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Report from health experts recommends several strategies to reduce childhood obesity

Zoning restrictions on fast-food restaurants near schools and playgrounds, community policing to improve safety around public recreational sites, requirements that publicly run after-school programs limit video game and TV time, and taxes on high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and drinks are some of the strategies local government officials can use to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic in their communities, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council.

2 Sep 2009

Exercise prevents increase in the number of fat cells during weight regain

Exercise helps prevent weight regain after dieting by reducing appetite and by burning fat before burning carbohydrates, according to a new study with rats. Burning fat first and storing carbohydrates for use later in the day slows weight regain and may minimize overeating by signaling a feeling of fullness to the brain.

2 Sep 2009

Single-dose H1N1 vaccine wins approval in China

The Chinese biopharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech Ltd. on Monday announced its H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine won the approval of a panel of experts from China's State Food and Drug Administration, the Associated Press/Forbes reports. The company expects to obtain a production license later this week. According to the company, clinical trials of the H1N1 vaccine showed a single shot produced an immune response capable of protecting against H1N1 (8/31).

2 Sep 2009

Biotransformed blueberry juice can function as anti-obesity and anti-diabetic agent

Juice extracted from North American lowbush blueberries, biotransformed with bacteria from the skin of the fruit, holds great promise as an anti-obesity and anti-diabetic agent. The study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, was conducted by researchers from the Universit- de Montr-al, the Institut Armand-Frappier and the Universit- de Moncton who tested the effects of biotransformed juices compared to regular blueberry drinks on mice.

2 Sep 2009

World Climate Conference calls for global weather surveillance system, says could help predict disease outbreaks

The U.N. World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Monday opened the World Climate Conference - a week of talks in Geneva aimed at establishing a better global weather surveillance system to provide countries with "earlier, more accurate warnings about hurricanes, droughts and floods," the Associated Press reports.

2 Sep 2009

The Leverhulme Trust funds researchers for understanding the relationship between agricultural production and population health

Pioneering researchers coordinated by the London International Development Centre (LIDC) have won approximately £3.5m to address the global food security crisis by investigating the neglected links between agriculture and health. Their programme, funded by The Leverhulme Trust, bridges traditional disciplines and aims to create a new holistic paradigm for understanding the relationship between agricultural production and population health.

2 Sep 2009

Pesticide beta-HCH in blood and Parkinson's disease are linked: UT Southwestern Medical Center

People with Parkinson's disease have significantly higher blood levels of a particular pesticide than healthy people or those with Alzheimer's disease, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

2 Sep 2009

Also in global health news: U.S. global development policy; DDT in Uganda; potential drought, famine in Ethiopia

"President Barack Obama has signed a Presidential Study Directive [PSD] authorizing a U.S. government-wide review of global development policy, according to sources briefed on the review by the White House," Foreign Policy's blog, "The Cable," reports. The new PSD is important, according to people in development, "because it signals the intent to reach across government agencies to think through a more coordinated and strategic approach to development policy," according to the blog (Rozen, 8/31).

2 Sep 2009

FDA: Earlier methods likely underestimated lead levels in lipsticks

A study by the Food and Drug Administration found lead in lipstick at levels much higher than those detected by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) in a 2007 study that received international attention.

2 Sep 2009

MammoSite ML radiation therapy system approved for breast cancer treatment

Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the Company's 510K application for the MammoSite((R)) ML radiation therapy system.

1 Sep 2009

First AbioCor Total Replacement Heart recipient does not survive

Abiomed, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD), has been informed by Mark Anderson, M.D., associate professor of surgery at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and chief of the section of cardiac surgery at both the medical school and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, that the first patient to receive the commercial AbioCor Total Replacement Heart, died on August 23, 2009, due to post-operative conditions unrelated to the device.

1 Sep 2009

Ariba podcast to help pharmaceutical companies conduct cost-effective sourcing

With expiring patents and growing gaps in revenue a reality in today’s global pharmaceutical industry, an increasing number of drug manufacturers are beginning to evaluate their supply chains to identify any and all opportunities for savings so that they can continue to bring innovative products to market and remain competitive.

