Polio News and Research

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Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause severe paralysis. The virus enters the body through the mouth and multiplies in the intestine. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis (usually in the legs). Among those paralyzed, 5-10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized. Polio mainly affects children under five years of age. Naturally occurring polio was eliminated in the U.S. in 1979 and in the Western Hemisphere by 1991; however, worldwide efforts are continuing towards eradication of this contagious and devastating disease.

Newsweek examines tech startup's tools to fight malaria

Newsweek examines the work of Intellectual Ventures, a Seattle-based startup that is "trying to develop a computer model that could help eradicate malaria."

15 Apr 2010

Touching story of young man fighting Alzheimer's disease

In her new unwavering memoir, Jim's Journey: The Story of a Young Man with Early On-set Alzheimer's (published by Trafford Publishing), debut author Gretchen L Dausey reveals the touching story of her husband's battle against Alzheimer's disease and her unwavering support despite the inevitable degeneration of his mind and body.

13 Apr 2010

AP examines anticipated changes to U.S. National Security Strategy, use of health diplomacy

The Associated Press looks at some anticipated changes to the "National Security Strategy, a document that previously outlined the Bush Doctrine of preventive war." The article focuses on the prospective strategy changes, but notes that the "revisions are part of a larger effort about which the White House talks openly, one that seeks to change not just how the U.S. talks to Muslim nations, but also what it talks to them about, from health care and science to business startups and education."

8 Apr 2010

UCSF, SEEK Development launch international partnership to improve global health

UCSF and SEEK Development, a global health and development consulting group based in Berlin, Germany, have launched an international partnership that aims to improve global health by helping to turn scientific evidence into policy and action. The Evidence-to-Policy Initiative, or E2Pi, officially launches this week in San Francisco and Berlin, Germany.

7 Apr 2010

Free online training program for saving individuals with disabilities during fire emergencies

United Spinal Association has developed a free online training program designed to save the lives of individuals with disabilities and mobility impairments during fire emergencies.

5 Apr 2010

Disability Leadership and Policy Summit to be hosted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

United Spinal Association will host its inaugural Disability Leadership and Policy Summit on April 15th in Philadelphia, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was signed into law on July 26, 1990 and prohibits discrimination based on disability. The law was amended in 2008 to offer more protection to disabled workers.

5 Apr 2010

Wall Street Journal examines railway hospital in India

The Wall Street Journal examines Lifeline Express, "the world's first hospital on rails," which is run by Impact India, a group that "initially focused on immunization and prevention of diseases such as polio and malaria." Its success has spread to China and Zimbabwe, where three Lifeline Express trains are operated, and to "hospital river boats based on the India model have been set up to tend to patients in Bangladesh and Cambodia." It has also been used as a model for other health projects in India, according to the newspaper.

3 Apr 2010

PhRMA report: 234 medicines in development for special health care needs of children

America's pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are developing 234 medicines for the special health care needs of children, according to a new report released today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

31 Mar 2010

Inovio Biomedical's total revenue increased to $2.6M for quarter ended December 31, 2009

Inovio Biomedical Corporation today reported financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

29 Mar 2010

SMA Foundation completes biomarker study for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

The Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the development of a treatment for SMA, is pleased to announce the completion of a pilot study to identify Biomarkers for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (BforSMA) and the discovery of over 400 candidate biomarkers.

26 Mar 2010

Study on zebrafish regenerate tissues links human heart implications

In a paper published in the March 25, 2010 issue of Nature, researchers working at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (CMRB) identified a fish heart cell population that is the source of this astonishing healing feat, a finding that could provide insight into how mammalian hearts might be coaxed into repairing themselves after injury brought on by heart attack.

25 Mar 2010

Competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment: Myths and realities

Medicare has been touting the merits of the "competitive" bidding program for durable, or home medical equipment and services (HME) to convince Congress that the program is good for seniors. Unfortunately, proponents have conveyed misleading information and cherry-picked facts that exaggerate the benefits and ignore the severe shortcomings of the program.

18 Mar 2010

Global access to safe drinking water increased, sanitation lagging behind, WHO-UNICEF report finds

A report released Monday by the WHO and UNICEF documents mixed progress in improving drinking water and sanitation conditions worldwide, VOA News reports (Schlein, 3/15). "The report - presenting the latest data on improved sources of sanitation and drinking water in 209 countries or territories - is aimed at assisting policy-makers, donors, government and non-governmental agencies decide what needs to be done," U.N. News Centre writes (3/15).

17 Mar 2010

Former President Clinton, Bill Gates encourage U.S. global health investment at Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing

Former President Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said Wednesday at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing "that U.S. investments in fighting [HIV/]AIDS, malaria and other diseases in underdeveloped nations save lives and play a vital role in improving America's image abroad," the Associated Press reports.

12 Mar 2010

WHO welcomes Gates Foundation support in advancing global vaccine efforts

WHO welcomes the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledge of US$ 10 billion over the next ten years to accelerate global vaccine efforts.

12 Mar 2010

Polio immunization campaign begins across West and Central Africa

More than 85 million children under five years old will be immunized against polio in 19 countries across West and Central Africa in a massive example of cross-border cooperation aimed at stopping a year-long polio epidemic.

10 Mar 2010

March of Dimes to receive 2010 Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy Award

March of Dimes will receive Research!America's 2010 Paul G. Rogers Distinguished Organization Advocacy Award. The award recognizes March of Dimes' decades of successful advocacy for maternal and child health research and services.

10 Mar 2010

Polio vaccination campaign to target 85M children in 19 West, Central African countries

Global health organizations will launch a $30 million polio vaccination campaign on Saturday in West and Central Africa aimed at immunizing 85 million children under age 5, the Joint Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the International Federation of the Red Cross said on Thursday, Agence France-Presse reports (3/4).

6 Mar 2010

Homecare advocates discuss the value and cost-effectiveness of home-based care

More than 250 providers of home medical equipment and services from across the U.S. met with members of Congress this week during the American Association for Homecare's Washington Legislative Conference.