Renewed Interest In Primary Care Among Medical Students

Renewed Interest In Primary Care Among Medical Students

The U.S. is in dire need of primary care physicians. If the current shortage of doctors continues, it is estimated that by the year 2020 the U.S. health care system will be 40,000 primary care doctors short. However, with the recent health care reform efforts that have taken place, there may be some sliver of hope. This year, family medicine residency programs attracted 1,317 students (133 more than in 2010), which contributed to a record 94% enrollment rate. Furthermore, an additional 100 slots were added nationwide in order to accommodate the increased demand. The reason? Provisions in recent health care reform laws include measures to increase pay for primary care physicians caring for Medicaid patients, as well as those who choose to work in underserved areas. This shortage has been occurring over the past 30 years, largely because students are attracted to specialist jobs which earn higher salaries. "You can't blame students for not opting for primary care when they carry about $160,000 in debt after they leave school," said Dr. Roland Goertz, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. [via CNN]

First Born Children Have More Hay Fever and Food Allergies

First Born Children Have More Hay Fever and Food Allergies

A Japanese study presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, held in San Francisco, suggests that birth order can impact the risk of specific allergies in children. The researchers surveyed the parents of over 13,000 children and found that firstborn children are more likely to have hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and food allergies. In fact, the investigators found that the prevalence of food allergy was 4% among firstborn children, 3.5% among second-born children and 2.6% in children born subsequently. However, they noted that birth order did not affect the prevalence of diseases such as asthma and eczema

How to Choose Successful Research for your PhD or Master's Degree

How to Choose Successful Research for your PhD or Master's Degree After years of graduate school, choosing a great topic for your doctoral dissertation or master's thesis may feel like one of the biggest pressures yet. You're going to be spending months and perhaps years on this research project, and completion of your PhD or master's degree is contingent upon your success. To make things more stressful, your future employment may depend on choosing a topic that appeals to a hiring committee.
Take a deep breath. Yes, this is a difficult decision, but follow your instincts and you'll find your way to an appropriate and meaningful topic. Here are some criteria to keep in mind when choosing a dissertation or thesis topic.
Choose a topic you love. This may be the most important criteria. You're going to be spending so much time with this project, and your quality of life will be much better if these hours are spent enjoyably. What's more, the quality of your research, writing, and arguments will be much better if you feel genuine passion for your work, choose a topic you find both fascinating and socially significant. Never let someone pressure you into writing about a certain topic!
Pick something your advisor finds interesting and is knowledgeable about. Of course, is this is not possible, you might want to change your advisor instead of changing your topic.
Pick a topic that will be helpful in your career path. If your goal is an academic career, pick a topic that you can easily modify into journal articles or a book, and that will lend itself well to future research. If you want to work at a teaching oriented institution, consider a topic you can use in the classroom. If you are going into industry, choose a topic that will make you more marketable. Ask yourself this: how will my topic sound when I discuss it at an academic interview?
Find a topic that establishes your niche in your field. Do your research and find a topic that fits into existing bodies of literature, but that builds upon theory and expands it.
Choose research that is unique. Do significant research to make sure this topic has not been done before. Be creative and choose an idea that stands out from the pack as original and innovative.
Think carefully before you choose a controversial topic. Academics are a sensitive lot, and in every field there are certain topics and positions that will send highly educated people into intellectual temper tantrums. This doesn't mean you should avoid topics that push people's buttons. However, if you choose a controversial topic, think carefully about whether it might restrict your employment, tenure, or publishing opportunities.
Pick a topic that you already have some expertise about. This will help preserve your sanity and get you out the door faster. This isn't the time to explore a brand new area. Along the way, take coursework and write class papers that will help you write your dissertation or thesis.
Pick a manageable topic. This is a huge project, but it isn't your life's research. A good advisor will help you narrow down your topic.
 

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What are some medical and herbal treatments for dysmenorrhea?

