Calcium News and Research

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Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is found in some foods, added to others, available as a dietary supplement, and present in some medicines (such as antacids). Calcium is required for muscle contraction, blood vessel expansion and contraction, secretion of hormones and enzymes, and transmitting impulses throughout the nervous system. The body strives to maintain constant concentrations of calcium in blood, muscle, and intercellular fluids, though less than <1% of total body calcium is needed to support these functions.

The remaining 99% of the body's calcium supply is stored in the bones and teeth where it supports their structure. Bone itself undergoes continuous remodeling, with constant resorption and deposition of calcium into new bone. The balance between bone resorption and deposition changes with age. Bone formation exceeds resorption in growing children, whereas in early and middle adulthood both processes are relatively equal. In aging adults, particularly among postmenopausal women, bone breakdown exceeds formation, resulting in bone loss that increases the risk of osteoporosis over time.

University of Granada scientists create artificial human skin with dermis made of fibrin-agarose biomaterial

23 Apr 2010

Drinking lemonade prevents kidney stone formation

We've all heard the expression, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Passing a kidney stone would qualify for one of life's "lemons," but did you know that drinking lemonade has been shown to prevent them?

23 Apr 2010

Baxter International's global sales for first-quarter advances by 11% to $3.1 billion

Baxter International Inc. today reported first quarter net income of $525 million, an increase of 2 percent from $516 million reported in the first quarter of 2009. Earnings per diluted share of $0.86 increased 4 percent from $0.83 per diluted share reported in the prior-year period. Baxter's first quarter financial results included a one-time, non-cash special charge of $39 million (or $0.07 per diluted share) related to a change in the tax treatment of post-retirement prescription drug benefits under recent U.S. healthcare reform legislation.

From Baxter International Inc. 22 Apr 2010

Framingham risk assessment tool fails to predict patients with suspected CAD: Study

If patients with suspected coronary artery disease are excluded from further screening because of a low Framingham score, many patients with substantial atherosclerosis (a build-up of plaque inside the arteries) will be missed, according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

22 Apr 2010

Cook Medical enrolls first patient in Formula PTX Balloon Expandable Renal Stent trial

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced Cook Medical, a license holder of Angiotech's paclitaxel technology, has enrolled the first patient in its landmark Formula PTX clinical trial. The trial is the first of its kind to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a paclitaxel-eluting stent to treat renal artery disease, the narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys.

22 Apr 2010

Vitamin D intake from foods, supplements may not predict relationship between cancer and vitamin D

Vitamin supplements, diet, geographic location, demographic information or lifestyle, independently or in combination, cannot accurately predict vitamin D concentrations in blood, researchers at the University at Buffalo have found.

21 Apr 2010

Researchers identify potential drug target for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a potential drug target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a receptor that is embedded in the membrane of neurons and other cells.

21 Apr 2010

Artificial human skin with dermis made from fibrin-agarose biomaterial

Scientists from the University of Granada, Spain, have generated artificial human skin by tissular engineering basing on agarose-fibrin biomaterial. The artificial skin was grafted onto mice, and optimal development, maturation and functionality results were obtained. This pioneering finding will allow the clinical use of human skin and its use in many laboratory tests on biological tissues -which, additionally, would avoid the use of laboratory animals.

20 Apr 2010

BioMarin Pharmaceutical introduces Firdapse for LEMS in the E.U.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. announced today that Firdapse™ (3,4-diaminopyridine) is now commercially available in the European Union (E.U.) for the treatment of the rare autoimmune disease Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS). Launching immediately in Germany and the UK, the company expects to subsequently launch Firdapse in all major European markets by the end of 2010.

19 Apr 2010

Study shows long-term effect of vitamins and calcium supplements in breast cancer reduction

Vitamins and calcium supplements appear to reduce the risk of breast cancer, according to findings presented at the American Association for Cancer Research 101st Annual Meeting 2010.

19 Apr 2010

Teen drinking increases the risk for breast cancer

What are the chances of you developing breast cancer if you have been drinking alcohol regularly as a teenager? Very high indeed as per the findings of a study called “Growing Up Today” conducted on 6,899 women from the time they were 9 to 15 year old till they turned 18 to 27 years old.

18 Apr 2010

MEDIHONEY dressings serve as low-cost method for treating wounds in indigent patients

Using a particular brand of medical honey dressing may be a safe, effective and low-cost method of treating chronic, non-healing wounds in indigent patients, according to a poster presented at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and the Wound Healing Society, an international conference drawing clinicians from all over the globe, which was held April 17-20 in Orlando.

17 Apr 2010

Researchers discover link between protein structure and hearing process

Rising from the top surface of each of the specialized receptor cells in our inner ears is a bundle of sensory cilia that responds to the movement of sound. As sensitive as they are fragile, these cilia can move to wisps of sound no larger than a molecule-but can shear at sounds that are larger than life.

17 Apr 2010

Research reveals TRPV3 protein as potential new drug target for cancer and skin disorders

New findings about a temperature sensor in the skin could lead to novel approaches to controlling excess hair growth and treating skin cancers.

16 Apr 2010

New research identifies cellular channel that regulates skin and hair growth

Skin and hair follicles are constantly renewed in the body, maintained by specialized stem cells. New research from Children's Hospital Boston identifies a small cellular channel that regulates skin and hair growth and that could be targeted with small-molecule drugs, potentially treating variety of skin conditions, as well as thinning hair or unwanted hair growth. Findings appear in the April 16, 2010 issue of Cell.

16 Apr 2010

Mach One acquires White Hat Brands

Mach One Corporation, a global wellness solutions company, and White Hat Brands, LLC today announced the two companies have completed a definitive agreement whereby Mach One has acquired 100% interest in the fast-growing maker of kids' health and wellness beverages, including White Hat's top-seller Dog On It® Fortified Juice Beverages.

15 Apr 2010

Over 17,000 scientists convene at AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010

Scientific breakthroughs in molecular targeting, translational cancer research and cancer prevention will take center stage when more than 17,000 scientists from around the world gather at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, April 17-21, for the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010.

13 Apr 2010

Study identifies pathway linked to rheumatoid arthritis

Investigators from Hospital for Special Surgery have identified a pathway involved in turning off inflammation that does not work properly in people with inflammatory arthritis. The finding, reported in the April 23 issue of the journal Immunity, could lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches to treating arthritis in the future.

13 Apr 2010

Some therapies being investigated for Alzheimer's disease may cause cell death: UCSD

Some current therapies being investigated for Alzheimer's disease may cause further neural degeneration and cell death, according to a breakthrough discovery by UC San Diego researchers. By combining three dimensional computer simulations with high resolution atomic force microscopy membrane protein and cell imaging, electrical recording and various cellular assays, UCSD nano-biophysicist Ratnesh Lal and his colleagues investigated the structure and function of truncated peptides, known as nonamyloidgenic peptides, formed by some Alzheimer's drug candidates.

5 Apr 2010

Fireside chat: BioSante's LibiGel and GVAX cancer vaccines portfolio

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that a BioSante presentation and corporate discussion are available at http://www.rodm.tv/video1269553400.

3 Apr 2010