On the Road Again

With the Democratic National Convention starting today in Denver, and the Twin Cities preparing for next week’s Republican Convention, it’s interesting that tomorrow, August 26th, is Women’s Equality Day. This will mark the 88th anniversary of when the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution became law, and women could vote in the fall elections, including in the Presidential election.

On the news front, we have some excellent reports on the site this week you’ll want to see. Check out the story on a new back surgery which offers less pain, less rehabilitation and less anxiety as it helps give major relief to the people suffering from chronic back pain; a new kidney transplant procedure being tested at Massachusetts General Hospital that may eliminate most post-transplant medication; and news on the “chemical condom” which researchers at the University of Alabama are testing to help block HIV.

Our In-Depth Doctor’s Interview this week is with Evan M. Zahn, M.D., Chief of Cardiology at Miami Children’s Hospital, where he talks with us about the FDA phase one trial of the new Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve. Dr. Zahn calls this a “revolutionary device,” as it’s the first valve that can be placed into the heart without open-heart surgery. From the Medical University of South Carolina is an interesting report on non-acid reflux which can cause chronic cough, asthma, indigestion and nausea. Read the story to learn about the new monitor that can detect reflux when there’s no acid present. And if you or your kids are trying to straighten your teeth with braces, don’t miss our other report from South Carolina about the braces inspired by NASA, where the space-age-like wire being used allows teeth to be straightened about six months faster and with a gentler force.

In case you missed them, you may want to check our past reports, Sunshine Vitamin Protects the Heart or Combined HRT Increases Breast Cancer Risk Premium Content in the Archives may be purchased for as little as $9 for 24-hour, unlimited access. If you would like to access Premium Content for the first time click here.

Finally, I want to congratulate Marsha Hitchcock and Stacie Overton for being finalists in the Freddie Awards for the best health care reporting in the country. This is for Marsha’s 3-part series, “Seeking Immortality” and for Stacie’s 3-part series, “High Tech Humans.” Our two categories in the Freddie Awards are "Communications" and "Basic & Clinical Science." And even as all this is going on, I’m sorry to see Calgary in the rear view mirror. We’re headed to Princess Louisa Inlet, Vancouver, Seattle, Olympia, Park City, and other interesting stops as we wend our way back home to Florida.

And there's more where that came from...

Marjorie Bekaert Thomas
President, Ivanhoe Broadcast News

"Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out"
-- John Wooden