Abbott expanding study of its popular Xience stent

LINDA A. JOHNSON

Abbott Laboratories Inc. is expanding a study of its top-selling heart stent by more than 2,000 patients, who may also be put in a second, landmark stent study meant to find the best way to prevent potentially fatal blood clots.

Aug 13, 2009 | 12:20 pm

White House uses chain mail to counter critics

LIZ SIDOTI

The White House is trying to counter health care criticism that's circulating on the Internet by asking supporters to forward a pro-overhaul chain e-mail.

Aug 13, 2009 | 10:20 am

Study: Weightlifting helps breast cancer survivors

MARILYNN MARCHIONE

Breast cancer survivors have been getting bum advice. For decades, many doctors warned that lifting weights or even heavy groceries could cause painful arm swelling. New research shows that weight training actually helps prevent this problem.

Aug 13, 2009 | 12:10 am

Jam-packed crowds press Grassley on health care

MIKE GLOVER

Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican who is a key bargainer on health care reform, played to packed crowds across the state who left little doubt that they are not happy with what's on the table.

Aug 13, 2009 | 12:05 am

Palin says Obama brushes off reform concerns

MARK THIESSEN

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin claims President Barack Obama is making light of concerns over what she has called "death panels" determining or denying care in the Democratic health care proposal.

Aug 13, 2009 | 12:00 am

Any spread of breast cancer raises risk of return

MARILYNN MARCHIONE

Breast cancer patients with even the tiniest spread of the disease to a lymph node have a much higher risk of it recurring years later and may need more treatment than just surgery, new research suggests.

Aug 12, 2009 | 3:00 pm

Aspirin shows promise for colon cancer patients

CARLA K. JOHNSON

Score another win for the humble aspirin. A study suggests colon cancer patients who took the dirt-cheap wonder drug reduced their risk of death from the disease by nearly 30 percent.

Aug 12, 2009 | 5:30 am

Heart transplant record holder dies of cancer

JAMES HANNAH

A heart transplant recipient who lived a record 31 years with a single donated organ has died at age 51 of cancer, his heart still going strong, his widow said.

Aug 11, 2009 | 3:55 pm

Studies: New osteoporosis drug cuts fracture risk

LINDA A. JOHNSON

A first-of-its-kind osteoporosis drug lowers the risk of bone fractures better than some existing treatments, two studies suggest, and could soon add a more expensive but easier option to the booming market.

Aug 11, 2009 | 2:35 pm

8 cities in US line up for swine flu vaccine test

CHERYL WITTENAUER

Hundreds of Americans in eight cities are lining up for experimental swine flu shots in a race to get a vaccine out in case the new flu virus regains strength this fall and winter.

Aug 11, 2009 | 5:05 am

P.E. injuries on rise: Study finds jump in youth getting hurt in gym class

By CARLA K. JOHNSON Associated Press

CHICAGO - Injuries to American children during physical education classes increased by 150 percent from 1997-2007, a new study finds, a possible drawback to a movement encouraging more vigorous exercise in schools.

Aug 10, 2009 | 3:45 pm | Loading…

• Related: Study stats

Nurse's Notes: Time here to update student physicals

By JAMIE GRANGER for the Missoulian

As we approach the start of a new school year and practices begin for fall sports, it's time to update pre-participation physicals, or sports physicals.

Aug 10, 2009 | 3:40 pm | Loading…

Top insurance lobbyist: August key in health drive

ALAN FRAM

August will be a make-or-break month for the drive to revamp health care, as members of Congress use the recess to either sell the need for an overhaul to voters or continue criticism of the insurance industry, the chief of the insurers' main lobbying arm said Monday.

Aug 10, 2009 | 3:40 pm

Healthy Start: Ensure infant is safely asleep - SIDS is top cause of death for babies under 1

By LACEY HAWKINS for the Missoulian

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby under the age of 1.

Aug 10, 2009 | 3:35 pm | Loading…

Veterinarians using stem cells to treat animals

HILARY LEHMAN

Five-year-old Lucy the Labradoodle's back limbs have been rendered unusable by rheumatoid arthritis, and she must scoot along the ground with her front paws to grab a bone. Her owners believe that a costly stem-cell treatment is the reason she's even lived as long as she has.

Aug 10, 2009 | 7:50 am

Community Medical Center's preemies gather for reunion in Caras Park

By TRISTAN SCOTT of the Missoulian

As the sunny celebration got underway Saturday at Caras Park, it was those guests who arrived earliest that had the most to be thankful for.

Aug 09, 2009 | 11:15 pm | Loading…

Consumer protections lost in health care debate

RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

It's one issue in the health care debate that nearly everyone _ even the insurance lobby _ seems to agree on: Better consumer protections are needed to end the nightmare of not being able to get covered for a treatable, if costly, illness.

Aug 09, 2009 | 7:40 am

China lifts blockade around plague-stricken town

A blockade around a remote northwest Chinese town where deadly pneumonic plague killed three people and sickened nine was lifted after no new infections were reported, an official said Sunday.

Aug 09, 2009 | 12:15 am

Drug industry backing Obama's health care plan

DAVID ESPO

The nation's drugmakers stand ready to spend $150 million to help President Barack Obama overhaul health care this fall, according to numerous officials, a staggering sum that could dwarf attempts to derail his chief domestic priority.

Aug 08, 2009 | 7:50 pm