Healio Minute Friday, Dec. 20, 2013 Edition: Fracking chemicals called endocrine disrupters, breast cancer patients live longer, drug pairing with niacin lowers cholesterol

What just happened in medicine and why do you care?

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals found at fracking sites

Healio.com/Endocrinology: Researchers believe endocrine-disrupting activity in water close to drilling locations that had experienced spills could raise the risk of reproductive, metabolic, neurological and other diseases. Read more.

Patients with metastatic breast cancer did not improve after surgery

Healio.com/Hematology-Oncology: Tari A. King, MD details results indicating patients are living significantly longer than historical data suggested. Watch video.

Colesevelam plus niacin further lowered cholesterol, offset negative effects

Healio.com/Cardiology: Results demonstrate a safe treatment option for subjects who have dyslipidemia concurrent with impaired fasting glucose, researchers say. Read more.

NAFLD fibrosis score strongly associated with incidence of diabetes

Healio.com/Hepatology: NAFLD as an independent risk factor for incident DM provides an opportunity to implement preventive measures even in euglycemic individuals or even in those without other known risk factors for DM. Read more.

Scales effective for identifying adolescent patients with postpartum depression

Healio.com/Pediatrics: Researchers say that with a wider recognition of the high frequency of postpartum depression on maternal and child health, routine screening as part of postpartum care is essential. Read more.