Rose Herbs, "tea has been shown to help reduce skin inflammation and redness, protect skin cells, and to assist with the adverse effects of UV radiation exposure. It naturally contains tannic acid, theobromine, and polyphenols all of which are soothing and healing to sunburned skin." You can wet a teabag with cool water and apply directly, or make strong tea, cool, and use on a cloth as a compress. Calendula - according to The Herbal Drugstore,... (Suite101.com)
Drill for radioactive response Aug 22, 2009
Idaho State Journal Idaho State University student Mike Haddox, center, portrays a victim of radiation exposure during mock emergency drill at Portneuf Medical Center Thursday morning. More News. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Nuclear emergency response tested in annual exercise Aug 21, 2009
"While other officials strategize about how to protect the public, the Callaway County Health Department worked to protect those officials by resetting dosimeters and maintaining packages for each emergency personnel containing potassium iodide tablets. Dosimeters are worn by each person to measure exposure to radiation in real-time and the tablets reduce the radiation impact on the thyroid -- one of the most susceptible parts of the body to radiation poisoning."It works just like a Geiger... (Fulton Sun, MO)
Iterative reconstruction technique significantly reduces patient radiation dose during CT scans Aug 19, 2009
"Finding a way to reduce radiation dose for routine body CT imaging has been an ongoing concern for many. Our study is significant because it shows that the low-dose ASIR method can significantly decrease the radiation dose along with the many risks associated with radiation exposure. In future studies, it will be important to not only evaluate image quality but to assess diagnostic accuracy. ASIR is new to CT but in our practice it has been very successful," said Dr. Hara. . (EurekAlert!)
Aid sought for 'Atomic Vets' Aug 18, 2009
Many of these veterans have since suffered a panoply of illnesses commonly associated with radiation exposure, but many have had trouble getting the care they need ... The DTRA and the VA recognize 22 types of cancer that qualify as caused by radiation exposure ... DTRA spokeswoman Kate Hooten said the agency has well-established protocols for determining radiation exposure, and she noted that over the decades, many veterans have scattered across the globe and are out of touch with government... (Honolulu Advertiser)
RTI gets $11 million to study effects of radiation exposure on humans Aug 14, 2009
has been awarded a contract worth close to $11 million to evaluate cancer risks associated with radiation exposures, the nonprofit announced Thursday ... The better we are able to understand the links between radiation exposures and various cancers, the more effective we will be at preventing and treating cancer. (Triangle Business Journal)
St. Luke's Wood River opens Women's Imaging Center Aug 11, 2009
In addition, digital mammography decreases a women's overall radiation exposure and takes half the time of conventional mammograms, cutting down on anxiety and inconvenience for the women being screened, Peck said. The downside is that the tests cost up to twice as much as film mammograms. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Regional training on protection of nuclear materials opens Aug 11, 2009
He said as a pre-requisite to the effective and safe utilization of the development of nuclear techniques and practices, both member and non-member states were required to establish the necessary protection and safe infrastructure to regulate activities that could involve radiation exposure and interventions. He expressed the hope that the training would enlighten participants on the dynamic trends of physical protection systems to the merit of socio-economic development of member states,... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Arrowhead opens new upgraded cardiac cath lab Aug 7, 2009
Also included in the upgraded lab is state of the art software that minimizes radiation exposure for patients and provides thorough reports on the heart's condition. In addition, we recently added a new Thrombectomy System, also called an Angio-Jet, Vallandingham said. (Glendale Star, AZ)
ECMC makes orthopaedic upgrade Aug 6, 2009
The systems are designed to reduce patient radiation exposure compared to technology currently being used in the ortho suite. Additionally, the machines are adjustable to accommodate patients in wheelchairs or beds and can take vertical images, a help for patients with spine injuries. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
'Extreme' UV exposure forecast for tomorrow Jul 26, 2009
The UV Index measures ultra violet radiation exposure on a scale of 0-15. Readings over 10 are considered "very serious" or "extreme.". (Honolulu Advertiser)
Radiation Dose, Cancer Risk From Coronary Artery Calcium Screening Estimated Jul 17, 2009
"Careful optimization of these factors may reduce radiation exposure without detriment to the clinical purpose of the screening examination. Further efforts by professional societies are necessary to standardize protocols in order to decrease unnecessary radiation exposure and to minimize cancer risk." ... (July 18, 2007) An analysis based on computerized simulation models suggests that the lifetime risk of cancer associated with radiation exposure from a computed tomography (CT scan) coronary... (Science Daily)
The Greatest Hoax Of All Time? Jul 16, 2009
Doubters make piles of arguments: the photos and videos contain irregularities; 1969 technology was too primitive to support such a journey; the astronauts couldn't survive radiation exposure. Conspiracists suggest the Apollo astronauts remained in Earth's orbit -- or perhaps weren't in space at all. (Click2Houston, TX)
