FDAs Decision over Food Irradiation Stirs Debate Sep 3, 2008
FDAs Decision over Food Irradiation Stirs Debate ... FDAs Decision over Food Irradiation Stirs Debate ... Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the irradiation treatment of spinach and lettuce to kill the potential harmful bacteria, pathogens and insects, including causes of food-borne illnesses like E. coli and salmonella. (eFluxMedia)
Produce irradiation approval pleases Sioux City firm Aug 31, 2008
Clemmons and other food industry leaders celebrated a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision, which allows the irradiation of the leafy green vegetables for the first time ... SIOUX CITY -- Zapping fresh produce with a tiny dose of irradiation is a safe and inexpensive way to head off outbreaks of foodborne illness ... The U.S. Food Administration last week approved the use of ionizing radiation for spinach and iceberg lettuce as a health precaution. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Turning up the food safety debate Aug 30, 2008
Last week, U.S. regulators turned the spotlight on a radiation treatment for food that turned the volume on the debate that much higher. Irradiated food has been treated with doses of ionizing radiation to kill potentially harmful bacteria, pathogens and insects, including causes of food-borne illnesses like E. coli and salmonella, just as pasteurization does for milk and pressure cooking does for canned foods ... Irradiation's most obvious benefit is its potential to reduce the number of... (Reuters)
Researchers discover atomic bomb effect results in adult-onset thyroid cancer Aug 29, 2008
PHILADELPHIA Radiation from the atomic bomb blasts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945, likely rearranged chromosomes in some survivors who later developed papillary thyroid cancer as adults, according to Japanese researchers ... D., laboratory chief, Department of Radiobiology and Molecular Epidemiology at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) in Hiroshima ... "Thyroid cancer is associated with exposure to external or internal ionizing radiation.Elucidation of mechanisms of... (EurekAlert!)
Salmonella Outbreak Over: CDC Aug 29, 2008
Last week the FDA approved the use of ionizing radiation to help decontaminate fresh spinach and lettuce. "This should be seen as part of a solution. It isn't a silver bullet," Acheson said. (Newsmax)
Irradiated lettuce & spinach OK? Aug 23, 2008
Irradiation is ionizing radiation, applied to food as gamma rays from radioisotopes, or electron beams or X-rays from machines ... Irradiation extends a product s shelf life ... The Grocery Manufacturers Association of America asked the FDA to approve irradiation of leafy greens several years ago. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
FDA approves radiation for use on spinach, iceberg lettuce Aug 22, 2008
"Food processors will now be able to douse the spinach and iceberg lettuce with up to 4.0 kiloGrays of radiation, also known as 4 kGy. This is nearly seven million times more radiation than is produced by a single chest X-ray. The prrocess beams X-rays at a thin plate of gold or other metal, which then stream out the other side. The radiation energy is absorbed by the food, killing the bacteria and, typically, slightly warming the food as well.The FDA's decision is spelled out in a 25-page... (Anchorage Daily News)
US FDA To Allow Radiation Of Spinach, Lettuce Aug 22, 2008
WASHINGTON - US health regulators have approved the use of ionizing radiation for fresh spinach and lettuce, saying the technique already approved for other foods can help control harmful bacteria and other pathogens. The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday the radiation treatment also would make the leafy greens last longer and give them greater "shelf-life" for retailers and consumers ... Foods already approved for radiation treatment include meat, poultry, spices and molluscan... (Planet Ark, United States)
FDA to allow food producers to irradiate spinach, lettuce Aug 22, 2008
By Julie Schmit, USA TODAY The Food and Drug Administration has approved use of irradiation on spinach and lettuce to kill dangerous bacteria, but companies may have a tough time selling the idea to consumers. The FDA's decision, effective today, adds iceberg lettuce and spinach to the short but growing list of foods approved for irradiation, including meat, poultry and some shellfish ... Like pasteurization of milk and pressure cooking of canned foods, treating food with ionizing radiation can... (USA Today -- Money)
FDA OKs irradiation of spinach, lettuce Aug 22, 2008
FDA to permit irradiation of spinach, lettuce. Article:FDA to permit irradiation of spinach, lettuce:/c/a/2008/08/21/MNAF12GA03 ... DTL Article:FDA to permit irradiation of spinach, lettuce:/c/a/2008/08/21/MNAF12GA03. (San Francisco Chronicle)
New Imaging Technique Could Spot Early Cancers Aug 18, 2008
