People who receive primary care from free clinics are less likely to use the emergency department for minor issues, according to a team of medical researchers including Wenke Hwang, associate professor of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine, and his colleagues.

Coating a bone graft with an inorganic compound found in bones and teeth may significantly increase the likelihood of a successful implant, according to Penn State researchers. The researchers -- collaborators from the College of Medicine's Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation and the College of Engineering's Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics -- also believe this method could be used for soft musculoskeletal tissue implants and orthopedic device implants.

Taking oral contraceptives continuously, rather than as traditionally prescribed for each cycle, provides earlier relief for moderate to severe menstrual cramps -- dysmenorrhea -- according to researchers at Penn State College of Medicine.

"Between 50 and 90 percent of women suffer from this condition, and it can really limit work, school, or athletic performance," said Dr. Richard Legro, professor of obstetrics and gynecology. "Previous studies have estimated that dysmenorrhea accounts for 600 million lost work hours and $2 billion annually."

Sleep-deprived surgeons can perform a previously learned task or learn a new task as well as surgeons who are rested, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. However, in sleep-deprived surgeons, the brain must work harder, which could lead to problems during unexpected events. The researchers reached these conclusions using simulations to study the effects of sleepiness on surgeons. "Particularly in surgery, simulation has become the introduction to many procedures for new residents," said Jonathan Tomasko, a research fellow involved in surgical resident training. "Coupled with an 80-hour work week restriction, simulation is becoming increasingly important to ensure an adequate level of skill prior to operation on a patient."

People with Parkinson's disease swing their arms asymmetrically -- one arm swings less than the other -- when walking. This unusual movement is easily detected early when drugs and other interventions may help slow the disease, according to Penn State researchers who used inexpensive accelerometers on the arms of Parkinson's disease patients to measure arm swing.

Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center has taken the first step in a complete renovation of its food services by cutting the ribbon on a new restaurant. The new Au Bon Pain Cafe Bakery replaces the Courtyard Cafe in the College of Medicine.