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MU Scientists Convert Pigs' Connective Tissue Cells Into Stem Cells
For years, proponents have touted the benefits of embryonic stem cell research, but the potential therapies still face hurdles. Side effects such as tumor development, a lack of an effective and long-term animal model to test new therapies, and genetic incompatibility between the host and donor cells are some of the problems faced by researchers. Now, scientists at the University of Missouri have developed the ability to take regular cells from a pig"s connective tissues, known as fibroblasts, and transform them into stem cells, eliminating several of these hurdles. The new study appeared in a recent issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
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Scientists Capture The First Image Of Memories Being Made
The ability to learn and to establish new memories is essential to our daily existence and identity; enabling us to navigate through the world. A new study by researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (The Neuro), McGill University and University of California, Los Angeles has captured an image for the first time of a mechanism, specifically protein translation, which underlies long-term memory formation. The finding provides the first visual evidence that when a new memory is formed new proteins are made locally at the synapse - the connection between nerve cells - increasing the strength of the synaptic connection and reinforcing the memory. The study published in Science, is important for understanding how memory traces are created and the ability to monitor it in real time will allow a detailed understanding of how memories are formed. Drugshop to buy zoloft online and other pills.
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World Bank Report Predicts Contracting Global Economy Will Hurt Poorest Countries
The World Bank released a report Monday, projecting "a 2.9 percent contraction in global GDP this year, as rich countries contract by 4.5 percent," the Wall Street Journal reports. "The crisis of the past two years is having dramatic effects on capital flows to developing countries, and the world appears to be entering an era of lower growth," World Bank Chief Economist Justin Lin said (Burns, Wall Street Journal, 6/22).
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New Study Evaluates Role Of Clinic Environment On Physician Job Satisfaction

Adverse work conditions may be to blame for the decline in the number of primary care physicians nationwide, according to a study published in the latest issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. "Unfavorable work conditions are associated with stress, burnout and intent to leave for primary care physicians," said Dr. Anita Varkey, study author and assistant professor in the department of medicine, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. "These factors contribute to poor job satisfaction, which is among the reasons we are seeing a decrease in the number of primary care physicians." The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that the overall shortage of doctors may grow to 124,400 by 2025. "There are not enough primary care physicians to meet current needs," said Varkey, who also is medical director of the general medicine clinic at Loyola Outpatient Center, Loyola University Health System. "These findings suggest that a chaotic clinic environment may further exacerbate this problem and potentially lead to lower quality of patient care due to physician turnover and lack of continuity in care." Data for this study were collected from 422 family practitioners and general internists and 1,795 of their adult patients with diabetes, hypertension or heart failure at 119 clinics in New York and the Midwest. Study participants were asked about perception of clinic workflow (time pressure and pace), work control, organizational culture, physician satisfaction, stress, burnout and intent to leave practice. More than half of the physicians (53.1 percent) reported time pressure during office visits, 48.1 percent said their work pace was chaotic, 78.4 percent noted low control over their work and 26.5 percent reported burnout. Adverse workflow (time pressure and chaotic environments), low work control and unfavorable organizational culture were strongly associated with low physician satisfaction, high stress, burnout and intent to leave. Some work conditions also were associated with lower quality of patient care and more errors, but findings were inconsistent across work conditions and medical diagnoses. The authors indicated that interventions in primary care clinics should target measures to reduce physician burnout, clinic chaos and work control measures. A healthier workplace for physicians may result in better recruitment and retention of primary care physicians, which may then translate to higher quality patient care. "While further research is needed, health care reform strategies should consider the role that work environment plays in physician job satisfaction and quality of patient care," Varkey added. Notes: Varkey is an internist who specializes in primary care, preventive medicine and women"s health. She sees patients at Loyola Outpatient Center. Co-authors of the Archives study include Linda Baier Manwell, M.S.; James A. Bobula, Ph.D.; Dr. Mark Linzer, Roger L. Brown, Ph.D., all of the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Dr. Ann Maguire of Medical College of Wisconsin; Dr. Bernice Man of Rush Medical College; Dr. Julia McMurry of William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital; Eric S. Williams, Ph.D., of the University of Alabama; Dr. Barbara A. Horner-Ibler, of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Dr. Mark D. Schwartz of Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System. Nora Plunkett Loyola University Health System


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