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First study to demonstrate link between social status and genetic regulation in primates

The ranking of a monkey within her social environment and the stress accompanying that status dramatically alters the expression of nearly 1,000 genes, a new scientific study reports. The research is the first to demonstrate a link between social status and genetic regulation in primates on a genome-wide scale, revealing a strong, plastic link between social environment and biology.

10 Apr 2012

FDA grants Fast Track designation to EpiCept's AmiKet

EpiCept Corporation announced today that AmiKet (amitriptyline 4%, ketamine 2% cream) has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

10 Apr 2012

FDA approval of OMONTYS triggers $50M milestone payment to Affymax

Affymax, Inc. today announced that it has received a $50 million development milestone payment from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company as part of the companies' exclusive global agreement to develop and commercialize OMONTYS (peginesatide) Injection.

10 Apr 2012

Proteonomix provides corporate and clinical trial updates

Proteonomix, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing therapeutics based upon the use of human cells and their derivatives, today provided updates on its progress.

10 Apr 2012

UofL wins NIH grant for cardiac clinical research center

During his 18-year tenure at UofL, Dr. Roberto Bolli has generated more than $100 million in grants for basic research from the NIH. Today, Bolli joined with University of Louisville President James R. Ramsey to announce a new NIH grant he has won for clinical research, a seven-year, $3.4 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to establish one of seven regional centers across the United States in the Cardiac Cell Therapy Research Network.

10 Apr 2012

Spacelabs Healthcare launches qube patient monitor

Having received clearance under Section 510(k) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Spacelabs Healthcare is adding the qube patient monitor to its Art of Monitoring portfolio. Inspired by the revolutionary style of the company's XPREZZON patient monitor, qube breaks with tradition to offer a fresh, new perspective in compact monitoring.

10 Apr 2012

States roundup: Aetna goes ahead with small biz coverage hike; 1.2M Texas kids without insurance; Legal immigrants join Mass. health plan

Despite criticism from the state insurance commissioner and several statewide consumer groups, Aetna said Thursday it's going ahead with a recent hike in health care premiums for small businesses. Aetna's new increases, which average 8 percent annually and took effect April 1, were deemed "unreasonable" this week by state Department of Insurance Commissioner David Jones.

10 Apr 2012

FDA approves scan to detect Alzheimer’s disease early

The test uses a chemical called florbetapir, known by the brand name Amyvid, which is a radioactive agent that tags clumps of a sticky substance called an amyloid. Amyloid proteins are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. The chemical, which costs $1,600 per dose, then is detected using a brain imaging technique called positron emission tomography, known as PET scans. For patients who already have some symptoms of cognitive decline, a positive scan suggests that moderate to frequent amyloid plaques are present in the brain, which is consistent with Alzheimer's disease.

9 Apr 2012

Spacelabs Healthcare receives FDA marketing clearance for new compact monitor

OSI Systems, Inc., a vertically-integrated provider of specialized electronic products for critical applications in the Security and Healthcare industries, today announced that its Healthcare division, Spacelabs Healthcare, has received clearance under Section 510(k) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market qube, a new compact monitor.

9 Apr 2012

Pacira launches EXPAREL in the U.S.

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced the commercial launch of EXPAREL (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) in the United States. Starting today, EXPAREL will begin shipping to hospital and ambulatory care customers through their normal wholesaler and distributor channels.

9 Apr 2012

Researchers identify new gene variants linked with common childhood obesity

Genetics researchers have identified at least two new gene variants that increase the risk of common childhood obesity.

9 Apr 2012

Researchers discover two molecules that control liver glucose production

In their extraordinary quest to decode human metabolism, researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have discovered a pair of molecules that regulates the liver's production of glucose---- the simple sugar that is the source of energy in human cells and the central player in diabetes.

9 Apr 2012

Senator Lugar's Farm Bill will deepen nutrition problem in Illinois

Republican Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana reintroduced legislation last month to cut $40 billion from federal farming support and federal nutrition assistance funding, which could eliminate food stamps for 74,000 already hungry Illinois residents, including 15,000 in Chicago.

7 Apr 2012

99 Cents Only Stores, Red Cross partner to help communities prepare for emergencies

The 99 Cents Only Stores is partnering with the American Red Cross L.A. Region's PrepareLA campaign by promoting to the broader LA community the many affordable disaster items needed for emergency preparedness kits carried regularly in 99 Cents Only Stores.

7 Apr 2012

UNC implements Lawson Human Capital Management solution

Until December, 2011, UNC Health Care System relied upon a legacy Human Resources system that was not designed for the healthcare industry. And this mismatch created problems that necessitated awkward, albeit creative, workarounds. But now, thanks to CIBER partnering with UNC to implement the Lawson Human Capital Management (HCM) solution, they are responsive and agile, especially in terms of reporting and employee issues.

7 Apr 2012

FEWS network warns of 'significantly below average' rainfall during Horn of Africa growing season

"Rain may be 'significantly' below average in the Horn of Africa's main growing season, potentially threatening a region still recovering from famine in 2011, the Famine Early Warning Systems [FEWS] network reported" in a statement (.pdf) on its website on Tuesday, Bloomberg writes.

7 Apr 2012

Food safety lawyer warns of fast-growing tuna sushi Salmonella outbreak

Food safety lawyer and Salmonella expert Fred Pritzker said the fast-growing tuna sushi Salmonella outbreak now under federal investigation has undoubtedly sickened thousands of consumers -- not just the 93 people whose illnesses have been confirmed in lab tests. Pritzker said the actual number of outbreak victims is likely to be more than 2,700 based on a multiplier of 30.3 unreported or unconfirmed illnesses for every stool-confirmed infection counted by CDC.

7 Apr 2012

Heart Rhythm Journal manuscript by Dr. Hauser inaccurate and biased, says St. Jude Medical

St. Jude Medical, Inc., a global medical device company, today announced it is seeking a retraction of the manuscript accepted for publication in the Heart Rhythm Journal by Dr. Robert Hauser, et al., titled, "Deaths Caused by the Failure of Riata and Riata ST Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Leads."

7 Apr 2012

NORD, Corcept partner to establish Cushing's Syndrome Patient Assistance Program

In partnership with Corcept Therapeutics Inc., the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has established a Cushing's Syndrome Patient Assistance Program for patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome who need financial assistance with certain costs related to their medical diagnosis and/or care.

7 Apr 2012

State roundup: Health costs cloud forecast for state budgets; Minnesota to use HMO refund on personal care

U.S. state and local governments' fiscal situations have improved recently but will still deteriorate through 2060, the Government Accountability Office said on Thursday. ... The outlook remains gloomy for the future, with healthcare costs, both for public employees and for the Medicaid insurance program for the poor, swelling and weighing on budgets, GAO said.

7 Apr 2012