The “New and Interesting” series features short compilations of select research findings, news articles, and random tidbits in bullet-point format.

• Need for resuscitation at birth associated with lower IQ scores at 8 years of age (Lancet)

• Bariatric surgery outcomes are similar at “centers of excellence” and regular hospitals (Archives of Surgery)

• Cognitive performance of early birds and night owls (Science) – The study conducted at the University of Liège showed that early birds and night owls had similar reaction times 1.5 hours after waking. The night owls, however, outperformed the early birds after 10.5 hours without sleep.

• Long-term survival better with double- rather than single-lung transplants (Johns Hopkins)

• Interim guidance for clinicians on identifying and caring for patients with swine flu (H1N1) (CDC)

• FDA warns consumers to stop using Hydroxycut products (FDA)

• Images of the H1N1 influenza virus (CDC)

The American Lung Association just published their annual State of the Air 2009 (PDF). This is a report that summarizes air pollution levels in cities throughout the United States. Its most interesting and notable feature for the general public are the rankings for most polluted cities, most polluted counties, cleanest cities, and cleanest counties. The three principal reporting categories include short-term particle pollution (24-hour PM_2.5), year-round particle pollution (Annual PM_2.5), and ozone content.

This year’s top 25 most polluted cities by year-round particle pollution (annual PM_2.5):

1. Bakersfield, CA
2. Pittsburgh-New Castle, PA
3. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, CA
4. Visalia-Porterville, CA
5. Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman, AL
6. Hanford-Corcoran, CA
7. Fresno-Madera, CA
8. Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington, OH-KY-IN
9. Detroit-Warren-Flint, MI
10. Cleveland-Akron-Elyria, OH
11. Charleston, WV
12. Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH
13. Louisville-Jefferson County-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, KY-IN
14. Macon-Warner Robbins-Fort Valley, GA
15. St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL
16. Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH
17. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Gainesville, GA-AL
18. Indianapolis-Anderson-Columbus, IN
19. Rome, GA
20. Canton-Massillon, OH
21. York-Hanover-Gettysburg, PA
22. Lancaster, PA
23. New York-Neward-Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA
24. Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV
25. Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, TX

Once again, California takes several of the top spots. The Midwest is also well represented on this list of polluted cities. As for the cleanest cities, Cheyenne (Wyoming) was again ranked the best for long-term pollution, followed by Santa Fe (New Mexico) and Honolulu (Hawaii). So, there is yet another reason to move to Hawai’i.

A meta-analysis of 21 double-blinded randomized control trials shows that a short-course of antibiotics (< or = 5 days) used in standard treatment for acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and COPD is just as effective as longer treatment courses (> 5 days).

Source: El Moussaoui R, Roede BM, Speelman P, et al. Short-course antibiotic treatment in acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and COPD: a meta-analysis of double-blind studies. Thorax 2008;63:415-22.

The American Lung Association just released the 2007 State of the Air, an annual report examining air pollution levels in American cities and counties. The three principal reporting categories include short-term particle pollution (24-hour PM_2.5), year-round particle pollution (Annual PM_2.5), and ozone content. This year’s dishonor for most polluted city goes to the Los Angeles metro (includes Long Beach and Riverside), which leads U.S. cities in all three categories. This is not surprising, given the pervasive orange-gray blanket over the Los Angeles sky. Interestingly, despite strict emission laws, several other Californian cities and counties rank very highly in the list. Detroit (Michigan), home to the automotive industry, shares fourth place with Birmingham, Alabama.

As for the cleanest cities, Cheyenne (Wyoming) was ranked the best for long-term particle pollution, followed by Santa Fe (New Mexico) and Honolulu (Hawaii). To be fair to California, three of its cities (Salinas, Redding, and San Luis Obispo) were included in the top 25.