The technique is faster and costs less than an MRI scan and requires no ionizing radiation like a PET-CT scan, the researchers said. Its ability to look 2 inches deep into the body would make it helpful for looking at tissues in the breast or prostate gland. (Health-Finder)
Harnessing the Power of Bacteria to Protect the Gut Aug 14, 2008
Ionizing radiation and chemotherapy take a particular toll on the intestine and induce apoptosis of stem cells that replenish the villus (Figure 1). In. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Heavy Atoms Can Help Destroy Tumor Cells Aug 12, 2008
One of the fundamental challenges in radiation therapy is to destroy tumors with irradiation while preserving healthy tissue ... In this work, the researchers combined, for the first time, ionic radiation with platinum-enriched cells, using agents such as cis-platinum(2), similar to molecules used in medicine ... These results suggest that the combination of hadrontherapy and the addition of heavy atoms like platinum can improve both tumor targeting and the effectiveness of cancer treatments... (Science Daily)
Wellness director talks about skin cancer protection Jul 30, 2008
Certain environmental exposures are known to play a role in the development of skin cancer, including excessive toxins (chimney soot, tar), ionizing radiation, and certain types of warts. Over exposure. (Atlantic News-Telegraph, IO)
Radioactive material at London 2012 site Jul 16, 2008
"A report on the radium find from the ODA's specialist contractor stated that 'no worker or member of the public has been unnecessarily exposed to ionizing radiation,' which registered low or very low levels of radioactivity.". ALSO ON THIS STORY. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Organics for beginners Jul 16, 2008
That means no use of synthetic pesticides, petroleum-based or sewage-based fertilizers, bioengineering (genetically modified organisms) or ionizing radiation, according to Sheila Barry of Colorado State University Extension in Colorado Springs. There are 55 USDA-accredited inspectors nationwide who check organic operations. (Yuma Daily Sun, AZ)
Solar Stake-out To Improve Space Weather Forecasts Jul 13, 2008
From one multi-year solar cycle to the next, the amount of ultraviolet radiation generated by the sun can change as much as tenfold ... In addition, the ionization of atmosphere gases by EUV and X-ray irradiation disrupts the high-frequency radio communication and decreases the accuracy of GPS systems ... Once recalibrated, the onboard instruments also will be used to check the measurement performance of two other spectrographs desigend to measure the brightness of radiation in portions of the... (Science Daily)
Wellesley DTOX's with their magical machines Jun 27, 2008
The second part of the detox addresses all the radiation we are submitted to by our cell phones, televisions and computers. Ionizing radiation alters the cellular matrix, and it unbalances those cells, Wine said. (Wellesley Townsman, MA)
Extreme design: SuitSat pushes engineers' limits Jun 27, 2008
They also learned how to avoid the Fermi region to prevent arcing, how to handle thermal extremes, and what do about ionizing radiation ... While ionizing radiation and its associated bit-flips and latchups were somewhat of a concern, the low-earth orbit at about 400 to 500 km, and the short life expectancy of the satellite, gave this problem low priority ... While convection or forced-air cooling can be used on earth, the vacuum of space meant the designers had to rely on black-body radiation... (EETimes)
Basal DNA repair machinery is subject to positive selection in ionizing-radiation-resistant bacteria Jun 22, 2008
Ionizing-radiation-resistant bacteria (IRRB) show a surprising capacity for adaptation to ionizing radiation and desiccation. Positive Darwinian selection is expected to play an important role in this trait, but no data are currently available regarding the role of positive adaptive selection in resistance to ionizing-radiation and tolerance of desiccation ... We analyzed the four known genome sequences of IRRB (Deinococcus geothermalis, Deinococcus radiodurans, Kineococcus radiotolerans, and... (BioMed Central)
Microsemi Radiation Hardened Transistors Earn New DSCC Qualification Jun 20, 2008
June 20, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Microsemi Corporation (NasdaqGS: - ), a leading manufacturer of high performance analog/mixed signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors, announced today that DSCC qualification has been granted on 19 new Microsemi radiation hardened transistor devices and 10 new die designed for space applications ... They are specifically designed to meet the severe environmental and radiation conditions that exist in space where component selection is... (Primezone Releases)
Radiation for health Jun 19, 2008
Could exposure to low doses of radiation cure our ills. For decades, we have been told that exposure to radiation is dangerous ... But, what if a short-term controlled exposure to a low dose of radiation were good for our health. (EurekAlert!)
