CHICAGO – Researchers reviewing the records of approximately 250,000 women enrolled in an integrated healthcare delivery system found that increased CT utilization between 2000 and 2010 could result in an increase in the risk of breast cancer for certain women, including younger patients and those who received repeat exams. According to the study, which was presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), nuclear medicine examinations may also contribute to increased breast cancer risk. CT uses ionizing radiation in the form ...

CHICAGO – A survey of women undergoing routine screening mammography found that many of them would be interested in pursuing additional screening tests if notified they had dense breast tissue, despite the possibility of false positives, invasive procedures, and out-of-pocket costs, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). "Our study highlights the need for patient education regarding breast density," said Jafi Lipson, M.D., assistant professor of radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine ...

CHICAGO – Researchers assessing the impact of revised guidelines for screening mammography issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found evidence that the new recommendations may lead to missed cancers and a decline in screening, according to two studies presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Routine screening mammography has traditionally been recommended by both the USPSTF and the American Cancer Society for all women over the age of 40. In 2009, the USPSTF issued controversial new guidelines recommending ...

CHICAGO – Chemotherapy can induce changes in the brain that may affect concentration and memory, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Using positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT), researchers were able to detect physiological evidence of chemo brain, a common side effect in patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer treatment. "The chemo brain phenomenon is described as 'mental fog' and 'loss of coping skills' by patients who receive chemotherapy," said Rachel ...

The wetting model is a classical problem in surface science and biomimetic science. Professor LIU Jianlin and his collaborators from China University of Petroleum, Wuhan University and Fourth Military Medical University approached this old and classical problem from a new direction. They stressed that it is the triple contact line and not the contact area of the droplet/solid interface that determines the macroscopic contact angle. The proposed continuum model, termed the mechanism-based model, can illustrate the contact line pinning effect at some wedges or phase interfaces ...

New Johns Hopkins research showing a more than four-fold increase in the incidence of breast cancer in women with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1) adds to growing evidence that women with this rare genetic disorder may benefit from early breast cancer screening with mammograms beginning at age 40, and manual breast exams as early as adolescence. In a small study of 126 women with NF1 at the Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Center, the Johns Hopkins scientists identified four cases of breast cancer. The study showed a four-fold increased risk for breast cancer in ...

By using a model, researchers at the University of Montreal have identified and "switched off" a chemical chain that causes neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and dementia. The findings could one day be of particular therapeutic benefit to Huntington's disease patients. "We've identified a new way to protect neurons that express mutant huntingtin proteins," explained Dr. Alex Parker of the University of Montreal's Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and its affiliated CRCHUM Research Centre. A cardinal feature of ...

Four Steps to Protect Your Finances During a Divorce Divorce is not only emotionally draining, but it also can be financially draining if you do not carefully plan your finances. With the current divorce rate in America sitting at 40 to 50 percent, divorce is a prevalent issue for many people. When going through a divorce, you can avoid financial turmoil by following a few simple planning tips. Assess the Impact of Divorce on Your Financial Goals Project future expenses that the divorce will create as well as any future expenses to which you will now contribute ...

Bankruptcy Can Help New Jersey Homeowners Avoid Foreclosure New Jersey second quarter foreclosure statistics were recently released. At first glance, the results appear encouraging. The overall number of New Jersey foreclosure sales decreased from last year by 40 percent. During the second quarter, one out of 11 New Jersey home sales involved a foreclosed property, in contrast to one in four nationwide. However rosy the numbers look, experts say that the apparent statistical decrease in mortgage foreclosures is likely not due to a decrease in the actual number of ...

Michigan's "Super Drunk" Law: Higher BAC, More Penalties Many drivers convicted of driving while intoxicated have a high blood alcohol concentration. Even just a few drinks in an hour can put a driver over the legal limit to drive, which is .08 percent in all 50 states. However, a significant number of drunk driving convictions stem from incidents where a driver is more than twice the legal limit to drive. In an attempt to target such high BAC drivers, Michigan adopted a so-called "Super Drunk" law, which increases the fines and penalties associated ...

Spinal Cord Injury Research Continuing Spinal cord research has made strides in recent years, good news to the 5.6 million paralyzed people currently living in America and the 12,000 new people hospitalized for spinal cord injury (SCI) every year. However, progress is being made in fits and starts, and new research continues to battle this devastating injury. Promising New Research Neuroscience 2012, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, offered a variety of potential future solutions to SCI, from reducing pain in the injured patient to actually curing ...

New study shows bedsores linked to patient fatalities When we come to the conclusion that we must turn over the care of a loved one to a nursing home, it is common for that difficult decision to be accompanied by fears about his or her continued well-being. One of the dangers associated with nursing home care is the development of bedsores, also referred to as pressure ulcers. Recently, a new study revealed that the consequences of these injuries can be far more serious than previously understood. Bedsores occur when the tissue and skin on an individual are injured, ...

Respond Intelligently to Debt Collector Harassment Each year, millions of Americans find themselves in significant debt. Too often, debt brings with it not only constant worry about bills and finances, but also harassing phone calls from unscrupulous bill collectors. Fortunately, consumers do have rights and there are some basic steps people can take to protect themselves from creditor harassment. Make a Plan If debt collectors begin making harassing phone calls to your home, it is important to come up with a plan on how to address them. Designate one person in ...