Today's question comes from Marilou:

Q: What are some medical and herbal treatments for dysmenorrhea?

A: Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for menstrual cramps and the goal of treatment is to provide relief of symptoms. In some cases where menstrual cramps are due to other conditions, such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis, surgery may help to lessen symptoms. For the majority of people, some over-the-counter and prescriptions medications will work very well. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, taken at regular intervals one to two days prior to the start of menses can reduce symptoms. Prescription strength NSAIDs are also available. Birth control pills, which block ovulation and decrease menstrual flow, can also aid in symptom control. Some natural remedies and supplements have also been shown to be effective. Some of these include omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, thiamine and vitamin E. Speak to your doctor to find the right dose for you. For example, too much magnesium can cause diarrhea and even lead to arrhythmias. Complimentary therapies can also help the pain of menstrual cramps through different pathways and stress reduction. These include yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture, and acupressure.

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I got my GATE Rank, Now What???

Well Guys...
Congratulations to those who cracked GATE and Congrats to those too who couldn't, because you probably have learnt your mistakes, may be in a bitter way... So, don't give up... As the father of Robin Hood said: "Rise And Rise Again Until Lambs Become Lions!" ---Enough of Lecture! Coming to the Point.

Here are some of the institutes and there choice of students :P [Remember, exception is everywhere!]
[%ile mentioned here does not signify as their cut-off. If you got that %ile, then you should look for the left most column!]
 

IISc--------[Top 10 or so.]

NITIE------[98%ile, very tough to get into, 100% Job opportunity.]

IIT-K------ [98%ile, Best Faculties, Tie up with Dr. Reddy's, Superb Recognition]

IIT-B-------[99.5%ile, M.Tech in BME, Toughest to get into, only 3/4 intake from BT, u can consider M.Tech in Environment Engg if u got 99%ile]

IIT-M------ [98%ile, MS]

IIT-KGP--- [99%ile, see last yr's admission report, http://gate.iitkgp.ac.in/mtech/]

IIT-D-------[99%ile Again]

IIT-G-------[96%ile]

IIT-R-------[96%ile]

CCMB----- [The The Best Reserch Lab for Life Science, Offers PhD, If u get thr u r in the Heaven!]
IMTech, Chandigarh--- [PhD, look there site]

NCL ------- [CSIR LAB, PGRPE, Notification will be coming out soon, stipend 25 K, post: junior scientist, Tougher than the Toughrst!]

IIP--------- [Same as above!]

UICT------ ["Den of Biocon", good repo]

Univ. of HYD---- [Best publication record, good repo, have seperate test.]

IT-BHU------------- [94%ile, It's Pale now, but still very good.]

NIT-Rourkela------- [90%ile, I don't have any knowledge regarding NITs.]
NIT-Surathkal------- [Same as above!]
NIT-Durgapur------- [Same as above!]
BITS-P-------------- [If you have got money, it's your place. Best 'Private' College.]
VIT------------------ [Same as above!]
Thapar University --- [Heard that it's good.]
RGCB, Trivandram-- [PhD, Autonomous body, lots of funding for the inst. good repo]
Univ. of Pune-------- [Very very good for BioInfo, don't know anything else!]

IIIT-Hyd------------ [Very very good for BioInfo, Highly expensive, Most (30%) of them get highly paid jobs!]
IIIT-Ahd------------ [Same as above!]

State Level Colleges--- [For <90%ile, if you got the money you can even apply for IISc, but if you are not Fortune's favorite then it'll go in vain :P]

Less than 80 %ile?: Listen to me, (if you wish) try next year again. Rather take up the job in your hand, if you have any, in case! Or study in a low cost Government college/univ. if you get a sit there.

Now, I think none of you should have any more queries regarding choice of colleges/univs.to apply, I hope...

Good Luck and God Bless...

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Mahantesh.I.B
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B.Tech? Cracked GATE? Applying for PhD? Read This, first...

