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Extreme obesity a powerful risk factor for death among 2009 H1N1 patients

For those infected with the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus, extreme obesity was a powerful risk factor for death, according to an analysis of a public health surveillance database. In a study to be published in the February 1, 2011, issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, researchers associated extreme obesity with a nearly three-fold increased odds of death from 2009 H1N1 influenza. Half of Californians greater than 20 years of age hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 were obese.

7 Jan 2011

California insurer seeks significant rate increase

Another one of California's largest health insurers has stunned individual policyholders with news of huge rate increases -- this time it's Blue Shield of California seeking hikes of as much as 59% for tens of thousands of customers March 1 (Helfand, 1/5).

7 Jan 2011

Study: Tβ4 can protect endothelial progenitor cells

RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, reported that a team of cardiovascular researchers in China have shown that Tβ4 can protect endothelial progenitor cells derived from the blood of healthy human volunteers.

7 Jan 2011

Receptos, Eli Lilly collaborate to develop molecule modulators of GPCR target

Receptos, a drug discovery and development company, announced today the establishment of a collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company to research and develop small molecule modulators of an undisclosed GPCR target.

7 Jan 2011

Today's Opinions: Views of the health law from Rove, Bachmann, Kondracke

A primary task for the new Republican House majority is to undo as many of the pernicious effects of ObamaCare that it can. One of these effects is the spectacle of employers going hat-in-hand to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for waivers from some of the law's more onerous provisions (Karl Rove, 1/6).

7 Jan 2011

Amgen, Xencor collaborate to develop XmAb5871 for autoimmune disease

Amgen and Xencor, announced today that they will collaborate to develop XmAb®5871, an Fc- engineered monoclonal antibody dually targeting CD19 and CD32b. XmAb5871 is currently in late-stage preclinical development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

7 Jan 2011

Administration reverses federal rule on End-of-life planning

News outlets are reporting that some observers view the step an "embarrassing episode" for the administration and note that some of the rule's supporters consider it a "flip flop." All in all, the rule change and the reaction to it appear to highlight the continued politics that surround the issue.

7 Jan 2011

Oxfam, Amnesty International release reports almost one year since Haiti's earthquake

"A new report from international aid agency Oxfam says reconstruction work has barely begun in Haiti following the country's catastrophic earthquake a year ago," RTE News reports (1/6).

7 Jan 2011

New York Times reports on rise, fall of microloans in developing countries

The New York Times reports on how microlending has "prompted political hostility in Bangladesh, India, Nicaragua and other developing countries." Such negativity "toward microfinance is a sharp reversal from the praise and good will that politicians, social workers and bankers showered on the sector in the last decade."

7 Jan 2011

Researchers identify genetic mutation responsible for acromegaly disease

An international research team, spearheaded by scientists from the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, has identified the genetic mutation responsible for a disease known as "gigantism" or acromegaly.

7 Jan 2011

U.S. health expenditures increased 4% in 2009

This increase represents the smallest one in at least a half a century. At the same time, though, medical costs ate up a record share of the overall economy. Experts pointed to the recession as a key explanation.

7 Jan 2011

Obama health team undergoes reorganization

As work to implement and defend the health law kicks into high gear, the Obama administration is making major changes among the key players.

7 Jan 2011

Esperion Therapeutics commences ETC-1002 Phase 2 clinical study for cardio-metabolic diseases

Esperion Therapeutics, a privately held biotechnology company working to discover, develop and commercialize treatments for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, today announced that it has initiated a Phase 2 clinical study for ETC-1002, the company's lead product candidate.

7 Jan 2011

NARSAD awards $12.6 million for mental health research

NARSAD: The Brain and Behavior Research Fund awards $12.6 million in new research grants, strengthening its investment in the most promising ideas to lead to breakthroughs in understanding and treating mental illness.

7 Jan 2011

X-BODY BioSciences, Mercator Therapeutics collaborate for multi-target cancer research

Mercator Therapeutics, the first biopharmaceutical company to systematically use in vivo phage display technology to develop novel cancer drugs, and X-BODY BioSciences, a developer of monoclonal antibody therapeutics, today announced a multi-target research collaboration.

7 Jan 2011

Positive topline results from RDEA594 Phase 2b study in patients with gout, allopurinol

Ardea Biosciences, Inc. announced positive, preliminary, top-line results from its Phase 2b study of RDEA594 in combination with the current standard of care for the treatment of gout, allopurinol.

7 Jan 2011

Research provides new insights into eating disorders in Native Americans

The research, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, provides new insights into the extent to which Native American populations experience eating disorders, revealing that women are more likely to report behavioral symptoms then men, while challenging views that NA men and ethnically white men will experience different psychological symptoms.

7 Jan 2011

New research: NFKBIA gene loss induces glioblastoma development

New research shows that loss of a gene called NFKBIA promotes the growth of glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and deadly form of brain cancer, and suggests that therapies that stabilize this gene may improve survival for certain glioblastoma patients.

7 Jan 2011

Elevated fat and cholesterol levels in diet may play a role in breast cancer development

Elevated fat and cholesterol levels found in a typical American-style diet play an important role in the growth and spread of breast cancer, say researchers at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.

7 Jan 2011

Researchers discover specific genetic abnormalities in hESC, iPSC lines

A multinational team of researchers led by stem cell scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Scripps Research Institute has documented specific genetic abnormalities that occur in human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cell lines.

7 Jan 2011