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First successful attempt to determine the structure of RfaH transcription factor

The results of a new study suggest that bacteria that cause diseases like bubonic plague and serious gastric illness can turn the genes that make them infectious on or off.

15 Apr 2007

Bacteria can barge inside immune cells

Immune cells that are the body's front-line defense don't necessarily rest quietly until invading bacteria lock onto receptors on their outside skins and rouse them to action, as previously thought. In a new paper, University of Michigan scientists describe their findings that bacteria can barge inside these guard cells and independently initiate a powerful immune response.

14 Apr 2007

Updated guidelines for early management of adults with ischemic strok

Intravenous delivery of an approved clot-busting drug remains the most beneficial proven intervention for ischemic stroke, according to updated American Heart Association/American Stroke Association guidelines published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.

14 Apr 2007

FDA approves GlaxoSmithKline's antibacterial Altabax

GlaxoSmithKline has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its antibacterial Altabax for the topical treatment of impetigo due to susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes, the two most common types of bacteria in this kind of infection.

14 Apr 2007

Gelatin-based nanoparticles deliver therapeutic genes to human breast cancer

Northeastern University professor Mansoor Amiji and graduate student Sushma Kommareddy have published a new paper that examines the potential of engineered gelatin-based nanoparticles to deliver therapeutic genes to human breast cancer tumors implanted in mice.

14 Apr 2007

FDA approves Altabax ointment for impetigo

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Altabax (retapamulin ointment) for topical treatment of impetigo, a skin infection caused by bacteria.

14 Apr 2007

Study improves understanding of early ovarian cancer

A new University of Michigan Medical School study sheds light on cell defects that lead to one common type of ovarian cancer and puts forth a promising new mouse model that already is being used for preclinical drug testing.

12 Apr 2007

Prazosin drug helps posttraumatic stress disorder nightmares

A generic drug already used by millions of Americans for high blood pressure and prostate problems has been found to improve sleep and lessen trauma nightmares in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

12 Apr 2007

New mouse model for ovarian cancer

12 Apr 2007

Developing brain tumors coax assistance from nearby cells

Developing brain tumors can coax assistance from nearby cells known as microglia, according to a new study from scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

12 Apr 2007

Common antiwrinkle product compound causes reaction in skin cells

Researchers from Universit, Laval's Faculty of Medicine have discovered that a compound commonly used in many antiwrinkle products causes a pathological reaction in skin cells.

12 Apr 2007

Four genes found to drive spread of breast cancer to the lungs

Studies of human tumor cells implanted in mice have shown that the abnormal activation of four genes drives the spread of breast cancer to the lungs.

12 Apr 2007

First measurement of a cellular heartbeat

Researchers have made a breakthrough by detecting the electrical equivalent of a living cell's last gasp. The work takes them a step closer to both seeing the 'heartbeat' of a living cell and a new way to test drugs.

12 Apr 2007

FDA looks for feedback on Medication Guide program

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold a public hearing on June 12 and 13, 2007, to obtain feedback on FDA's Medication Guide program.

12 Apr 2007

Massive gene screening points way to more effective chemotherapy

Using a technology that can quickly screen all 20,000-plus human genes for biological activity, scientists have isolated 87 genes that seem to affect how sensitive human cancer cells are to certain chemotherapy drugs.

12 Apr 2007

WHO welcomes decision by Abbott Labs to reduce price of lopinavir/ritonavir

The World Health Organization (WHO) is committed to work towards universal access, by 2010, to HIV prevention services and to treatment and care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

11 Apr 2007

Health care reconsidered: Options for change

The Hamilton Project, an initiative at the Brookings Institution, hosted a forum, "Health Care Reconsidered: Options for Change," today at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. At the event, policy papers on reforming Medicare Part "D" (including closing the "donut hole" gap in prescription drug coverage), improving preventive care and promoting greater affordability through progressive cost-sharing were released by The Hamilton Project.

11 Apr 2007

Emotional stress may contribute to development of cancer and may also reduce effectiveness of treatments

Scientists from Wake Forest University School of Medicine are the first to report that the stress hormone epinephrine causes changes in prostate and breast cancer cells that may make them resistant to cell death.

11 Apr 2007

Soy foods among the smartest choices of foods that lower LDL cholesterol

Research from Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard University, Dr. Alice Lichtenstein of Tufts University, and the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Japan confirms findings of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) health claim for soy protein and heart disease.

11 Apr 2007

Most promising drugs in development for metabolic syndrome

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that emerging agents from Metabolex/Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Novartis, and Amylin/Eli Lilly are among the most promising drugs in development for metabolic syndrome.

11 Apr 2007