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Herbalscience research throws light on causes of allergic rhinitis

Most people might think of nettle as simply a common and aggressive weed that can sting and cause skin irritation. But nettle has also been used for hundreds of years to treat seasonal allergies and other inflammatory diseases, although the precise nature of its anti-inflammatory effect was unknown. Now, scientists with HerbalScience have identified specific bioactives in nettle leaf extracts that inhibit in vitro receptors and enzymes known to be key in generating symptoms of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

26 Aug 2009

DAS181 inhibits H5N1 Influenza lung virus infection of human lung tissues

NexBio, Inc. announced today the publication "DAS181 Inhibits H5N1 Influenza Lung Virus Infection of Human Lung Tissues" in the September, 2009 issue of the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (AAC).

26 Aug 2009

Study suggests that connective tissue growth factor plays a vital role in liver fibrosis progression

Accumulating evidence suggests that connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) plays a central role in fibrotic conditions in many organ systems. Fibrosis is a scarring condition that is characterized by excessive collagen production that impedes normal cell function and can cause organ dysfunction and failure.

25 Aug 2009

Study reveals safety of ConvaTec's advanced antimicrobial dressing

ConvaTec, a world-leading provider of innovative medical technologies for community and hospital care, today announced new data showing that AQUACEL(R) Ag, the company's advanced antimicrobial dressing, is safe for use in an MRI environment.

25 Aug 2009

Thyretain TSI Reporter BioAssay test for detecting auto-antibodies attains the FDA clearance

Diagnostic HYBRIDS announces the FDA clearance, for marketing under the 510(k) pre-notification process, of the Thyretain TSI Reporter BioAssay. Thyretain is an in vitro diagnostic use test that specifically detects auto-antibodies called thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) in patient serum.

25 Aug 2009

Thick blood to cause or prevent strokes and heart attacks proved by scientists

"Thick" blood can cause heart attack and stroke, but also prevent them. Scientists at Heidelberg University Hospital have explained the mechanism of this clinical paradox for the first time on an animal model. Mice with a greater tendency to form blood clots have larger plaques in their vessels, but they are more stable.

24 Aug 2009

Adamas Pharmaceuticals forges agreement with U.S. Naval Health Research Center for evaluating triple combination antiviral drug

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held company, announced today that it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Naval Health Research Center for preclinical studies evaluating Adamas' triple combination antiviral drug (TCAD) therapy for influenza A, including novel influenza A/H1N1. TCAD therapy includes Adamas' investigational proprietary fixed-dose oral combination drug, to be administered adjunctively with a neuraminidase inhibitor, including Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate, Roche).

22 Aug 2009

FDA approves Epocal's new glucose test on the epoc Blood Analysis System

Epocal, Inc., a leading edge provider of point of care technology, announced today that it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance to market its new glucose test on the epoc Blood Analysis System.

21 Aug 2009

Researchers develop new ways for splitting dangerous pair of cancer proteins

A research team led by U of T Mississauga scientists has developed a new way to split up a dangerous pair of cancer proteins, a finding that could ultimately lead to chemotherapy that is more effective and has fewer side effects.

21 Aug 2009

AMDL Diagnostics to focus on in vitro diagnostic cancer tests

AMDL Inc. (NYSE Alternext US: ADL), a US-based pharmaceutical company with major operations in China, announced the inauguration of AMDL Diagnostics Inc. (ADI), a new wholly-owned subsidiary that will focus on the research, development, manufacture and international sales of Onko-Sure(TM)-- AMDL's proprietary, regulatory approved in vitro diagnostic (IVD) cancer test.

21 Aug 2009

Chemical components of elderberry, cinnamon and green tea extracts block HIV viruses from infecting cells

The development of new antiviral drugs has had a tremendous impact on the quality of life and life expectancy of HIV-positive and AIDS patients, as the drugs effectively disrupt the replication cycle of the HIV virus. Yet the regular use of those drugs - such as zidovudine (also known as azidothymidine or AZT), protease inhibitors, and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) involving multidrug therapies - has led to resistant HIV strains.

20 Aug 2009

Unaudited financial results of China Medical Technologies to be announced on September 1, 2009

China Medical Technologies, Inc. (the "Company") (Nasdaq: CMED), a leading China-based medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets advanced in-vitro diagnostic products, today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter ("4Q FY2008") and fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 ("FY2008") and the first fiscal quarter ("1Q FY2009") ended June 30, 2009 before the U.S. market opens on September 1, 2009. The Company's 2009 fiscal year ends on March 31, 2010.

20 Aug 2009

AMDL reports revenues of $3.2 million for second quarter of 2009

AMDL Inc., a US-based pharmaceutical company with major operations in China, today reported unaudited results and the filing of its Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for fiscal second quarter 2009.

19 Aug 2009

IVF treatment not to be combined with alternative therapies

Women who are desperately trying to get pregnant might want to avoid complementary and alternative medicine. The common belief is that it won't hurt to try alternative fertility treatments before reverting to in vitro fertilization (IVF). But a new study from Denmark finds that the success of IVF treatment is 30% lower among women who have used alternative medicine.

19 Aug 2009

George Rehm and David Mahoney joins Adamas' Board of Directors

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held company, announced today that it has closed a $40 million Series D round of funding led by aeris CAPITAL AG and DAG Ventures. Earlier investors MDV-Mohr Davidow Ventures and Northgate Capital also participated in the round. In conjunction with the financing, the company announced the election of George M. Rehm, Managing Partner of aeris CAPITAL AG, and David L. Mahoney, a private equity investor, to the company's Board of Directors.

19 Aug 2009

DNA evidence found at crime scenes can easily be falsified

Nucleix, Ltd., an emerging life science company specializing in forensic DNA analysis, announced that company researchers have proven DNA evidence found at crime scenes can easily be falsified using basic equipment, know-how and access to DNA or a DNA database.

18 Aug 2009

Tiny magnetic particles guide stem cells to damaged tissue

Microscopic magnetic particles have been used to bring stem cells to sites of cardiovascular injury in a new method designed to increase the capacity of cells to repair damaged tissue, UCL scientists announced today.

18 Aug 2009

Genetic diagnosis of embryos: Clear explanation, not rhetoric needed

In the area of genetic diagnosis of embryos, the choice of words matters as they can influence policies and perceptions, according to an analysis in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

17 Aug 2009

Sigma-Aldrich offers customizable synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) for stem cell research

Sigma-Aldrich (Nasdaq: SIAL) today announced an agreement with Glycosan BioSystems for the sale of HyStem(TM), a fully customizable synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) for stem cell research. HyStem offers researchers flexibility to tailor microenvironments for their cultured cells that mimic natural in vivo conditions, optimizing stem cell proliferation and differentiation. HyStem was developed by Glycosan BioSystems and will be sold by Sigma-Aldrich under a non-exclusive distribution agreement.

13 Aug 2009

Anti-psychotic drugs could help treat some major cancers

The observation that people taking medication for schizophrenia have lower cancer rates than other people has prompted new research revealing that anti-psychotic drugs could help treat some major cancers.

12 Aug 2009