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AP examines micro-insurance in Africa

The Associated Press examines the growth of micro-insurance in Africa, "a product accessible to those earning less than $2 a day, who pay tiny weekly premiums of sometimes less than a cent."

13 Apr 2010

Magnetic targeting may enhance effectiveness of stem cell therapies for heart injuries

Researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute have found in animals that infusing cardiac-derived stem cells with micro-size particles of iron and then using a magnet to guide those stem cells to the area of the heart damaged in a heart attack boosts the heart's retention of those cells and could increase the therapeutic benefit of stem cell therapy for heart disease.

9 Apr 2010

World Bank commitments during economic crisis reach all-time high

The World Bank on Wednesday announced it "has committed a record $100 billion in financial support over the past 18 months to help developing countries recover from the global economic crisis," Reuters reports.

9 Apr 2010

Biocartis closes Series 'B' equity financing round

Biocartis SA, a biotech company active in the field of personalized medicine and focused on fast, multiplexed and fully integrated molecular diagnostics based on its proprietary micro-technology and sample preparation platforms, today announced the successful closing of a Series B equity financing round. The Company raised EUR 30 million (~ USD 41.3 million) from its current shareholder base of leading life science investors and two new strategic investors from the pharmaceutical/diagnostic industry.

From Biocartis 8 Apr 2010

New Life MicroFab Division launched to provide micro-fabrication services

Life BioScience, Inc. has launched a new Life MicroFab™ Division that provides a broad range of micro-fabrication services for devices made in APEX Glass, APEX Ceramic, Silicon, Pyrex, SOI, Kapton and other standard materials used in the semiconductor manufacturing process.

8 Apr 2010

Traffic-related pollution near schools contributes to pediatric asthma

Living near major highways has been linked to childhood asthma, but a new study led by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California suggests that traffic-related pollution near schools is also contributing to the development of asthma in kids.

7 Apr 2010

Sono Bello opens laser-assisted body contouring clinic in San Antonio

Sono Bello, one of America's fastest-growing body contouring specialists, has announced the grand opening of its eighth clinic at 335 E. Sonterra Blvd., Suite 130 in San Antonio, TX. Dedicated to providing the highest level of personal service and the best results available, Sono Bello has partnered with the finest doctors available to bring its new body sculpting technique to San Antonio.

3 Apr 2010

Hamamatsu launches FDSS/uCELL imaging plate reader for kinetic cell-based assay development

Hamamatsu has announced the release of the FDSS/uCELL, an affordable new imaging plate reader for kinetic cell-based assay development, including GPCR and ion channel research. The uCELL ("micro cell") offers a cost-effective way for biotechnology companies, research institutes, and clinical research organizations to introduce the highly reliable and advanced Hamamatsu FDSS (Functional Drug Screening System) technology to their daily operations.

2 Apr 2010

New clues into genomic complexity of Mimivirus

A study published online today in the journal Genome Research offers surprising new clues into the genomic complexity of the giant Mimivirus, the largest known virus in the world. Previous studies have shown that unlike most viruses, the Mimivirus has more genes than many bacteria and performs functions that normally occur only in cellular organisms.

2 Apr 2010

Role of membrane cholesterol in late keratinocyte differentiation analyzed

In a recent study initiated by Beiersdorf AG, Florian Spörl and colleagues evaluated the use of Roche Applied Science's xCELLigence System as a viable system to monitor not only cholesterol extraction and repletion but also cholesterol reorganization in human keratinocytes in real time. The xCELLigence System offers a novel approach to non-invasive long-term observation of membrane cholesterol dynamics in primary human keratinocytes.

1 Apr 2010

Cambridge Heart's fourth-quarter total revenue down 20%

Cambridge Heart, Inc., today reported results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009. Full financial statements and corresponding commentary can be found in the Company's Form 10-K, which is expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2010.

31 Mar 2010

Single-incision laparoscopy reduces postoperative complications

Surgeons at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report what is believed to be the nation's first single-incision laparoscopy to perform a combined colectomy and kidney-preserving therapy.

26 Mar 2010

SENSIMED Triggerfish developed to diagnose and treat patients with glaucoma

STMicroelectronics, the world's leading supplier of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) devices for consumer and portable applications, has announced that it will develop and supply a wireless MEMS sensor that acts as a transducer, antenna and mechanical support for additional read-out electronics in a breakthrough platform developed by Swiss company Sensimed AG.

26 Mar 2010

UC engineering researchers create tiny pools with programmable microfluidic systems

As just published as the cover story in "Lab on a Chip," in "Virtual electrowetting channels: electronic liquid transport with continuous channel functionality," engineering researchers at the University of Cincinnati have created a paradigm shift - and moved some tiny channels in the process.

24 Mar 2010

Opinion: Repurposing wastewater; expanding global fund; financing global health needs

In an Economic Times opinion piece, Jeffrey Sachs of the Earth Institute at Columbia University outlines what he sees as "two huge challenges facing" the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria:

24 Mar 2010

Microbiology of the oceans, gut microbes and STIs to be discussed at SGM spring meeting 2010

Microbiology of the oceans, gut microbes and STIs are just some of the topics reflecting modern microbial science that will be covered next week at the Society for General Microbiology's spring meeting 2010.

23 Mar 2010

SensAble Technologies to showcase PHANTOM haptic devices at Haptics Symposium

SensAble Technologies, Inc®, a leading provider of haptic devices, 3D modeling software, and dental CAD/CAM solutions, is showcasing a wide range of haptically-enabled computer applications using its industry-leading PHANTOM® haptic devices, at the 18th Haptics Symposium starting Thursday, March 25th.

22 Mar 2010

Lab on a Chip for research on oxygen impact on brain cells

A mini-laboratory that makes it possible, among other things, to study how brain cells in stroke patients are affected by lack of oxygen is being developed by a research team at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden. Lab on a Chip is what the scientists are calling their mini-lab, which is expected to facilitate studies of all sorts of biological cells and how they are affected by different medicines, chemical substances, etc.

22 Mar 2010

Opinions: U.S. foreign aid effectiveness; Faith-based groups' work abroad

Although "foreign assistance is a very small proportion of the overall budget, its effectiveness is both measurable and priceless," Sheila Nix, the executive director of ONE, writes in a Roll Call opinion piece.

19 Mar 2010

Low-cost insurance policies aim to prevent poverty among small-scale farmers in Kenya

A pilot crop insurance project recently launched in Kenya, aims to compensate small-scale farmers when crops fail, in an effort to break the cycle of poverty, Business Daily reports.

19 Mar 2010