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Research study conducted to analyze long-term patterns in weight-related activities

Despite mounting public health concerns about obesity and persistent social pressures dictating that slim is beautiful, young women in their '20s consistently exercise less than young men.

24 Aug 2009

Pharmaceutical manufacturers increase lobbying

The Associated Press reports: "The pharmaceutical industry's primary trade group spent nearly $6.2 million lobbying in the second quarter on health care reform provisions, confirmation of two top federal officials and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report.

24 Aug 2009

Discovery of genetic biomarkers enable targeted personalised medication for Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Fortunately physicians today have an abundance of drug therapies available to improve survival length for more advanced cancer patients. Now the discovery of genetic biomarkers relevant to CRC means that targeted personalised medication is increasingly common.

24 Aug 2009

Labor unions boost campaign contributions in N.C.

The Charlotte Observer reports: "Labor unions trying to shape the nation's health care debate have poured millions of dollars into the campaign coffers of N.C. congressional lawmakers in recent years.

24 Aug 2009

Greg Peet elected as Chairman of Vigil Health Solutions

Vigil Health Solutions Inc. ("Vigil") (TSX VENTURE:VGL) is pleased to announce the completion of its 2009 AGM. Shareholders elected Greg Peet (as Chairman), Troy Griffiths, Harry Jaako, Stephen Martin and Tanner Philp as Directors of Vigil. KPMG LLP was appointed auditors of Vigil. The shareholders also approved an amendment to the Omnibus Plan to increase the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Omnibus Plan to 15,000,000 Common Shares (being approximately 15.0% of the total outstanding Common Shares of the Company).

24 Aug 2009

Cut back in research and development expenses helps to decrease losses in second quarter for Ico Therapeutics

iCo Therapeutics Inc. (TSX-V: ICO) today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Amounts, unless specified otherwise, are expressed in Canadian dollars and in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Canadian GAAP).

24 Aug 2009

Mount Sinai Medical Center physicians pioneer a non-surgical procedure for treating LAA

Physicians at The Mount Sinai Medical Center were the first in the country to perform a non-surgical procedure using sutures to tie off a left atrial appendage (LAA), which is the source of blood clots leading to stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib). AFib is the most common sustained heart-rhythm disorder in the United States.

24 Aug 2009

Some basis seen for senior citizens' anxieties

Some seniors, including some who voted for President Barack Obama, are concerned that health care reform could cut some of their Medicare benefits.

24 Aug 2009

CIGNA Health Awareness Tour team to help raise money and awareness for cancer prevention

Nearly 100 members of the CIGNA Health Awareness Tour team will walk, bike and run into Blue Bell Sunday to help raise money and awareness for cancer prevention.

24 Aug 2009

Increased BAT function could prevent obesity

Exciting research into Brown adipose tissue (BAT) — brown fat, which is found in abundance in hibernating animals and newborn babies — could lead to new ways of preventing obesity.

24 Aug 2009

Gene discovery unveils a new protein that protects against hearing loss

Discovery of a deafness-causing gene defect in mice has helped identify a new protein that protects sensory cells in the ear, according to a study by University of Iowa and Kansas State University researchers. The findings appear in the August 21 issue of the open-access journal PLoS Genetics.

24 Aug 2009

Discovery of mutation in AIP gene associated with acromegaly

An indigenous family living in a mountainous area of Malaysian Borneo helped Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) researchers to discover information about genetic mutations associated with acromegaly, a form of gigantism that often results in enlarged hands, feet, and facial features.

24 Aug 2009

Lancet examines dengue fever in Mexico

Lancet World Report examines the factors contributing to a steady uptick in the number of dengue fever cases in Mexico over the past decade. Compared to the year 2000, when "there were 1,781 reported cases … Last year, the number totalled 33,000, according to Mexico's Public Health Department. And confirmed cases this year have already surpassed 2008 figures by 15%," according to the journal.

24 Aug 2009

ERF Wireless reports Q2 2009 financials

ERF Wireless (OTCBB:ERFW) has announced that the company has filed its Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

23 Aug 2009

Estimating the number of uninsured

NPR reports that 46 million represents "roughly 15 percent of the U.S. population," and the number comes from 2007 Census Bureau estimates. "Although the number of uninsured has grown slowly in the past several years, it's speeding up, mainly because employment has declined drastically since the Census report. And most of us get our insurance through our jobs."

23 Aug 2009

WHO recommends against using homeopathic treatments for HIV, TB, malaria, influenza, infant diarrhea

The WHO has warned that people with conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria should not rely on homeopathic treatments, the BBC reports. The agency was responding to a June letter (full text available here), in which researchers from the Voice of Young Science Network called on the agency "to condemn the promotion of homeopathy for treating TB, infant diarrhoea, influenza, malaria and HIV."

23 Aug 2009

FDA issues complete response letter regarding the NDA for carisbamate

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a complete response letter regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for carisbamate, an anti-epileptic drug in development, announced Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

23 Aug 2009

'Explosion' of H1N1 cases likely, WHO Says

In the coming months, countries should prepare for an "explosion" in new cases of H1N1 (swine) flu until peak transmission of the virus is reached, WHO Western Pacific Director Shin Young-soo told a symposium of health officials gathered in Beijing Friday, the Associated Press reports.

23 Aug 2009

Doctors' strange economic role

Doctors play an unusual role in the economy. "When asked what profession, economically speaking, the doctor resembles most, many economists say auto mechanic — because of… the information problem," NPR reports.

23 Aug 2009

Democrats consider endgame strategies as bipartisan reform hopes fade

The Associated Press reports that as hopes for a bipartisan agreement on health care reform fade, Democrats are considering many ways to pass reform unilaterally and all of them come with problems.

23 Aug 2009