Check it out: Cardiogenesis Comments On The STAR-Heart Study Presented At European Society Of Cardiology (ESC) 2010 Congress

You wake up feeling crummy. Should you drag yourself to work and risk infecting coworkers? Or should you phone in sick, even though your boss desperately needs you to pitch in during a stressful week? ... more

Mayo Clinic researchers found that healthy young people who put on as little as 9 pounds of fat, specifically in the abdomen, are at risk for developing endothelial cell dysfunction. Endothelial cells ... more

A combination of Chinese herbs in use for more than 1,800 years reduced the gastrointestinal side effects of chemotherapy in mice, while actually enhancing the effects of the cancer treatment, Yale Un ... more

Researchers have developed an improved coating technique that could strengthen the connection between titanium joint-replacement implants and a patient's own bone. The stronger connection ndash; crea ... more

Researchers have provided the first direct evidence using a biological marker, to show chronic stress plays an important role in heart attacks. The scientists developed a method to measure cortisol levels in hair providing an accurate assessment of stress levels in the months prior to an acute event such as a heart attack. ... more

Researchers have identified unique metabolic properties that allow a specific type of stem cell in the body to survive and replicate in low-oxygen environments. ... more

Researchers from across the US, as part of the Infantile Spasms Working Group, established guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of infantile spasms. The goal of the ISWG is to improve patient outcomes by creating protocols that educate pediatricians on early diagnosis and treatment options. ... more

In 2005 an outbreak of the H5N1 ��bird flu �� virus in South East Asia led to widespread fear with predictions that the intercontinental migration of wild birds could lead to global pandemic. Such fears were never realised, and now new research reveals why the global spread of bird flu by direct migration of wildfowl is unlikely, while also providing a new framework for quantifying the risk of avian-borne diseases. ... more

A large international study aimed at improving the care of muscular dystrophy patients worldwide is being launched by physicians, physical therapists, and researchers around the world. The study will compare treatments for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common form of the disease that affects children. ... more

Researchers have found that people with Parkinson's disease can perform automated tasks better than people without the disease, but have significant difficulty switching from easy to hard tasks. ... more

Good morning, everyone. How are you today? Slowing down just a bit, perhaps? Here in the states, of course, a three-day weekend is fast approaching. And so we will pull in the sidewalks early. We hope you have the opportunity to do the same. Meanwhile, here are a few nuggets to help you close out the week. Whatever you do over the next few days, may it be enjoyable. Cheers #8230; Celldex Says Pfizer Ends Cancer Vaccine Deal (Reuters) Allergan Steps Up Overseas Clinical Trials (CBS News) Novartis ... more

Hired someone new and exciting? Promoted a rising star? Finally solved that hard-to-fill spot? Share the news with us and we ��ll share with it others. That ��s right. Send us your announcements and we ��ll find a home for them. Don ��t be shy. Everyone wants to know who is coming and going, especially with all the layoffs. Despite the downsizing, there is movement. Here are some of the latest changes. Recognize anyone? And here is something that ��s become a regular feature. Send us a photo and ... more

The speculation earlier this week that Roche was planning a round of cutbacks is, in fact, on the money. After a scheduled managerial meeting, the drugmaker issued a statement using the usual euphemisms to signal job losses - Roche will #8220;adapt cost structures and accelerate productivity improvements. #8221; There were scant details provided, other than that the entire organization will be reviewed in coming months and an announcement will be made by year #8217;s end. One analyst tells Reut ... more

More than 48 percent of all Americans took at least one prescription drug each month in 2008, which amounts to a 10 percent increase over the previous decade, according to a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the use of multiple prescription meds rose by 20 percent, while the use of five of more drugs increased by 70 percent. In fact, one out of every five Americans was using five or more drugs by 2008, and one out of every five children used at least one pres ... more

Danish investor Ib Sonderby is stepping up the pressure on Elan. The dissident shareholder, who recently launched a web site called Save Elan in which he has launched tirades against Elan ceo Kelly Martin, will hold a conference call next Wed., Sept. 8, to introduce four people he would like to install on the board. The move is the latest step in Sonderby #8217;s quest to overthrow Martin, who he has accused of having various undisclosed conflicts of interest and simply being overpaid. Earlier t ... more

In what is being described as the first judgment of its kind in the UK, a family was awarded nearly $140,000 after a medical assessment panel consisting of two doctors and an attorney concluded that the MMR vaccine was to blame for the brain damage suffered by Robert Fletcher. He was vaccinated at 13 months and is now 18 years old, confined to a wheelchair and requires round-the-clock care. His parents applied for compensation under the UK government ��s Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme, but were r ... more

Roche launches restructuring plan | Swisster: "Swiss pharmaceutical giant, Roche announced the launch of a what it called a 'Group-wide Operational Excellence initiative' on Friday 'in view of mounting pressures to curb healthcare costs �� especially in the United States and Europe'.It's unclear how the group's 80,000 worldwide staff will be affected, though Roche said in a press release that its experts will review and analyse how the company operates over the next few months before announcing ... more

Roche launches restructuring plan | Swisster: "Swiss pharmaceutical giant, Roche announced the launch of a what it called a 'Group-wide Operational Excellence initiative' on Friday 'in view of mounting pressures to curb healthcare costs �� especially in the United States and Europe'.It's unclear how the group's 80,000 worldwide staff will be affected, though Roche said in a press release that its experts will review and analyse how the company operates over the next few months before announcing ... more

As the nation becomes more aware of health issues related to nutrition and lifestyle choices, communities are struggling to find ways to make healthy living easier. The University of Missouri is helping communities turn healthy ideas into sustainable changes through the Healthy Lifestyle Initiative... ... more

Stress can take a daily toll on us that has broad physical and psychological implications. Science has long documented the effect of extreme stress, such as war, injury or traumatic grief on humans. Typically, such situations cause victims to decrease their food intake and body weight... ... more

The workshop provides a forum for clinicians and scientists to share research results and discuss new developments: ESHRE Campus symposium, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 24-25 September 2010... ... more

For many Americans fat is the new "norm." More and more people are unable to accurately describe themselves using their height-to-weight ratio known as body mass index the scale that determines levels of overweight and obesity, a new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll found... ... more

This fact sheet provides basic information about hawthorn #8212;common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Hawthorn is a spiny, flowering shrub or small tree of the rose family. The species of hawthorn discussed here are native to northern European regions and grow throughout the world.What Hawthorn Is Used ForHawthorn fruit has been used for heart disease since the first century. It has also been used for digestive and kidney problems.More recently, hawthorn ... more

