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Three proteins that lead to memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease identified

A scientific group led by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) have identified three kinases, or proteins, that dismantle connections within brain cells, which may lead to memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease.

18 Jan 2010

Sword Diagnostics launches Raman detection system for ultrasensitive immunoassays

Sword Diagnostics announced today the launch of its proprietary Raman detection system for ultrasensitive immunoassays. The system provides researchers with greater sensitivity which enables more accurate testing of low abundance markers.

18 Jan 2010

Sen. Feingold asks Democratic leaders to remove special deals from health bill

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) on Thursday called on Democratic leaders to strip special deals awarded to his colleagues from the final, negotiated health care reform package, although he stopped short of saying he would vote against the bill if his demands were not met.

18 Jan 2010

Findings could pave way for new therapeutic approaches for Friedreich's ataxia

Elevated levels of DNA damage have for the first time been found in the cellular mitochondria and nuclei of patients with the inherited, progressive nervous system disease called Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), says a multicenter research team led by an expert from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI).

18 Jan 2010

Researchers identify ways to predict patients with small-cell lung cancer

Researchers for TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare (TCRS) have identified a way to predict which patients with small-cell lung cancer may be resistant to first-line chemotherapy.

18 Jan 2010

CKD patients do not receive adequate end-of-life care

Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) often do not receive adequate end-of-life care and are unhappy with the medical decisions made as their conditions worsen, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN). The findings indicate that end-of-life care should be improved to meet the needs of CKD patients.

18 Jan 2010

Scientists develop alternative method for producing active ingredient in Tamiflu

Scientists have developed an alternative method for producing the active ingredient in Tamiflu-, the mainstay for fighting H1N1 and other forms of influenza. The new process could expand availability of the drug by reducing its cost, which now retails for as about $8 per dose.

18 Jan 2010

AP examines Clinton's emphasis on women's empowerment, trip to PNG

As Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Rodham Clinton travels to Papua New Guinea Wednesday, the Associated Press examines how she will continue to press for "'women empowerment,' a signature issue of her nearly one-year tenure as top U.S. diplomat.'"

18 Jan 2010

Advantages of dental implants

Dental implants, rather than a fixed bridge or removable dentures, are an increasingly popular method of replacing teeth lost to an accident, gum diseases or tooth decay.

18 Jan 2010

Obama rallies House Democrats during Caucus retreat

President Barack Obama promised to wage "a great campaign" in support of health reform, and he praised lawmakers who made "tough choices" with possible electoral consequences during the House Democrats' annual retreat Thursday on Capitol Hill, The Washington Post reports (Bacon, 1/15).

18 Jan 2010

Democrats reportedly settle key issues on health bill but no final accord yet

Politico reports: "President Barack Obama and senior Democratic lawmakers closed in Friday on a final health care reform package, finishing a week of intensive negotiations on tax and coverage issues that had once threatened to derail the bill.

18 Jan 2010

U.S., World mount response to Haiti 7.0 earthquake

Rescue teams and aid groups headed to Haiti on Wednesday to offer help and "assess damage from a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake that crippled the island nation, severing communications with the outside world and crumbling countless buildings," the Miami Herald reports (Charles et al., 1/13). Tuesday's "earthquake was the worst in the region in more than 200 years and left the country in a shambles," according to the New York Times (Romero/Lacy, 1/13).

18 Jan 2010

Researchers discover potential treatment for blinding disease

The discovery of an inflammatory mediator key to the blinding effects of diabetic retinopathy is pointing toward a potential new treatment, Medical College of Georgia researchers said.

18 Jan 2010

Alterations in intestinal microbiota may lie behind IBS aetiology

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal functional disorder that can greatly affect the patient's well being. Multiple interacting mechanisms, including alterations in the intestinal microbiota, are suspected to lie behind IBS aetiology.

18 Jan 2010

U.S. DOD awards LUHS $1.6M to continue burn research

Loyola University Health Systems (LUHS) has received a $1.6 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to research burn injuries, the care of burn wounds and infections and how burns affect the immune system.

18 Jan 2010

Major insurers funded Chamber of Commerce ads attacking health bills

"Just as dealings with the Obama administration and congressional Democrats soured last summer, six of the nation's biggest health insurers began quietly pumping big money into third-party television ads aimed at killing or significantly modifying the major health reform bills moving through Congress," The National Journal reports.

18 Jan 2010

GOP governors say health 'deals' are being cut without their input

"Twenty Republican governors and governors-elect are accusing the White House of providing too little transparency on health care, causing worry that 'deals' are being cut without their input," Politico reports. "In a letter sent Wednesday to the Congressional leaders of both parties, the governors wrote that they are 'disappointed with the lack of transparency' as health care moves forward. … The letter comes, in part, as a response to the Obama administration's move to bring in Democratic governors to stump for the bill ahead of its expected passage" (Barr, 1/14).

18 Jan 2010

Study reveals interaction of genetic and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

"Our study reveals the interaction of genetic and environmental factors such as dietary habits in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease," explained Dr. Matthias Elstner of the Neurological Clinic of LMU and Helmholtz Zentrum M-nchen, lead author of the study.

18 Jan 2010

Study provides strong evidence that intense neural activity underlies the experience of seeing

How do the visual images we experience, which have no tangible existence, arise out of physical processes in the brain? New research at the Weizmann Institute of Science provided evidence, for the first time, that an 'ignition' of intense neural activity underlies the experience of seeing.

18 Jan 2010

McConnell hopes Democrats see unpopularity of health bill and change course

Roll Call reports that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell Tuesday "appeared to concede that there was little Republicans could do to block passage of health care reform" but said he hopes Democrats change their course on the reform bill.

18 Jan 2010