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Scientists demonstrate the link between cancer and diesel fumes

Scientists here are the first to demonstrate that the link between diesel fume exposure and cancer lies in the ability of diesel exhaust to induce the growth of new blood vessels that serve as a food supply for solid tumors.

2 Sep 2009

Antibiotic used to treat trachoma reduces child mortality in Ethiopia, study finds

The antibiotic used to treat trachoma, "the world's leading preventable cause of blindness," may also protect children living in Ethiopia from death from of other diseases, according to a recent study, the Associated Press reports.

2 Sep 2009

Blue dog Democrats still expect health care reform deal

The leader of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrat coalition said Tuesday that she still thinks a health care reform deal can get done with a majority of Blue Dogs supporting it, The New York Times reports.

2 Sep 2009

Baucus-Grassley bipartisan partnership frays under health reform pressure

Kaiser Health News reports on the partnership between Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Ranking Member Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and how health reform has affected that dynamic.

2 Sep 2009

Wellpoint chief calls for reform, defends insurers

The top executive of Wellpoint, a major health insurer, called for health reform at a meeting of the Economic Club in Indianapolis Tuesday, WTHR, the local NBC affiliate, reports. "The high and rising cost of health care in America is just not sustainable …" said CEO Angela Braly. Those costs pose "a real threat to the social and fiscal obligations of the government and to the health and prosperity of the American people."

2 Sep 2009

Despite health reform efforts, Milwaukee clinic for low-income patients may close

A clinic in a low-income Milwaukee neighborhood has filled a need for 23 years, but people running it worry that it may not be helped by any changes to the health care system. The New York Times reports on the Milwaukee Immediate Care Center, a small nonprofit clinic, "which keeps hours at night and on weekends, [and] is the only full-time operation in the neighborhood that provides urgent care, luring patients with a sign that reads, 'When You Need a Doctor Today.'"

2 Sep 2009

An already-changing insurance market may face more transformation

The Wall Street Journal: "Insurers are increasingly setting up brick-and-mortar retail stores that peddle individual and sometimes small-group health plans, with companies including Humana Inc., Aetna Inc. and Health Net Inc. so far trying the concept. Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Pennsylvania and South Carolina say they've had good results from shops, while Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida Inc. plans to add five more locations after the success of its existing two."

2 Sep 2009

Annexin-Vivo 750 imaging agent for measuring cell death in vivo

VisEn Medical Inc., a leader in fluorescence in vivo imaging from research through medicine, announced today the commercial launch of its new Annexin-Vivo 750 imaging agent for measuring and monitoring apoptosis and cell death in vivo.

2 Sep 2009

Third-quarter fiscal 2009 results announced by Synovis Life Technologies

Synovis Life Technologies Reports Record Revenue Of $15 Million For The Third Quarter Of Fiscal 2009

2 Sep 2009

Pacific Biometrics enters into a Loan and Security Agreement to raise $4 million

Pacific Biometrics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PBME), a leading provider of specialized reference laboratory and contract research services, today announced the Company's entry into a Loan and Security Agreement with Terry M. Giles, providing for a $4 million loan (the "Loan") to the Company.

2 Sep 2009

The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System deployed at the CHUM

In operation since recently at the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), the CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery System, is revolutionizing the treatment of both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors anywhere in the body. Used in radiation oncology, the CyberKnife System is the latest word in radiosurgery technology. Designed to destroy tumours using radiation beams, it is the first system of its kind to treat tumors non-invasively to be installed in Canada.

2 Sep 2009

Combination of LIVALO and itraconazole drugs shows no adverse reactions

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2 Sep 2009

Wallet-sized cards offer athletes tips for detecting and monitoring concussions

In response to a rising number of concussions and recent research which shows young athletes with repeated brain injuries are at great risk for future neurological problems, the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association (IATA) and the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN) are offering a wallet-sized card with tips for detecting and monitoring concussions. The complimentary card is an educational tool for parents, coaches and others who work with young athletes to help them identify signs of a concussion.

2 Sep 2009

BRNI announces agreement to advance research on brain and neurological disorders

The Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute (BRNI) announced today an agreement with a group of neurological specialists (Brain Injury Group) to examine possible confluences of the Group's work with brain injuries, head trauma, and strokes and BRNI's research.

2 Sep 2009

Analytical Technologies division of MDS to be acquired by Danaher

Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with MDS Inc. (TSX: MDS; NYSE: MDZ) to acquire the Analytical Technologies division of MDS, which includes a 50% ownership position in Applied Biosystems/MDS Sciex joint venture ("AB SCIEX"), a mass spectrometry business, and a 100% ownership position in the former Molecular Devices Corporation, a bioresearch and analytical instrumentation company.

From Danaher 2 Sep 2009

Danaher to acquire mass spectrometry business from Life Technologies Corporation

Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ:LIFE) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its ownership stake in its mass spectrometry business, operated as a joint venture, to Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR) for $450 million in cash. Danaher has also signed an agreement to acquire Life Technologies’ joint venture partner in the mass spectrometry business, MDS Analytical Technologies, a division of MDS Inc. (NYSE:MDZ). The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2009.

From Danaher 2 Sep 2009

First Edition: September 2, 2009

Baucus-Grassley Bipartisan Partnership Frays Under Health Reform Pressures For nearly a decade, the cross-aisle team of Democrat Max Baucus and Republican Charles Grassley has shaped dozens of tax cuts, trade measures and health bills on the Senate Finance Committee. That led many to predict that the partnership would be strong enough to broker bipartisan health care legislation this year (Kaiser Health News).

2 Sep 2009

Neuromuscular disorders common among Canadians

September is Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month. There are more than 100 neuromuscular disorders and it is estimated more than 50,000 Canadians are affected by one form or another. Each form is caused by an error in a specific gene related to muscle function.

2 Sep 2009

Bretford pioneers antimicrobial finishes on tables and carts

Bretford Manufacturing, Inc., manufacturer of dependable furniture products that improve how people work and learn, is the first to offer multi-surface antimicrobial finishes on more than 50 different tables and carts for learning and training environments.

2 Sep 2009

HIS market grows in Europe due to governments' investment in healthcare IT sector

Although most hospitals in Europe have some kind of information system in place, very few have a fully integrated and functional hospital information systems (HIS) solutions installed. The adoption rate of HIS solutions in 2008 in Europe varied from about 73.0 per cent in Italy and Spain to 95.0 per cent in Scandinavia. Increasing accountability pressures on the government and regulatory authorities to garner more investments into healthcare IT adoption is boosting the HIS market potential.

2 Sep 2009