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Environmental factors, obesity and diabetes: Long-term study launched

Three Singapore biomedical institutions have launched a major, long-term study of pregnant mothers and their fetuses as well as infant children to determine just how profoundly environmental factors early in life influence the onset of diseases such as obesity and diabetes in later years.

10 Nov 2009

Affordable health care can save millions of women, newborns, and children in sub-Saharan Africa

The lives of almost 4 million women, newborns, and children in sub-Saharan Africa could be saved every year if well-established, affordable health care interventions reached 90 percent of families, according to a joint report by the national science academies of seven African countries.

10 Nov 2009

MicroDose Therapeutx acquires potential compounds for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus

MicroDose Therapeutx Inc. (formerly MicroDose Technologies) today announced that it has acquired a portfolio of compounds for the potential treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from ViroPharma Incorporated (Exton, PA). The lead investigational compound in the portfolio is an inhalable small molecule fusion inhibitor, now called MDT-637.

10 Nov 2009

Children with ASD have problem with handwriting: Study

Handwriting skills are crucial for success in school, communication, and building children's self-esteem. The first study to examine handwriting quality in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has uncovered a relationship between fine motor control and poor quality of handwriting in children with ASD, according to research published in the November 10, 2009, issue of Neurology-, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

10 Nov 2009

Children and young people with autism should be offered special teaching support

Teachers and parents must be vigilant in observing difficulties with language comprehension, reading and spelling in children and young people with autism, Asperger's syndrome and ADHD.

10 Nov 2009

Prepubertal boys with cancer can bank on their testicular tissue for preserving fertility

For parents of children with cancer, the hopeful news is that pediatric survival rates have steadily improved for decades. Among the bad news-treatments that enable survival often cause infertility.

10 Nov 2009

Three IVF attempts increase chances of a live birth

Just one in three women gives birth after a single IVF attempt, but the cumulative chance of a live birth increases with each cycle - where women are offered three cycles nearly two thirds go on to have babies, reveals a thesis from the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

10 Nov 2009

Washington insurance program may be a national model, Massachusetts may expand autism services

News outlets report on health issues at the state level including a health insurance program in Washington State and a bill to increase coverage for autism services in Massachusetts.

10 Nov 2009

Obesity among other issues debated in health reform

Among other issues making news in the health care reform debate are people's weight, benefits for homosexual partners, the debate over interstate insurance and the timeline for implementing any changes.

10 Nov 2009

New FDA Food Code published

The Food and Drug Administration today announced the publication of the new FDA Food Code, a model code and reference document that provides a scientifically sound technical and legal basis for regulating the retail and food service segment of the food industry. The 2009 FDA Food Code is a key component of the President's overall public-health-focused food safety framework for maintaining a safe food supply.

10 Nov 2009

Needle exchanges could be limited under Congressional bill

The New York Times reports on federal legislation that could limit needle exchanges. "A bill working its way through Congress would lift a ban of more than 20 years on using federal money for needle exchange programs.

10 Nov 2009

Military and VA struggle with mental health and other health care issues

The events at Fort Hood highlight the military's struggle to provide mental health care for soldiers, veterans and the therapists who treat them.

10 Nov 2009

H1N1 cases increase in China, Japan; Afghanistan attempts to contain virus

The WHO on Friday reported on a rising number of H1N1 (swine flu) cases in China and Japan, Reuters/Washington Post reports. "In China, after an earlier wave of mixed influenza activity (seasonal H3N2 and pandemic H1N1), pandemic H1N1 influenza activity now predominates and is increasing," the agency said. "Sharp increases in pandemic flu infections continue to be reported throughout Japan, particularly on the northern island," the news service writes (Nebehay, 11/6).

10 Nov 2009

Children with autism may have lower quality handwriting, says study

Children with autism may have lower quality handwriting and trouble forming letters compared to children without autism, according to a study published in the November 10, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

9 Nov 2009

Awareness campaign for Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation wins GCG Marketing honors

GCG Marketing today announces its award of Best Corporate Advertisement/Campaign at the 2009 Medical Marketing & Media Awards honoring the agency’s development of an awareness campaign for the Children’s Neuroblastoma Cancer Foundation.

9 Nov 2009

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital patients to receive proton therapy at the UF Proton Therapy Institute

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute have formed a collaboration to provide proton therapy for St. Jude patients. The announcement follows the approval of the first clinical study to evaluate the use of proton therapy for rare brain cancers in children younger than 3 years old.

9 Nov 2009

TRICARE South Region beneficiaries urged to get H1N1 influenza vaccinations

Humana Military Healthcare Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), encourages TRICARE South Region beneficiaries to get their H1N1 influenza vaccinations in an effort to reduce the spread of the virus. Anticipating a greater need for the shots, the Department of Defense (DoD) is encouraging all military personnel to obtain the vaccines.

9 Nov 2009

Shire's INTUNIV for treating ADHD now available in the U.S.

Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced the availability of INTUNIV(TM) (guanfacine) Extended Release Tablets in pharmacies across the United States for the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents ages 6 to 17.

9 Nov 2009

Survey finds fewer Americans use therapy to manage stress

Results of a recent survey reveal that, despite an increase in stress, fewer Americans use therapy as a way to manage it.

9 Nov 2009

Tobacco smoke linked with respiratory diseases

Tobacco smoke is involved in uncontrolled asthma, a diminished response to anti-asthma drugs, rhinitis, nasal obstruction, and deregulation of the immune system according to an international expert at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla.

9 Nov 2009