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Researchers identify body's control switch system to eliminate damaged cells

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists discovered a new mechanism cells use to maximize production of a key protein following DNA damage and demonstrated the potential of small molecules to regulate the process and protect healthy tissue.

14 Sep 2010

New insight into most common form of congenital heart disease

Repairing small, seemingly benign holes in a child's heart may be more clinically important than previously thought, as dysfunction could be lurking out of sight. These are the findings from a study conducted by doctors and researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital and the Ohio State University Medical Center examining a subset of the most common form of congenital heart disease, ventricular septal defect.

14 Sep 2010

Depression in children and teens need to be treated early

Depression in children and teenagers can be very debilitating and can have a lifelong impact. Parents who suspect their child, even their youngster, might be depressed should seek help right away rather than simply hope their child will eventually "grow out of it."

14 Sep 2010

ADHD medication improves childhood cancer survivors: Research

A medicine widely used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) also provides long-term relief from the attention and behavior changes that affect many childhood cancer survivors, according to a multicenter trial led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators.

14 Sep 2010

News outlets examine MDGs challenges: Communicating to public, NGOs charge draft declaration falls short

AllAfrica.com reports on a "fellowship hosted by the U.N. Foundation" last week "to educate the media about progress that has been made on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) thus far and what still needs to be done before the 2015 target date for achieving them."

14 Sep 2010

AIDS advocates call for African Governments to spend more of their own funds on health

Doctors and AIDS activists on Friday urged African governments to fulfill a decade-old pledge to spend more of their own money on health if they want international help in fighting AIDS.

14 Sep 2010

Study finds new therapeutic target for polycystic kidney disease

In work suggesting a new approach to treating polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a leading cause of kidney failure, researchers at Children's Hospital Boston were able to block the formation of fluid-filled cysts, the hallmark of the disease, in a mouse model. Their findings, using a compound that inhibits a receptor known as c-Met, will be published in the September 13th online edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

14 Sep 2010

Myopia and Glaucoma genes identified

In global studies of more than 40,000 people from countries around the world, including Australia, researchers have found the genes responsible for two of the most common eye disorders - short-sightedness or myopia and glaucoma. The scientists believe this could open new diagnostic and management options.

13 Sep 2010

As overhaul unfolds, interest in at least one change spreads across aisle

At least one aspect of the GOP's health overhaul repeal push has become bipartisan: Objections to a provision requiring businesses that file 1099 tax forms to provide line-item detail of any purchases of $600 or more in a given year, The New York Times reports. Democrats, including Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, are saying they, too, would like to change the provision.

13 Sep 2010

Daiichi Sankyo receives marketing approval for Inavir in Japan

Biota Holdings Limited today announced that Daiichi Sankyo has received approval to manufacture and market Inavir® in Japan. Inavir® is Daiichi Sankyo's brand of laninamivir octanoate and also previously known as CS-8958. The approved indication is for the treatment of influenza in adults and children.

13 Sep 2010

New book relates mercury in vaccines to autism

The U.S. government revealed last week that they will compensate a family millions of dollars for their daughter's injury related to her infant vaccines that contained mercury and the subsequent development of autism. Yet, the CDC continues to tell the public that there is no connection between vaccines and autism and that the mercury has been removed, although the flu shot recommended for all pregnant women, infants, and children continues to be preserved with mercury.

13 Sep 2010

UIC Institute for Juvenile Research centennial anniversary celebrations on Oct. 1

The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine's Institute for Juvenile Research will celebrate its centennial anniversary Oct. 1.

13 Sep 2010

Leukemia survivor to meet donor of bone marrow transplant

Ann Marie Del Fiacco, a 38-year-old Berwyn mother of two, owes her life to a stranger who volunteered to be a donor for her life-saving bone marrow transplant.

13 Sep 2010

Basketball-related traumatic brain injuries increase 70% over 11-year study period

A new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital examined basketball-related injuries treated in emergency departments among children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 from 1997 to 2007. According to the study, more than 4 million basketball-related injuries were treated in emergency departments during the 11-year study. While the number of injuries decreased 22 percent over the course of the study, the average number of injuries per year (375,350) remained high.

13 Sep 2010

Octapharma sponsors symposium on inhibitors in Haemophilia A

In a showing of its continued commitment to eradicating today's major complication in the treatment of haemophilia with FVIII concentrates − i.e. anti-FVIII neutralising antibodies − Octapharma AG recently sponsored a symposium, "Inhibitors in Haemophilia A: Prevention, Current Management and Personalised Therapy Perspectives", on July 13, 2010 at the World Federation of Haemophilia's (WFH's) yearly congress.

13 Sep 2010

Fusion surgery for spondylolisthesis in lumbar spine has long-term benefits: Study

A group of children who underwent fusion surgery for spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine 30 years ago showed a clear reduction in back pain when followed up seven years later. A new study of these patients as adults has found that the benefits have lasted, reveals research from the Sahlgrenska Academy and Sahlgrenska University Hospital presented this week at the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT) annual international conference in Gothenburg.

13 Sep 2010

Scientists discover gene associated with myopia

Myopia (nearsightedness) is the most common eye disorder in the world and becoming more common, yet little is known about its genetic underpinnings.Scientists at Duke University Medical Center, in conjunction with several other groups, have uncovered a gene associated with myopia in Caucasian people from several different regions, including Dutch, British and Australian subjects.

13 Sep 2010

IRIN reports on efforts to better address moderate acute malnutrition

Aid groups in West Africa are trying out new strategies and products for treating moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) as part of a U.N.-led effort to change 30 year old policies, IRIN reports.

13 Sep 2010

Oral health impacts systemic diseases: Report

It's not news that there is a significant link between one's oral health and overall health. Though studies are ongoing, researchers have known for quite some time that the mouth is connected to the rest of the body.Your mouth is the entry point of many bacteria,said Dr. Steven Grater, Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) member and general dentist from Harrisburg. To keep this bacteria from going into your body, cleaning your mouth (brushing, flossing and rinsing) is necessary.

13 Sep 2010

Researchers develop mathematical framework for vaccine stockpile implications

A creative version of a classic engineering technique may improve decisions about building and using supplies of important pediatric vaccines, potentially leading to lower public health costs and healthier children.The United States maintains a six-month supply of common pediatric vaccines to ensure protection from deadly diseases, such as the flu, polio, and diphtheria, despite interruptions in vaccine production.

13 Sep 2010