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Is curry good for you?

There have been several news stories over the years reporting that curry may be good for us. Most of them refer to a chemical in curry, known as curcumin.

18 Jun 2012

Ascepion, Debiopharm partner to develop and commercialize ASP-08126 for solid tumors

Debiopharm Group, a global biopharmaceutical development specialist that focuses on serious medical conditions and particularly oncology, and Ascepion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held, biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of breakthrough small molecule drugs for the treatment of oncology and related diseases, have entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement concerning the development and commercialization of ASP-08126 (called Debio 1144 by Debiopharm) a multikinase inhibitor currently in pre-clinical development.

18 Jun 2012

FDA completes review of compounded hydroxyprogesterone caproate products and APIs

FDA (or the Agency) approved Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate) in February 2011 for the reduction of the risk of certain preterm births in women who have had at least one prior preterm birth. Beginning many years before Makena was approved, a version of the active ingredient of Makena has been available to patients whose physicians requested the drug from a pharmacist who compounded the drug.

18 Jun 2012

ASH, EHA and ECPC issue common call to action to mitigate hematologic drug shortages

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) joined the European Hematology Association (EHA) and the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) today in issuing a common call to action in an effort to mitigate shortages of hematologic drugs in the United States and around the world.

18 Jun 2012

Researchers identify commensal bacteria in the human intestine

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital have identified commensal bacteria in the human intestine that produce a neurotransmitter that may play a role in preventing or treating inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease.

18 Jun 2012

Research roundup: Best health care for homeless, new business model for pharma

The cost and coordination of health care for homeless individuals can be a challenge for states. But as this brief describes, establishing supportive housing - which provides social services, usually on site - "can help improve health, increase survival rates, foster mental health recovery, and reduce alcohol and drug use."

16 Jun 2012

Illinois to cut $1.6B in health costs; Medicaid advocates protest

The cuts include eliminating some popular programs, raising some co-pays and creates a system for hospital exemptions from taxes.

16 Jun 2012

Glutathione peroxidase can dramatically reduce risk of cardiovascular disease

University of Minnesota Medical School researchers have collaborated with the School of Public Health and discovered an enzyme that, when found at high levels and alongside low levels of HDL (good cholesterol), can dramatically reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

16 Jun 2012

Researchers engineer nanoparticles that show great promise for MM

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame have engineered nanoparticles that show great promise for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), an incurable cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow.

16 Jun 2012

Senate Appropriations boosts HHS funding on party-line vote as GOP attacks health reform provisions

Partisan wrangling over the health law, as well as funding of HHS, is continuing on Capitol Hill.

16 Jun 2012

Tips for how to help someone with PTSD

You don't have to be a member of the armed forces to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but nearly 20 percent of service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan reported having symptoms. In recognition of June as PTSD Awareness Month, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is offering 10 tips for how to help someone who may be suffering from PTSD.

16 Jun 2012

New approach to drug design may yield more effective and less toxic cancer medicines

A new approach to drug design, pioneered by a group of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Mt. Sinai, New York, promises to help identify future drugs to fight cancer and other diseases that will be more effective and have fewer side effects.

16 Jun 2012

Less expensive ARV combination just as effective for women in developing countries as costlier ARVs, study shows

A new study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston shows that the less-expensive antiretroviral nevirapine, when used in combination with other antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), is as effective as a more expensive combination among women in developing countries, VOA News reports.

16 Jun 2012

Insulin more effective add-on than sitagliptin in glucose control

Insulin seems to be a more effective add-on regimen than sitagliptin in patients with diabetes inadequately controlled by metformin monotherapy, show study findings.

15 Jun 2012

Anti-TNFs increase risk for herpes zoster infections in IRD patients

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases who are treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor medications are significantly more likely to experience herpes zoster infections than those treated with traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, study results show.

15 Jun 2012

Rheumatism drugs may increase shingles risk

Patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease treated with one of the most effective medicines for their disease face a substantially increased risk for developing shingles, warn European researchers who suggest vaccination may be an option.

15 Jun 2012

Long-term rhythm, not rate, control may prolong life with AF

Rhythm control therapy for atrial fibrillation may improve survival rates compared with rate control therapy when used long term, show study results published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

15 Jun 2012

People can train their brains to become less impulsive

New research from psychologists at the Universities of Exeter and Cardiff shows that people can train their brains to become less impulsive, resulting in less risk-taking during gambling. The research could pave the way for new treatments for people with addictions to gambling, drugs or alcohol as well as impulse-control disorders, such as ADHD.

15 Jun 2012

Longer looks: Battling HIV in Washington; Adderall use among U.S. high schoolers

On a recent day not far from Capitol Hill and the White House, about a dozen HIV outreach workers toting bright yellow duffle bags stuffed with condoms and prevention information stood outside of the Anacostia Metro station. ... After a couple of hours, they had handed out hundreds of packs of condoms -- and had persuaded 21 people to take an HIV test with an oral swab in a Chevy van parked nearby. "You have to know your status, man. I'd rather be safe than sorry," said Alvern Harris, 25, as he waited for his results.

15 Jun 2012

Drug safety warnings by FDA do not always lead to targeted changes

Drug safety warnings issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) don't always lead to targeted changes in the way medications are prescribed and used, reports a study in the June issue of Medical Care.

15 Jun 2012