FDA has granted clearance for a next-generation catheter-based coronary imaging system to help detect and characterize lipid core coronary plaques. Medscape Medical News ... more

The old, cheap diabetes drug metformin is attracting notice as a chemoprevention agent. Medscape Medical News ... more

A new study suggests stimulating mental activity compresses the course of cognitive decline in older people by slowing it before onset of dementia but producing a more precipitous drop afterward. Medscape Medical News ... more

A new study reports that outpatient psychotherapy use by the general population remains stable, but its use in mental care centers is significantly less than psychotropics. Medscape Medical News ... more

Although there was no benefit of doubling the clopidogrel dose in the overall ACS population studied, benefits were suggested in the PCI subgroup. But are these robust enough? Heartwire ... more

As a new study reports a link, in direct contrast to a previous recent study, experts emphasize that patients need to be reminded about how to take these drugs. Medscape Medical News ... more

Those with PTSD at greater risk than peers with combat injuries but no stress disorder, study found Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Dementia, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Veterans and Military Health ... more

Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll finds 30 percent of those overweight think they're normal sizeSource: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Body Weight, Obesity ... more

Here's how it could impair your liver Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Page: Cirrhosis ... more

Be prepared before you put baby in the tub Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Page: Infant and Newborn Care ... more

Companies are cutting healthcare costs further amid a continuing sour economy, scaling back benefits and shifting a greater share of the expense to employees. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Page: Health Insurance ... more

Greater odds if you're younger than 65, have a history of drug abuse and depression, and use psychiatric meds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Drug Abuse, Pain Relievers, Prescription Drug Abuse ... more

Statins, asthma meds, antidepressants and stimulants top the list Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Health Statistics, Medicines ... more

Feds advise shoring up homes, storing water and food, and monitoring radio, TV Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Page: Hurricanes ... more

An experimental Novartis drug can clear malaria infection in mice with a single dose and scientists say it shows promise as a possible future treatment for one of the world's major killer diseases.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Page: Malaria ... more

Study finds long-distance friends less likely to sway behavior than close-knit social networks Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Page: Healthy Living ... more

But they want to be asked before info enters a national database, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Clinical Trials, Patient Rights ... more

A cell phone text message -- and the buzz or beep that signals its arrival -- may not help a woman remember to pop her birth control pill, a new study suggests.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Page: Birth Control ... more

Wearing a programmable wristwatch could help children manage their daytime bladder control problems, a new study suggests.Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Children's Health, Urinary Incontinence ... more

Instead, depressive symptoms likely to increase, study finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Smoking and Youth, Teen Mental Health ... more

'Code Blue' emergencies at VA center declined 57 percent in first two years, study shows Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Cardiac Arrest, Health Facilities ... more

5 years of meds such as Boniva, Fosamax almost doubles chances, but actual risk still low, researchers say Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Pages: Drug Safety, Esophageal Cancer, Osteoporosis ... more

Source: HealthDay - Related MedlinePlus Pages: Drinking Water, Weight Control ... more

by Melanie Lane, MDI am a medical doctor.  I am also called an allopath, someone who practices ��Western medicine. ��We allopaths like data, proof, science, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.  We want to know the ��mechanism of action. ��  We want someone to prove that yoga or medication or some procedure actually helps your depression or blood pressure or back pain and that these treatments are safe before we prescribe them.  We feel more confident about our treat ... more

by Colin Son, MDThe primary care-specialist pay gap is a popular target for those eager for reform. The gap is hailed independently as an example of and a cause of the lack of focus on primary care and prevention in the United States.There is no doubt that the United States treats primary care, preventative care and triage much differently than most of the rest of the developed world. The distribution of primary care to specialists, especially procedure based specialists, favors the specia ... more

by Edward Pullen, MDThis evening I went to a meeting of many of the independent physicians in our community who came together to discuss ways we can help each other to remain viable as relatively small independent practices of medicine.  Two things about the meeting really hit home for me.First is how seldom I get to meet socially with my fellow physicians in the community.  Now that many of us use hospitalists to take care of our patients when they need to be hospitalized, we seldom s ... more

Apparently, Sen Ron Wyden (D-IHOP) agrees with us that the so-called Individual Mandate is evil. Previously, of course, he was all for it; in fact, it was a centerpiece of his own "Healthy Americans Act." But that was then, and this is now:"Last week Mr. Wyden sent a letter to Oregon health authority director Bruce Goldberg, encouraging the state to seek a waiver from certain ObamaCare rules ... One little-known provision of the bill allows states to opt out [of the mandate] ... I believe that t ... more

What does the Capitol Visitors Center and Obamacare have in common?The CVC was supposed to make it easier for visitors to access Washington landmarks and make their visit more pleasant.The CVC originally was supposed to take 4 years to build at a budget of $71 million. When completed it took 8 years and cost $621 million.Obamacrap is supposed to make health insurance more affordable and accessible to everyone, regardless of their age, gender or existing medical conditions.The initial estimate is ... more

Sitting here slack-jawed and scratching my head, I can't help but wonder why the President of the United States and the Democrats in Congress completely ignore a Mexican invasion of the sovereign U.S. soil. Mexican Drug Cartels Now Control Parts of Arizona - Click here for more amazing video s reports: The federal government has posted signs along a major interstate highway in Arizona, more than 100 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, warning travelers the area is unsafe because of drug a ... more

Spiff points out over at Red County that the Lamestream media is all abuzz with headlines gleefully screaming: Feds sue Arizona sheriff in civil rights probe. Yet, while Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio gets cruxified in the media, I knew little about his background until reading Spiffs' post suggesting we take a deep breath and remind ourselves that this career lawman is no slouch, and certainly not 'just' a county sheriff. If you're like me, while I've been well aware of his tough stance ag ... more

An "October Surprise" is coming, for sure. We know it is, these are Chicago-machine style politicians we're dealing with at the WH. So it's a good thing that, via Hugh Hewitt, Jim Geraghty "the Indispensabl,e" who has long had the assistance of political oracle "Obi-Wan." has returned in a post at today's Campaign Spot, which should be read very closely indeed by all candidates and activists - and likely voters, as well. Here's an excerpt of the key Q A with Geraghty: Q: The atmosphere can ... more

Here are possible warning signs ... more

It's been linked to fewer health problems ... more

Without vigilant adherence to childhood immunizations, outbreaks could return, experts say ... more

New Malaria Drug Shows Promise: Study Double Hand Transplant Patient Doing 'Fantastic' Study Questions Cleanliness Of Home Kitchens /div ... more