How Oklahoma courts determine child custody If you are an Oklahoma parent going through a divorce, you may be worried about whether you or your spouse (or neither) is going to get custody of your child. The answer to this question is quite complex, as it involves a consideration of many factors. Like in many other states, Oklahoma courts make child custody decisions based on what it believes are in the "best interests of the child." There is no simple definition of this term, as it generally refers to the analysis that courts make when deciding what types ...

Estate Planning Issues for Same-Sex Couples in Maryland Many states across the U.S. have brought same-sex marriage to a vote in recent elections, bringing to light the plight of unmarried same-sex couples who nonetheless consider themselves a cohesive family. Maryland recently voted to recognize same-sex marriage, becoming the first state in the union to vote for same-sex marriage. While the issues surrounding same-sex marriage are myriad, one complication is estate planning. Many of the protections in place for married couples are not available to same-sex couples. ...

Feds Push for Mandatory Ignition Interlocks in All Maryland DUI Cases Maryland transportation safety advocates and other groups that favor tougher intoxicated driving laws may soon have a new tool in their arsenal: federal funding for states that require ignition interlock devices for all drivers convicted of driving under the influence -- even first-time offenders. Current Ignition Interlock Law in Maryland Under current Maryland law, ignition interlock devices are mandatory for drivers convicted of a second or subsequent DUI offense, but they generally are not ...

Football Revealing the Consequences of Youth Head Injuries Football is widely considered the most popular sport in America. From the Super Bowl to Friday Night Lights, football plays a large role for many families and communities. Youth football is as popular as ever; USA Football estimates almost 3 million kids under age 14 play tackle football. That number hasn't dropped in the last half-dozen years. But as a contact-heavy sport, legitimate concerns exist regarding brain injuries caused by tackling. The science on brain injuries and their effects have greatly increased ...

Dog Bites and Liability in Massachusetts Animal control officers in Dennis, Massachusetts, reported an unprecedented uptick in dog bites and other animal attacks recently. Members of the Cape Cod community suffered 13 animal bites in just two months in the summer of 2012, with nine occurring in July alone, Wicked Local Dennis reported. A veteran animal control officer said she had never before witnessed so many bites in such a short period. Preventing Dog Bites The primary responsibility for preventing dog bites and other animal attacks lies with the person who ...

Community efforts, FMCSA regulations help mitigate truck crashes Commercial vehicles are probably the most dangerous vehicles traversing the roadways today. An 18-wheeler can carry a maximum weight of 80,000 fully loaded. It's no wonder communities and policing authorities are cracking down on commercial truck drivers in order to prevent unnecessary truck accidents. Community efforts Community efforts all across the nation have been launched to help improve truck safety and mitigate injuries and fatalities caused by these massive vehicles. Just last month, Operation ...

All eyes on Texas 130 -- will risks materialize at 85 mph? The Texas Department of Transportation recently opened a new stretch of highway connecting San Antonio and Austin. With a speed limit of 85 miles per hour, the new road has the distinction of having the highest posted speed limit of any road in the United States. Built to alleviate traffic congestion between Austin and San Antonio, the 41-mile stretch of Texas 130 has a toll of around 15 cents per mile. It is the state's first public-private toll road, and toll proceeds will be shared between the state and ...

Prominent Massachusetts doctor charged with DUI Allegations of driving under the influence (DUI), also known as operating under the influence or OUI, can happen to anyone. Just recently, a prominent physician was accused of a DUI violation when leaving a local grocery store at 8:30 in the morning. The doctor has a reputation for saving lives and was honored with a "Doctor of the Year" award in 2009. Dr. Kristin Howard was charged after she was involved in an accident when leaving the store. The doctor pled not guilty and is fighting the charges. An OUI ...

Custody and relocation: Looking at the best interests of the child It's difficult enough for children to adjust to life after their parents divorce. After the separation, children now have two households they live in or visit. In ideal circumstances, parents live close by each other so their children don't have to travel far to visit each of them. In some cases, however, it becomes difficult for children when one parent wishes to relocate far away from the other parent. Family law courts recognize the potential detriment this has on children. Therefore, strict rules ...

Potential Benefits of Choosing to Be Taxed as an S-Corp S-Corporations, under the right circumstances, can offer significant tax savings to a business entity. An eligible domestic business entity -- usually a corporation or limited liability company -- elects to be taxed under the S Chapter of the Internal Revenue Code by filing Form 2553 to the IRS. Choosing to be taxed as an S-Corp also requires experienced legal and financial help. Below are just a few considerations on the pros and cons of deciding to be taxed as an S-Corp. Double Taxation Like LLCs, the ...

Women in New Jersey at higher risk of medical debt Debt presents a scary situation for both men and women. Women, however, find themselves at a unique risk when it comes to medical debt. Because of this debt, considering bankruptcy as an option can often turn out to be a positive decision, and there is no shame in getting help. Why women? Women are proven to struggle more with medical debt than men, but why is that the case? A report by the Commonwealth Fund found that 26 percent of women in the United States had trouble paying their medical bills in 2009, indicating ...

Divorce rate on the rise for those over 50 Recent celebrity divorces -- such as the split between Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman, after 30 years of marriage -- have once again focused attention on the increasing number of so-called gray divorces in the United States. The term "gray divorce" is used to refer to splits between couples over 50 years of age. In the past few years, the number of gray divorcesin the U.S. has increased dramatically. In 2009, one out of every four married people over 50 years of age got divorced, amounting to over 600,000 people ...