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Fewer injections to treat neutropenia in childhood cancer patients

For patients like 10-year-old Sabrina Jo Spence, new research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators meant fewer injections to combat the drop in white blood cells following her recent chemotherapy.

11 Mar 2010

Investigators develop new mathematical approach to analyze molecular data

Investigators have developed a new mathematical approach to analyze molecular data derived from complex mixtures of immune cells. This approach, when combined with well-established techniques, readily identifies changes in small samples of human whole blood, and has the potential to distinguish between health and disease states.

11 Mar 2010

Platelet dosage can be lowered in transfusions for cancer and bone-marrow transplant patients

Physicians may be able to safely lower the platelet dosage in transfusions for cancer and bone-marrow transplant patients without risking increased bleeding, according to new research involving UT Southwestern Medical Center and 28 other medical institutions.

11 Mar 2010

Following existing cholesterol-lowering target guidelines can prevent more heart disease-related incidents

Only half of all patients at high risk of heart disease are given correct targets for lowering their cholesterol levels according to a study of 25,250 patients in Germany published online today (Thursday 11 March) in the European Heart Journal.

11 Mar 2010

Octenol compound aids mosquitoes in finding blood meal

The potentially deadly yellow-fever-transmitting Aedes aegypti mosquito detects the specific chemical structure of a compound called octenol as one way to find a mammalian host for a blood meal, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists report.

11 Mar 2010

WHO issues new guidelines for malaria treatment

The World Health Organization (WHO) is releasing new guidelines for the treatment of malaria, and the first ever guidance on procuring safe and efficacious anti-malarial medicines.

11 Mar 2010

Metal implants in young mothers may pose danger to offspring

Women with metal-on-metal hip implants, where both the ball of the joint and the surface of the socket are made of metal, pass metal ions to their offspring during pregnancy, according to a study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center. The ions are the result of wear and corrosion as the metal parts rub against one another.

11 Mar 2010

WHO's updated malaria guidelines include rapid diagnosis, new ACT

The WHO on Tuesday released new guidelines for the treatment of malaria, which recommend "parasitological testing before treatment begins" and add "a new artemisinin based combination treatment [ACT] to the list of prescribed drugs," BMJ News reports.

11 Mar 2010

Extreme or moderate heat may help cure malignant and benign tumors

Aided by ultrasound guidance, treating tumors with extreme heat or moderate heat may provide a possible therapeutic option, according to early research presented at the second AACR Dead Sea International Conference on Advances in Cancer Research: From the Laboratory to the Clinic, held March 7-10, 2010.

11 Mar 2010

Injured nerves may cause severe pain in patients with sickle cell disease

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have discovered the pain caused by sickle cell disease may not occur solely from damaged tissues, but also from injured nerves.

11 Mar 2010

People with varicose veins should seek professional consultation

March is DVT Awareness Month and Vein Clinics of America encourages people with varicose veins, particularly those that have become painful and inflamed, to visit a vein specialist.

11 Mar 2010

Adherence to lipid-lowering guidelines may help reduce cardiovascular deaths

11 Mar 2010

Clinical trial shows eprotirome drug reduces blood cholesterol

A thyroid-hormone-like substance that works specifically on the liver reduces blood cholesterol with no serious side effects. This according to a clinical trial conducted by researchers from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet, amongst other centres, published today in the top-ranking scientific periodical The New England Journal of Medicine.

11 Mar 2010

Genetic mutation in African-American men with family history of prostate cancer discovered

Shahriar Koochekpour, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Genetics at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, led research that has discovered, for the first time, a genetic mutation in African-American men with a family history of prostate cancer who are at increased risk for the disease.

11 Mar 2010

Cardiologists to highlight capabilities of InfraReDx' LipiScan Coronary Imaging System at ACC.10 and i2 Summit

InfraReDx, Inc., an innovative medical device company focused on developing novel diagnostic imaging technologies to accurately identify and characterize diseased intracoronary tissues, today announced that the Company's LipiScan™ Coronary Imaging System will be highlighted in multiple sessions during the 59th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology.

11 Mar 2010

Lithera announces positive results from Phase IIa clinical study of LIPO-102

Lithera, Inc. today announced positive results from a Phase IIa clinical study of LIPO-102, its novel injectable combination of salmeterol xinafoate (SX) and fluticasone propionate (FP) for selective, non-ablative fat reduction.

11 Mar 2010

Small study shows eprotirome decreases LDL cholesterol

People whose "bad" cholesterol and risk of future heart disease stay too high despite cholesterol-lowering statin therapy can safely lower it by adding a drug that mimics the action of thyroid hormone. In a report published in the Mar. 11, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Johns Hopkins and Swedish researchers say an experimental drug called eprotirome lowered cholesterol up to 32 percent in those already on statins, an effect equal to that expected from doubling the statin drug doses, without harmful side effects.

10 Mar 2010

Aastrom Biosciences treats final patient in IMPACT-DCM Phase 2 surgical clinical trial

Aastrom Biosciences, Inc., a leading developer of autologous cellular therapies for the treatment of severe cardiovascular diseases, today reported the final patient treatment in the company's ongoing U.S. Phase 2 surgical clinical trial designated IMPACT-DCM.

10 Mar 2010

Stason Pharmaceuticals to market Unilife's Unitract 1mL safety syringe in Japan, China and Taiwan

Unilife Corporation today announced that it has signed an exclusive five-year agreement with Stason Pharmaceuticals Inc, a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company, to market the Unitract™ 1mL safety syringe in Japan, China and Taiwan. Stason's Taiwan-based strategic alliance affiliate, Standard Chem. and Pharm. Co., LTD, will act as the primary distributor of the product within these designated territories.

10 Mar 2010

BioTime's fourth-quarter fiscal 2009 total quarterly revenue up 163%

BioTime, Inc. today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 and provided an update on recent corporate developments.

10 Mar 2010