U.S. Agriculture Department spokesman said inspectors don't recall anyone raising concerns ... more

Comparison found no significant difference in breathlessness levels among terminally ill ... more

Birth Control Major Depressive Disorder Sexually Transmitted Disease Screening /div ... more

The American Red Cross is on the ground in fourteen states along the East Coast as Hurricane Earl heads toward North Carolina with sustained winds of 140 mph. Red Cross shelters are expected to open this afternoon in North Carolina, and additional shelters are poised to open in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with emergency planning continuing in ten other states along the coast. Up-to-date shelter location information is readily available on here by clicking "Find a Shelter... ... more

Elsevier announced the publication of four important position statements from the European Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS) in the journal Maturitas on common management problems in the post-reproductive health of women. The statements cover the management of the menopause in the context of obesity, epilepsy, endometriosis and premature ovarian failure. Each statement has summary recommendations as a quick aid for the busy clinician... ... more

Research from the University of Kent, in association with the Teacher Support Network, has found that teachers who want to be happier should not try to please everyone and should have a greater say in setting targets. The research, which was conducted by Julian Childs and Dr Joachim Stoeber from the University's School of Psychology, also shows that teachers with career aspirations and a goal to learn are happier than those facing unrealistic standards. Other findings include teachers who set hi ... more

German scientists from Tübingen and Mainz have developed a blood test that can reliably detect gene doping even after 56 days. Scientists at the universities in Tübingen and Mainz have developed a test that can provide conclusive proof of gene doping. "For the first time, a direct method is now available that uses conventional blood samples to detect doping via gene transfer and is still effective if the actual doping took place up to 56 days before," Professor Perikles Simon, MD, PhD from ... more

Many people with developmental disability are sedentary and obese, have poor diet, and consequently suffer from conditions such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Promoting healthy lifestyles for this group is the aim of a new project that teams University of Illinois at Chicago researchers with two community-based nonprofit organizations in Albuquerque, N.M. and suburban Chicago... ... more

Prompted by clinical research into the early initiation of antiretroviral therapies for HIV performed at the GHESKIO clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the World Health Organization (WHO) has revised its treatment protocols for HIV patients. Final results from the four-year study, led by Weill Cornell Medical College's infectious and tropical disease experts, were published in the July 15 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine... ... more

Three University of Massachusetts Amherst scientists have received a four-year, $1.2 million EUREKA grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study folding and misfolding of secretory proteins in the cell's protein factory, the endoplasmic reticulum, where misfolding can lead to diseases such as cystic fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. EUREKA stands for Exceptional, Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration... ... more

Kidney transplants that show a combination of fibrosis (scarring) and inflammation after one year are at higher risk of long-term transplant failure, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN). To identify these abnormalities, doctors would need to perform routine biopsies on apparently normal kidney transplants rather than waiting for problems to occur... ... more

Nova Southeastern University recently received a $2.1-million federal grant to provide training to improve care for South Florida's large geriatric population now and for the future. The 5-year grant will expand training and geriatric education for students, faculty, and health care professionals, with the long-term goal of increasing the number of professionals working in geriatrics. NSU's medical school, the College of Osteopathic Medicine, received the grant to fund its Florida Coastal Geri ... more

Cardiogenesis Corporation (OTCQB: CGCP), released comments regarding the STAR-heart study. The STAR-heart study, which was presented at the European Society of Cardiology 2010 Congress in August 2010, reported that the intracoronary injection of autologous stem cells derived from bone marrow is associated with improved hemodynamics and long term survival in the treatment of chronic heart failure. The study involved 391 patients with chronic heart failure due to ischemic cardiomyopathy... ... more

In an effort to bring greater awareness to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS Challenge, Inc. has created a 13-week television series to help women with PCOS. PCOS is estimated to affect one-in-ten women of childbearing age. It can lead to other serious conditions including endometrial cancer, obesity, diabetes and infertility. "We created the PCOS Challenge television series because, despite affecting one-in-ten women, PCOS gets very little attention in the media and most people are unaware of t ... more

For many Americans fat is the new "norm." More and more people are unable to accurately describe themselves using their height-to-weight ratio known as body mass index the scale that determines levels of overweight and obesity, a new Harris Interactive/HealthDay poll found. The poll revealed that 30 percent of overweight people think they're actually normal size, 70 percent of obese people feel they are merely overweight, and 39 percent of morbidly obese people think they are overweight but ... more

Why is it so hard to isolate and purify human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)? Why has no one been able to see, by electron microscopy, a single HIV particle in the blood of AIDS patients, even those who have a "high viral load"? Why does HIV seem to mutate with startling rapidity? AIDS researchers have not been able to come up with answers to these questions. HERVs human endogenous retroviruses might provide explanations that have been overlooked for 20 years, writes Professor Etienne de Harven, ... more

Cetero Research, the leading early-stage contract research organization (CRO), is launching a series of scientific seminars, "An Accelerated Path to Proof-of-Concept in Drug Development," designed to help pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers learn the latest innovations in Phase I and IIa clinical trial designs. The sessions will familiarize attendees with techniques and study designs to save time and money when bringing new drugs to market. The seven-city series starts on September 15 i ... more

In preparation for the new school year The Children's Center's is gearing up their early intervention programs for families and children with autistic spectrum disorders between the ages 18 months to 6 years old. The Children's Center (TCC) recognizes one of the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States affecting our children is Autism. That's why TCC is offering back to school support to families of children with autism spectrum disorder. The Children's Center's P.L.A.Y. ... more

Patricia Russo, chairman of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America provided keynote remarks and joined Steve Pasierb, Partnership CEO and Ken Winters, PhD., chairman of the organization's science advisory board and professor at the University of Minnesota, to review a number of new research-based programs from the Partnership at the National Prevention Network Prevention Research Conference. According to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nine million people in America under t ... more

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that Cincinnati and Detroit are the two final pilot communities selected under the new Beacon Community Program that is using health information technology to help tackle leading health problems in communities across the country. At the same time, the program will also allow HHS to look for new ways to share the lessons learned by funded communities and, working with local and national health care foundations, develop support networks for other com ... more

Results from studies related to Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s (Nasdaq: OPTR) lead developmental product candidate, fidaxomicin, will be presented at the 50th Annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) to be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston on September 12-15, 2010. Fidaxomicin abstracts and speakers include: "Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of Fidaxomicin (FDX) Versus Vancomycin (VAN) in Treatment of Recurrent Clostridium ... more

