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Celera and Medco collaborate in KIF6 gene variant testing

Celera Corporation (NASDAQ:CRA) and Medco Health Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MHS), today announced that they have entered into a research collaboration to evaluate whether testing for a gene variant called KIF6 increases patient adherence with statin therapy. Current studies have suggested that only about 50 to 60 percent of the patients who receive a prescription for a lipid-lowering drug are taking the medication after six months.

23 Sep 2009

Professional and personal distress levels high in primary care physicians

Primary care physicians who participated in an educational program that included an emphasis on mindful communication reported improvement in personal well-being, emotional exhaustion, empathy and attitudes associated with patient-centered care, according to a study in the September 23/30 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on medical education.

23 Sep 2009

$Using moldable pastes to repair fractures in the future$

Using moldable pastes to repair fractures in the future

New stem cell studies at the University of Maryland Dental School demonstrate that surgeons could one day routinely use strong, moldable, and injectable pastes to regenerate needed bone tissue to repair broken bones, fractures, genetic defects, even combat bone wounds.

23 Sep 2009

New method to diagnose active tuberculosis

Active tuberculosis can be rapidly identified in patients with negative sputum tests by a new method, according to European researchers. Active tuberculosis (TB) is the seventh-leading cause of death worldwide, and while the diagnosis of active TB can be rapidly established when the bacteria can be identified on sputum microscopy, in about half of all cases, the TB bacterium cannot be detected, making another diagnostic option critical in efforts to control the spread of TB.

23 Sep 2009

Report on species-crossing microbes and H1N1

Significant weaknesses undermine the global community's abilities to prevent, detect early, and respond efficiently to potentially deadly species-crossing microbes, such as the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus sweeping the globe, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council. The report provides a detailed plan for establishing and funding a comprehensive, globally coordinated system to identify novel zoonotic disease threats as early as possible wherever they arise so appropriate measures can be taken to prevent significant numbers of human illnesses and deaths, and livestock losses.

23 Sep 2009

NIH grants $3.4M to develop tools for identification of prostate cancer using MRI

Rutgers University and two collaborators have received a $3.4 million research grant to develop tools aimed at improving the identification of prostate cancer using MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging.

23 Sep 2009

NIH, NephCure Foundation and University of Michigan support study of nephrotic syndrome

University of Michigan Health System researchers will lead a $10.25 million effort to study rare kidney diseases that cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis.

23 Sep 2009

Decision Points helps patients with important medical decisions

Healthwise has released a new, interactive generation of its Decision Points to help people make better decisions with their doctors.

23 Sep 2009

Private cord blood banking can treat medical conditions but is expensive

Private cord blood banking is not cost-effective because it costs an additional $1,374,246 per life-year gained, according to a new analysis by UCSF researchers. The research team also concluded that private cord blood banking is cost-effective only for families with a child with a very high likelihood of needing a stem cell transplant.

23 Sep 2009

One more BARA-MED XD chamber at Comprehensive Healthcare Solutions

Environmental Tectonics Corporation's (OTC Bulletin Board: ETCC) ("ETC" or the "Company") BioMedical Systems today announced the sale of an additional BARA-MED((R)) XD Monoplace Hyperbaric Chamber to Comprehensive Healthcare Solutions, Inc.

23 Sep 2009

Women have higher incidence of stroke and mortality than men

Even though the incidence of atrial fibrillation is higher in men than women, a review of past studies and medical literature completed by cardiac experts at Rush University Medical Center shows that women are more likely than men to experience symptomatic attacks, a higher frequency of recurrences, and significantly higher heart rates during atrial fibrillation, which increases the risk of stroke.

23 Sep 2009

Medical errors: Cause for stress in resident physicians

Internal medicine residents who reported higher levels of fatigue and distress were more likely to report a medical error, according to a study in the September 23/30 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on medical education.

23 Sep 2009

Distress and fatigue among medical residents can lead to significant risk of medical error: Study

Mayo Clinic researchers report that distress and fatigue among medical residents are independent contributors to self-perceived medical errors. The findings appear today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

23 Sep 2009

New heart surgery method raises questions for reformers

A new method for performing cardiac catheterizations may be more comfortable, shows a lower chance of complications such as severe bleeding, and allows patients to be discharged more quickly, potentially saving money, the Washington Post reports.

23 Sep 2009

Obesity can increase cancer incidence in leukemic children

Obesity is an important factor contributing to chemotherapy resistance and increasing relapse rates among children with leukemia, according to recent findings published online first in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

23 Sep 2009

New AIDS treatment center to open in Washington, DC

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the US’ largest non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider, which provides medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide, is honored to announce the September 24th grand opening of AHF’s first AIDS treatment center in Washington, DC, where the HIV rate is now reported to be 3%—higher than the rate in Lagos, Nigeria.

23 Sep 2009

$1.2 million grant to study centrosomes and cilia and their connections to human disease

If you don't know how a human cell is supposed to work, it's hard to offer a good explanation when the cell goes haywire -- as it does in cancer. That's why a Florida State University College of Medicine researcher has been awarded a $1.2 million grant to explore the role of centrosomes and cilia in cell division and development and their connections to human disease.

22 Sep 2009

Oncotype DX Recurrence Score provides consistent results across varied patient populations

Genomic Health, Inc. today, announced results from the first study to compare the distribution of Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score® results between European, Middle Eastern and United States patient populations.

22 Sep 2009

Senate President, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, and HHMI join for groundbreaking ceremony

Senate President Therese Murray, the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), and key state officials gathered at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) today to break ground on a $25 million renovation of the MBL's central research training facility, the Loeb Laboratory.

22 Sep 2009

Amgen announces results of Phase 3 head-to-head trial evaluating denosumab versus Zometa

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) today announced detailed results from a Phase 3, head-to-head trial evaluating denosumab versus Zometa(R) (zoledronic acid) in the treatment of bone metastases in 2,046 patients with advanced breast cancer that met its primary and secondary endpoints and demonstrated superior efficacy compared to Zometa.

22 Sep 2009