Varian Medical Systems, the Palo Alto-based maker of oncology and X-ray equipment, announced first quarter net earnings were down 1 percent from last year.

The pressure to reduce health care costs continues to grow and more organizations are entering the field of health care outcome research. This week saw the launch of the West Health Policy Center in Washington, DC. It's mission: Find ways to reduce health care costs by $100 billion.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) drew criticism Monday when it released its draft priorities and research agenda, but failed to identify any specific areas of research as many following the group had anticipated.

Researchers at University of California at San Francisco have discovered a new way to monitor growth in brain tumors and improve treatment for people with low-grade glioma, a type of brain cancer.

Harvard University researchers have documented a link between iodinated contrast media used in CT scans and hyperthyroidism, based on a report in the January 23 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Living in poverty is associated with higher rates of ionizing radiation dosage, but only because people with lower incomes are more likely to be sick and require a greater amount of imaging, according to a study in the current issue of the Journal of American College of Radiology.

Health care executives recognize the need for a robust health information exchange, but they largely lack the budget, according to a survey by Beacon Partners.

A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine calls into question the bi-annual screening for osteoporosis that Medicare recommends for women over 65.