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified the molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. The discovery could lead to development of a simple dietary remedy for many of the more than 23 million Americans suffering from diabetes and other conditions. Writing in the advance online edition of the September 3 issue of the journal Cell, Jerrold Olefsky, MD, and colleagues ident ... more

Twenty-first-century pharmaceutical breakthroughs require 21st-century drug discovery tools, such as computational or in silico molecular design and high-throughput screening of effective, new compounds. That's the theme of a University at Buffalo symposium to be held Sept. 11 on "Twenty-first Century Bioscience: In Silico Methods and High-Throughput Screening," which will feature a variety of cutting-edge advances in the field developed by researchers in Western New York and throughout the US. ... more

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia's Self Care Program has won Australia's leading health promotion award for its rheumatoid arthritis campaign. The Australian Journal of Pharmacy Award for the Best Health Promotion of the Year was last night presented to the Self Care campaign. Self Care's Health campaigns are designed to educate and raise pharmacy staff and public awareness of particular health conditions... ... more

As pharmacy begins implementing a renewed legislative framework, it is timely to reflect on professional behaviour and the implications of the new legislation on the profession's Code of Ethics. Revision of the current Code of Conduct is underway, with the revised Code intended to be applicable to all scopes of professional practice in pharmacy, and this issue will be examined in a presentation at PAC 10 by Dr Betty B. Chaar, Lecturer in Pharmacy Ethics and Practice, University of Sydney, Facult ... more

Debunking Medicare Myths Kaiser Health News What's needed most today in American health care is innovative change which drives up productivity and value. With the right incentives, that's what the private sector can deliver, even as it's been clear for some time that the federal government cannot do likewise (James Capretta, 9/2)... ... more

San Francisco Chronicle: "A report released Wednesday found foreclosures have not only economic consequences, but create health problems for the people and families involved -- and those effects can ripple throughout a community. In a survey of nearly 400 residents in two Oakland neighborhoods particularly hard hit by the foreclosure crisis, the Alameda County Public Health Department and Causa Justa/Just Cause, a housing rights group, teamed up to look at how people undergoing foreclosure exper ... more

Chicago Tribune: "Target Corp., renewing its push into retail medicine, will open eight new clinics in the Chicago area and Palm Beach, Fla., giving a boost to a form of health care delivery that has seen slower growth amid the economic downturn. The Minneapolis-based retail giant launched its first health clinic four years ago but has not been as aggressive as rivals CVS/Caremark Corp. and Walgreen Co., which have opened several hundred clinics in recent years. ... ... more

MarketWatch: More warnings about credit cards - including those to pay for health care services - are coming from New York's elected officials. Sen. Charles Schumer sent a letter to the Federal Reserve noting a 256 percent leap in solicitations to consumers for professional and business credit cards. Schumer raises these concerns "on the heels of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's launch of an industry-wide probe into predatory lending in the health-care realm. ... ... more

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) has asked the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to consider changes to the Controlled Substances Act regulatory framework to improve timely access to controlled medications for residents in long-term care settings... ... more

The growth rate of health spending is at its slowest in a half-century, "a sign that people are forgoing medical care during the recession," according to an "analysis of government data" by USA Today. "Spending on doctors, hospitals, drugs and other medical care climbed at a 2.7% annual rate per person in the first half of 2010, the smallest increase since the Bureau of Economic Analysis began tracking medical care in 1959. When inflation is taken into account, spending per person actually fell ... more

Democrats are likely to again push to give billions in health coverage assistance to Ground Zero workers when they return from their recess, Roll Call reports. "A Democratic leadership aide said Tuesday that the bill likely would get the green light for floor action shortly after the House returns Sept. 14 in conjunction with events planned to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks." The bill failed to get a 2/3 majority in the House in late July and "touched off a h ... more

The Wall Street Journal: "The two scientists behind the lawsuit that has temporarily blocked federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research said Wednesday they were motivated by ethical objections to destroying human embryos for medical research. The scientists, James Sherley of Boston and Theresa Deisher of Seattle, had never met until this week, when they flew to Washington to confer with House and Senate aides and lobby against research using embryonic stem cells. They were recruited separa ... more

The recent salmonella outbreak/egg recall is raising questions about whether the FDA is fulfilling its regulatory role, PBS' NewsHour reports. "For the past few years, it's been one food safety scare after another. There was E. coli-laced spinach, salmonella-tainted peppers. ... There have also been problems with drugs. The ingredients in a contaminated blood thinner came from China. And whether the tainted products are from abroad or the United States, it's the Food and Drug Administration's jo ... more

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which is tasked with enforcing safety and health legislation, should take doctors-in-training under its purview, consumer and health advocacy groups said today in a petition sent to the agency. Resident physicians work shifts as long as 30 hours as often as three times a week, which can lead to physician fatigue and medical errors. Exhausted resident physicians are at increased risk of being in a car crash and suffering from depression, ... more

A new Commonwealth Fund report estimates that "about 16.6 million workers are employed by small businesses that are eligible for health insurance tax credits" under the new health law but only 3.4 million of them are at companies that will take advantage of the credits, The Washington Post reports, adding that those businesses already offer their employees health insurance. "Those firms that do not offer coverage are unlikely to consider the tax breaks enough of a financial incentive to start do ... more

News outlets are reporting that some states and businesses who oppose parts or all of the health reform law are applying for the financial relief it provides. The Hill: "About two dozen businesses associated with high-profile opposition to the healthcare reform law are taking advantage of a provision that helps pay for their retirees' medical bills, according to a review of federal records by The Hill... ... more

Treatments modelled on the cancer drug Gleevec could potentially prevent the formation of amyloid plaques - one of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease according to a study. Treatments modelled on the cancer drug Gleevec could potentially prevent the formation of amyloid plaques - one of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease according to a study published in the journal Nature. Researchers at the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience in the U.S. tested the drug on mice a ... more

The Second Annual Medical Device Connectivity Conference Exhibition, organized by The Center for Business Innovation (TCBI), will be held on September 28-29, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego, CA. This groundbreaking conference and exhibition features an outstanding agenda with nationally recognized experts from healthcare provider organizations, academia, manufacturers and elsewhere... ... more

Celsion Corporation (Nasdaq: CLSN), a biotechnology drug development company, announced that it has been awarded a competitive Phase I Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to support the proposal, "New Thermal Sensitive Carboplatin Liposomes for Cancer". This funding will support the Company's efforts to develop its proprietary heat-activated liposomal technology in combination with carboplatin, an approved and frequently used oncolo ... more

