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SNP array's snapshot of Anopheles gambiae genome can help eliminate malaria

The development and first use of a high-density SNP array for the malaria vector mosquito have established 400,000 genetic markers capable of revealing new insights into how the insect adapts to outsmart insecticides and other preventive measures, according to findings published in the current edition of the journal Science.

26 Oct 2010

Study reveals two enzymes help immune cells deploy pathogen-killing traps

A new study reveals that two enzymes help immune cells deploy pathogen-killing traps by unraveling and using the chromatin (DNA and its associated proteins) contained in the cells' nuclei to form defensive webs. The study appears online on October 25 in The Journal of Cell Biology.

26 Oct 2010

IMRT minimizes gastrointestinal side effects of prostate cancer treatment

Men with prostate cancer treated with a specialized type of radiation called intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have fewer gastrointestinal complications compared to patients treated with conventional three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), according to a study presented November 1, 2010, at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).

26 Oct 2010

Dual antiplatelet therapy study expanded into Australia and New Zealand

The Harvard Clinical Research Institute (HCRI) announced today that the DAPT Study has expanded into Australia and New Zealand. Professor Ian Meredith, MBBS, Ph.D., interventional cardiologist at MonashHeart in Melbourne, Australia and National Coordinating Investigator for the DAPT Study in Australia, was the first Pacific Rim investigator to enroll patients into the study.

26 Oct 2010

Sanofi Pasteur presents Fluzone quadrivalent Phase II trial data for influenza at IDSA Annual Meeting

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of the sanofi-aventis Group announced today the results of a clinical trial of its investigational Fluzone Quadrivalent (Influenza Virus Vaccine) compared to the currently licensed Fluzone (Influenza Virus Vaccine). Data from the Phase II trial assessing the immunogenicity and safety of the investigational quadrivalent vaccine were presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America in Vancouver, British Columbia.

26 Oct 2010

Researchers investigate impact of fungal toxin on birth defects

A Creighton University School of Medicine researcher has been awarded a $2.7 million grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate a possible link between the ingestion of tortillas and corn-based food products contaminated with a fungal toxin and increased risk for birth defects.

26 Oct 2010

Lead exposure may reverse blindness: Research

Some unexpected effects of lead exposure that may one day help prevent and reverse blindness have been uncovered by a University of Houston (UH) professor and his team.

26 Oct 2010

Baxter announces launch of GLASSIA in the U.S.

Baxter International Inc. today announced the commercial launch of GLASSIATM [Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor (Human)] in the United States. GLASSIATM is the first available ready-to-use liquid alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (Alpha1-PI) and is indicated as a chronic augmentation and maintenance therapy in adults with emphysema due to congenital deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), an under-diagnosed hereditary condition characterized by a low level of alpha-1 protein in the blood.

From Baxter International Inc. 26 Oct 2010

Study looks at long-term consequences of heavy smoking on dementia

Heavy smoking in midlife is associated with a 157 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and a 172 percent increased risk of developing vascular dementia, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

26 Oct 2010

High erythropoietin levels predict higher mortality

High erythropoietin levels in people over age 85 indicate a higher risk of death, according to a study published in CMAJ.

26 Oct 2010

CBER's Laboratory Quality System program receives accreditation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation has accredited the Laboratory Quality System program in the Center for Biologics and Evaluation Research (CBER) under ISO/IEC 17025 in the fields of biological and chemical testing.

26 Oct 2010

B-complex vitamins slow down mild cognitive impairment

Large doses of B-complex vitamins could reduce the rate of brain shrinkage by half in elderly people with memory problems and slow the progression of dementia.

25 Oct 2010

Marathon running without proper training can damage the heart

Is running a marathon good for you or can it damage the heart?

25 Oct 2010

Safety tips to reduce risk of lead exposure

With more than 2,700 children having elevated blood lead levels in 2009, the Department of Health today reminds parents to test young children for lead exposure, especially during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, Oct. 24-30.

25 Oct 2010

Cryo-Cell to launch new reproductive tissue service for cryopreserved embryos, oocyctes

Cryo-Cell International, Inc. one of the world's largest and most established family cord blood banks and global stem cell innovators, today announced plans at the annual meeting of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) to launch Cryology RTS, a new reproductive tissue storage service for cryopreserved embryos, oocyctes and sperm.

25 Oct 2010

Popular Mechanics recognizes three NSF-funded projects with innovation Breakthrough Awards

Popular Mechanics has recognized three NSF-funded projects with innovation Breakthrough Awards: an artificial retina returning sight to those who have lost it; a system that uses "controlled rocking" and energy-dissipating fuses to help buildings withstand earthquakes; and an inexpensive medical microscope built for cell-phones that allows doctors in rural villages to identify malaria-infected blood cells.

25 Oct 2010

CARTaGENE database meets 20k participant milestone

This week, the last questionnaire was filled out and the final vial of blood was drawn, closing CARTaGENE's first ambitious goal of collecting samples and data from 20 000 Quebecers.

25 Oct 2010

Gene therapy may reverse pulmonary hypertension

A Heart and Stroke Foundation researcher has discovered what could be the first truly effective breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension, a devastating, life-threatening condition which results in an enlargement of the heart.

25 Oct 2010

Research Roundup: U.S. life expectancy ratings; Medicare Advantage outlook; Should advanced cancer patients have routine screening tests?

Health Affairs: What Changes In Survival Rates Tell Us About US Health Care -- Proponents of changes in the U.S. health system have often pointed to studies that find health outcomes in this country are worse than other developed nations, even though the United States "spends well over twice the median expenditure of industrialized nations on health care, and far more than any other country as a percentage of its gross domestic product." Others point to high rates of smoking, obesity and traffic fatalities.

25 Oct 2010

Research finds succimer drug not effective in removing mercury

Succimer, a drug used for treating lead poisoning, does not effectively remove mercury from the body, according to research supported by the National Institutes of Health. Some families have turned to succimer as an alternative therapy for treating autism.

25 Oct 2010