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Hippocampus supports both recollection and familiarity memories

Human memory has historically defied precise scientific description, its biological functions broadly but imperfectly defined in psychological terms. In a pair of papers published in the November 2 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience, researchers at the University of California, San Diego report a new methodology that more deeply parses how and where certain types of memories are processed in the brain, and challenges earlier assumptions about the role of the hippocampus.

2 Nov 2011

Drinking cherry juice improves quality and duration of sleep

Drinking cherry juice significantly improves both the quality and duration of sleep, according to new findings from Northumbria University.

2 Nov 2011

FDA approves Abbott's XIENCE PRIME Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System

Abbott today announced it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the next-generation XIENCE PRIME Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System for the treatment of coronary artery disease.

2 Nov 2011

GSK, Alnylam collaborate to apply VaxiRNA technology for influenza vaccine production

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today it has formed a collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) focused on Alnylam's VaxiRNATM technology for certain GSK vaccine products, including influenza. VaxiRNA is a new RNAi technology for the enhanced production of viruses used in the manufacture of vaccine products. GSK, a leading vaccine manufacturer, is the first company to form a collaboration accessing this new platform.

2 Nov 2011

GM mosquitoes show promise in tackling insect-borne diseases, study shows; some concerned over possible unintended consequences

"Genetically modified mosquitoes could prove effective in tackling dengue fever and other insect-borne diseases," according to the results of a study by a U.K.-based scientific team published in the journal Nature Biotechnology on Sunday, BBC News reports.

2 Nov 2011

NovaSterilis reports significant findings from sterilization of absorbable suture study

NovaSterilis Inc. a leader in the development and commercialization of supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) technology in collaboration with CC Chu Ph.D (Cornell) reports successful findings from research funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) phase l grant. These results meet the study goal to sterilize absorbable sutures to a sterility assurance level 10-6 (SAL6) without chemical or mechanical degradation. NovaSterilis intends to apply for phase II funding to develop the process ready for commercial application.

1 Nov 2011

New e-tool to catch youth depression before it takes hold

Australian researchers will for the first time harness e-technology to develop a customised internet program to identify and arm healthy young people most at risk of depression before the illness takes hold.

1 Nov 2011

Longer commute to work may have harmful effects on health

A new study suggests that commuting to work may be bad for health. It is especially more harmful if one drives or take public transportation. Not only are they less physically fit than those who walk or bike to work but they’re also more prone to stress, exhaustion and missed work than “active” commuters, according to researchers.

1 Nov 2011

Happiness good for health: Study

A new study suggests that happiness is good for health. Epidemiologists at University College, London, reported their results Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academies of Science.

1 Nov 2011

Regular Yoga eases chronic back pain: Study

A new study found that those with chronic back pain might benefit from regular yoga. Three months of weekly yoga classes eased back pain more than the usual course of care — an informative back pain booklet said researchers. Even a year later, patients with chronic back pain who had participated in yoga classes reported less pain than those who hadn't been assigned the classes.

1 Nov 2011

G20 can turn attention to maternal and child health at upcoming meeting

In a post in Forbes's "Mitch2Maya/Mothers2Mothers" blog, contributors Mitch Besser and Maya Kulycky write that the Group of 20 (G20) "have plenty to discuss at their upcoming November meeting -- and a lot of it is pretty scary."

1 Nov 2011

Rigel reports net loss of $17.9 million for third quarter 2011

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

1 Nov 2011

First Edition: November 1, 2011

Today's headlines include a report that the health law's early retirees' health insurance fund may be running out.

1 Nov 2011

California Medicaid cuts spark anger; N.Y. Medicaid fraud detection

In California, doctors are blasting a decision to cut payments for caring for poor patients.

1 Nov 2011

New Mayo Clinic social network connects global community of esophageal cancer patients

In 2008, physicians at Mayo Clinic Florida led by Herbert Wolfsen, M.D., were looking for new ways to keep in touch with the large group of esophageal cancer patients cared for by him and other gastroenterologists and surgeons. Telephone calls, faxes and email had worked to create a network of patients but many now wanted interactive and remote access capability to share their experiences and challenges with this serious disease.

1 Nov 2011

Two transformative philanthropic gifts to fuel new discoveries at Seattle Children's

Seattle Children's today announced two transformative philanthropic gifts totaling $65 million to benefit pediatric research, nursing education and clinical care.

1 Nov 2011

Scientists identify genetic mutation that causes rare childhood disease

An international collaboration of scientists, including researchers at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the National Institutes of Health, has identified a genetic mutation that causes a rare childhood disease characterized predominantly by inflammation and fat loss.

1 Nov 2011

Peroxiredoxin enzyme holds key to ageing process

By consuming fewer calories, ageing can be slowed down and the development of age-related diseases such as cancer and type 2 diabetes can be delayed. The earlier calorie intake is reduced, the greater the effect. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have now identified one of the enzymes that hold the key to the ageing process.

1 Nov 2011

Emotional and psychological traumas may contribute to adult IBS

The psychological and emotional traumas experienced over a lifetime--such as the death of a loved one, divorce, natural disaster, house fire or car accident, physical or mental abuse—may contribute to adult irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to the results of a study unveiled today at the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 76th Annual Scientific meeting in Washington, DC.

1 Nov 2011

Countries need vigilance, informed media coverage to achieve polio eradication

In this SciDev.Net editorial, T.V. Padma, regional coordinator for South Asia for the news service, recaps findings from the latest report of the Independent Monitoring Board of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), released last week, and writes, "Polio control in developing countries has received massive international support and funding, including free supplies of vaccines. Yet transmission of the virus remains. Clearly, there are problems other than funds."

1 Nov 2011