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (NYSE:EBS) announced today that it has signed a contract valued at up to $28.7 million with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), an institute within the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for advanced development of the company's third generation anthrax vaccine candidate. The award of this contract increases to over $58 million the total potential development funding from NIAID for this product... ... more

Scientists are developing a new antimalarial drug with a novel mechanism of action which shows promise for clearing a Plasmodium (malaria parasite) infection after a single dose, according to an article published in the journal Science. Scientists say the antimalarial candidate, called spiroindolone NITD609 has a novel compound and will most likely be the next generation for drug resistant malaria. The authors write that spiroindolone NITD609 is effective against both Plasmodium (P.) falciparum ... more

Mr John Moloney T.D., Minister for Disability and Mental Health noted the publication of the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) Annual Report for 2009. The Report details the initiatives by the NOSP, HSE staff and many community and voluntary groups around the country who are working in the area of suicide prevention and are bringing forward ideas and initiatives to tackle this very serious problem. The Annual Report also contains the latest data on suicide from the Central Statistics ... more

Farmers across the East Midlands are being reminded to wear safety straps when driving their tractors, especially during the busy harvest period. Not wearing a lap strap or seat restraint puts farmers at greater risk of being thrown from the cab and crushed between the tractor and the ground. They are also putting themselves at risk of serious injury from being thrown around inside the cab. Over the past ten years almost one in four (24 per cent) fatal accidents in agriculture have involved work ... more

Installers, designers, maintenance firms and manufacturers of electric gates, are being urged to seriously consider new safety advice issued by the Health and Safety Executive today, following the recent deaths of two children involving these gates. The safety alert points out that limiting the closing forces of gates alone will not provide sufficient protection to meet the relevant standards, and installers must fit additional safeguards to gates in public areas... ... more

A new study, to be presented at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's annual conference 5-6 September 2010, shows that treating minor ailments such as coughs, colds and indigestion in community pharmacies rather than GP surgeries is a very cost effective use of NHS resources. Around 57 million GP consultations take place every year for minor ailments at an estimated cost of £2 million1... ... more

A new study suggests that patients can play an important part in reducing medicines wastage by ensuring unused medicines are removed from their repeat prescriptions. Unwanted medicines returned to community pharmacies by patients are estimated to cost the NHS at least £100 million a year. The study, to be presented at the Royal Pharmaceutical annual conference on 5-6 September, examined the number of medicine packs returned after public education campaigns in Guernsey and Alderney... ... more

New models, reinforced by in vivo experimentation, show why 5-10% of bone fractures don't heal properly, and how these cases may be treated to restart the healing process. Results of the model, published September 2 in the open-access journal PLoS Computational Biology, may benefit the ageing population in which the occurrence of bone fractures is expected to rise substantially in the near future. In 5 to 10% of bone fracture cases, the healing process does not succeed in repairing the bone, whi ... more

New research based on a study at Bradford Teaching Hospitals, shows that hospital inpatients are, on average, likely to miss out on almost 10% of their medication doses. The study, will be presented at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's annual conference 5-6th September. Overall, 9.7% of prescribed medicines were omitted. However, this could be explained by a variety of reasons, including 'nil by mouth' policies after surgery, specific advice from a health professional to withhold doses and very ... more

Under a recently signed agreement, the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) and the Ukraine's International Radioecology Laboratory (IRL) will collaborate on radiation ecology research, including projects in the region impacted by the catastrophic accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant 24 years ago. Researchers at IRL use the area around Chernobyl as an extensive laboratory for studying the effects of radioactive contamination and methods of decontam ... more

Award presentation at the 23rd Congress of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology in Amsterdam, The Netherlands The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) is pleased to announce Moussa B. H. Youdim as the recipient of the 2010 ECNP Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his innovative and lasting contribution to the area of neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric drug development. The ECNP Lifetime Achievement Award is presented biennially and recognises signif ... more

The National Institutes of Health has announced that it has awarded the first new grants under the Biomedical Research on the International Space Station (BioMed-ISS) initiative, a collaborative effort between NIH and NASA. Using a special microgravity environment that Earth-based laboratories cannot replicate, researchers will explore fundamental questions about important health issues, such as how bones and the immune system get weak. "Through this initiative, the NIH is proud to continue its ... more

Using two of the planet's largest, creative online communities -- World of Warcraft gamers and Etsy artists -- as their laboratory, two Indiana University Bloomington researchers hope to understand how the inner workings of such massive, networked collaborations could benefit scientists, corporations and the very IT designers who facilitated the success of the two online communities... ... more

From catastrophic floods in Pakistan that have left millions homeless and hungry to the aftermath of Haiti's devastating earthquake, relief efforts are under way in many parts of the world where disasters have brought food crises along with destruction. In Africa's Sahel region, severe drought has been followed by floods that are now threatening the food security of millions of people among the world's poorest. More than half of Niger's population - some 7 million people - as well as millions mo ... more

Congolese Community Leaders Warned U.N. About Security; 240 Rape Victims Now Identified "Congolese community leaders say they begged local U.N. officials and army commanders to protect villagers days before rebels gang-raped scores of people, from a month-old baby boy to a 110-year-old great-great-grandmother," the Associated Press reports. The Walikale Civil Association "first sounded the alarm on July 25," in a meeting with the Congolese army and local authorities and first warned the U.N ... more

U.S., Other Countries Must Develop Strategy To Ensure Honest, Transparent Pakistani Rebuilding A Washington Post editorial encouraging the U.S. to generously support Pakistan as it recovers from major flooding, states: the "humanitarian interest is heightened by Pakistan's centrality to America's national security interests. The Obama administration must seize this chance to deepen and broaden what is already a large commitment, lest Pakistan become even more of a breeding ground for terror ... more

Inter Press Service examines how some African countries are benefiting from the global agriculture fund the G8 pledged $22 billion to in July 2009. According to the article, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which seeks to increase African spending on agriculture to foster more growth, "has received a major boost as several countries have begun drawing" on the G8 money. "The World Bank is administering the funds... ... more

A group of more than 350 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concluded a U.N. forum in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday with a call for world leaders to step up their commitments to achieving the U.N. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Australian Associated Press/Sydney Morning Herald reports (Rose, 9/1). "In a wide-ranging declaration adopted at the end of the three-day meeting ... participants stressed that achieving the MDGs, which world leaders have pledged to do by 2015, 'is a ... more

Regional Director of WHO for Africa Luis Sambo discussed during the 60th session of the Africa Committee of the WHO how the global economic situation could impact funding for health programs in Africa and the ability for countries to reach U.N. Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets, PANA/Afrique en ligne reports. In a report to the meeting taking place in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, "Sambo indicated that between 2008 and 2009, Africa's real average GDP growth rate declined from about 5% ... more

