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The Medical Minute: Make mammograms a priority

Having just celebrated Mother's Day, it's a good time for all of us to reflect on the women we love. Although you might not think of this first, did you or that special woman in your life have her mammogram in the past year? If she is at least 40 years old, it's time, according to the latest edition of The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

The Medical Minute: What's the big deal with DVTs anyway?

Deep Venous Thrombosis means you develop a clot in one of the deep veins, usually in the leg or pelvis. In the hospital you're more likely to develop a clot for two reasons. First, you do not move around as much as you do at home. This makes your blood tend to stagnate in your veins, which can lead to clots. Second, your blood is thicker when you're sick due to your body's natural immune response. Your risk of developing a DVT in the hospital without any preventative treatment ranges up to 20 percent for a general medical patient and up to 80 percent for a major trauma patient, according to this week's edition of The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

The Medical Minute: What's the big deal with DVTs anyway?

Deep Venous Thrombosis means you develop a clot in one of the deep veins, usually in the leg or pelvis. In the hospital you're more likely to develop a clot for two reasons. First, you do not move around as much as you do at home. This makes your blood tend to stagnate in your veins, which can lead to clots. Second, your blood is thicker when you're sick due to your body's natural immune response. Your risk of developing a DVT in the hospital without any preventative treatment ranges up to 20 percent for a general medical patient and up to 80 percent for a major trauma patient, according to this week's edition of The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Deep sea rocks point to early oxygen on earth

Red jasper cored from layers 3.46 billion years old suggests that not only did the oceans contain abundant oxygen then, but that the atmosphere was as oxygen rich as it is today, according to Hiroshi Ohmoto, professor of geochemistry, Penn State. This jasper or hematite-rich chert formed in ways similar to the way this rock forms around hydrothermal vents in the deep oceans today.

Deep sea rocks point to early oxygen on earth

Red jasper cored from layers 3.46 billion years old suggests that not only did the oceans contain abundant oxygen then, but that the atmosphere was as oxygen rich as it is today, according to Hiroshi Ohmoto, professor of geochemistry, Penn State. This jasper or hematite-rich chert formed in ways similar to the way this rock forms around hydrothermal vents in the deep oceans today.

Spring break travelers reminded to take precautions for safety

A spring break travel alert for Mexico has been issued by the U.S. Department of State for U.S. citizens traveling to that country. Individuals who may be traveling during spring break to any locale are urged to use common sense precautions. Penn State Police and University Health Services offer some general tips and links for more information about traveling abroad.

Spring break travelers reminded to take precautions for safety

A spring break travel alert for Mexico has been issued by the U.S. Department of State for U.S. citizens traveling to that country. Individuals who may be traveling during spring break to any locale are urged to use common sense precautions. Penn State Police and University Health Services offer some general tips and links for more information about traveling abroad.

Did You Know? Musical Notes from the Penn State Laureate

Q: What is the best age to begin learning to play an instrument? A: Although I am not an expert in child development, my opinion is based on my experience and that of friends in the profession. I think the best time to start a child with music lessons is when a child shows interest in learning to play an instrument.

Did You Know? Musical Notes from the Penn State Laureate

Q: What is the best age to begin learning to play an instrument? A: Although I am not an expert in child development, my opinion is based on my experience and that of friends in the profession. I think the best time to start a child with music lessons is when a child shows interest in learning to play an instrument.

The Medical Minute: Heart disease in women - what's the difference?

February was designated as Heart Month to increase awareness of heart disease. Recently, the American Heart Association's (AHA) Go Red campaign has focused on women and heart disease -- and for good reason. More women die of heart disease than all other causes of death combined. More women than men die from cardiovascular disease which is why women need to be aware of their risk factors, says this week's edition of The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.