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Study on mitochondria function

For such crucial biological actors, much remains unknown about exactly how mitochondria function. A new study, published Aug. 12 in the online journal PLoS One, sheds light on mitochondrial biology. Using genetic engineering, researchers interrupted the activity of individual genes directly involved in the production of energy within mitochondria. "If we knock down the function of specific system components, what happens?" said study leader Marni J. Falk, M.D., who directs the Mitochondrial-Genetics Disease Clinic at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "Our ultimate goal is to translate the knowledge into targeted therapies, that is, effective ways to intervene. But first we need to understand the underlying disease mechanisms."

25 Sep 2009

New videos for consumers to better understand how health insurance works

Humana Inc. has released seven new videos in its popular “Stay Smart, Stay Healthy” series. These videos – designed to help health care consumers better understand how health insurance works, and what factors affect the costs they pay – are now available on YouTube and at www.StaySmartStayHealthy.com.

25 Sep 2009

H1N1 influenza pandemic could present a host of medical ethics issues: JCB

The anticipated onset of a second wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic could present a host of thorny medical ethics issues best considered well in advance, according to the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics, which today released nine papers for public discussion.

25 Sep 2009

Trade groups to church groups share evolving views on health reform

Many groups fear, or are fiercely advocating for, provisions in Democratic health care reform proposals. Others are softening their stances on certain parts of the bills. Here's a sampling from today's clippings.

24 Sep 2009

Everolimus-eluting stent efficient in treating native coronary artery lesions

Late-breaking data from SPIRIT IV, a large-scale multi-center study of nearly 4,000 patients in the U.S., shows that an everolimus-eluting stent demonstrated enhanced safety and efficacy in the treatment of de novo native coronary artery lesions when compared to a paclitaxel-eluting stent, and showed that "low late loss" may be achieved with drug-eluting stents without sacrificing safety.

24 Sep 2009

Rio Grande Dermatology offers eyelash drugs for $99

Many women desire to have thicker and longer eyelashes. Previously this could only be accomplished with the use of fake lashes. However, due to the discovery of a desirable side effect of a glaucoma drug, Latisse was born. Rio Grande Dermatology, providers of comprehensive dermatology treatments for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, is proud to offer this highly anticipated "eyelash drug" for an introductory price of $99 dollars.

24 Sep 2009

Restrictive policies in India discourages medical and pharmaceutical innovation: USIBC report

At a roundtable organized by the Coalition for Innovation Employment and Development, the U.S.-India Business Council's 'Coalition for Healthy India' released the findings of its report on "The Value of Incremental Pharmaceutical Innovation: Benefits for Indian Patients and Indian Business". The report highlights and substantiates the impact of restrictive policies in India, with respect to medical and pharmaceutical innovation.

24 Sep 2009

New poll shows bipartisan support to Americans for alcohol and drug addiction treatment

As the debate over health care reform continues on Capitol Hill, a new national poll shows broad, bipartisan support for ensuring that all Americans have access to alcohol and drug addiction treatment.

24 Sep 2009

PCMA releases statement regarding the Senate Finance Committee’s ongoing deliberations on health-care reform

“As the Senate Finance Committee continues to craft legislation, the next 48 hours will be critical in determining whether health reform delivers on the promise of making prescription drugs more affordable for all Americans. With nearly $245 billion spent annually on prescription drugs, Americans want the peace of mind that comes from knowing that reform makes common-sense improvements that lower the cost of prescriptions for everyone.

24 Sep 2009

Collaborative clinical care network at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Fostering innovation to speed the improvement of health care is the goal of an $8.3 million grant to researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

24 Sep 2009

Clinical study results of Novolimus and Myolimum eluting coronary stent systems released

Elixir Medical Corporation, a developer of products that combine state-of-the-art medical devices with advanced pharmaceuticals, announced today positive results from three multicenter first-in-man studies of Novolimus and Myolimus eluting coronary stent systems with durable and bioabsorbable polymers. Findings were presented at the 21st Annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT 2009) scientific symposium.

24 Sep 2009

Some imaging centers, drug makers may be driving up costs

The Dallas Morning News reports on the lure of the medical imaging business, which is many say is a "growth industry," including the idea that a "second- or third-hand MRI machine" can be purchased by a physician practice or free-standing imaging center for a few hundred thousand dollars but yield millions in new revenue. A report by America's Health Insurance Plans says as many as half the scans are unnecessary, and a McKinsey Global Institute study found the extra machines produce around $26.4 billion in additional costs each year. In addition, they expose patients to avoidable radiation (McNeill, 9/22).

