Health News:Tarheel Q salmonella outbreak: 1 dead, 280 illnesses ♦ Stress hormone reduces heroin craving ♦ Marked improvement in health, health care for Medicare patients

Tarheel Q salmonella outbreak: 1 dead, 280 illnesses As of July 8, the Salmonella outbreak connected with the Tarheel Q restaurant in Lexington, NC has been designated as over with at least 280 people sickened, according to a July 28 count. One person died. The designation was announced after two incubation periods (six days for most Salmonella cases) had passed without new illnesses

Marked improvement in health, health care for Medicare patients In a 15-year study of older Medicare patients, researchers saw an estimated 20 percent drop in mortality, about 30 percent fewer hospitalizations, and 40 percent reduction in deaths after hospitalization.

Two new tests may make diagnosing and monitoring diabetes easier and more affordable Two new potential methods for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes in its standard and gestational forms. These findings may lead to easier, timelier, and more affordable ways of identifying and treating this chronic disease

Hormones influence unethical behavior Hormones play a two-part role in encouraging and reinforcing cheating and other unethical behavior, according to new research. With cheating scandals a persistent threat on college campuses and financial fraud costing businesses more than $3.7 trillion annually, researchers looked to the reproductive hormone testosterone and the stress hormone cortisol.

Stress hormone reduces heroin craving Every addiction is characterized by a strong desire for a certain addictive substance, be it nicotine, alcohol or other drug. Researchers recently conducted a study on heroin addiction and demonstrated that the stress hormone cortisol can reduce addictive cravings.