Features

Los Alamos National Laboratory: Computer Simulations Reveal Roots Of Drug Resistance

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Bacterial efflux pumps, such as the P. aeruginosa MexAB-OprM pump shown here, are one of the dominant molecular mechanisms available to Gram-negative pathogens for removing toxins, including antibiotics. Inactivation of the pump assembly and function would be a major step for reducing bacterial multidrug resistance. Courtesy/LANL
 
LANL News:
 
New supercomputer simulations have revealed the role of transport proteins called efflux pumps in creating drug-resistance in bacteria, research that could lead to improving the drugs’ effectiveness against life-threatening
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Letter To The Editor: Government Should Fund Development Of New Antibiotics

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By RICHARD NEBEL
Los Alamos

This is a response to the Post’s recent article (link) from NMDOH concerning antibiotic use, as well as an earlier article that was run concerning sepsis.

About two and a half years ago, I went into the ER with a sore throat and a low-grade fever. I was concerned that I might have strep and they gave me the standard test. It came back negative. The doctor said that it must be viral, so he sent me home with no medication. He suggested that I take some Tylenol for the fever.

Three days later, I went back to the ER.  I had to stop three times walking across the LAMC parking lot to

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NMDOH Urges New Mexicans To Be Antibiotics Aware

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NMDOH News:

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in participating in Be Antibiotics Aware, an educational campaign that encourages patients, families and healthcare professionals to be aware of antibiotics by learning about safe antibiotic prescribing and use.

Antibiotics are a key tool in preventing, treating and eliminating bacterial diseases in both humans and animals. They are only needed for treating certain infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotics do not work against viral infections, such as the cold or flu. Read More

LANL: First Efficacy Study Announced For HIV-1 Preventive ‘Mosaic’ Vaccine

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LANL theoretical biologist Bette Korber. Courtesy/LANL
 
LANL News:
 
International partners are announcing the first efficacy study for an investigational HIV-1-preventive “mosaic” vaccine. Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson are joining forces with The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and National Institutes of Health on this study, and they have enlisted the aid of top researchers worldwide to conduct the trial.
 
The HIV-1 mosaic vaccine in the trial was originally designed at Los Alamos National Laboratory by theoretical
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Luján Pushes Funding For Opioid Treatment

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U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján
 
CONGRESSIONAL News:
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. ― U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) Nov. 30 sent a letter to the leaders of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee urging continued investment to combat the opioid epidemic.
 
Earlier this year, Lujan introduced legislation that would provide $2.5 billion in additional funding for five years at the rate of $500 million a year.
 
More than 64,000 people in the U.S. died of drug overdoses in 2016, the deadliest year on record. That number represents a nationwide increase of more than 20
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Alzheimer’s Semipostal Fundraising Stamp Dedicated

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USPS News:
 
BALTIMORE, MD — Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan dedicated a stamp Thursday to fund research to help find a cure for one of the top 10 leading causes of death — Alzheimer’s.
 
The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Alzheimer’s Semipostal Fundraising stamp took place at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore. Please share the news on social media using the hashtag #AlzheimersStamp.
 
The price of the stamp includes the First-Class Mail single-piece postage rate in effect at the time of purchase
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LAMC’s Rachel Allen Earns 2017 Mercy Award

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From left, LAMC Human Resource Director Jacqui Carroll, 2017 Mercy Award recipient Rachel Allen and CEO John Whiteside at Thursday’s special recognition event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

 

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Medical Center Patient Access Representative Rachel Allen was selected to receive this year’s Mercy Award from LifePoint, the hospital’s parent company.

At a special gathering Thursday at LAMC, Human Resource Director Jacqui Carroll said Allen has been employed at the hospital just a little more Read More

LAVNS Earns HealthInsight New Mexico Award

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LAVNS staff celebrates receiving the HealthInsight New Mexico recognition award. Courtesy photo

LAVNS News:

Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service, Inc. staff celebrates receiving the HealthInsight New Mexico recognition award for ranking in the top 25 percent nationally on Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems. LAVNS is the only agency to receive this award in Northern New Mexico.

The not-for-profit Home Health and Hospice Agency provides intermittent skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, medical Read More

On The Job In Los Alamos: LAMC Advisory Board

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On the job in Los Alamos are members of the Los Alamos Medical Center Advisory Board who met with senior management and medical staff Thursday evening at the hospital. From left, Advisory Board members Geoff Rodgers and Ben Stone, Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Wallace, Interim Chief Financial Officer Jim McGonnell, Board Chair Chuck McCullough, LAMC CEO John Whiteside, Senior Executive Assistant Vicki Martinez, Human Resource Director Jacqui Carroll, board member Patricia Ensberg and Dr. Monica Snowden. Not pictured, Dr. Josiah Child (attended by phone), board members Carol A. Clark (taking Read More

Lead Hazards In Some Holiday Toys And Jewelry

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CDC News:

Protect children from exposure to lead in metal and plastic toys, especially imported toys, antique toys, and toy jewelry.

Many children get toys and toy jewelry as gifts during the holiday season but some toys may contain lead hazards. Lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell.

Children may be exposed to lead by simply handling toys normally. It is normal for toddlers and infants to put toys, fingers and other objects in their mouths. They may also be exposed to lead this way.

Lead in Toys

Toys imported into the United States and antique toys and collectibles often contain lead. Read More