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe "said Thursday that global contributions to fighting [HIV/AIDS] are dropping off for the first time in 15 years amid tough economic times," Agence France-Presse reports. "The world economic recession is pushing countries ... to enforce austerity," Sidibe said during a press conference in Tokyo during which he called upon Japan to maintain its support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. "Governments and donors are second-guessin ... more

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: HALO) announced the initiation of two Phase 2 Ultrafast Insulin treatment studies that utilize its rHuPH20 hyaluronidase enzyme (PH20) in combination with the two leading commercially available mealtime analogs: insulin aspart, the active ingredient in NovoLog®, and insulin lispro, the active ingredient in Humalog®... ... more

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified the molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. The discovery could lead to development of a simple dietary remedy for many of the more than 23 million Americans suffering from diabetes and other conditions... ... more

Responding to the decision by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) not to recommend sorafenib (Nexavar®) as a treatment for advanced liver cancer, Mike Hobday, Head of Campaigns at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'We are extremely disappointed that NICE has decided not to recommend sorafenib as a treatment for people with advanced liver cancer... ... more

With temperatures set to plummet below freezing across the UK this week, leading cancer charity Macmillan Cancer Support is warning that keeping warm will be even harder for cancer patients undergoing treatment, as they are already twice as likely to fall into fuel poverty as the general population 1 ... ... more

A cell devotes a significant amount of effort to maintaining the stability of its genome, preventing the sorts of chromosomal rearrangements characteristic of many cancers. Assays that measure the rate of gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCRs) are needed in order to understand the individual genes and the different pathways that suppress genomic instability... ... more

A new UK study that followed a large number of people found that those who took 10 or more prescriptions for oral bisphosphonates, a group of drugs commonly used to treat the bone disease osteoporosis, were at higher risk of developing oesophageal cancer... ... more

Asuragen, Inc., a leader in molecular diagnostics and nucleic acid-based pharmacogenomics services, announced that it has launched KRAS and BRAF mutational testing services in its CAP-accredited CLIA laboratory... ... more

Afferent Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class, small molecules that target P2X3 receptors, announced preclinical in vivo results demonstrating that an investigational P2X3 receptor antagonist significantly prevented and reversed bone cancer pain behavior in comparison to vehicle controls... ... more

A new study from the Center for Interdisciplinary Chronobiological Research at the University of Haifa has found an additional link between Light At Night (LAN) and cancer. This research joins a series of earlier studies carried out at the University of Haifa that also established the correlation... ... more

A "game-changing" technique using near infrared light enables scientists to look deeper into the guts of cells, potentially opening up a new frontier in the fights against cancer and many other diseases. University of Central Florida chemists, led by Professor Kevin Belfield, used near infrared light and fluorescent dye to take pictures of cells and tumors deep within tissue... ... more

Today, at the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC) in Buenos Aires (Argentina), imec and its project partners have announced the launch of the European Seventh Framework Project MIRACLE. The MIRACLE project aims to develop an operational lab-on-chip for the isolation and detection of circulating and disseminated tumor cells (CTCs and DTCs) in blood... ... more

Twenty-first-century pharmaceutical breakthroughs require 21st-century drug discovery tools, such as computational or in silico molecular design and high-throughput screening of effective, new compounds. That's the theme of a University at Buffalo symposium to be held Sept... ... more

Treatments modelled on the cancer drug Gleevec could potentially prevent the formation of amyloid plaques - one of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease according to a study. Treatments modelled on the cancer drug Gleevec could potentially prevent the formation of amyloid plaques - one of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease according to a study published in the journal Nature... ... more

Celsion Corporation (Nasdaq: CLSN), a biotechnology drug development company, announced that it has been awarded a competitive Phase I Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to support the proposal, "New Thermal Sensitive Carboplatin Liposomes for Cancer"... ... more

Athens, Ga. – Stem cells might be thought of as trunks in the tree of life. All multi-cellular organisms have them, and they can turn into a dazzling variety other cells—kidney, brain, heart or skin, for example. One class, pluripotent stem cells, has the capacity to turn into virtually any cell type in the body, making them a focal point in the development of cell therapies, the conquering of age-old diseases or even regrowing defective body parts. Now, a research team at the University of G ... more

New research uncovers a case of mistaken identity that may have a significant impact on future breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies. The study, published by Cell Press in the September 3rd issue of the journal Cell Stem Cell, suggests that despite their #8220;stem cell-like #8221; characteristics, most aggressive breast tumors are not derived from normal mammary gland stem cells. The glandular tissue of the breast contains two main cell types, outer #8220;basal #8221; cells and i ... more

UCSF researchers today unveiled a prototype model of the first implantable artificial kidney, in a development that one day could eliminate the need for dialysis. The device, which would include thousands of microscopic filters as well as a bioreactor to mimic the metabolic and water-balancing roles of a real kidney, is being developed in a collaborative effort by engineers, biologists and physicians nationwide, led by Shuvo Roy, PhD, in the UCSF Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Scie ... more

Researchers at The University of Western Ontario have provided the first direct evidence using a biological marker, to show chronic stress plays an important role in heart attacks. Stressors such as job, marital and financial problems have been linked to the increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease including heart attack. But there hasn #8217;t been a biological marker to measure chronic stress. Drs. Gideon Koren and Stan Van Uum developed a method to measure cortisol levels in hair ... more

Clinical trials for promising new drug candidate are planned LA JOLLA, CA – August 30, 2010 –– An international team led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute, the Swiss Tropical Institute, the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation and the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases has discovered a promising new drug candidate that represents a new class of drug to treat malaria. Clinical trials for the compound are planned for later this year. The research was pub ... more

Psychological migraine treatment gives sufferers a confidence boost in their ability to self-manage their symptoms For severe migraine sufferers, psychological treatments build on the benefits of drug therapy, according to a new study1 by Elizabeth Seng and Dr. Kenneth Holroyd from Ohio University in the US. Their comparison of the effects of various treatment combinations for severe migraine – drug therapy with or without behavioral management – shows that those patients receiving the behavio ... more

Virtual characters can behave according to actions carried out unconsciously by humans. Researchers at the University of Barcelona have created a system which measures human physiological parameters, such as respiration or heart rate, and introduces them into computer designed characters in real time. #8220;The ultimate aim is to develop a method which allows humans to unconsciously relate with some parts of the virtual environment more intensely than with others, and that they are encouraged ... more

