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FDA grants accelerated approval to Praxbind (idarucizumab)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted accelerated approval to Praxbind (idarucizumab) for use in patients who are taking the anticoagulant Pradaxa (dabigatran) during emergency situations when there is a need to reverse Pradaxa's blood-thinning effects.

19 Oct 2015

Misuse of prescription drugs common among U.S. college students

Seven out of 10 college students say it is somewhat or very easy to obtain controlled stimulants without a prescription, according to a new survey conducted on eight U.S. campuses.

19 Oct 2015

New research shows nicotine increases codeine-induced analgesia

According to new research in rat models, nicotine use over time increases the speed that codeine is converted into morphine within the brain, by increasing the amount of a specific enzyme. It appears smokers' brains are being primed for a bigger buzz from this common pain killer - which could put them at a higher risk for addiction, and possibly even overdose.

19 Oct 2015

Brief counseling in primary care setting could help reduce risky drug use among patients

A few minutes of counseling in a primary care setting could go a long way toward steering people away from risky drug use -- and possibly full-fledged addiction, a UCLA-led study suggests.

19 Oct 2015

BET protein family plays key role in regulation of normal neuronal development and function

Regulation of a family of brain proteins known as bromodomain and extra-terminal domain containing transcription regulators (BETs) plays a key role in normal cognition and behavior, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published advanced online on September 21 and in print October 19 in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.

19 Oct 2015

Primary care physicians often under- or over-estimate stroke and bleeding risk in AF patients

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased risk for stroke and are often prescribed oral anticoagulation (OAC) therapy. OAC therapy can prevent disastrous strokes, but at the expense of increased bleeding risks. There are now well-established guidelines to assess the risk of stroke and bleeding in AF patients to determine whether OAC is needed.

19 Oct 2015

New UCL study highlights genes associated with schizophrenia and obesity

Genes involved in schizophrenia and obesity have been highlighted in a new UCL study, which could lead to a better understanding of the DNA variants which affect risk of these conditions and aid the development of improved strategies for prevention and treatment.

18 Oct 2015

New research raises hope for novel cancer immunotherapy

New research by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists raises the prospect of cancer therapy that works by converting a tumor's best friends in the immune system into its gravest enemies.

16 Oct 2015

Boehringer Ingelheim announces FDA approval of Praxbind (idarucizumab)

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval of Praxbind (idarucizumab). PRAXBIND is indicated for patients treated with Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate mesylate), when reversal of the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran is needed for emergency surgery/urgent procedures or in life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding.

16 Oct 2015

Loyola gastroenterologist provides tips to IBS patients for healthy living

More than 20 percent of the US population lives with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and for many Americans it is an ongoing challenge. But when it comes to treatment, old advice from Mom was right. Often, the key is to eat right and go outside and play.

16 Oct 2015

Hiroshima University researchers demonstrate how Sendai virus escapes host immune system

A research group at Hiroshima University demonstrated the mechanism by which the Sendai virus (SeV) escapes the host immune system. The researchers examined the crystal structure of the complex of SeV C protein and transcription factor STAT1, and found that SeV C protein inhibits the signal transduction pathway of interferon gamma.

16 Oct 2015

New COMPASS platform points directly to protein's likely structure

Searching for the precise, complexly folded three-dimensional structure of a protein can be like hacking through a jungle without a map: a long, intensive process with uncertain direction.

16 Oct 2015

Study suggests combination of MMF and CNIs can protect against rare lymphoma

A study led by Johns Hopkins researchers has linked the immunosuppressive drug mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) to an increased risk of central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma in solid organ transplant patients.

16 Oct 2015

Genomic analysis confirms sexual transmission of Ebola virus in Liberia

A suspected case of sexual transmission of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Liberia was confirmed using genomic analysis, thanks to in-country laboratory capabilities established by U.S. Army scientists in collaboration with the Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research (LIBR).

16 Oct 2015

Rutgers-led research consortium receives NIH grant to support continuous manufacturing systems for pharmaceuticals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded $4.9 million in grant funding to institutions in a research consortium based at the Rutgers University School of Engineering to support the introduction of continuous manufacturing techniques for pharmaceuticals.

16 Oct 2015

Sanofi Pasteur, IDRI establish Global Health Vaccine Center of Innovation

In an effort to accelerate timelines and decrease development costs of life-saving vaccines, the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) and Sanofi Pasteur today announce the establishment of the Global Health Vaccine Center of Innovation (GHVCI), to be headquartered at IDRI in Seattle.

16 Oct 2015

Study finds link between microbial signatures and triple negative breast cancer

Cancer is a result of normal cellular functions going wildly awry on a genetic level. That fact has been known for some time, but increasing evidence is showing that the human microbiome, the diverse population of microorganisms within every person, may play a key role in either setting the stage for cancer or even directly causing some forms of it.

16 Oct 2015