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Adjuvant combination generates memory CD8 T cells which could kill infected cells

Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered how to prime a second arm of the immune system to potentially boost influenza vaccine effectiveness. A combination of two adjuvants, chemicals used to boost the effectiveness of some vaccines, induced CD8, or killer, T cells to join antibodies in response to influenza infection.

9 Jun 2011

Drop in flu vaccination rates alarms health authorities

According to latest figures the number of young children vaccinated against the flu in WA this year has plummeted almost 80 per cent. This is concerning for health officials who believe that parents have been scared off by last year's spate of seizures after the jabs.

8 Jun 2011

Study determines surfactant protein-D as 'a good predictor' of cardiovascular disease

A blood protein known as surfactant protein-D (SP-D), which is mainly synthesised in the lungs, has been described as "a good predictor" of cardiovascular disease following a large study in North America.

8 Jun 2011

Vaccine candidate produces immune response to antigen in all strains of influenza A

A universal influenza vaccine targeting a protein common to all strains of influenza A has safely produced an immune response in humans. If proven effective, the vaccine could eliminate the practice of creating a new flu vaccine annually to match predicted strains, with major implications for global health.

8 Jun 2011

VentiRx presents VTX-2337 Phase 1 trial results against advanced solid tumors at ASCO 2011

VentiRx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel Toll-Like Receptor 8 agonists for the treatment of cancer, respiratory and autoimmune diseases, today announced the presentation of results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of VTX-2337, a selective TLR8 agonist in patients with advanced solid tumors. Data were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.

7 Jun 2011

Positive data from Biogen Idec's AVONEX clinical trial on multiple sclerosis presented at CMSC 2011

Biogen Idec today announced the findings from a randomized, multicenter, dose-blinded clinical trial that evaluated the effect of AVONEX dose titration, or gradual dose escalation, on flu-like symptoms associated with the therapy.

6 Jun 2011

Flu cases rise by 50% in Queensland: Residents alerted

According latest reports, flu cases in Queensland have increased by more than half since last year, causing concern among doctors about an early on-set of flu season. The Australian Medical Association Queensland has revealed close to 1600 cases of flu have been reported across the state this year, with as many as 460 cases reported over the last five weeks alone. They add that that as many as 30 per cent of the flu cases reported were the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu.

2 Jun 2011

Google launches Dengue Trends tool to track outbreaks

"Google has launched Dengue Trends, a tool that aims to detect dengue fever outbreaks around the world using the same methodology behind Google Flu Trends," PC Magazine reports.

2 Jun 2011

Niiki Pharma to present NKP-1339 Phase I trial against metastatic cancer at ASCO 2011

Niiki Pharma announced today that it will present interim data from the ongoing Phase I clinical study for its lead product, NKP-1339, at the 2011 American Society for Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago, IL.

2 Jun 2011

New online tool can help detect and monitor dengue outbreaks

Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston and Google.org have found web-based search data to be a viable source of information for early detection and monitoring of outbreaks of dengue, an emerging mosquito-borne virus found in tropical areas of the world.

1 Jun 2011

Study suggests new therapeutic targets for virally-induced asthma attacks

When children with asthma get the flu, they often land in the hospital gasping for air. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have found a previously unknown biological pathway explaining why influenza induces asthma attacks.

30 May 2011

Flu vaccines at the ready this season

Manufacturers of flu vaccines are nearly ready with the new supply of vaccinations for this upcoming flu season in the northern hemisphere. Two weeks ago, five vaccine manufacturers announced plans to make between 166 million and 173 million doses for the coming season. That's at least 6 million more than the maximum ever produced. However they add that many might not actually need the shots.

29 May 2011

Specific influenza immunization strategies for RA patients may be required for future flu pandemics

A Brazilian hospital-based study assessed responses to flu vaccines in 340 RA patients in regular follow-up compared to 234 healthy patients.

26 May 2011

Medicago, USAMRIID enter research collaboration for Ebola vaccine candidate

Medicago Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing highly effective and competitive vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), today announced that it has entered into a research collaboration agreement with the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) for the development of a plant-based VLP vaccine candidate for the prevention of Ebola. Ebola is a very serious hemorrhagic fever virus for which no licensed treatment or vaccine exists.

26 May 2011

Vuvuzela unhealthy in more ways than one: Study

According to health experts, Vuvuzelas - the horns used by football fans celebrating last year's World Cup - not only cause noise pollution but may also spread diseases. According to a new study published in PLoS One journal it is seen that a short burst on the instrument creates a spittle shower similar to a sneeze, travelling at a four million droplets a second. Authors write that in crowded venues one person blowing a Vuvuzela could infect many others with airborne illness like the flu or TB.

24 May 2011

New study shows that closing schools, other measures limited H1N1 spread in Mexico

The H1N1 virus was new, and most of the cases occurred among young people. Health professionals and scientists weren’t sure at the onset what the world would encounter with the virus.

24 May 2011

Officials and re-election campaigns face health law challenges

News outlets explore how the health overhaul has factored into the tenure of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and into specific re-election campaigns.

24 May 2011

Lund University researcher discovers new sepsis biomarker in blood

Sepsis is the name of an infection that causes a series of reactions in the body, which in the worst case can prove fatal. The problem for both patients and doctors is that the early symptoms are difficult to distinguish from less dangerous infections such as a severe flu or winter vomiting disease.

23 May 2011

WHO member states adopt resolutions on financing, reform and flu pandemic at World Health Assembly

A committee of WHO member governments this week at the World Health Assembly in Geneva "adopted a resolution on the future financing of the organisation and a broad set of reforms, as well as a resolution on the WHO's management of [the H1N1] influenza pandemic showing no evidence of wrongdoing," Intellectual Property Watch reports.

21 May 2011

African Americans with SLE have higher antibody response to influenza vaccination: Study

New research shows that African Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus had a higher antibody response to influenza vaccination than European American patients.

21 May 2011

Flu News and Research

Adjuvant combination generates memory CD8 T cells which could kill infected cells

Drop in flu vaccination rates alarms health authorities

Study determines surfactant protein-D as 'a good predictor' of cardiovascular disease

Vaccine candidate produces immune response to antigen in all strains of influenza A

VentiRx presents VTX-2337 Phase 1 trial results against advanced solid tumors at ASCO 2011

Positive data from Biogen Idec's AVONEX clinical trial on multiple sclerosis presented at CMSC 2011

Flu cases rise by 50% in Queensland: Residents alerted

Google launches Dengue Trends tool to track outbreaks

Niiki Pharma to present NKP-1339 Phase I trial against metastatic cancer at ASCO 2011

New online tool can help detect and monitor dengue outbreaks

Study suggests new therapeutic targets for virally-induced asthma attacks

Flu vaccines at the ready this season

Specific influenza immunization strategies for RA patients may be required for future flu pandemics

Medicago, USAMRIID enter research collaboration for Ebola vaccine candidate

Vuvuzela unhealthy in more ways than one: Study

New study shows that closing schools, other measures limited H1N1 spread in Mexico

Officials and re-election campaigns face health law challenges

Lund University researcher discovers new sepsis biomarker in blood

WHO member states adopt resolutions on financing, reform and flu pandemic at World Health Assembly

African Americans with SLE have higher antibody response to influenza vaccination: Study

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