Is Radiation Good For You? Jun 19, 2008
Says Radiation Does A Body Good - Health News Story - KFOX El Paso ... Says Radiation Does A Body Good ... Radiation Said To Help Blood, Stops Infection. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Dismal state of medical X-ray safety Jun 6, 2008
This leads to unnecessary radiation doses to patients due to repeat examinations ... A more recent survey of 30 mammography clinics in Mumbai revealed that patients are needlessly exposed to high radiation doses ... For all types of examinations except skull, the skin doses were mostly within the reference levels published in the Basic Safety Standards for Protection against Ionizing Radiation and the Safety of Radiation Sources. (Hindu)
X-rays Often Repeated For Patients In Developing Countries Jun 1, 2008
"Poor image quality constitutes a major source of unnecessary radiation to patients in developing countries," emphasizes Dr. Madan Rehani of the IAEA Division of Radiation, Waste and Transport Safety, which carried out the survey under technical cooperation (TC) projects of the IAEA. "Fortunately, we?re moving forward to help countries improve the situation and have shown definite improvements." ... Project counterparts in these countries worked through IAEA-supported regional technical... (Science Daily)
Cumulative Radiation Exposure Shows Increased Cancer Risk For Emergency Department Patients May 31, 2008
ScienceDaily (May 30, 2008) According to a new study, patients are receiving estimated doses of radiation from medical diagnostic imaging studies, such as CT (or CAT ) scans, that may be detrimental to their long term health, putting them at an increased risk of developing cancer. To date, emergency physicians have not been made aware of the cumulative amount of radiation that their patients receive ... Led by Timothy B. Bullard, M.D., M.B.A of the Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC), the... (Science Daily)
Certain Tests in ERs Raise Cancer Risk for Some May 31, 2008
Study found too many X-rays, CT scans and nuclear medicine tests led to radiation buildup ... THURSDAY, May 29 (HealthDay News) -- Long-term buildup of radiation resulting from repeated emergency room X-rays and scans may be placing some patients at an increased risk for developing cancer, new research suggests ... At issue are routine testing procedures -- currently in widespread use in hospitals across the United States -- that emit a certain degree of ionizing radiation. (MEDLINEplus)
Aquatic Animal's Genome Captures Foreign DNA May 30, 2008
Nearly all other multicellular animals have strong safeguards against foreign DNA, but bdelloids' seeming embrace of genetic detritus is in keeping with their general quirkiness: Shunning sex and entirely lacking males, the ubiquitous creatures are also extraordinarily resistant to radiation, as Meselson and Gladyshev demonstrated earlier this year in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ... 27, 2008) Scientists have found that a common class of freshwater... (Science Daily)
How to make microwaves on a chip to replace X-rays for medical imaging and security May 30, 2008
Is microwave radiation the nondestructive imaging technology of the future. Microwaves with frequencies from a few hundred gigahertz (GHz) up to slightly over 1 terahertz (THz), penetrate just a short distance into surfaces without the ionizing damage caused by X-rays. (EurekAlert!)
Brain tumors still rare; cellphone link is unproven May 26, 2008
People exposed to high-dose radiation and possibly high-dose chemotherapy, such as treatment for childhood cancers, are one of the few established environmental causes of glioma, and genetic factors may determine the degree of risk from these exposures, according to the consortium. A study of Israeli children who underwent radiation for a scalp condition showed an association between ionizing radiation and brain tumors. (Boston Globe)
Researchers find way to make tumor cells easier to destroy May 7, 2008
Tumors have a unique vulnerability that can be exploited to make them more sensitive to heat and radiation, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report. The Washington University radiation oncology researchers found that tumors have a built-in mechanism that protects them from heat (hyperthermia) damage and most likely decreases the benefit of hyperthermia and radiation as a combined therapy ... By interfering with that protection, the researchers have shown that... (EurekAlert!)
