Search

The article considers the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids. Since the 1970s numerous studies have indicated people with high omega-3 levels have lower blood pressure and less risk of heart disease. However, a meta-analysis of studies published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" in September 2012 called into question the health benefits of omega-3 acids.

The article reports that a study to be published in the February 25, 2009 issue of the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that only 11 percent of treatments recommended to heart patients by cardiologists had been supported by high-quality scientific testing. Most treatment recommendations are based on expert opinion in a field where consensus is rare.

The article reports that a significant number of physicians are reconsidering the safety issues involving the use of drug-coated stents in the treatment of cardiac patients. Studies published in 2006 indicated such stents created a risk of fatal blood clotting. Further research has indicated the risk may be less than those presented by alternative treatments. Worldwide sales of the device fell 80 percent from 2006 to 2007.

The article briefly evaluates four medical studies including research on biomarkers indicating mortality risk in hip fracture patients, omega-3 fatty acids preventing bed sores in critical-care patients, and Tregs cell immune-system regulators identifying young children's risk for Type 1 diabetes.

Reports on the increase in cases of autism in the United States. Debate over the reasons for the increase in reported cases; View of advocacy groups that autism is becoming an epidemic; View of epidemiologists that there are flaws in the way the data has been reported to the public; Investigation into possible causes; Interpretation of research data.