Before everything else, u need to keep in mind that where do thesescholarship funding comes from?

NET qualified students get theirscholarship from CSIR.
GATE qualified students get theirscholarship from MHRD.

MHRD doesn't fund PhDs.

All B.Tech guys, those who apply for PhD based on their GATE ranks are considered under GATE-JRF policy.
Their funding comes from CSIR not MHRD.

======================================================================

CSIR'S GATE QUALIFIED JRF FOR PHD FOR ENGINEERING GRADUATES
 
INTRODUCTION 
CSIR has introduced a new research fellowship in 2002 for the GATE qualified candidates with BE/ BTech/ BArch/ BPharm degree to pursue research leading to PhD. This will be known as the GATE qualified Junior Research Fellowship (JRF-GATE).  JRF's selected under this scheme will have excellent opportunity to work with the CSIR scientists with state-of-art R&D facility and obtain PhD degree. These fellowships are tenable only at CSIR laboratories.
 
WHO CAN APPLY ?
Candidates fulfilling any of the criteria given below are eligible to apply :
 
Fresh BE/ B Tech degree holders with valid GATE score. The selected candidates will have to pursue Ph.D. There can be two possibilities under this:
 
o        Get direct admission to Ph.D programme of University/ IIT/ NIT/REC etc.
o        After joining as JRF-GATE, the candidate may pursue MTech as a part of PhD programme, where their thesis semester (last semester) should be spent at the CSIR laboratory relating to lab specialization in order to keep the continuity for the PhD programme.
OR
Those who are starting the thesis semester of ME/ MTech programme and having valid GATE score and desirous of pursuing PhD.
 
It may be noted that these candidates have to work on their PhD problem and should not be employed in sponsored projects.
 
WHO ARE NOT ELIGIBLE
MTech candidates (either with BTech/ MTech or with  MSc/ MTech) are not eligible for this fellowship. They have a separate opportunity for direct SRFship through interview .  All those eligible for direct CSIR  SRF cannot apply for this fellowship.
 
AGE LIMIT
The upper age limit for JRF shall be 28 yrs which is relaxable upto 5 years in case of candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes, women, physically handicapped and OBC applicants.
 
STIPEND AND TENURE
The fellowship is to be given to a candidate for a total duration of five years within which the candidate is required to complete the PhD degree. This fellowship amount is Rs 16000/- plus HRA per month. In addition, contingency grant of Rs 20,000/- per annum (calculated on pro rata basis for fraction of a year) is available to each fellowship as per the CSIR guidelines.
 
Further on completion of two years as JRF-GATE, the fellowship may be upgraded to SRF-GATE and stipend may be increased to Rs 18000/- per month in the subsequent years on the basis of assessment as per normal CSIR rules.  In exceptional cases where the fellow has completed MTech within one year of joining JRF-GATE, the Director may assess theperformance of the fellow (through a three member assessment committee) and recommend upgradation of the fellowship to SRF-GATE.   All other conditions of JRF-NET will apply.
 
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Selection of these GATE qualified JRF's can be done by the Director of the CSIR laboratories and forwarded to Head, HRDG for the issue of requisite award letters.   Director may permit the candidate to provisionally join JRF-GATE subject to meeting the eligibility criteria and issue of formal award letter from HRDG.

 

IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE NOTED

o        JRF-GATE should register for PhD within two years of joining,  otherwise the fellowship is deemed to be cancelled and withdrawn.  Intimation about PhD registration is to be sent to HRDG.
o        Aim of JRF-GATE is to attain academic excellence and to generate high level science and these fellows are expected to contribute to lab research through a suitable PhD program.
o        JRF-GATE are not to be deployed in any sponsored project.

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What Is Radiation Sickness?