Local students take science fair by storm Apr 20, 2008
Renee' Jolissaint, a Plaquemine High senior, captured fourth place in plant science for "Effects on Plant Growth by Ionizing Radiation.". Winners in the Junior Division for grades six to eight included Madeline LeBlanc, a sixth grader at East Iberville Elementary School, for her exhibit "Amylase Activity in Food," which took fourth place in biochemistry. (Plaquemine Post South, LA)
An Earth Day look at nuclear energy, climate change Apr 15, 2008
Additionally, how many know that the 2006 Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) study conducted by the National Academy of Science determined that there are no safe levels of radiation exposure ... C-10 s primary role as an agency is to conduct real time monitoring of the radiation levels emanating from Seabrook Station ... The foundation receives its funding through a 10 percent assessment from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, or MEMA. These funds are provided by the... (Amesbury News, MA)
Dr. Mom Was Right -- And Wrong -- About Washing Fruits And Vegetables Apr 14, 2008
Now, new findings from scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggest that irradiation, a food treatment currently being reviewed by the FDA, can effectively kill internalized pathogens that are beyond the reach of conventional chemical sanitizers. Irradiation exposes food to a source of electron beams, creating positive and negative charges ... "This is the first study to look at the use of irradiation on bacteria that reside inside the inner spaces of a leaf or buried within a... (Science Daily)
New Drug Prevents Radiation Damage Apr 13, 2008
Radiation damage is one of the most frightening aspects of catastrophic nuclear events but, more often, cancer patients suffer the gut-wrenching side effects of the radiation that is administered in an effort to kill the tumor and save the life ... Andrei Gudkov, affiliated with the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, has developed CBLB502, the code name for his new drug that protects healthy cells from the damage caused by radiation even while killing off the cancerous cells ... When healthy cells... (MedHeadlines)
USDA scientists say irradiation could be key to food safety Apr 12, 2008
Al Seib / Los Angeles TimesCALIFORNIA SPINACH: New research suggests that irradiation may be the only way to penetrate leafy greens and kill bacteria inside ... Al Seib / Los Angeles TimesCALIFORNIA SPINACH: New research suggests that irradiation may be the only way to penetrate leafy greens and kill bacteria inside ... But new research shows the steps that California companies rely on to protect consumers do not kill dangerous bacteria inside the leaves, whereas zapping them with radiation... (Los Angeles Times)
Washing Produce May Not Fight Poisoning Apr 12, 2008
Irradiation Kills Microbes Inside Leaves ... But radiation kills microbes that go inside the food, including E. coli and salmonella, the agency said ... Ionizing radiation, in contrast, significantly reduced the pathogen population in both the spinach and the lettuce leaves by more than 99 percent. (Click2Houston, TX)
New procedure in diagnosing small bowel disorders proves efficient and effective Apr 12, 2008
Both of these techniques are associated with increased exposure to radiation. PET-CT enteroclysis is a new promising technique, but also requires ionizing radiation ... This examination is simple, non-invasive, without radiation, cheap and can be used as an initial investigation in patients with suspected small bowel diseases, he said. (EurekAlert!)
Treating Uterine Fibroids with Ultrasound Safe and Effective Apr 11, 2008
In contrast to having major abdominal surgery with possible removal of their uterus, a patient can have a safe and effective, totally noninvasive procedure in an outpatient setting without the risks of general anesthesia, no ionizing radiation and a much shorter recovery period, said Dr. Arleo. Patients have returned to work as early as one day after MRgFUS, instead of approximately three days after UAE or six weeks after a myomectomy or hysterectomy, she said. (Newsmax)
Is DNA Repair A Substitute For Sex? Apr 6, 2008
In the first PNAS paper, MBL adjunct scientist Matthew Meselson and Eugene Gladyshev, both of Harvard University, demonstrate the enormous DNA repair capacity of bdelloid rotifers by zapping them with ionizing radiation (gamma rays), which has the effect of shattering its DNA into many pieces. We kept exposing them to more and more radiation, and they didn t die and they didn t die and they didn t die, says Mark Welch ... Even at five times the levels of radiation that all other animals are... (Science Daily)
Climate Change Is Not Caused By Cosmic Rays, According To New Research Apr 4, 2008
At the high altitudes and latitudes commercial airlines fly, crews are subjected to higher-than-normal radiation levels from the sun and cosmic rays. . (Science Daily)
Looking For Life On Mars? Search For Cellulose Apr 1, 2008
"So in looking for evidence of life on Mars, for bacteria or higher plants that existed on Mars or other planets in the solar system, then looking for cellulose in salt deposits is probably a very good way to go. Cellulose appears to be highly stable and more resistant to ionizing radiation than DNA. And if it is relatively resistant to harsh conditions such as those found in space, it may provide the ideal 'paper trail' in the search for life on other planets.". Co-authors along with Griffith... (Science Daily)
For the paper trail of life on Mars or other planets, find cellulose Mar 31, 2008
Cellulose appears to be highly stable and more resistant to ionizing radiation than DNA. And if it is relatively resistant to harsh conditions such as those found in space, it may provide the ideal paper trail in the search for life on other planets. . (EurekAlert!)
