Blindness News and Research

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New article examines education practices, priorities for deaf-blind children

Deaf-blind children can be isolated and disconnected from people and activities. Without individualized support, they cannot access visual and auditory information and often complete school unable to seek future education, employment, or independent living. Providing appropriate special education and related services for deaf-blind children poses unique challenges.

26 Aug 2010

Tree Top enters Letter of Intent with WorldWithoutBlindness

Recently Tree Top, entered into a Letter of Intent with WorldWithoutBlindness, LLC, ("WWB"), a not-for-profit medical corporation whose expressed mission is "to prevent blindness through screening and early disease detection, patient information, physician education and vision science research." During due diligence, Tree Top's management, along with WWB related medical staff, identified that more work needed to be done to successfully implement WWB's business model.

26 Aug 2010

Researchers show biosynthetic cornea can stimulate regeneration in damaged eye tissue

A new study from researchers in Canada and Sweden has shown that biosynthetic corneas can help regenerate and repair damaged eye tissue and improve vision in humans.

26 Aug 2010

FibroGen announces study results of recombinant human type III collagen in corneal damage

FibroGen, Inc., today announced results of a 2-year clinical study demonstrating that surgical implantation of biosynthetic corneas formulated with the company's proprietary recombinant human type III collagen (rhCIII) restored vision and promoted nerve regeneration (restoring sensitivity) in patients who had corneal damage and significant vision loss.

26 Aug 2010

Gene linked to Fuchs corneal dystrophy discovered

A 13-member research team led by University of Oregon scientist Dr. Albert O. Edwards has found a gene likely responsible for Fuchs corneal dystrophy, an inheritable genetic disorder and leading cause of corneal transplant operations.

26 Aug 2010

Special empowerment program to promote confidence in diabetic children

Teens are learning how to shred down the mountain and balance blood sugars in a special empowerment program called Riding on Insulin, taking place December 11, 2010, at The Canyons Resort in Park City. The day, led by Sean Busby,26 year old professional snowboarder with type 1 diabetes promotes courage and confidence and shows children with type 1 or type 2 they can overcome mental and physical challenges.

24 Aug 2010

Raptor Pharmaceutical updates on cysteamine bitartrate Phase 3 clinical trial in cystinosis patients

Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp.,provides updates on timelines related to its clinical programs including the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial of its proprietary delayed-release oral formulation of cysteamine bitartrate ("DR Cysteamine") in patients with nephropathic cystinosis ("cystinosis").

24 Aug 2010

Merck and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commit additional $60M to support Botswana's ACHAP

Merck today announced the Merck Company Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are committing an additional $60 million to support Botswana's African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP). Merck is known as MSD outside the US and Canada. A unique program developed with and led by the Government of Botswana, ACHAP is one of sub-Saharan Africa's oldest, most successful public-private partnerships.

24 Aug 2010

Study finds evidence that single-disease initiatives may compromise fragile health systems in low-income countries

Single-disease initiatives in low-income countries with fragile health systems may compromise the ability of such health systems to meet the other community needs, according to a study published Tuesday in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, VaccineNewsDaily.com reports (Purlain, 8/18).

20 Aug 2010

ISCO to formalize eye care based stem cell therapeutic programs into Cytovis business unit

International Stem Cell Corporation, today announced that its stem cell therapeutic programs focused on protective, transparent corneas (CytoCor™) in the front of the eye and the light-sensitive retinal tissue (CytoRet™) in the back of the eye will be formalized into a new business unit, Cytovis™.

20 Aug 2010

Scientists produce atlas of worm infection prevalence, distribution throughout Africa

On Tuesday at the 12th International Congress of Parasitology, a group of scientists, led by researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, launched an online series of maps showing the distribution and prevalence of worm infections across Africa, Tropika.net reports (Chinnock, 8/17).

19 Aug 2010

TPRF grants $25k to St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital for children's eye care program

For the third consecutive year, a grant for $25,000 from The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) will help St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital (SJJEH) provide eye care to children in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

19 Aug 2010

Opinions: Aid to Pakistan; Criteria for effective aid

A New York Times editorial about the flooding in Pakistan and the global response to it, cautions: "The world, especially the United States, must not blow this one. We worry it already could be doing that."