24 Sep 2009

Republicans criticize Democrat's direction, Finance Committee timing

Just as Senate Finance Committee action is heating up, tempers on both sides of the aisle are flaring, as senators stake out positions and weigh political implications of their positions.

24 Sep 2009

New version of Adis R&D Insight global pipeline database launched

Wolters Kluwer Pharma Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of market data and competitive intelligence to the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, today introduced a powerful, new version of its popular Adis R&D Insight global pipeline database.

24 Sep 2009

New method found for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

For the first time researchers have shown that by inhibiting the action of an enzyme called TAK-1, it is possible to make pancreatic cancer cells sensitive to chemotherapy, opening the way for the development of a new drug to treat the disease.

24 Sep 2009

MicroDose initiates Phase 1 clinical trial investigating the pharmacokinetics of atropine inhalation

MicroDose Therapeutx Inc. (formerly MicroDose Technologies) today announced that it has initiated a Phase I study at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center with atropine sulfate delivered from the MicroDose proprietary dry powder inhaler (DPI). The study is a further step in the development program for an atropine inhaler to treat nerve agent poisoning in military and civil defense applications.

24 Sep 2009

It is possible to reduce the risk of HIV infection with a vaccine: AVAC

"Today marks an historic milestone in the search for an AIDS vaccine; we now have evidence that it is possible to reduce the risk of HIV infection with a vaccine," said AVAC executive director Mitchell Warren, reacting to the results of the first AIDS vaccine trial to ever show efficacy at preventing HIV. "It will take time and resources to fully analyze, understand and validate the data, but there is little doubt that this finding will energize and redirect the AIDS vaccine field as all of us begin the hard work to translate this landmark result into true public health benefit."

24 Sep 2009

G20 preview: Obama to propose phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies; HIV/AIDS protesters take to streets in Pittsburgh

During the G20 summit opening Thursday in Pittsburgh, President Obama will propose countries around the world phase out government subsidies that promote the production and use of fossil fuels "that spew carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas," the Associated Press reports (Borenstein, 9/23).

24 Sep 2009

NIH awards $2.5 million grant to University of Utah cardiologist

A pioneering model that a University of Utah cardiologist proposes as a cause of heart disease is the kind of creative thinking the National Institutes of Health (NIH) likes to see-and reward with one of its most prestigious honors, a $2.5 million 2009 Pioneer Award.

24 Sep 2009

Computational models form basis to design the device for recreating kidney function

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and two other academic institutions have received federal funding to systematically assemble functional human kidney tissue from tissue modeled on a computer. If successful, the research-which ties together several emerging technologies including virtual tissue modeling and nanofabrication-could lead to a more predictable way for researchers to engineer tissue outside the body and, consequently, to screen for new drugs.

24 Sep 2009

Drugs News and Research

Study on mitochondria function

New videos for consumers to better understand how health insurance works

H1N1 influenza pandemic could present a host of medical ethics issues: JCB

Trade groups to church groups share evolving views on health reform

Everolimus-eluting stent efficient in treating native coronary artery lesions

Rio Grande Dermatology offers eyelash drugs for $99

Restrictive policies in India discourages medical and pharmaceutical innovation: USIBC report

New poll shows bipartisan support to Americans for alcohol and drug addiction treatment

PCMA releases statement regarding the Senate Finance Committee’s ongoing deliberations on health-care reform

Collaborative clinical care network at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Clinical study results of Novolimus and Myolimum eluting coronary stent systems released

Some imaging centers, drug makers may be driving up costs

Republicans criticize Democrat's direction, Finance Committee timing

New version of Adis R&D Insight global pipeline database launched

New method found for the treatment of pancreatic cancer

MicroDose initiates Phase 1 clinical trial investigating the pharmacokinetics of atropine inhalation

It is possible to reduce the risk of HIV infection with a vaccine: AVAC

G20 preview: Obama to propose phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies; HIV/AIDS protesters take to streets in Pittsburgh

NIH awards $2.5 million grant to University of Utah cardiologist

Computational models form basis to design the device for recreating kidney function

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

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