( American College of Physicians ) Please find two summaries of studies being published in the Dec. 2, 2008 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. The information is not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information. Information in press materials is copyrighted. Please note that Annals of Internal Medicine attribution is required for all coverage .

Hospitalist Interventions May Reduce Emergency Room Crowding Emergency room crowding is a national crisis. However, emergency room-focused interventions have seen little success. Researchers sought to determine if an active bed management, quality improvement initiative could have a positive effect on emergency room throughput and ambulance diversion.

Older people who are depressed are much more likely to develop a dangerous type of internal body fat — the kind that can lead to diabetes and heart disease — than people who are not depressed, a disturbing new study found. The connection goes beyond obesity and suggests some biological link between a person's mental state and fat that collects around the internal organs, scientists said. "For ...

In a survey of almost 400 people published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, almost half either misunderstood warning labels on prescriptions or ignored them altogether. It can be confusing, especially if your prescription bottle is covered with brightly-colored stickers. Here's a guide of what you need to know.

Older people who are depressed are much more likely to develop a dangerous type of internal body fat — the kind that can lead to diabetes and heart disease — than people who are not depressed, a disturbing new study found.

What do poetry, art, literature, film and history have to do with medical practice? "Everything," according to Richard S. Panush, M.D., Chair of Medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, who has pioneered an innovative program bringing humanities to the bedside for residents in internal medicine.

( Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center ) A medication used for high blood pressure does not improve a common form of heart failure, according to new results from a large, international study. The study, which included researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in key leadership positions, appears in this week's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, published ...

A medication used for high blood pressure does not improve a common form of heart failure, according to new results from a large, international study. The study, which included researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in key leadership positions, appears in this week's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, published today.

NYU Langone Medical Center released yesterday the findings of a study on the New York University/Bellevue Primary Care Internal Medicine Residency Program (Bellevue/NYU PC Program), published in the November 2008 issue of Academic Medicine.

Sigma-Aldrich has entered into a research collaboration programme with D-Finitive Cell Technologies, Inc. This collaboration is expected to support the development and commercial offering of 14 products over a two-year span, with a planned launch of many of these products in 2009. These additions to Sigma-Aldrich's growing portfolio of research tools for regenerative medicine are expected to ...

HAWAI'I UNITED OKINAWA ASSOCIATION SENIORS' FAIR, with exhibitors in health and wellness, fitness and nutrition, legal and financial matters, government programs and benefits, travel and leisure, and Medicare, kupuna ID cards, and flu shots (for eligible participants) 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 4, Hawai'i Okinawa Center, Waipi'o Gentry; free; 676-5400.

MANSFIELD - A program to keep town employees healthy and cut insurance costs has netted Mansfield $5,000 in grant money.

Testing for COPD is fast and easy. Strong Memorial Hospital has opened a new dedicated space for Red Cross blood donations. The Life Transitions Center in Webster offers a variety of fitness classes.

The art of breast-feeding: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center, 333 N. Madison St., Joliet. Class covers a wide range of topics. Expectant mothers are encouraged to attend with their support person. Registration fee is $10. Call (815) 725-9438.

TODAY

Send information about free or low-cost health-related events open to the public by noon Monday, one week ahead of publication. Information can be e-mailed to accentbradenton.com. Complete listings can be found at health.Bradenton.com. All addresses are Bradenton, unless otherwise noted.

World Class Health, Fitness, and Sports Performance of Hartland has acquired Kidzhaven, a gym that caters to children.

Things to help keep you focused on health this week.

Blood Pressure Screenings

Pain in your feet could be the serious condition of plantar fasciitis rather than too much partying.