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New York - Due to changing blood donor criteria, donor deferral rates have been increasing since 1999

Due to changing blood donor criteria, donor deferral rates have been increasing since 1999 with trend lines predicting additional deferral increases. This predicament has created a critical demand for new people to step forward to donate to ensure there is an adequate supply of blood for hospital patients in New York and New Jersey who require life-saving transfusions, reports New York Blood Center (NYBC) officials.

6 Apr 2004

Alzheimer's live about half as long as those of similar age without dementia

Age, seriousness of impairment, and the severity of other medical conditions are important indicators of how long an individual might survive after an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, Eric B. Larson, M.D., M.P.H. and colleagues report in the April 6 Annals of Internal Medicine. Study authors include Linda Teri, Ph.D., recipient of an Alzheimer's Association $1 million Pioneer research grant.

6 Apr 2004

Number of breaths given during CPR may be linked to survival

Researchers have identified a factor that may improve cardiac arrest survival rates according to a first-of-its-kind study of paramedic responses reported in today’s rapid access issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

5 Apr 2004

Fluorescent molecule used to examine real time chemical reactions that result in smooth-muscle contraction

Smooth muscle, found in the walls of blood vessels and in internal organs such as lungs, stomach and the bladder, contracts as the end result of a series of chemical reactions. In a new study, UT Southwestern researchers report that one set of chemical reactions resulting in the contraction of the smooth-muscle cells is augmented by a second chemical pathway that kicks in when the first pathway is limited.

5 Apr 2004

More evidence needed to link symptoms like tics or behavioral problems to a strep infection

Michigan opens new center to treat exposure to Vermiculite, Taconite, Asbestos

In response to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) identification of major sources of public asbestos exposure in Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine (COEM) affiliated with Wayne State University (WSU) have joined forces to establish The National Center for Vermiculite and Asbestos-Related Cancers.

5 Apr 2004

New device filters blood supplies on-site reducing the possible transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

ProMetic Life Sciences Inc. has announced today that its joint venture with the American Red Cross, Pathogen Removal and Diagnostic Technology Inc. ("PRDT"), has confirmed that treatment of TSE spiked red blood cell concentrate with its Prion Reduction Device results in a significant decrease in associated infectivity.

5 Apr 2004

First Approval in Europe of Ezetimibe/Simvastatin for treatment of elevated cholesterol

Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals today announced the regulatory approval of INEGYTM (ezetimibe/simvastatin) in Germany for the treatment of elevated cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). INEGY is the first product to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C or ‘bad’ cholesterol), along with diet and exercise, through dual inhibition by inhibiting cholesterol production in the liver and absorption in the intestine. The approval of INEGY in Germany represents the first approval in Europe for ezetimibe/simvastatin tablets and the first step in seeking marketing approval throughout the European Union (EU) under the EU’s mutual recognition procedure.

4 Apr 2004

Study Looks at Risk Factors for Range-of-Motion Limitations In Young Males with Hemophilia

A paper in the April issue of Blood detailed research on the prevalence and risk factors joint range of motion (ROM) limitation among young males with hemophilia.

4 Apr 2004

New center enables genetic treatments and advances

A new state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to helping produce modified cells for treatment of cancer and other diseases recently opened at the Siteman Cancer Center.

1 Apr 2004

Whites and African-American pain thresholds most likely the same

Previous research and anecdotal clinical evidence have suggested that African-Americans tend to be more sensitive to pain than Whites, but the latest research study shows the two groups simply interpret standard pain rating scales differently. The new study also confirms earlier findings that women are more sensitive to pain than men.

1 Apr 2004

Innovation that could help sufferers of Raynaud's Phenomenon

A student will display his "smart gloves" as part of the University of Dundee's annual exhibition of honours and research projects for students of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Physics and Mechanical Engineering on Wednesday 31st March.

31 Mar 2004

Oxford Biomedica to win Department of Health gene funding

Oxford spinout Oxford Biomedica was yesterday awarded £0.5 million by the Department of Health to conduct the first British gene therapy haemophilia trial.

31 Mar 2004

How rat's genetic blueprint stacks up against those of mice and humans

An international research team, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), today announced it has completed a high-quality, draft sequence of the genome of the laboratory rat, and has used that data to explore how the rat's genetic blueprint stacks up against those of mice and humans.

31 Mar 2004

Gene-rich human Chromosome 19 sequence completed

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and Stanford University report today the completion of the sequencing of human chromosome 19, the most gene-rich of all the human chromosomes.

31 Mar 2004

Heart disease can be reduced substantially by regularly treating existing gum infections

Reinforcing the relationship between periodontal disease and heart disease, oral biologists from the University at Buffalo have shown that levels of two inflammatory proteins known to raise the risk of heart disease can be reduced substantially by regularly treating existing gum infections.

31 Mar 2004

GenVec malaria vaccine initiative and the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center has announced partnership for malaria vaccine

GenVec, Inc., PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), and the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) today announced a dynamic partnership to assess whether five malaria antigens, or proteins, can generate strong immune responses alone or in combination. This partnership will advance and expand the ongoing malaria vaccine development program between GenVec and NMRC. Malaria is one of the world's three leading infectious disease killers.

31 Mar 2004

Drug, Nembutal can suppress activity in colon cancer cells

A barbiturate once commonly used to treat anxiety may play a role in controlling the spread of colon cancer, say researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

30 Mar 2004

Embryonic stem cells attached to a gel matrix instead of suspended in solution

Like many other kinds of cells used in biomedical research, human embryonic stem cells are stored and transported in a cryopreserved state, frozen to -320 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature of their liquid nitrogen storage bath.

30 Mar 2004

Natural compound in snake venom for treatment of malignant tumours

Researchers at the University of South Australia have made a major discovery using a natural compound in snake venom that shows very promising anti-cancer effects. The compound works by activating the destruction of cells which make up the blood vessels that supply nutrients to tumours, according to Associate Professor Tony Woods from UniSA’s School of Pharmaceutical, Molecular and Biomedical Sciences.

30 Mar 2004

Blood News and Research

New York - Due to changing blood donor criteria, donor deferral rates have been increasing since 1999

Alzheimer's live about half as long as those of similar age without dementia

Number of breaths given during CPR may be linked to survival

Fluorescent molecule used to examine real time chemical reactions that result in smooth-muscle contraction

More evidence needed to link symptoms like tics or behavioral problems to a strep infection

Michigan opens new center to treat exposure to Vermiculite, Taconite, Asbestos

New device filters blood supplies on-site reducing the possible transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

First Approval in Europe of Ezetimibe/Simvastatin for treatment of elevated cholesterol

Study Looks at Risk Factors for Range-of-Motion Limitations In Young Males with Hemophilia

New center enables genetic treatments and advances

Whites and African-American pain thresholds most likely the same

Innovation that could help sufferers of Raynaud's Phenomenon

Oxford Biomedica to win Department of Health gene funding

How rat's genetic blueprint stacks up against those of mice and humans

Gene-rich human Chromosome 19 sequence completed

Heart disease can be reduced substantially by regularly treating existing gum infections

GenVec malaria vaccine initiative and the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center has announced partnership for malaria vaccine

Drug, Nembutal can suppress activity in colon cancer cells

Embryonic stem cells attached to a gel matrix instead of suspended in solution

Natural compound in snake venom for treatment of malignant tumours

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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