A lot of people in New York could have asthma and not even know it, according to a recent survey. Researchers from the medical and scientific department of GlaxoSmithKline in Italy surveyed thousands of patients and found that many of them may have asthma despite being diagnosed with a different respiratory disease. They found evidence that underdiagnosis of asthma is a common problem.
Asthma patients may be misdiagnosed with other conditions
Self-driving cars' greatest hazards come from human drivers
The dawn of the self-driving car is upon us, and commuters can expect to see more and more of these vehicles on the streets of New York. Self-driving cars are programmed to drive carefully and obey all laws. They have been designed to err on the side of caution on every occasion, which means that they tend to drive slowly to meet speed limits and stop often. However, numbers have shown that the self-driving cars, have been involved in accidents at twice the rate of human drivers. Researchers believe this is may be caused by the cars' law-obeying behavior, which can be unexpected by human drivers.
Increased risk of death found for accident victims in wheelchairs
Those riding bicycles or traveling on foot are extremely vulnerable on New York roads, but a study conducted by Georgetown University researchers indicates that wheelchair users face even greater dangers. The study, which was published in November 2015 in the medical journal BMJ Open, found that wheelchair users were 36 percent more likely to lose their lives after being struck by a motor vehicle than other pedestrians.
Visual detection of skin cancer questioned
New York residents concerned about the possible health implications of a mole or blemish may be wise to not rely exclusively on a visual skin inspection performed by a doctor, according to researchers from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The independent panel of experts released their recommendations and a review of their findings looking into visual skin cancer screening on Dec. 1. The National Cancer Institute says that 74,000 Americans will have been diagnosed with melanoma by the end of 2015, and almost 10,000 of them will eventually succumb to the disease.
Prostate cancer treatment may increase Alzheimer's risk
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, androgen deprivation therapy, or ADT, increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in prostate cancer patients. The therapy is one of the top methods used to treat prostate cancer in New York and across the United States.
Safety tips for older drivers
Most New York residents love to drive. Not only do many people depend on cars to get them to and from work, they cherish the independence and mobility that driving gives them. However, roadway risks increase as drivers age. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, an average of 586 older drivers are hurt in car accidents each day in the United States. In 2012, more than 5,560 older drivers lost their lives in car accidents.
Study shows more complications for weekend childbirths
New York parents may be interested to learn about a new study that shows more complications occur when expectant mothers are admitted to the hospital for childbirth during the weekend. The study, which was published in a British medical journal, examined the histories of more than 1 million women admitted to British hospitals over a two-year period.
