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Munchausen syndrome by proxy possible in unexplainable medical conditions

Ophthalmologists and other medical professionals should consider Munchausen syndrome by proxy if a child has unusual ocular abnormalities or other medical conditions that cannot be explained through medical evaluation. This is the recommendation of the authors of a case report appearing in Ophthalmology, the clinical journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Eye M.D. Association. In this particular case, Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a form of child abuse. The symptoms of a disease are fabricated or induced by the caregiver, usually the mother of the patient, leading to unnecessary medical examinations and treatments.

Atropine may be an alternative to patching for treatment of lazy eye in children

An eyedrop, atropine, may be a good alternative to patching for treatment of lazy eye, or amblyopia, in children between the ages of three and seven. In this study, conducted at 47 clinical sites across the country, 1,419 children younger than seven years of age with visual acuity between 20/40 and 20/100 were randomly assigned to receive either patching, also called occlusion, or atropine. Their progress was followed for six months.

Ion-powered craft to head for moon

Europe’s first probe to the Moon, SMART-1, is about to begin a unique journey that will take it into orbit around our closest neighbour, powered only by an ion engine which Europe will be testing for the first time as main spacecraft propulsion.

Discovery could help in war against fire ants

A parasite masquerading as its host to avoid detection may sound pretty unfair. But then again, all’s fair in love and war ? at least in the war against red imported fire ants. Recently, researchers at Oxford University in the United Kingdom and at Texas A&M University discovered that members of the insect order Strepsiptera pose as their hosts. That may open doors for management of fire ants and other insects. It has also led to more avenues for research.

Research examines mega earthquake threats

Researchers have found an important new application for seismic reflection data, commonly used to image geological structures and explore for oil and gas. Recently published in the journal Nature, new use of reflection data may prove crucial to understanding the potential for mega earthquakes.

Designer plants could clean up heavy metals

Researchers have demonstrated that a chemical that permits plants to detoxify heavy metals can be transported from the roots to stems and leaves, a finding that brings the possibility of using plants to clean up soil contaminated with toxic metals such as lead, arsenic and cadmium one step closer to reality.

Targeted DNA vaccine may reverse autoimmune disease

Researchers have developed a way to tailor therapies to combat the specific inappropriate responses of autoimmune diseases in mice. The researchers also have shown that their technique can provide information needed to predict a disease’s progression. Eventually, their work may provide a way to reverse the course of such autoimmune diseases in humans as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and type-1 diabetes by first identifying the immune system culprits gone awry and then creating customized therapies for individual patients.

Medicare+Choice costs have doubled since 1999

Providing evidence of eroding benefits in the Medicare+Choice managed care program, a new report finds that enrollees’ average annual plan premiums and other out-of-pocket costs rose ten percent in 2003 to $1,964, more than double what they were in 1999.

Better accuracy in recording baby’s heart rates in the womb

Using a new technique, researchers have studied the heart rate of unborn babies in minute detail. The technique, reported in this months British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, will allow doctors to monitor the health of babies’ hearts and obtain the full fetal ECG (fECG), particularly during high risk pregnancies, such as where the mother suffers from diabetes or pre-eclampsia or where there is a family history of serious arrhythmia such as Long QT syndrome.

Drug-Coated Red Blood Cells Destroy Blood Clots From Within

Thrombosis – the formation of internal blood clots – is a common cause of complications and even death following surgery. To create a better means of preventing thrombosis, researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine coated red blood cells (RBCs) with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a clot-dissolving drug commonly used as an emergency treatment for stroke. When given alone, tPA has a short life span in circulation and has the potential to cause serious bleeding as it diffuses out of the bloodstream. The RBC/tPA combo, however, lasts ten times longer in the bloodstream than free-floating tPA and decreases the likelihood of excess bleeding, according to a new study.

Stem cells in the bone marrow become liver cells

They still don’t have a personality, and they’re waiting for the maturity call. Stem cells in our bone marrow usually develop into blood cells, replenishing our blood system. However, in states of emergency, the destiny of some of these stem cells may change: They can become virtually any type of cell ? liver cells, muscle cells, nerve cells ? responding to the body’s needs.

Mirrors can make women feel worse about working out

Mirrored walls are a regular feature of gym d?cor, but new research suggests that the reflections may make some women feel worse after their workouts. A study published in Health Psychology found that sedentary women who exercised in front of a mirror for 20 minutes felt less energized, less relaxed and less positive and upbeat than women who performed their workout without a mirror. Women who exercised without the mirror also reported that they were less physically exhausted at the end of their workout, while those with a mirror reported no change in their exhaustion level.

Vitamin C may protect against ulcer-causing bacteria

A study led by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC) has found that the lower the level of vitamin C in the blood the more likely a person will become infected by Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that can cause peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. “This is the largest study to look at the relationship between vitamin C levels and infection by H. pylori,” said Joel A. Simon, MD, MPH, SFVAMC staff physician and UCSF associate professor of medicine and epidemiology and biostatistics.