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VIDAS TOXO IgG Avidity assay to test for recent Toxoplasma gondii infection receives FDA clearance

On May 18, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first test to help determine whether a pregnant woman or a person with swollen lymph nodes testing positive for toxoplasmosis, sometimes known as cat scratch disease, developed the infection within the past four months.

20 May 2011

Concern over vaccine safety prevents parents from vaccinating asthmatic children

Concern over vaccine safety is one of the primary factors preventing parents from having their asthmatic children vaccinated for influenza, or flu, according to Michigan researchers. Parents who do not vaccinate their children are also less likely to view flu as a"trigger" for their child's asthma, the researchers noted.

17 May 2011

FDA nod for hepatitis C drug

Merck & Co have finally won the Food and Drugs Administration – FDA’S approval on Friday to sell a new drug considered a major advance against the liver-destroying hepatitis C virus. The drug brand named, Victrelis is expected to help transform treatment of the potentially fatal disease with higher cure rates and shorter courses of therapy for some patients. Merck shares rose 0.6 percent in after-hours trading to $37.33, up from their $37.08 close on the New York Stock Exchange. Approval of Victrelis was widely expected after a FDA advisory panel recommended the drug in an 18-0 vote in April.

17 May 2011

Computationally designed antiviral proteins may fight against influenza

A research article May 12 in Science demonstrates the use of computational methods to design new antiviral proteins not found in nature, but capable of targeting specific surfaces of flu virus molecules.

16 May 2011

The Leonardo da Vinci Prize competition invites project submissions

International philanthropists, prestigious Universities, Hospitals, Order of Physicians, Public Administrations support and sponsor this initiative to follow scientific procedures to identify solutions with the highest potential to reduce premature cancer death and cost.

13 May 2011

Shared wind instruments may cause sickness

Germs survive for several days in wind instruments including the clarinet, flute, and saxophone, according to a pilot study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research. The researchers, led by Stuart Levy, MD, of Tufts University School of Medicine, urge proper cleaning of these instruments.

13 May 2011

Tips for fighting drug-resistant superbugs

Superbug CRKP is just the latest in emerging strains of drug-resistant bacteria. While new drugs to combat these stealthy microbes like MRSA and CRKP remain in development what can we do to prevent catching and spreading these dangerous bugs?.

13 May 2011

Scientists to discuss latest autism research findings at IMFAR meeting

The 10th Annual International Meeting for Autism Research will host more than 1900 researchers, delegates, autism specialists, and students in the world's largest gathering of researchers and clinicians devoted to a better understanding of autism. The meeting will be held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt from May 12-14, 2011.

12 May 2011

New book explores the hidden world of viruses

"Carl Zimmer is one of the best science writers we have today. A Planet of Viruses is an important primer on the viruses living within and around all of us-sometimes funny, other times shocking, and always accessible. Whether discussing the common cold and flu, little-known viruses that attack bacteria or protect oceans, or the world's viral future as seen through our encounters with HIV or SARS, Zimmer's writing is lively, knowledgeable, and graced with poetic touches."-Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

7 May 2011

Sunrise Senior Living first quarter revenues decrease to $320.7 million

Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. today reported financial results and operating data for the first quarter of 2011.

6 May 2011

Quest Diagnostics' Simplexa C. difficile test is now available in Europe

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced the availability in Europe of the Simplexa C. difficile Universal Direct test on the 3M Integrated Cycler.

From Quest Diagnostics 6 May 2011

Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s polycarbonate gives innovative sinus therapy device strength and striking color

Anyone suffering from colds, flu, sinusitis, allergies, croup and chronic dryness knows the soothing power of warm vapor. Vapore, Inc. has brought a new dimension to this relief with its innovative, over-the-counter (OTC) sinus therapy device, MyPurMist™.

5 May 2011

Roundup: Mass. officials wrestle with municipal health care issues

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick says he and legislative leaders are in fundamental agreement over what should be included in a municipal health care bill, even while there remains disagreement on the specifics. The House approved a measure last week that would largely strip public employee unions of collective bargaining rights over health care benefits. The Senate is expected to act in the coming weeks.

4 May 2011

NanoViricides' FluCide drug candidate greatly reduces lung viral load in animals

NanoViricides, Inc. reports that post-infection treatment with its optimized FluCide drug candidates achieved 1,000-fold reduction in the levels of infectious virus in the lungs of animals with a lethal level of influenza virus infection.

3 May 2011

Vidyo, American Well partner to enable Online Care services

Vidyo, Inc., the first company to deliver personal telepresence, today announced a partnership with American Well, whose Online Care Suite connects providers and patients for live, immediate, and clinically meaningful encounters using the Web or phone.

3 May 2011

Germ Genie is also effective against C.difficile infection

Scientists at the University of Hertfordshire, who proved the effectiveness of Germ Genie, a tool to prevent infections from keyboards, have now found that it can kill C.difficile.

3 May 2011

Secondhand smoke is hazardous for children hospitalized with flu

Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to need intensive care and intubation when hospitalized with influenza, according to new research by the University of Rochester Medical Center presented today at the Pediatric Academic Society meeting in Denver. The children also had longer hospital stays.

3 May 2011