Innovative Ideas

     We have a fascinating mix of stories for you to check out on the site this week.

     Doctors at the University of Virginia Health System are using an innovative solution to help patients breathe and live more freely with a hidden incision that delivers oxygen through the trachea, instead of the standard bulky and uncomfortable nasal device. One study found that patients receiving oxygen this way lived an average of two years longer. Patients with low back pain also have a new option on the horizon. Researchers at the VCU Spine Center in Richmond, Virginia are testing a way to re-grow healthy discs in the spine without surgery by using growth factors found naturally in the body. Read the story to learn more about this intriguing process.

     Make sure you also see our In-Depth Doctor’s Interview with John Blebea, MD from Temple University about an on-going trial of a new mechanism for treating resistant high blood pressure. He and other researchers hope to enroll 300 patients from across the country to make a scientific evaluation of the safety and usefulness of a pacemaker-like device which is already showing promising results in bringing down blood pressure.

     Take a look at the report from Miami on how robots are boosting the chances of survival for patients with bladder cancer by removing diseased organs and building new ones from inside the body, and check out ‘Ropes Gone Wild’ and ‘Conductorcise,’ two new exercise trends which are helping both the young and old get in shape. My favorite story this week has some surprising facts about the dangers of energy drinks you may want to know about. Given what I learned - Gabriela Gonzales, don’t expect me to buy you another six-pack of Monster anytime soon

     In case you missed them, you may want to check our past reports, Premium Content in Archives Balloon for Weight Loss or Premium Content in Archives Low Vision Glasses. 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 recently found out about a wonderful organization in central Florida called CourtWatch Florida that monitors domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse cases to make sure the justice system holds perpetrators accountable and doesn't re-victimize the victims. They are a member of the National Association of Court Monitoring Programs and have now trained over 150 volunteers as CourtWatchers and monitored in excess of 7,000 hearings. Laura Williams, Executive Director of CourtWatch Florida, became involved with establishing a court monitoring program in central Florida after a horrible experience of her own. You can learn more about her work at courtwatchflorida.blogspot.com/ and follow her at http://twitter.com/Courtwatcher. If you’d be willing to be a volunteer in central Florida, you can contact her at volunteers@courtwatchflorida.org.