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Cancer survival rates improving

Survival rates for cancers of the bowel, breast, lung and ovary that were diagnosed between 1995 and 2007 were compared between Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Overall, survival rates improved in all six countries. However, survival was found to be “persistently lower” in Denmark, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. This was particularly the case after the first year of diagnosis and for patients aged 65 and over. In UK cancer survival rates have improved significantly. Breast cancer survival at five years, for example, increased from 74.8% in 1995-9, to 81.6% in 2005-7. Despite this, the UK still has the lowest breast cancer survival rate at five years.

27 Dec 2010

High pressure technology holds promise for decontamination of dairy products

The AZTI-Tecnalia technological centre, in a project undertaken by the Tecnolat and Llet de Catalunya dairy product companies within the FUTURAL project, has verified that, as an alternative to the traditional heat treatment for decontamination of a number of dairy products, high pressure technology is highly recommendable. In fact, according to a press release from Tecnolat, the results, especially with ready-to-eat fruit products and in the inactivation of moulds and yeasts in other dairy products, "were highly positive and promising".

24 Dec 2010

TPRF supports AmeriCares with $40,000 grant in battle against Haiti cholera epidemic

The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) recently became an active partner in the battle against a cholera epidemic in Haiti that has reportedly infected an estimated 600,000 people and left more than 2,400 dead.

23 Dec 2010

Over 36,000 people visit interactive infection research exhibition in 2010

The travelling exhibition organised by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), "Humans and Microbes - Robert Koch's Legacy and Modern Infection Research", has already proved to be a visitor magnet during its very first year. In total, the interactive exhibition attracted more than 36,000 visitors at its three ports of call (Berlin, Bonn and Würzburg), including 400 school classes.

23 Dec 2010

Contamination with potential disease-causing bacteria is commonly found on hands of anesthesia providers

Contaminating bacteria are very commonly found on the hands of anesthesia providers, with high rates of transmission to the surgical field during operations, reports a study in the January issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society.

22 Dec 2010

Working more closely with community will make research more meaningful, say Johns Hopkins faculty

A survey conducted by Johns Hopkins faculty found strong support among their peers for working more closely with the minority, inner-city community that surrounds the institution. Overall, 91 percent of faculty responders said closer ties make research more relevant to those it ultimately serves, and 87 percent said it improves the quality of research.

21 Dec 2010

Tips to find if a senior relative needs immediate medical attention

You're in from out of town and stop by to see Great Aunt Edna and Great Uncle Albert for the first time in a few years. But you become worried when you observe that the busy, meticulous couple of your youth is gone, replaced by a disheveled woman who won't get out of bed and a belligerent man who doesn't recognize you and thinks it is 1959.

21 Dec 2010

Exciting progress made in MS research during 2010

Exciting advances were made in 2010 in virtually every field of MS research. Progress toward finding new therapies for MS is illustrated by the availability of the first oral disease-modifying therapy for MS. Progress was also made toward finding ways to restore function and improving quality of life and specific MS symptoms through exercise, meditation, rehabilitation and medications, including the first therapy specifically approved to treat a symptom of MS (Ampyra).

20 Dec 2010

Diagenic, Pfizer enter collaboration to identify biomarkers in early stages of Alzheimer's disease

DiaGenic ASA and Pfizer Inc today signed an agreement for explorative R&D collaboration to identify biomarkers in early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) using DiaGenic's patented gene expression technology and its blood samples from ongoing clinical studies.

17 Dec 2010

Sniffer rats detect TB more accurately than traditional microscopic analysis

Trained giant African rats increased positive TB detection rates by 44 percent over microscopy, the most commonly-used technique for diagnosing TB, according to a new study released in the December issue of the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

15 Dec 2010

Reuters looks at cost-effectiveness of pursuing malaria vaccine, eradication

Reuters examines the effort to create an effective malaria vaccine and asks: "[I]s the vaccine - and the global health community's aim of completely eradicating a disease that kills a child every 45 seconds - really worth the money?"

15 Dec 2010

Mouse study shows flu virus infection may protect against asthma

In a paper that suggests a new strategy to prevent asthma, scientists at Children's Hospital Boston and their colleagues report that the influenza virus infection in young mice protected the mice as adults against the development of allergic asthma.