Are teenage brains really different? Mar 29, 2008
Pinning down these differences in a rigorous way had been elusive until MRI was developed, offering the capacity to provide extremely accurate quantifications of brain anatomy and physiology without the use of ionizing radiation. Writing in the article, Dr. Giedd comments, Adolescence is a time of substantial neurobiological and behavioral change, but the teen brain is not a broken or defective adult brain. (EurekAlert!)
Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority Releases March Advisory Highlighting Communication Issues That Affect Patient Safety Mar 28, 2008
March 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pregnant patients received x-rays (ionizing radiation) in over 90 cases reported to the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority in which many of the patients had indicated they were not pregnant, according to analysis published in the Authority's March 2008 Patient Safety Advisory ... Risk also varies depending upon the radiation dose and the period of gestation of the fetus ... "However, we also give several prevention strategies for facilities to consider... (PR Newswire)
Common Aquatic Animals Show Extreme Resistance To Radiation Mar 28, 2008
27, 2008) Scientists at Harvard University have found that a common class of freshwater invertebrate animals called bdelloid rotifers are extraordinarily resistant to ionizing radiation, surviving and continuing to reproduce after doses of gamma radiation much greater than that tolerated by any other animal species studied to date ... Because free radicals such as those generated by radiation have been implicated in inflammation, cancer, and aging in higher organisms, the findings -- published... (Science Daily)
Mounting evidence shows red wine antioxidant kills cancer Mar 26, 2008
The research has many implications for patients, said lead author Paul Okunieff, M.D., chief of Radiation Oncology at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Although red wine consumption during chemotherapy or radiation treatment has not been well studied, it is not "contraindicated," Okunieff said ... In fact, the research suggests resveratrol not only reaches its intended target, injuring the nexus of malignant cells, but at the same time protects... (EurekAlert!)
Black Fungus Found in Chernobyl Eats Harmful Radiation Mar 3, 2008
The fungus Cladosporium sphaerospermum can harness dangerous radiation to grow. Fungi could eat dangerous radiation to survive, an unexpected finding that could one day help feed astronauts in space at least those willing to eat a crawling fungus ... The fungus was rich with , the same pigment that gives human skin its color, protecting the skin from solar and ultraviolet radiation. (Fox News)
Essential and distinct roles of the F-box and helicase domains of Fbh1 in DNA damage repair Mar 3, 2008
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are induced by exogenous insults such as ionizing radiation and chemical exposure, and they can also arise as a consequence of stalled or collapsed DNA replication forks. Failure to repair DSBs can lead to genomic instability or cell death and cancer in higher eukaryotes. (BioMed Central)
Gene Found To Play A Suppressor Role In Skin Cancer Development Feb 8, 2008
ATF2 is a protein that regulates gene transcription, which is the first step in the translation of genetic code, in response to extracellular stresses such as ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation ... 9, 2006) Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a molecular mechanism that may play a crucial role in cancer's ability to resist chemotherapy and radiation treatment and that also may be involved in. (Science Daily)
Could A Nanotube-based Drug Prevent Radiation Injury? Jan 30, 2008
Could A Nanotube-based Drug Prevent Radiation Injury ... Could A Nanotube-based Drug Prevent Radiation Injury ... 29, 2008) The Department of Defense has commissioned a nine-month study from Rice University chemists and scientists in the Texas Medical Center to determine whether a new drug based on carbon nanotubes can help prevent people from dying of acute radiation injury following radiation exposure. (Science Daily)
Nuclear Plant Workers Show Higher Cancer Risks Jan 30, 2008
"It is plausible," Richardson and his colleagues write, "that occupational hazards, including asbestos and ionizing radiation, contribute to these excesses.". The findings highlight the importance of ongoing government research into former nuclear workers' health, according to the researchers. (MEDLINEplus)
Feds fund study of drug that may prevent radiation injury Jan 28, 2008
The Department of Defense has commissioned a nine-month study from Rice University chemists and scientists in the Texas Medical Center to determine whether a new drug based on carbon nanotubes can help prevent people from dying of acute radiation injury following radiation exposure. The new study was commissioned after preliminary tests found the drug was greater than 5,000 times more effective at reducing the effects of acute radiation injury than the most effective drugs currently available... (EurekAlert!)
High-energy ultrasound sharpens view of liver tumors Jan 8, 2008
The study suggests that the imaging method known as Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) ultrasound might offer a new tool for screening patients at increased risk for liver cancers, according to the researchers ... Ultrasound has advantages in that it is widely available, low cost and doesn't expose patients to ionizing radiation. (EurekAlert!)
