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Embryo Movement Stimulates Joint Formation
A new study uncovers a molecular mechanism that explains why joints fail to develop in embryos with paralyzed limbs. The research, published by Cell Press in the May issue of the journal Developmental Cell, answers a longstanding question about the influence of muscle activity on developing joints and underscores the critical contribution of movement to regulation of a signaling pathway that is important during development and beyond.
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House Democrats Unveil Health Care Reform Proposal
House Democratic leaders on Tuesday unveiled a health care reform bill that aims to extend coverage to 37 million U.S. residents over 10 years, the Washington Post reports. According to Democratic aides, the bill would ensure that 97% of U.S. residents are insured by 2015 (Montgomery/Connolly, Washington Post, 7/15). The bill would require employers and individuals to get health insurance coverage or pay into a fund (AP/Google.com, 7/14). To help people obtain insurance, the bill would increase Medicaid eligibility and provide tax credits to those with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level, or about $43,000 for an individual (Washington Post, 7/15). The bill would establish a government-run public plan option designed to compete with private insurers (Frank, Reuters, 7/14). The bill also includes several provisions designed to slow the growth of Medicare (Pear/Herszenhorn, New York Times, 7/15).The bill does not include total cost figures, and it is unclear whether last-minute changes by its sponsors would satisfy moderate and conservative Democrats who last week refused to support the legislation, according to the AP/Google.com (AP/Google.com, 7/14). The Congressional Budget Office estimated yesterday that the bill would cost $1 trillion over 10 years, though more information is needed before final cost estimates are released. A new surtax on higher-income residents is projected to cover more than half of the bill"s cost over 10 years, with smaller amounts of funding from changes to the corporate tax code, according to the Post (Washington Post, 7/15).
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Ignorance May Not Be Bliss, Brain Response To Information About The Future Suggests
New research demonstrates that single neurons in the reward center of the brain process not only primitive rewards but also more abstract, cognitive rewards related to the quest for information about the future. The study, published by Cell Press in the July 16 issue of the journal Neuron, enhances our understanding of learning and suggests that current theories of reward should be revised to include the effect of information seeking.
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Registered Dietitians - A Cost Effective Investment In Health For Canadians

Dietitians of Canada (DC) released a report today describing the integral role played by registered dietitians, as members of multi-disciplinary teams that contribute to promoting and supporting health among Canadians. The Role of Registered Dietitians in Primary Health Care: Moving Forward - A National Perspective presents evidence for the cost-effectiveness of nutrition services in the prevention and treatment of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and heart disease. According to Dr. Paula Brauer, Associate Professor at the University of Guelph and co-author of the DC Role Paper, "Nutrition is one of the basic ways that people can better manage their own health. Dietitians, with their unique set of skills and food and nutrition expertise, provide needed support and guidance in both the public health and primary care systems." In preparing this paper DC identified many successful programs and approaches that have been documented in the scientific literature where registered dietitians have played a key role and saved health care dollars: - Improved health of children: Prenatal nutrition programs that target high-risk pregnant women have been shown to improve long-term health outcomes in children. The Montreal Diet Dispensary is an example of such an approach where individualized screening and diet counseling by registered dietitians, along with nutritious food supplements, have reduced the incidence of low birth weight and preterm births. It is estimated that these measures have saved up to $41 million annually in treatment costs. The Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program is a further example where the leadership and expertise of dietitians has led to reducing the risk of low birth weight infants and increasing the proportion of mothers who breastfeed. - Prevention and treatment of obesity: Obesity prevention requires a multi-sector approach with efforts invested in all stages of the lifecycle. Registered dietitians working in public health promote the active living and healthy eating message in communities, schools and workplaces. For treatment of overweight and obesity, the Obesity Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend comprehensive lifestyle intervention, including nutrition counseling provided by a registered dietitian. Support provided by registered dietitians in primary health care centres and doctors" offices has been shown to reduce the risk of developing diabetes by close to 60%, and with long-lasting results. - Better chronic disease management. Nutrition and other lifestyle changes are cornerstones in the management of hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. In many cases these changes reduce medication costs and use of the health system. A dietitian-led program for adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, which consisted of individual and group education, support and referrals to community res over one year, was recently evaluated. This intervention, in comparison to usual care, led to modest reductions in health care costs resulting from fewer hospital admissions. The DC Role Paper provides far-reaching recommendations, addressed to the dietetic profession, educators, researchers, health care practitioners and policy-makers, designed to enhance access by the public to the services of registered dietitians as a cost-effective investment in the health of Canadians. A copy of The Role of Registered Dietitians in Primary Health Care: Moving Forward - A National Perspective is available on the DC website at http://www.dietitians.ca/news/highlights_positions.asp Dietitians of Canada


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