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The next big thing: U-EMS
Mark HuberOver the last decade, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have proven their worth in military applications around the globe. Want to whack a bad guy in Somalia? No problem. An Air Force "pilot" can do so with ease by manipulating a joystick in climate-controlled comfort from a trailer in Nevada. Right now in Afghanistan, unmanned Kaman K-Max helicopters are slinging supplies to Marines in high-risk areas. It’s only a matter of time before they are used to transport the injured out of hot LZs.
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Medical device industry facing tough road ahead
Rosemary SparacioThe business climate in 2013 and beyond will prove to be a challenging one for medical device manufacturers. And with the current government shutdown centering around the Affordable Care Act, one of the sticking points for passage of the funding bill is removing the steep excise tax on medical devices from the equation by delaying funding for the ACA for at least a year.
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Is Parkinson’s disease in the future for Jesse Pinkman of ‘Breaking…
Dr. Denise A. ValentiAMC's television series "Breaking Bad" depicted diverse characters on both sides of the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine. The popular series, which ended its six-year run with a series finale Sept. 29, was known for its raw, graphic and violent depiction of the culture and science behind the making and distribution of illicit drugs.
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New study sheds light on presentation of CTE symptoms
Dorothy L. TenglerScientists have long been aware of the devastation of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is marked by widespread accumulation of an abnormal protein called hyperphosphorylated tau. The disease usually presents with mood and behavioral changes at a young age. However, a new study suggests that clinical presentation could include cognitive symptoms at a later age.
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The Affordable Care Act: They gave it the wrong name
Dr. Jonathan KaplanMost Americans are thinking this major new piece of healthcare legislation, the Affordable Care Act, is going to make health insurance more affordable. Why do most Americans think it's going to be more affordable? Picture me with my hands cupped on both sides of my mouth screaming, "because it's got the word 'affordable' in it!" But this is not the case. Clearly, unarguably, they will be more expensive.
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FDA issues final mobile medical app guidance
Pamela Lewis DolanThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued its final guidance on mobile health apps, ending a two-year wait for developers. The FDA, which issued a draft guidance in July 2011, said it intends to exercise its enforcement discretion and not regulate apps except for those that present a risk to patients if they do not work as intended.
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Study: How cost fits into the transport to a trauma center
Darla FerraraInjuries are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 1 and 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Given that fact, it is understandable that EMS personnel — especially air medical services — look for the nearest trauma center when creating a transportation and treatment plan. But is this always the best choice?
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Complications from laser lipo when not performed by plastic surgeons
Dr. Jonathan KaplanLaser liposuction is powerful and requires training to avoid burning of the skin and extensive scarring. The problem is that most doctors using laser lipo are typically the least trained in liposuction techniques because they aren’t plastic surgeons.
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Misdiagnosis of epilepsy in children is common, but preventable
Dr. Denise A. ValentiA study in 2000 found as many as 20 to 40 percent of epileptics may have been misdiagnosed. In the research, 31 of 74 adult men diagnosed with epilepsy were found to have alternative diagnosis, and this included 13 of 36 men who had been receiving anticonvulsant medications.
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Acquired savant syndrome: A positive side to brain injury?
Maria FrischSavant syndrome is a rare condition in which a person exhibits genius-level ability, such as photographic memory, artistic brilliance or exceptional mathematical skill — in the face of a cognitive handicap.
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