'Pollution kills... no surprise: 'Traffic exhaust causes ischemic heart disease, a huge new study of 300,000 concludes. When it comes to lung cancer, though, the link is less obvious

'Help for disturbed kids: 'Youth with mental health troubles under are woefully under-serviced, says U of T's Dr Barankan, She designs -- and executes -- programs to train GP/FPs to treat these children.

'CMA prez gives terse warning: '"Third-party payers" call the tune and account for most of the health care system's ills -- they also threaten to permanently destroy the doctor-patient relationship, according to CMA president Dr Sunil Patel.

.What's got his goat?
'No tickee, no problem: 'Put crowded waiting rooms and crammed appointment books behind you by converting to "same day service."

'A healing hand down east:' Can Nova Scotia's new Health Minister, Angus MacIsaac, anchor his minority government on health policy?

'Kids don't spill the beans about sex: 'Dealing with under-age patients who present with serious STD symptoms can be tricky -- especially if they're unwilling to tell the truth about their sex lives.

'Framingham flawed? 'Framingham overestimates the risk of British heart attacks by 50%, suggests new research.

'Canada behind with hypertension: 'Hypertension is scarcely under control in Europe; Canada does better with 17% of hypertensives taking control, but lags behind the US.

'Baby boomers pay the price: 'Knee and hip replacements have surged in popularity among active baby boomers. The surgery is up 90% in the 45-54 age group and shows no signs of peaking.

'Studies say: Adjuvent therapy for breast cancer key: 'Yet more breast cancer studies underline the benefits of adding other therapies to tamoxifen. The evidence is striking but it can be confusing to apply.

'Pain is pain --period: 'It's definitive -- physical and emotional pain originate in the same part of the brain. Researchers speculate on the close association of chronic pain and depression.

'Guys didn't do it: 'Men have little to do with yeast infections in women. Researchers find no link with intercourse but single out saliva as a culprit.

'No sun required: 'A new implant called Melanotan that darkens the skin just like a real tan and lasts a year is now in Phase II trials in Australia.

'Cash only, please: 'Only about 100 physicians have opted out of medicare and most are plastic surgeons. This Quebec GP is glad she did but it hasn't been easy

'Gov't funding for HIV-free AIDS?: 'InterPares receives $5 million a year from the federal government even though some suggest it denies the link between HIV and AIDS.

'The trees will thank us: 'Quebec is adopting electronic prescribing, but is Canada ready to follow suit?

'No tuberculosis, no fear of spiders: 'A TB drug -- D-cycloserine -- appears to help patients conquer their phobias from post-traumatic stress disorder to vertigo.

'Stimulus in a can:' Young people are knocking back energy drinks like there's no tomorrow, but there's more than meets the taste buds -- especially after they add the vodka.

'Still no breakthrough for IBS: 'A cure for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has proven particularly elusive. The latest hope -- cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) -- works no better than anything else.

'It's not my fault I'm fat: 'Underweight babies run a greater risk of obesity and the diseases associated with it. It turns out that maternal smoking plays a big part and so does social class.

'Ethics, schmethics: 'A new UK code of ethics -- put out by the BMA -- runs nearly 900 pages. The Canadian code takes all of three and half. There are those who like it that way.

'Why breach when we can cut? 'Vaginal breech deliveries have all but stopped and the caesarean rate has climbed to 22% -- which is fine with most practitioners. It's outcome that counts, says Term Beech Trial author Dr Mary Hannah.

'Restroom easy: 'A combination of alpha-blockers and dual 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors looks to be the next great hope for men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia.

'Zen & Medicine: 'Physicians, more than most, suffer from a need to control external events; free yourself by embracing the inner world, advises Dr Carolyn Thiedke, Dr Dean Ornish and others.

'Fear of flying: 'The risk of deep vein thrombosis to airline passengers is significant -- and aspirin, legroom and compression stockings don't seem to help a bit.

'Low blood pressure no guarantee: 'Elevated levels of C-reactive protein point to future hypertension even in women who currently have low blood pressure.

'Public defibrillators a bust: 'Making more defibrillators available through police and fire departments and installing them in public places does little to reduce heart attack deaths.

'Electronic health revolution: 'Alberta's new Electronic Health Record which will allow physicians anywhere in the province to access key pieces of any patient's record is off to a cautious start -- but the vital signs are strong.

'Checking their pulse -- and their religion: 'Should you take a "spiritual" history as part of physical exams? Some doctors argue it's just as important -- others beg to differ.

'I want my PDA: 'Some researchers conduct clinical trials by supplying PDAs to enter data. Advantages include speedy results and reduced entry errors. But what's lost when you take away pen and paper?

'My darling, forgive me -- suicide is in the genes: 'Suicide has terrible consequences on surviving family members. It's increasingly clear that this damage lasts for generations. The Hemingway family is a case in point.

'Iron women may be lacking: 'Active women who find their performance has plateaued could be iron deficient even if the tests don't immediately show it.

'Little progress for knees: 'Osteoarthritis of the knee remains difficult to treat -- even symptomatic relief can be hard to find, confirm the new European guidelines.

What To Tell Your Patient
'The virtual pain of a virtual world: 'What do you say to a patient who wants a much-publicized virtual colonoscopy instead of the regular procedure? '

Editorial
Welcome

'Out of patience:' It's time to re-focus on the doctor-patient relationship

'Two words -- Clinical Judgement:' Health reforms are getting in the way of a basic tenet of medical practice. '

Practice Management
See your patient when you both want: Moving to same-day service could save your diary - and your receptionist - a lot of abuse.

Me, myself & I: 'Solo practice seemed the only alternative for this rheumatologist when relationships at his group went sour. The shift was expensive but two years later he's glad he's on his own. '

Pursuits
'Take a tumbler:' Fine wine deserves elegant yet reasonably priced glasses, because they break. To find the glass that's perfect for you, order it online.

'Honey, I lost the kitchen:' Kitchens are undergoing a decorating revolution. Stainless steel and acres of granite are out. "Invisible" appliances and mahogany cabinetry are in.

Classics
Books
'The Alexandria Quartet:' Four classics for the price of one in Lawrence Durrell's 1962 masterpiece.

Film
'Dark Victory:' Transport yourself to the days when men were Humphrey Bogart and women had Bette Davis eyes.

Jazz
'In a Silent Way:' Miles Davis' 1969 classic gets a re-listen.

Opera
'The Magic Flute:' A new production of Mozart's best-loved opera from the Royal Opera House in London captured on DVD.