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Specific therapy may cut pneumonia mortality in HIV babies

The high mortality rate associated with acute severe pneumonia-related respiratory failure in infants exposed to or infected with HIV can be reduced to 30% if a treatment plan involving antibiotics, ventilation, and fluid restriction is used, researchers report.

17 Jul 2012

First-episode schizophrenia patients show frontal white matter deficits

Results from a Brazilian study suggest that patients with a first episode of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder show significant white matter deficits in the middle frontal gyrus region of the brain.

17 Jul 2012

Obsessive compulsive symptoms impair life quality in psychosis patients

The presence of obsessive compulsive symptoms is associated with reduced subjective wellbeing and quality of life in patients with a first episode of psychosis, Dutch researchers report.

17 Jul 2012

Ferring Pharmaceuticals receives FDA approval for new colon-cleansing drug

On July 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Prepopik (sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide and citric acid) to help cleanse the colon in adults preparing for colonoscopy.

17 Jul 2012

Viewpoints: Calif. could take a lesson from Wis. reforms; Republican advocates a 'Nixon to China' embrace of Medicare for all

The state's teachers union, Wisconsinites learned, had used its power to collectively bargain for healthcare benefits to demand that local school districts provide coverage through a nonprofit insurer affiliated with the union. Once the state ended bargaining on healthcare, school boards began competitively bidding out their health insurance. By the opening of the new school year in September, just two months after the budget bill went into effect, 23 districts had rebid their contracts, saving $16 million, or an average of $211 per student.

17 Jul 2012

Premier research institutions, Biogen Idec partner to sequence genomes of patients with ALS

Biogen Idec today announced that it has entered into a research collaboration with premier academic and research institutions to sequence the genomes of up to 1,000 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in an effort to gain a deeper understanding about the fundamental genetic causes of ALS.

17 Jul 2012

Promising path to Parkinson’s disease treatment

Using adult stem cells, Johns Hopkins researchers and a consortium of colleagues nationwide say they have generated the type of human neuron specifically damaged by Parkinson’s disease (PD) and used various drugs to stop the damage.

17 Jul 2012

Massage helps improve muscle health in athletes following exercise-induced injury

New research proves the wide medical belief that massage helps improve muscle health in athletes following exercise-induced injury. Dr. Marvell Scott, sports medicine professional, provides further explanation on proper treatments.

17 Jul 2012

Trans fat ban in NYC can improve quality of meals purchased outside the home

By requiring commercial food establishments to replace trans fats with oils and spreads that are low in trans and saturated fats, New York City provides a good template for initiating public health measures to improve the quality of meals purchased outside the home, Tufts University Nutrition Scientist Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, writes in an editorial published July 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

17 Jul 2012

Johnson & Johnson second quarter sales decrease 0.7% to $16.5B

Johnson & Johnson today announced sales of $16.5 billion for the second quarter of 2012, a decrease of 0.7% as compared to the second quarter of 2011. Operational results increased 3.5% and the negative impact of currency was 4.2%.

17 Jul 2012

WCMC receives NHLBI grant to study smoking-induced COPD

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College were awarded a $6.5 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for a five-year investigation into metabolic changes occurring within airway epithelial cells in the lungs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients caused by cigarette smoking. In addition, researchers aim to identify which cigarette smokers are at highest risk of developing COPD as well as novel biomarkers to assist in the development of new therapeutic treatments for the disease.

17 Jul 2012

Study shows why eating less may be therapeutic for people with neuromuscular disorders

A novel technique for measuring tiny, rapid-fire secretions in the brains and mouthparts of fruit flies (drosophila) is providing insights into the beneficial effects of eating less - information that ultimately could help people suffering from neuromuscular disorders.

17 Jul 2012

First Edition: July 17, 2012

Today's headlines include a report that concludes that few Americans will pay more as a result of the health law.

17 Jul 2012

Illumina launches new kits for targeted resequencing studies

Illumina, Inc. today introduced Nextera Exome and Custom Enrichment kits, the Company's latest targeted resequencing solutions offering sample preparation and enrichment in a single, integrated workflow.

From Illumina, Inc. 17 Jul 2012

U.S. News & World Report names Hospital for Special Surgery among 2012 America's Best Hospitals

For the third consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named Hospital for Special Surgery the top hospital in the country for orthopedics in its 2012 "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Once again, the hospital ranked as a leader in rheumatology at number three in the nation. In addition, neurology was ranked at No. 10.

17 Jul 2012

China should abandon family planning policy

In this post on the Council of Foreign Relations' "Asia Unbound" blog, Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the council, argues that China should abandon its so-called "one-child policy," writing, "Despite the relaxation of the law, China is increasingly suffering the consequences of a draconian policy that was put in place in the early 1980s."

17 Jul 2012

States are fertile ground for Health IT opportunities

What the decision won't do, however, is trigger a new round of federal technology spending. Some of the major contracts associated with the legislation have already been awarded, and work has already begun.

17 Jul 2012

Healthier levels of vitamin C can reduce inflammatory conditions

The recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, of vitamin C is less than half what it should be, scientists argue in a recent report, because medical experts insist on evaluating this natural, but critical nutrient in the same way they do pharmaceutical drugs and reach faulty conclusions as a result.

17 Jul 2012

Health law continues to be challenge for Romney campaign

GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney continues to confront issues about the similarities between the health reform he signed while Massachusetts governor and the 2010 federal health law. Meanwhile, The Associated Press reports about some of Romney's potential running mates and key issues in the campaign.

17 Jul 2012

Repeal strategies take shape -- though none will likely be easy

Yes, if Mitt Romney wins the White House and his Republican allies retake the Senate, he could shred most of President Barack Obama's health care law without having to overpower a Democratic filibuster. But it won't be as easy as some Republicans portend, and it certainly won't be quick. Why? Because any realistic effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act -- as opposed to last week's quixotic vote in the GOP-controlled House -- is sure to get jumbled together with lots of other issues, including Medicare, taxes, food stamps and defense spending.

17 Jul 2012