August 21, 2007 (Insidermedicine)

From Maryland - A drug that is given once a year to treat the bone-thinning of osteoporosis has been approved by the FDA. The drug Reclast is given by an intravenous infusion over 15 minutes. In a study of  over 7000 women, the drug lowered spinal fractures by 70%. Compliance with pills taken by mouth has been a problem in treating osteoporosis.

From Virginia - It seems we are popping painkillers at surpisingly higher rates. An anlysis of data from the DEA shows that over the last 10 years, use of pain-killers rose by 90%. Part of the rise may be related to a shift to an aging population, but abuse of popular painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin is also to blame.

From Boston - Can you catch obesity? New research  shows that viruses may trigger obesity. The research showed that stem cells retrieved from fat tissue can convert to fat cells when exposed to adenovirus- a type of virus that causes lung and eye infections. More research is needed to better understand this.

And finally from London - As they sayin the real estate market, " location, location, location." According to new research, location can also save lives. For those taken to hospital by ambulance and who were either unconcious or had breathing problems, the risk of death rose by 1% for every additional 6 miles travelled.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Maria Radina.