A scientific breakthrough on how HIV takes control of cell division Montreal, September 3, 2010 – Dr. Éric A. Cohen, Director of the Human Retrovirology research unit at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), and his team published yesterday, in the online open-access journal PLos Pathogens, the results of their most recent research on the role of the Vpr protein in HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection and AIDS (acquired autoimmune deficiency syndrome). #8220;We pr ... more

New findings may lead to the development of more effective therapies for inflammation, wounds and malignant tumors LA JOLLA, CA – August 31, 2010 –– In two closely related studies, two teams of Scripps Research Institute scientists have discovered the underlying mechanisms that activate a type of immune cell in the skin and other organs. The findings may lead to the development of new therapies to treat inflammation, wounds, asthma, and malignant tumors. The results of the two companion stud ... more

A study advises physicians to measure patients' BMI regularly and take a more active approach to eliminating disparities. ... more

ldquo;[Researchers] quantified antibody responses to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteome that are associated with sustained virologic response (SVR) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HCV-coinfected patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Analysis of pre- and posttreatment samples revealed significant decreases in the combined anti-core, anti-E1, and anti-NS4 HCV antibody titers in those with SVRs but not in those who experienced relapse or who did not respond. Furthermore ... more

Roche today announced the launch of a Group-wide Operational Excellence initiative. In view of mounting pressures to curb healthcare costs #8211; especially in the United States and Europe #8211; together with recent developments in late-stage projects in the Roche pipeline, this initiative aims to adapt cost structures and accelerate productivity improvements Group-wide. ... more

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - U.S. drugmaker Merck Co has postponed the closure of some of its Dutch operations while it negotiates with executives and workers on potential alternatives, including a sale of the R D site. The last-minute deal announced on Thursday averts a court hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon, at which employees of the Dutch unit, formerly called Organon, would have attempted to block the closures, which were unveiled in July. Merck said the sides had agreed to negotiate " ... more

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - U.S. drugmaker Merck Co has postponed the closure of some of its Dutch operations while it negotiates with executives and workers on potential alternatives, including a sale of the R D site. The last-minute deal announced on Thursday averts a court hearing scheduled for Thursday afternoon, at which employees of the Dutch unit, formerly called Organon, would have attempted to block the closures, which were unveiled in July. Merck said the sides had agreed to negotiate " ... more

Biologists at the University of California, Riverside have found that voluntary activity, such as daily exercise, is a highly heritable trait that can be passed down genetically to successive generations. Working on mice in the lab, they found that activity level can be enhanced with "selective breeding"- the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits... ... more

A study in the Sept. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that teens who slept less than eight hours per weeknight ate higher proportions of fatty foods and snacks than adolescents who slept eight hours or more. The results suggest that short sleep duration may increase obesity risk by causing small changes in eating patterns that cumulatively alter energy balance, especially in girls... ... more

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related MedlinePlus Page: Breast Cancer ... more

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related MedlinePlus Page: Cholesterol ... more

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Related MedlinePlus Page: Meningitis ... more

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Related MedlinePlus Pages: African-American Health, Kidney Diseases ... more

Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Related MedlinePlus Page: Tuberculosis ... more

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - Related MedlinePlus Pages: Lead Poisoning, Puberty ... more

Source: National Human Genome Research Institute - Related MedlinePlus Page: Genes and Gene Therapy ... more

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Related MedlinePlus Page: Patient Safety ... more

Men with early, probably non-aggressive prostate cancer (determined by lower PSA levels and the presence of low-grade tumor pathology) can safely postpone surgery. ... more

The California Legislature has approved a bill aimed at limiting radiation exposure, following reports that hundreds of patients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and three other hospitals were accidentally overdosed during CT brain scans. ... more

INFECTIOUS DISEASE: Modified adenovirus malaria vaccine works a treat in mice Malaria kills more than 1 million individuals each year. Despite intensive research, there is still no malaria vaccine approved for use. A team of researchers, led by Moriya Tsuji, at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, has now designed a new vaccine that provides protection from malaria in mice... ... more

INFECTIOUS DISEASE: Modified adenovirus malaria vaccine works a treat in mice Malaria kills more than 1 million individuals each year. Despite intensive research, there is still no malaria vaccine approved for use. A team of researchers, led by Moriya Tsuji, at the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, has now designed a new vaccine that provides protection from malaria in mice... ... more

When it comes to the mechanics of the human immune system, we are all more alike than previously thought, according to a new study by scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. This finding has significant implications for developing new ways to detect, diagnose and treat cancer and diseases of the immune system, according to Harlan Robins, Ph.D... ... more

The first study of Ewing's sarcoma that screened hundreds of genes based on how they affect cell growth has identified two potential anti-cancer drug targets, according to a scientific paper by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) published in the journal Molecular Cancer... ... more

One of the most difficult aspects of working at the nanoscale is actually seeing the object being worked on. Biological structures like viruses, which are smaller than the wavelength of light, are invisible to standard optical microscopes and difficult to capture in their native form with other imaging techniques... ... more

Men with insomnia have a fourfold higher death rate than those who sleep at least 6 hours a night, a 14-year study finds. It's not yet clear whether women with insomnia also die sooner. ... more

The long-term use of oral bisphosphonate osteoporosis drugs such as Actonel, Boniva, and Fosamax may be associated with a doubling in esophageal cancer risk, but the risk to individual users remains small, researchers say. ... more

People who take oral bisphosphonates for bone disease over five years may be doubling their risk of developing esophageal cancer (cancer of the gullet), according to a new study. ... more

Kidney transplants that show a combination of fibrosis (scarring) and inflammation after one year are at higher risk of long-term transplant failure, according to a new study. ... more

Millions of patients with advanced disease in palliative care settings receive oxygen therapy to help them breathe more easily. But a new study says roughly half of them don't benefit from the intervention, and among those who do benefit, it doesn't make a bit of difference whether they get pure oxygen or just plain old room air -- both offer equal benefit. ... more

Researchers have found two genes in mice which might help identify why some people are more susceptible than others to potentially deadly staph infections. ... more

Cigarette smoke shuts off a key enzyme in airways that regulates the body's response to inflammation, according to new findings. Researchers say smoke inhibits the enzyme, called Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase (LTA4H), causing it to fail in its job of shutting down white blood cells following a successful response to inflammation. ... more

School children who consume foods purchased in vending machines are more likely to develop poor diet quality -- and that may be associated with being overweight, obese or at risk for chronic health problems such as diabetes and coronary artery disease, according to new research. ... more

