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Outreach through social media can encourage condom use in young adults

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention messages delivered by Facebook can be effective in promoting condom use among young adults in the short term, a new study has found. Few students and young adults receive comprehensive sexuality education or guidance on HIV and other STI risks.

9 Oct 2012

Researchers examine relationships between HIV and poverty, food security in separate studies

Foreign Policy reports on "a recent study by Ashley Fox of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine [that] compares rates of HIV infection across 170 regions in 16 sub-Saharan African countries."

9 Oct 2012

New model of influenza transmission can provide real-time information about infections

A new model of influenza transmission, published in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Medicine, using more detailed information about patterns and severity of infection than previous models, finds that cases and transmission rates of H1N1 during the 2009-2010 flu pandemic have been underestimated. This model can provide a more robust and accurate real-time estimate of infection during a pandemic, which will help health services prepare and respond to future outbreaks.

9 Oct 2012

Clinical trial to investigate safety and effectiveness of Elagolix against endometriosis

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), endometriosis, a gynecological disorder in which cells from the uterus lining grow in other areas of the body, is the number one reason for a hysterectomy in women ages 18-35. Current treatment options for endometriosis are severely limited by side effects of existing medications and surgical options have more risks. A nationwide clinical trial is testing an investigational drug as a potential new option for patients with moderate to severe pain from this disease.

9 Oct 2012

BDNF deletion plays a critical role in psychiatric disease and obesity

McGill researchers have identified a small region in the genome that conclusively plays a role in the development of psychiatric disease and obesity. The key lies in the genomic deletion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, a nervous system growth factor that plays a critical role in brain development.

9 Oct 2012

Study examines trends in HIV mortality

Overall death rates due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection declined over time between 1993 and 2007 for most men and women by race/ethnicity and educational levels, with the largest absolute decreases for nonwhites, but rates remain high among blacks, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Internal Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.

9 Oct 2012

New blood test can read genetic changes in prostate cancer

Scientists have designed a blood test that reads genetic changes like a barcode - and can pick out aggressive prostate cancers by their particular pattern of gene activity.

9 Oct 2012

Myths about the influenza vaccine

With cold and flu season upon us, many companies have geared up for what is predicted to be a busy flu season producing 150 million doses of the influenza vaccine, up 17 million from last year.

9 Oct 2012

Prenatal fish consumption may reduce risk of ADHD-related behaviors

A study of children in the New Bedford, Mass., area suggests that low-level prenatal mercury exposure may be associated with a greater risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-related behaviors and that fish consumption during pregnancy may be associated with a lower risk of these behaviors, according to a report published Online First by Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a JAMA Network publication.

9 Oct 2012

Recombinant protein may treat male factor fertility

Male factor infertility resulting in failed oocyte activation from dysfunctional sperm phospholipase C-zeta may be remedied through the use of a recombinant form of the protein, leading to efficient blastocyst formation, say scientists.

8 Oct 2012

Genetic basis of uterine fibroids uncovered

A mutation located near the fatty acid synthase gene is associated with an increased predisposition for uterine leiomyomata or fibroids, suggest US study findings.

8 Oct 2012

Myocutaneous flap shows promise in pediatric Achilles tendon repair

A free partial latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap can be used for the treatment of severe contracture of the Achilles tendon and posterior ankle in children, and achieves satisfactory form and function, the results of a case series indicate.

8 Oct 2012

Combined medical–dental visits for infants could reduce Medicaid payouts

An office-based preventive oral health program has resulted in low monthly dental treatment rates for its infant-age Medicaid beneficiary participants, and reduced the likelihood of their hospitalization for dental matters, show US study results.

8 Oct 2012

Many children incorrectly restrained in cars

Car accidents are the main cause of serious injury and death among children in Norway. A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health shows that 37 per cent of all children under 16 years are incorrectly restrained in the car. 23 per cent of children are so poorly restrained that a collision would have very serious consequences. The study results were presented at a seminar on traffic accidents in Oslo on 8th October.

8 Oct 2012

Morphine inhibits BDNF protein, whereas cocaine enhances BDNF

Chronic morphine exposure has the opposite effect on the brain compared to cocaine in mice, providing new insight into the basis of opiate addiction, according to Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers. They found that a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is increased in cocaine addiction, is inhibited in opioid addiction. The research is published in the October 5 issue of Science.

8 Oct 2012

Mindray's new DC-8 ultrasound system to be demonstrated at ACEP meeting

Mindray Medical International Limited, a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices worldwide, today announced that it will demonstrate the new DC-8 ultrasound system at the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) annual meeting being held in Denver October 8-10, 2012.

From Mindray 8 Oct 2012

ImaginAb enters into neurodegeneration research collaboration agreement with Lundbeck

ImaginAb, Inc., a clinical-stage company developing in vivo molecular imaging agents based on antibody fragment technology, today announced that it has entered into a collaboration and commercialization agreement with H. Lundbeck A/S.

8 Oct 2012

Sir John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka have won the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

The 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded jointly to Sir John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka for the discovery that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent.

8 Oct 2012

NovaSom launches full-service testing program for pre-operative diagnosis of OSA

NovaSom, Inc., the leader in home sleep testing and cost-saving solutions for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) management, today announces the launch of AccuSom Safe Recovery.

8 Oct 2012

Trevena reports completion of TRV027 Phase 2a study in advanced heart failure patients

Trevena, Inc., the leader in the discovery and development of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) biased ligands, today announced that it has successfully completed a Phase 2a study on the hemodynamic effects of TRV027 in patients with advanced heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

8 Oct 2012