1 Sep 2009

Schering-Plough launches CLARITIN 12-Hour for non-drowsy relief from allergy symptoms

Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) today announced the introduction of CLARITIN 12-Hour, the only 12-hour allergy medicine found in the allergy aisle. New CLARITIN 12-Hour lasts all day and provides effective, non-drowsy relief from the worst indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms. The product is available for adults and children ages six and up.

1 Sep 2009

Weight-loss surgery prior to pregnancy results in lower prevalence of obesity in children

Adolescent and young children of obese mothers who underwent weight-loss surgery prior to pregnancy have been found to have a lower prevalence of obesity and significantly improved cardio-metabolic markers when compared to siblings born before the same obese mothers had weight-loss surgery. This new study has been accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

1 Sep 2009

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals to discuss its recently approved FDA product at the UBS Conference

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on hospital acute care and gastroenterology markets, today announced that Chief Executive Officer A.J. Kazimi will present at the UBS Global Life Sciences Conference in New York at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, September 21, 2009. Mr. Kazimi will provide an update on the Company and its Caldolor product, which Cumberland is preparing to launch following its recent approval by the Food and Drug Administration.

1 Sep 2009

VAERS calls for reporting of GBS cases following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) are requesting neurologists to report any possible new cases of Guillain-Barr- syndrome (GBS) following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination using the CDC and U. S. Food and Drug Administration Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

1 Sep 2009

Cardiac resynchronization therapy delays the progression of heart failure

A therapy called cardiac resynchronization can significantly delay the progression of heart failure, according to a major international study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

1 Sep 2009

New vaccine technology may prove beneficial for treating IGF-1 responsive disorders

Braasch Biotech LLC announces its lead vaccine for Obesity, Growth Hormone Deficiencies may have beneficial use for numerous IGF-1 responsive disorders such as diabetes, heart disease and Rett Syndrome based on initial preclinical testing in a mouse model.

1 Sep 2009

High-fiber cereals make progress in taste

Consumer Reports evaluated 18 high-fiber cereals and found seven especially flavorful choices. The report notes that most Americans can stand to double their intake of fiber which can help control appetite and weight, and might help lower the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

1 Sep 2009

Natural food compounds may play a vital role in cancer treatment

Research in the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University suggests that some natural food compounds, which previously have been studied for their ability to prevent cancer, may be able to play a more significant role in treating it - working side-by-side with the conventional drugs that are now used in chemotherapy.

1 Sep 2009

Food News and Research

Report from health experts recommends several strategies to reduce childhood obesity

Exercise prevents increase in the number of fat cells during weight regain

Single-dose H1N1 vaccine wins approval in China

Biotransformed blueberry juice can function as anti-obesity and anti-diabetic agent

World Climate Conference calls for global weather surveillance system, says could help predict disease outbreaks

The Leverhulme Trust funds researchers for understanding the relationship between agricultural production and population health

Pesticide beta-HCH in blood and Parkinson's disease are linked: UT Southwestern Medical Center

Also in global health news: U.S. global development policy; DDT in Uganda; potential drought, famine in Ethiopia

FDA: Earlier methods likely underestimated lead levels in lipsticks

MammoSite ML radiation therapy system approved for breast cancer treatment

First AbioCor Total Replacement Heart recipient does not survive

Ariba podcast to help pharmaceutical companies conduct cost-effective sourcing

Schering-Plough launches CLARITIN 12-Hour for non-drowsy relief from allergy symptoms

Weight-loss surgery prior to pregnancy results in lower prevalence of obesity in children

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals to discuss its recently approved FDA product at the UBS Conference

VAERS calls for reporting of GBS cases following 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination

Cardiac resynchronization therapy delays the progression of heart failure

New vaccine technology may prove beneficial for treating IGF-1 responsive disorders

High-fiber cereals make progress in taste

Natural food compounds may play a vital role in cancer treatment

The future is bioengineered: Synthetic biology and global sustainability eBook

Bringing real-time analytics to downstream bioprocess monitoring

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

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