Diagnostic News and Research

RSS

Developmental and behavior problems in individuals with autism associated DNA imbalance characterized

Researchers at Signature Genomic Laboratories, which performs diagnostic genetic testing of chromosome abnormalities in individuals with unexplained physical and developmental disabilities, including autism, recently characterized a broad spectrum of developmental and behavior problems in individuals with a DNA imbalance that has been associated with autism.

24 Nov 2009

$5 million donation for Southampton Hospital to fund a new Emergency Department

Southampton Hospital announced today that Jenny and John Paulson have donated $5 million to fund a new Emergency Department. The gift is the largest in the Hospital's history and will enable the Hospital to almost double the existing space and greatly expand its delivery of emergency care to residents and visitors of the South Fork of Long Island.

24 Nov 2009

Medicare cuts in cardiovascular services will lead to reduced access to imaging tests, reveals survey

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (www.asnc.org) released preliminary results from a survey of its membership today, which show that the impending cuts to cardiovascular services outlined in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule will force widespread layoffs, office closures, and limited imaging services. These actions will ultimately lead to reduced access to imaging tests and more expensive care for America's seniors.

24 Nov 2009

HSA blows the whistle on the cuts to health services

The Health Sciences Association of BC, the union that represents more 15,000 health science professionals who deliver the diagnostic, clinical and rehabilitation services in BC's hospitals and communities, is sounding the alarm about the provincial government's broken promise to protect health care services.

23 Nov 2009

H1N1 spreading eastward, WHO says

The H1N1 (swine flu) virus appears to be spreading eastward across Europe and Asia, after appearing to have leveled off in the U.S. and some western European countries, the WHO said Friday, Reuters reports.

23 Nov 2009

Mutated IDH1 gene linked to the progression of gliomas

23 Nov 2009

New technology to measure tissue elasticity introduced by GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare today introduced MR-Touch, a visual palpation technology that uses low frequency sound waves in combination with MRI to measure tissue elasticity. For centuries, clinicians have evaluated tissue stiffness—the physical property of tissue most affected by disease—through palpation. Based on technology invented at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) and licensed to GE Healthcare,

23 Nov 2009

Visage 7 PACS solution to be installed at all Lake Imaging sites

Visage Imaging® Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Pro Medicus Ltd. announced today a signed deal to provide Lake Imaging, one of Australia's largest independent diagnostic imaging groups, with Visage 7 - its next generation, thin client streaming digital imaging technology (PACS) solution.

23 Nov 2009

Mutated IDH1 gene has novel enzyme activity consistent with cancer-causing gene: Study

Agios Pharmaceuticals today announced that its scientists have established, for the first time, that the mutated IDH1 gene has a novel enzyme activity consistent with a cancer-causing gene, or oncogene. This breakthrough discovery shows that the mutated form of IDH1 produces a metabolite, 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), which may contribute to the formation and malignant progression of gliomas, the most common type of brain cancers.

23 Nov 2009

STD infections continue to rise among young people

Sexually spread diseases continue to rise, with reported chlamydia cases setting yet another record in 2008, officials at the Centers for Disease Control recently reported. The CDC estimates that approximately 19 million new STD infections occur each year. Approximately half of them occur in young people between 15 to 24 years of age.

23 Nov 2009

EraGen Biosciences to have access to Illumina’s BeadXpress platform

EraGen Biosciences Inc., a developer of novel molecular reagents for the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) market, and Illumina Inc., a global company that develops, manufactures and markets integrated systems for analysis of genetic variation and biological function, today announced the formation of a strategic partnership and the execution of non-exclusive licensing agreements.

From Illumina, Inc. 23 Nov 2009

Children exposed to lead and tobacco are 2.4 times more likely to have ADHD

Children exposed prenatally to tobacco smoke and during childhood to lead face a particularly high risk for ADHD, according to research done at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

23 Nov 2009

Serum progesterone concentration test can aid optimal timing of breast MRI in women with irregular periods

A simple blood test corresponding to the follicular phase (days 3-14) of a normal menstrual cycle can aid in optimal scheduling of breast MRI exams in premenopausal women with irregular cycles - possibly reducing the number of repeat scans and non-diagnostic tests patients experience and providing clearer images on which doctors make their recommendations, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

21 Nov 2009

Rates of infection by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may have peaked in late October: Quest Diagnostics

Rates of infection by the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may have peaked in late October, but the pandemic flu virus continues to be a potential source of illness in all age groups, including the elderly, according to a new report by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services.

From Quest Diagnostics 21 Nov 2009

Genetic sonogram improves accuracy of noninvasive prenatal screening and detection of Down syndrome

The addition of a "genetic sonogram" maximizes the accuracy of non-invasive testing for Down syndrome, said a Baylor College of Medicine researcher who was lead author of a landmark study in the current issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

21 Nov 2009

FDA approves sNDA for pediatric autism drug ABILIFY

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) for the treatment of irritability associated with autistic disorder in pediatric patients ages 6 to 17 years, including symptoms of aggression towards others, deliberate self-injuriousness, temper tantrums, and quickly changing moods.

20 Nov 2009

FISH technology accurate in measuring the HER-2 receptor in human breast tumors

The debate on how to select patients who will respond best to costly drug treatments for aggressive breast cancer now favors fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to measure the HER-2 receptor found in human breast tumors, according to a leading pathologist presenting at the Association for Molecular Pathology annual meeting.

20 Nov 2009

Quest Diagnostics announces final results of its cash tender offer

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, announced today the final results for its previously announced cash tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase any and all of its 5.125% Senior Notes due 2010 and any and all of its 7.50% Senior Notes due 2011 (collectively, the "Notes").

From Quest Diagnostics 20 Nov 2009

BD acquires HandyLab for $275 million

BD today announced the completion of its acquisition of HandyLab, Inc., an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based company that develops and manufactures molecular diagnostic assays and automation platforms.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 20 Nov 2009

2nd EMUC Meeting to discuss urological cancer

Experts agree that the urological cancer patient will benefit greatly if the delivered treatment is the result of a combined effort. Collaboration of experts from various fields is, therefore, necessary to take cancer-related research and medical practice to the next level.

20 Nov 2009