As news of a yet another explosion at the Japanese Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant makes headlines, many are asking about the potential effects of radiation exposure. Radiation from nuclear power plants is considered ionizing radiation, the type that can cause harm to human tissue. Exposure to signifiant levels of ionizing radiation (occurring in one large dose, or a successive amount of small doses) can cause what is called radiation sickness or radiation poisoning. The symptoms of such exposure can range from mild to severe. They include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, bruising, dehydration, hair loss, skin burns, ulcers, bloody stools, bleeding from the nose and mouth, and even sloughing off of skin. Treatment usually involves decontamination – the removal of as much radioactive particles on the outside of your body as possible. Removing your clothing will usually eliminate approximately 90% of particles and washing the skin with soap and water will remove even more. If needed, various oral and injection treatments can be given for damaged bone marrow and internal organs. Chemicals such as iodine, DTPA and Prussian Blue can help extract and remove radioactive particles from the body. Some patients who have severely damaged bone marrows, which compromises one's ability to make blood, may require blood transfusions. Although treatment can often be more complex, hopefully, this will give you a basic understanding of the subject matter.

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Omega-3 Good For Vision

Omega-3 Good For Vision

A new study published in The Archives of Ophthalmology suggests that women who consume more omega-3 fatty acids reduce their chances of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the most common cause of vision loss in the developed world and the leading cause of blindness in Americans over the age of 50. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids, meaning they are necessary for our health, but our bodies are unable to produce them ourselves and, therefore, must obtain them from the foods we consume. The two most studied omega-3 fatty acids are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). In the current study, the risk of AMD was 38% lower in women with the top one-third DHA intake, compared to those with the bottom one-third intake. The risk for women who consumed a lot of EPA was 34% lower. In order to get enough DHA and EPA in your diet, the current recommendation (for people without a history of heart disease) from the American Heart Association is to consume cold water fish at least twice a week. In particular, fatty fish are recommended. These include anchovies, bluefish, carp, catfish, halibut, herring, lake trout, mackerel, pompano, salmon, striped sea bass, tuna (albacore), and whitefish. Omega-3 supplements are also available in pill form over the counter. 

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Recycled Food Packaging May Pose Health Risks

Recycled Food Packaging May Pose Health Risks

European food manufacturers are considering changes to food packaging after Swiss researchers announced that mineral oils found in recycled food containers may pose health risks. Mineral oils are liquid by-products of petroleum processing and are commonly used in newspaper ink. Newspapers are often recycled to make packages for dry food products such as cereal, rice, pasta, and those oils could easily get absorbed into foods unless a protective barrier – thick plastic bags or aluminum foil – is in place. The concern with mineral oil is that excessive exposure has been associated with inflammation of internal organs and cancer in laboratory animals. According to a spokesperson from the Food Safety Laboratory of Switzerland, "One meal has no real effect on health. It is a matter of long-term exposure." As reported by the BBC, British-based cereal marker Jordans has stopped using recycled cardboard, and other manufacturers are moving to packaging that doesn't contain recycled newspaper. Health Canada packaging guidelines already demand vegetable-based inks in food packaging. According to the BBC, the Kellogg's and Weetabix companies are taking steps to reduce the amount of mineral oil in their packaging. [via CBC and BBC]

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First Lupus Drug In 56 Years Approved

First Lupus Drug In 56 Years Approved

The U.S. FDA has approved the first new lupus drug in 56 years. The drug, Benlysta (belimumab), is an injection medication that has been shown to moderately relieve symptoms of the disease. Benlysta is an antibody which works on the immune system. Those treated with the medication had fewer lupus symptoms than those treated with placebo and the most common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, fever, and localized reactions at the injection site. Lupus is a potentially fatal autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, and nervous system. It also affects women more than men. Black women have the highest rates of lupus, followed by Asians, then white women. Ironically, the drug doesn't appear to work effectively in African-Americans, according to the FDA. [via Epoch Times]

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Er Mahantesh.I.Biradar

Amrita Institute of Medical Science

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