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Peptides: A new clue on the origins of life

Emory University scientists have discovered that simple peptides can organize into bi-layer membranes. The finding suggests a "missing link" between the pre-biotic Earth's chemical inventory and the organizational scaffolding essential to life.

7 May 2010

Imprinted genes may be the root cause of gender specific diseases, says study

Pregnancy places competing demands on a mother's physiology: Her body wants to produce a strong healthy baby but not at the expense of her own health. Some of the genes that she passes on to her child therefore try to protect her own body from excessive demands from her child.

7 May 2010

Darwin may have lost his own children due to ill effects of inbreeding

Charles Darwin whose theories on evolution have been the basis of all that we know about the evolution of mankind and genetics may have lost his own progeny to inbreeding says a new study.

6 May 2010

Experts unveil roadmap to improve health and health delivery in the U.S.

A Commission of national health care experts convened by the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress has unveiled a roadmap and integrated approach that will put "health" back into our nation's health care system as well as address key opportunities following passage of health care reform legislation.

6 May 2010

Scientists analyze genetic networks of microRNAs in tumors

Genes interact in complex networks that govern cellular processes, much like people connect a social network through relationships. Researchers are now discovering how biological networks change and are rewired in cancer.

6 May 2010

FiatLux Imaging extends availability of free medical software

FiatLux Imaging, Inc., a company dedicated to the development of powerful and useful new software to make the practice of medicine more effective, less expensive and more timely, announced today that, due to user demand and rapidly expanding use, it is extending the free availability of its Visualize FREE application for reading and analyzing medical imaging studies.

6 May 2010

Cryo-EM images shed light on virus structure, function

UCLA researchers report in the April 30 edition of the journal Cell that they have imaged a virus structure at a resolution high enough to effectively "see" atoms, the first published instance of imaging biological complexes at such a resolution.

5 May 2010

CalMHSA announces agreement with CDMH

The California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), a newly formed California joint powers authority (JPA) of counties focused on the efficient delivery of California mental health projects and programs, announced today it has entered into a contract with the California Department of Mental Health (CDMH) to provide program development, administrative oversight, and fiscal management services to county members and other program participants choosing to assign specifically named mental health funds to the joint powers authority.

4 May 2010

Decrease in hospital-wide mortality rates associated with CPOE system: Researchers

Researchers at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and Stanford University School of Medicine have shown for the first time that a significant decrease in hospital-wide mortality rates can be associated with implementation of a computerized physician order entry system.

3 May 2010

Jumping elements in primates may have important consequences for studies of human genetic diseases

The density of transposable (jumping) elements between sex chromosomes in primates may have important consequences for the studies of human genetic diseases, say Penn State University researchers.

30 Apr 2010

Research initiative to study impact of microbes on human health, disease

The human species is dependent for its survival on the billions of microorganisms that inhabit multiple environmental niches within and on the human body. While microbes are commonly associated with diseases and infections, they are also vital in essential, beneficial roles such as digestion, where they help synthesize vitamins and ferment complex indigestible carbohydrates.

29 Apr 2010

Ancient skulls and bones reveal anatomy of human evolution

Ancient mummies, skulls and bones galore-Indiana Jones himself would learn a thing or two at the American Association of Anatomists' (AAA; www.anatomy.org) Annual Meeting beginning April 24, 2010 in Anaheim.

29 Apr 2010

Study examines world-wide use of HSCT

An examination of the world-wide use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which involves transplantation of blood stem cells derived from the bone marrow or blood, finds that there are significant differences in transplant rates between countries and continental regions by indication and donor type, and that HSCT is most frequently used in countries with higher gross national incomes and governmental health care expenditures, according to a study in the April 28 issue of JAMA.

28 Apr 2010

Cellular IPOD plays role in prion biology

Cells take advantage of a biologically ancient compartment to sequester prions, an action that can initially prevent the prions’ phenotypic expression, according to Whitehead Institute researchers. While in this compartment, less heritable prion plaques mature to a more transmissible state.

27 Apr 2010

AMGA reports success in first two regional meetings on ACOs

The American Medical Group Association announced that the first two meetings in a series of regional meetings focused on accountable care organizations (ACOs) were unqualified successes, drawing healthcare leaders together to network in an intimate setting and to learn from leading medical groups and organized systems of care that are exemplars of the ACO model.

27 Apr 2010

Presentation entitled Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room released

SRI/Surgical Express, Inc., a leading provider of reusable surgical products and reprocessing services supporting the healthcare industry, announced today the release of a presentation, Environmental Sustainability in the Operating Room.

26 Apr 2010

Driving evolution of antibiotic resistance backwards

The use of antibiotics to treat bacterial infections causes a continual and vicious cycle in which antibiotic treatment leads to the emergence and spread of resistant strains, forcing the use of additional drugs leading to further multi-drug resistance.

26 Apr 2010

April marks an important time to call attention to issues of child abuse intervention and prevention

Throughout the month of April (National Child Abuse Prevention Month), National Children's Alliance and its thousands of members and supporters across the country are bringing much needed attention to the issues of child abuse intervention and prevention. Child abuse is a national tragedy and a silent killer.

24 Apr 2010

University of Granada scientists create artificial human skin with dermis made of fibrin-agarose biomaterial

Scientists from the University of Granada, Spain, have generated artificial human skin by tissular engineering basing on agarose-fibrin biomaterial. The artificial skin was grafted onto mice, and optimal development, maturation and functionality results were obtained.

23 Apr 2010

Life sciences companies shifting away from traditional document management systems to emerging ECC solutions

Virtify, Inc., today announced the availability of a new IDC Health Insights study titled "Managing Paper at Its Roots: Extending Beyond Document Management to Enterprise Content Compliance." The new IDC Health Insights study, which was commissioned by Virtify, shows a growing trend in the life sciences industry away from traditional document management systems to emerging Enterprise Content Compliance (ECC) solutions.

22 Apr 2010