Thousands of people who are partially sighted following stroke or brain injury could gain greater independence from a simple, cheap and accessible training course which could eventually be delivered from their mobile phones or hand-held games consoles, according to a new study. ... more

September 02, 2010 08:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation on Behalf of Shareholders of Allergan, Inc. BENSALEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that it is investigating potential claims against Allergan, Inc. ( ��Allergan � ... more

While drug maker Allergan has pled guilty to illegally marketing its drug Botox for unapproved uses such as migraines, CBS News has learned that the manufacturer has been busy testing the drug overseas for the same ailments. Current drug trials by Allergan using Botox for the following ailments include: migraines, spasticity, overactive bladder, enlarged prostates, Parkinson's disease, clenched teeth, spinal cord injuries, hyper sweating, eyelid twitching, depression, arthritis and curvatur ... more

Are we at risk of being at risk? -- Godlee 341 -- bmj.com: "Are we at risk of being at risk? Fiona Godlee, editor, BMJ fgodlee@bmj.comWho decides what constitutes a disease and what is normality? Over the centuries such decisions have been the preserve of the medical profession, aided more recently by modern medical science. But the profession has grown too close to those who profit from developing drugs for new diseases and is no longer fit to make these decisions. This in brief is Ray Moynih ... more

September 02, 2010 08:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time Law Offices of Howard G. Smith Announces Investigation on Behalf of Shareholders of Allergan, Inc. BENSALEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces that it is investigating potential claims against Allergan, Inc. ( ��Allergan � ... more

While drug maker Allergan has pled guilty to illegally marketing its drug Botox for unapproved uses such as migraines, CBS News has learned that the manufacturer has been busy testing the drug overseas for the same ailments. Current drug trials by Allergan using Botox for the following ailments include: migraines, spasticity, overactive bladder, enlarged prostates, Parkinson's disease, clenched teeth, spinal cord injuries, hyper sweating, eyelid twitching, depression, arthritis and curvatur ... more

Are we at risk of being at risk? -- Godlee 341 -- bmj.com: "Are we at risk of being at risk? Fiona Godlee, editor, BMJ fgodlee@bmj.comWho decides what constitutes a disease and what is normality? Over the centuries such decisions have been the preserve of the medical profession, aided more recently by modern medical science. But the profession has grown too close to those who profit from developing drugs for new diseases and is no longer fit to make these decisions. This in brief is Ray Moynih ... more

What killed more than 2,500 people and cost the U.S. economy an estimated $19.5 billion in 2008? A recent study commissioned by the Society of Actuaries and completed by Milliman, Inc., highlighted both the high personal and financial costs exacted by measurable medical errors. In addition to the statistics above, the study found that 1.5 million medical injuries related to medical error occurred in 2008. Medical error accounted for $1.1 billion in lost productivity due to short-term disability ... more

Salmonella infection and the egg recall mdash; protect yourself and your family. ... more

A tuberculosis test, called Xpert® MTB/RIF, can successfully identify 98% of all culture-confirmed TB cases, including more than 90% of those with smear-negative disease, a study published in NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine) reveals. The test is highly sensitive for tuberculosis as well as drug resistance to the powerful anti-TB drug rifampicin (RIF) in low resource settings, the authors write. The study revealed that the Xpert® MTB/RIF was accurate in more than 97% of patients with drug ... more

The journey toward health care reform reached a historic milestone March 22 when the House approved legislation that would extend coverage to 32 million more Americans and impose new restrictions on the insurance industry. ... more

New research finds little support for the hypothesis that marijuana is a "gateway" drug leading to the use of harder drugs in adulthood. ... more

Prescription drug use in the U.S. has been rising steadily in the past decade and the trend shows no signs of slowing, the CDC says in a new report. ... more

An online quiz rates your hygiene practices with a letter grade -- and gives you the information you need to keep your food safe from bacteria. ... more

 What ��s the wait time at YOUR local hospital right NOW? Although I live in San Francisco 3,083 miles from Framingham, MA (which MapQuest informs me would take 47 hours to drive---sometime the actual wait time at an emergency room) read more ... more

Scientists have devised a method for coaxing mouse embryonic stem cells into forming a highly specific motor neuron subtype. The research provides new insight into motor neuron differentiation and may prove useful for devising and testing future therapies for motor neuron diseases. ... more

New research uncovers a case of mistaken identity that may have a significant impact on future breast cancer prevention and treatment strategies. The study suggests that despite their "stem cell-like" characteristics, most aggressive breast tumors are not derived from normal mammary gland stem cells. ... more

A research team has shown for the first time that a gene called Myc, which is traditionally thought of as a cancer-causing gene, may be far more important in the development and persistence of stem cells than was known before. ... more

Researchers have identified the molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. ... more

German scientists have developed a blood test that can reliably detect gene doping even after 56 days. It was previously impossible to prove that an athlete had undergone gene doping. ... more

Individuals are more likely to acquire new health practices while living in networks with dense clusters of connections -- that is, when in close contact with people they already know well. ... more

New research links capsaicin, a component of chili peppers, to skin cancer. While the molecular mechanisms of the cancer-promoting effects of capsaicin are not clear and remain controversial, the new research has shown a definite connection to formation of skin cancer through various laboratory studies. ... more

In two closely related studies, two teams of scientists have discovered the underlying mechanisms that activate a type of immune cell in the skin and other organs. The findings may lead to the development of new therapies to treat inflammation, wounds, asthma and malignant tumors. ... more

Scientists have identified two proteins with potential to be important targets for research into a wide range of health problems, including pain, deafness, and cardiac and kidney dysfunction. ... more

Researchers have unveiled a prototype model of the first implantable artificial kidney, in a development that one day could eliminate the need for dialysis. ... more

Scientists have built a clearer picture of how lengthy strands of DNA are concertinaed when our cells grow and divide, in a discovery could help explain how cell renewal can go wrong. ... more

A new study shows how our bodies try to minimize potential 'collateral damage' caused by our immune system when fighting infection. The research may also provide new clues to why cigarette smoke is a significant risk factor for developing diseases of the lung such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. ... more

Contrave (naltrexone SR/bupropion SR), an investigational drug aimed at combination therapy to address both biological and behavioral drivers of obesity, will be developed and commercialized by Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The two drug firms have just signed an exclusive partnership for the North American area... ... more

A chemical that rid mice of malaria-causing parasites after a single oral dose may eventually become a new malaria drug if further tests in animals and people uphold the promise of early findings. The compound, NITD609, was developed by an international team of researchers including Elizabeth A. Winzeler, Ph.D., a grantee of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. ... more