14 Dec 2010

Research programs embody the promise of anti-aging medicine.

Sometimes the value of research lies as much in exposing false remedies as in discovering true breakthroughs. Scientists at the country's first school of gerontology and in laboratories around the University of Southern California do both, mindful of their responsibility to a society focused on healthful aging.

13 Dec 2010

Rate of health care-associated infections in developing countries more than double U.S., European rates, study finds

The rate of health care-associated infections in developing countries is more than three times the rate of cases in the U.S. and more than double the rate in Europe, according to a study published Friday in the Lancet, BBC reports (12/9).

13 Dec 2010

EU, India leaders meet to discuss trade deal, some concerned deal will jeopardize drug access in developing countries

On Friday, Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht met to "present a status report on the ongoing free trade talks" that some health advocates fear could limit the supply of generic medications in developing countries, according to Business Standard. "An EU source said the report would signal that talks had made excellent progress and should be wrapped up by early next year," according to the news service (Aiyar, 12/10).

13 Dec 2010

Study to develop ways to track individual's exposure to traffic pollution

Researchers at King's College London are developing ways of working out a person's individual exposure to traffic pollution when travelling to, from, and around London.

9 Dec 2010

Swisher Hygiene acquires Lasfam's hygiene and chemicals business

Swisher Hygiene Inc., a leading full-service hygiene solutions provider, today announced that it has acquired the hygiene and chemicals business operated by Lasfam Investments Inc., its Vancouver, British Columbia franchisee.

7 Dec 2010

Low dose of aspirin reduces occurrence of several common cancers: Study

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has contributed to a study showing that a low dose of aspirin reduces the occurrence of several common cancers. The study is published in today's Lancet.

7 Dec 2010

Zometa improves OS, PFS in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients: Phase III study

A newly published study in the Lancet suggested that a first-line treatment regimen including Zometa (zoledronic acid) significantly improved overall survival and progression-free survival in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients compared with a regimen that included oral clodronate. The impact on survival was independent of the effect of Zometa on bone complications (also known as skeletal-related events or SREs).

4 Dec 2010

HIV/AIDS opinions

"Promising scientific developments to prevent AIDS, not just treat its victims, have sparked hope among health officials, researchers and advocacy groups struggling to control the epidemic. Unfortunately, the global recession and soaring deficits in advanced nations have made it unlikely that sufficient money will be available to fully seize the new opportunities," according to a New York Times editorial, which postures, "[s]ome agonizing choices will have to be made."

4 Dec 2010

Hygiene News and Research

Cancer survival rates improving

High pressure technology holds promise for decontamination of dairy products

TPRF supports AmeriCares with $40,000 grant in battle against Haiti cholera epidemic

Over 36,000 people visit interactive infection research exhibition in 2010

Contamination with potential disease-causing bacteria is commonly found on hands of anesthesia providers

Working more closely with community will make research more meaningful, say Johns Hopkins faculty

Tips to find if a senior relative needs immediate medical attention

Exciting progress made in MS research during 2010

Diagenic, Pfizer enter collaboration to identify biomarkers in early stages of Alzheimer's disease

Sniffer rats detect TB more accurately than traditional microscopic analysis

Reuters looks at cost-effectiveness of pursuing malaria vaccine, eradication

Mouse study shows flu virus infection may protect against asthma

Research programs embody the promise of anti-aging medicine.

Rate of health care-associated infections in developing countries more than double U.S., European rates, study finds

EU, India leaders meet to discuss trade deal, some concerned deal will jeopardize drug access in developing countries

Study to develop ways to track individual's exposure to traffic pollution

Swisher Hygiene acquires Lasfam's hygiene and chemicals business

Low dose of aspirin reduces occurrence of several common cancers: Study

Zometa improves OS, PFS in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients: Phase III study

HIV/AIDS opinions

Revolutionizing Life Science: An Interview with SCIEX on ASMS, the SCIEX 7500+ System, and AI-Driven Quantitation

From Discovery Biology to ELRIG Chair

Breathing New Life into Diagnostics: Plasmion's SICRIT Technology

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