18 Aug 2010

Jackson Laboratory to implement HighRes automated process for genotyping of laboratory mice

A highly accurate, automated process for managing the genotyping of laboratory mice is headed to Bar Harbor, Maine. In response to the increased demand for using transgenic mouse models and the requisite genotyping of such animals, The Jackson Laboratory will be implementing a HighRes Biosolutions automated process to improve the maintenance of their extensive and diverse mouse colonies.

17 Aug 2010

JDRF announces key step on road to artificial pancreas

JDRF announced today another important step on the road to the development of an artificial pancreas - an automated system to better manage the blood sugar of people with type 1 diabetes - with the establishment of a research program to speed the development of faster-acting insulin.

17 Aug 2010

Beaver Medical Group expands range of ophthalmological services at Banning Specialty Care Center

Beaver Medical Group is expanding the range of ophthalmological services offered at its Banning Specialty Care Center. By relocating the SCC ophthalmology services within the facility and purchasing new technology, patients will have greater access and more convenience when they need eye care.

17 Aug 2010

Non-viral gene therapy delays onset of eye disease

In one of only two studies of its kind, a study from researchers at Tufts University School of Medicine and the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at Tufts demonstrates that non-viral gene therapy can delay the onset of some forms of eye disease and preserve vision. The team developed nanoparticles to deliver therapeutic genes to the retina and found that treated mice temporarily retained more eyesight than controls.

17 Aug 2010

Study reveals how galectin-3 carbohydrate-binding protein promotes angiogenesis

A new study describes how a carbohydrate-binding protein, galectin-3, promotes angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels. Targeting the protein, scientists identified two approaches that significantly reduced angiogenesis in mice. These discoveries, published online August 16 in The Journal of Experimental Medicine, may lead to novel treatments for diseases caused by excessive angiogenesis, including age-related macular degeneration, cancer, and diabetes.

16 Aug 2010

AHRQ selects Outcome Sciences to study effects of different treatments for open angle glaucoma

Outcome Sciences, Inc. (OUTCOME), the leading provider of patient registries, studies, and technologies for evaluating real-world outcomes, today announced that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has selected Outcome as the DEcIDE Center for a study designed to compare the effectiveness of medications versus surgery for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. The study will enroll 2,600 patients from 30 sites across the United States and is intended to provide new scientific information about the effects of different treatment approaches in individuals who have glaucoma.

13 Aug 2010

Alimera Sciences second-quarter net loss decreases to $4.8 million

Alimera Sciences, Inc., today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010 and provided an update on progress toward achieving its 2010 goals.

13 Aug 2010

Blindness News and Research

New article examines education practices, priorities for deaf-blind children

Tree Top enters Letter of Intent with WorldWithoutBlindness

Researchers show biosynthetic cornea can stimulate regeneration in damaged eye tissue

FibroGen announces study results of recombinant human type III collagen in corneal damage

Gene linked to Fuchs corneal dystrophy discovered

Special empowerment program to promote confidence in diabetic children

Raptor Pharmaceutical updates on cysteamine bitartrate Phase 3 clinical trial in cystinosis patients

Merck and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commit additional $60M to support Botswana's ACHAP

Study finds evidence that single-disease initiatives may compromise fragile health systems in low-income countries

ISCO to formalize eye care based stem cell therapeutic programs into Cytovis business unit

Scientists produce atlas of worm infection prevalence, distribution throughout Africa

TPRF grants $25k to St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital for children's eye care program

Opinions: Aid to Pakistan; Criteria for effective aid

Jackson Laboratory to implement HighRes automated process for genotyping of laboratory mice

JDRF announces key step on road to artificial pancreas

Beaver Medical Group expands range of ophthalmological services at Banning Specialty Care Center

Non-viral gene therapy delays onset of eye disease

Study reveals how galectin-3 carbohydrate-binding protein promotes angiogenesis

AHRQ selects Outcome Sciences to study effects of different treatments for open angle glaucoma

Alimera Sciences second-quarter net loss decreases to $4.8 million

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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