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CWRU grants licensing agreement to Bioptigen for FDOCT technology

Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center have granted to Bioptigen, of Research Triangle Park, N.C ., an exclusive intellectual property licensing agreement for Fourier domain optical coherence tomography (FDOCT), an imaging technology developed from research at the university's Department of Biomedical Engineering.

27 Oct 2009

Interim results from FREEDOM study announced by NxStage Medical

NxStage Medical, Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, today announced the latest interim results from its ongoing FREEDOM study. The FREEDOM data will be presented in posters at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Renal Week 2009, from October 27th to November 1st in San Diego.

27 Oct 2009

Video capsule endoscopy is safe for patients with heart devices

A new Mayo Clinic study suggests that video capsule endoscopy (CE), a procedure that uses wireless technology in diagnosing intestinal disease, is safe for patients with heart devices. Wireless electrical gadgets, such as cell phones, have been shown to interfere with implanted heart devices, including pacemakers and defibrillators. This risk has led medical experts to speculate that capsule endoscopy could similarly cause heart devices to fail.

27 Oct 2009

Patients with diverticulosis have lower incidence of polyps, says new study

A Henry Ford Hospital study questions the need for aggressive screening for colonic polyps in patients with diverticulosis.

27 Oct 2009

Pregabalin reduces abdominal pain and improves sleep in women with adhesions

Pregabalin, FDA-approved for neuropathic pain (pain caused by shingles and peripheral neuropathy), effectively reduced abdominal pain and improved sleep in women with adhesions, according to a Henry Ford study.

27 Oct 2009

Princeton University scientists and researchers team up to explore cancer evolution

Princeton University physical scientists will partner with researchers at four other institutions to explore the driving forces behind the evolution of cancer under a five-year, $15.2 million award from the National Cancer Institute.

27 Oct 2009

Small businesses face higher premiums, push for access to 'exchanges'

"As Congress nears votes on legislation that would overhaul the health care system, many small businesses say they are facing the steepest rise in insurance premiums they have seen in recent years," the New York Times reports.

27 Oct 2009

Unions worry about 'Cadillac' tax on expensive health insurance

"Unions representing thousands of teachers and state and local government workers are bracing for the worst if Congress adopts a proposed 'Cadillac' tax on health insurance," Newsday reports.

27 Oct 2009

President Obama declares H1N1 national emergency

President Barack Obama declared the H1N1 (swine) flu outbreak a national emergency, the Wall Street Journal reports. "The declaration, which Mr. Obama signed Friday, authorizes the administration to waive or modify certain federal requirements involving Medicare, Medicaid and health-privacy rules to speed treatment," the newspaper writes (McKay/Simpson/Whalen, 10/26).

26 Oct 2009

Observer examines calls for reworking health spending focus in Africa

The Observer examines the recent appeal by some health experts for an "overhaul of health spending in Africa," which, they say, focuses on HIV/AIDS and overlooks other deadly diseases, such as diarrhea.

26 Oct 2009

Internet training can improve brain activity in older adults

You can teach an old dog new tricks, say UCLA scientists who found that middle-aged and older adults with little Internet experience were able to trigger key centers in the brain that control decision-making and complex reasoning after just one week of surfing the Web.

26 Oct 2009

Study shows diabetics who are nearsighted may be less susceptible to diabetic retinopathy

Two studies are of particular note in today's Scientific Program of the 2009 Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO): a report by Swiss neuro-ophthalmic researchers about vision exam clues that should make ophthalmologists suspect an atypical variant of Alzheimer's disease; and new evidence from a Singapore National Eye Center study that diabetics who are nearsighted may be less susceptible to diabetic retinopathy.

26 Oct 2009

DaVita to demonstrate clinical outcomes, patient care and nutrition through 43 abstracts

DaVita Inc., a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), in conjunction with DaVita Clinical Research®, today announced that company representatives will deliver 43 abstracts—40 posters and three oral presentations—at this year’s American Society of Nephrology’s (ASN) Renal Week to be held in San Diego, Calif., from Oct. 27 – Nov. 1, 2009.

24 Oct 2009

Cleavage rejuvenation, Botox Breast Lift and Awake-Breast Augmentation - are they safe?

Whether their effectiveness is fact or fiction, less invasive cosmetic procedures such as cleavage rejuvenation, do-it-yourself (DIY) cosmetic therapies, and using Botox- to "lift" the breasts are making headlines, but are they safe? Plastic surgeons will discuss if these, and more, are cutting edge new discoveries or just "buyer beware" marketing hype at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, Oct. 23 - 27, in Seattle.

24 Oct 2009

Free, public lecture on hyperactivity

Biologist Theodore Garland will give an hour-long lecture, titled "Born to Run: Evolution of Hyperactivity in Mice," at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29, in the University Theatre on the UC Riverside campus. Doors open at 6 p.m. Seating is open.

24 Oct 2009

Bioethicist honored with March of Dimes Distinguished Lectureship in Perinatal Bioethics award

A bioethicist who specializes in moral dilemmas families face when making medical decisions for critically-ill newborns was honored with the first-ever March of Dimes Distinguished Lectureship in Perinatal Bioethics.

24 Oct 2009

SARRC awarded a $100,000 as the winner of the 2009 Arizona Benefits grant

The Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC), a non-profit working to advance research and provide support for individuals with autism and their families, has been awarded a $100,000 grant as the winner of the 2009 Arizona Benefits grant, funded by health benefits company Humana Inc.

24 Oct 2009

Women and children important during groundwater arsenic pollution fieldwork, says geologist

A Kansas State University geologist and graduate student are finding that the most important tools in their fieldwork on groundwater arsenic pollution are women and children armed with pamphlets and testing kits.

24 Oct 2009

Egypt Race for the Cure supports breast cancer programs

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is expanding its global breast cancer mission to Egypt this October, working with Egyptian government agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to break the silence and stigma around breast cancer.

24 Oct 2009

Health care changes forcing companies to adapt, could cost doctors

"Although thousands of doctors are converting their offices to electronic health records, a change the federal government supports with $19 billion in grants, there is a major catch — the government is still working on establishing a standard for e-records," the Las Vegas Sun reports. "Doctors who buy a software program could lose hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, if their systems aren't compatible with the future government standard."

24 Oct 2009