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Researchers investigate umbilical cord blood stem cells for traumatic brain injury in children

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston has begun enrollment for the first Phase I safety study approved by the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the use of a child's own umbilical cord blood stem cells for traumatic brain injury in children.

6 Jan 2011

Stereotaxis extends strategic partnership to distribute magnetic ablation catheters

Stereotaxis, Inc. announced today that the Company and its existing strategic catheter partner have extended their exclusive worldwide agreement for the distribution of existing approved magnetic ablation catheters through the end of 2015.

6 Jan 2011

American Heart Association partners in global effort to prepare for UN non-communicable diseases summit

The American Heart Association is participating in an international effort to prepare for a United Nations (UN) high-level summit next year on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These diseases — mainly cardiovascular illnesses including stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory conditions — were estimated to cause more than 60 percent of deaths worldwide in 2005.

5 Jan 2011

New laboratory manual on imaging in developmental biology

Imaging technologies have revolutionized the study of developmental biology and are now essential tools for researchers in the field. A newly released laboratory manual, Imaging in Developmental Biology, presents a comprehensive set of visualization methods specifically for developmental biologists. It is the newest volume in a series of imaging manuals published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

5 Jan 2011

Tablet splitting leads to inaccurate dosages

Medical experts have issued a warning about the common practice of tablet splitting, after a study found that nearly a third of the split fragments deviated from recommended dosages by 15 per cent or more.

5 Jan 2011

Predictive value of plasma galectin-3 levels in heart failure patients: Study

BG Medicine, a life sciences company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel diagnostics, today announced the publication of a study exploring the predictive value of plasma galectin-3 levels in heart failure (HF) patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction.

5 Jan 2011

20% of patients who received implantable cardioverter-defibrillators did not meet guidelines for receipt of ICD

A study that included more than 100,000 patients who received implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) found that about 20 percent did not meet evidence-based guidelines for receipt of an ICD, and that these patients had a significantly higher risk of in-hospital death than individuals who met criteria for receiving an ICD, according to a study in the January 5 issue of JAMA.

5 Jan 2011

Anti-tobacco laws can reduce smoking habits in Europe

The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases has announced its intention to release a Request for Applications on Implementation Research on Hypertension in Low and Middle Income Countries.

5 Jan 2011

Anaphylatoxin C5a may be responsible for devastating effects of atherosclerosis

For decades, doctors have looked at fitness levels, weight, and overall health risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Now, they may soon add a new risk factor to the list: activation of the complement system. The complement system is usually implicated in immune responses, but now there's a role for it in cardiovascular disease.

5 Jan 2011

iHealth Lab introduces Blood Pressure Monitoring System for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad

iHealth Lab Inc., a pioneering designer and manufacturer of digital personal healthcare products, today announced the launch of the iHealth Blood Pressure Monitoring System for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Comprised of a hardware dock, blood pressure arm cuff and iHealth App, this breakthrough product lets users self-monitor their blood pressure from the convenience of their home, and share the results with friends, family and most importantly, their doctor.

5 Jan 2011

Researchers create model that predicts drug effects on fetal development

When pregnant women need medications, there is often concern about possible effects on the fetus. Although some drugs are clearly recognized to cause birth defects, and others are generally recognized as safe, surprisingly little is known about most drugs' level of risk. Researchers in the Children's Hospital Boston Informatics Program have created a preclinical model for predicting a drug's teratogenicity based on characterizing the genes that it targets.

5 Jan 2011

Blocking activation of delta-PKC enzyme could protect lungs from neutrophil-mediated damage

All of us may be able to breathe a little easier now that scientists from Pennsylvania have found a new therapeutic target for controlling dangerous inflammation in the lungs. A new research report in the January 2011 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology (http://www.jleukbio.org) suggests that blocking the activation of an enzyme called delta-protein kinase C (delta-PKC) could protect the lungs from neutrophil-mediated damage, which can result in out of control inflammation.

5 Jan 2011

Higher measures of walking speed associated with increased length of survival among older adults

In an analysis that included data from 9 studies, having higher measures of walking speed among older adults was associated with increased length of survival, according to a study in the January 5 issue of JAMA.

5 Jan 2011

Study suggests new experimental drug is better than standard morphine

A little-known morphinelike drug is potentially more potent, longer lasting and less likely to cause constipation than standard morphine, a study led by a Loyola University Health System anesthesiologist has found.

5 Jan 2011

Levindale's Specialty Hospital inagurates high intensity unit

The Specialty Hospital at Levindale has opened Maryland's first high intensity unit inside a chronic hospital. This unit provides heart monitoring for patients who require specialized medical care and treatment for serious illnesses and/or injuries.

5 Jan 2011

Today's Opinions: GOP rerun; Finding bipartisanship; Pawlenty's legacy

You just can't close the door on this crowd. The party that brought us the worst economy since the Great Depression, that led us into Iraq and the worst foreign policy disaster in American history, that would like to take a hammer to Social Security and a chisel to Medicare, is back in control of the House of Representatives with the expressed mission of undermining all things Obama (Bob Herbert, 1/3).

4 Jan 2011

Boston Scientific acquires Sadra Medical

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced the completion of its acquisition of Sadra Medical, Inc. of Los Gatos, California. The transaction follows the definitive merger agreement announced on November 19, 2010.

4 Jan 2011

First Edition: January 4, 2011

The House GOP leadership sets Jan. 12 as the date for a vote on repealing the health law. Meanwhile, California's new health insurance commissioner takes action on health insurers' expenditures while New York's governor targets Medicaid spending.

4 Jan 2011

New program may help reduce hospital readmission rates for high-risk seniors

SCAN Health Plan and Lakewood IPA have partnered with Dovetail Health in a program designed to reduce readmission rates for high-risk seniors following discharge from hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

4 Jan 2011

Take control of your healthcare

Medical decisions are too important to leave in the hands of doctors. That is why Dr. Steven Z. Kussin recently launched a campaign, www.MedicalAdvocate.com, to teach Americans how to take control of their healthcare by becoming their own patient advocate.

4 Jan 2011