Breast Cancer Imaging Jan 6, 2008
It has the advantages of flexible angles of visualization and not using ionizing radiation. However, it is an expensive modality with questionable screening capabilities. (Suite101.com)
Imaging Diagnostic Systems CEO Announces Retirement Dec 28, 2007
The procedure is non-invasive, painless, and does not expose the patient to ionizing radiation or painful breast compression. CTLM is designed to be used in conjunction with mammography. (PR Newswire)
Nuclear Medicine Procedures Can Trigger Radiation Alarms In Public Places, Surprising Patients Dec 15, 2007
"Patients undergoing diagnostic procedures are less likely than patients undergoing therapeutic procedures to be informed that they could activate radiation alarms in public places," said Armin Ansari, a health physicist in the radiation studies branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Ga. "We also found that many health care professionals who administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients or who communicate with them regarding the radiation safety aspects of their... (Science Daily)
Fear versus science Dec 15, 2007
None of the foods produced through mutagen breeding is labeled "mutagen bred" or "engineered using ionizing radiation or toxic chemicals.". 1. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
Coal Ash is More Radioactive than Nuclear Waste Dec 14, 2007
By burning away all the pesky carbon and other impurities, coal power plants produce heaps of radiation ... CONCENTRATED RADIATION: By burning coal into ash, power plants concentrate the trace amounts of radioactive elements within the black rock ... In fact, fly ash a by-product from burning coal for power contains up to 100 times more radiation than nuclear waste. (Scientific American)
Radiation Exposure Of Pregnant Women More Than Doubles In Ten Years Nov 30, 2007
"Through medical imaging examinations, we are exposing pregnant women to twice the amount of radiation as we did 10 years ago," said Elizabeth Lazarus, M.D., assistant professor of diagnostic imaging at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University in Providence, R.I. "Overall, the levels of radiation to which we are exposing pregnant women are low, but they do carry a slight risk of harm to the developing fetus.". The researchers conducted a retrospective review of selected imaging... (Science Daily)
More CT Scans Mean Higher Radiation Exposure Nov 30, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - US researchers argue that the growth in the number of CT scans performed over the years has increased the likelihood of higher radiation exposures, which may result in a significant public health problem ... David J. Brenner and Eric J. Hall, from Columbia University Medical Center in New York, discuss the radiation dose in CT scans -- which use x-rays -- the biologic effect of low doses of ionizing radiation, and the risks of CT use ... This increase in CT usage is... (MEDLINEplus)
CT Scan Cancer Risk Underestimated, Study Says Nov 29, 2007
Over 20 Million People Unnecessarily Exposed To Radiation From CT Scans Each Year, Study Suggests ... Over 20 Million People Unnecessarily Exposed To Radiation From CT Scans Each Year, Study Suggests ... This is of particular concern, because perhaps one-third of all CT scans performed in the United States may not be medically necessary, the radiation researchers say. (Science Daily)
Columbia researchers: Growth of CT scan use may lead to significant public health problem Nov 29, 2007
This is of particular concern, because perhaps one-third of all CT scans performed in the United States may not be medically necessary, the radiation researchers say ... Because CT scans result in a far larger radiation exposure compared with conventional plain-film X-ray, this has resulted in a marked increase in the average personal radiation exposure in the United States, which has about doubled since 1980, largely because of the increased CT usage ... It used to be widely believed that all... (EurekAlert!)
New Device Will Make Quality Control Of Radiotherapy Treatments Possible Nov 28, 2007
27, 2007) The research team from the Department of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Granada (UGR), together with the Department of Radiology at the Hospital Virgen de las Nieves in Granada, have designed a portable and low-cost device which can measure the ionizing radiation someone is exposed to, for example, during radiotherapy ... Ionizing radiations play a vital role in the treatment and diagnosis of malignant neoplastic illnesses as well as in the diagnosis of other... (Science Daily)
Study sees rise in imaging exams for pregnant women Nov 27, 2007
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Pregnant women are receiving more high-tech imaging exams, exposing their babies to higher doses of radiation than a decade ago, a study said on Tuesday ... While the levels of radiation exposure are low, they carry a slight risk of harm to the developing fetus, said study author Elizabeth Lazarus, a professor of diagnostic imaging at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island ... An abdominal ultrasound, a routine exam performed... (Yahoo News -- Top Stories)
