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Microsurgical technique effective in removing acoustic tumors

Surgery to remove tumors under the brain known as acoustic neuromas produces favorable outcomes in the "vast majority" of patients, according to one of the largest studies of its kind.

8 Dec 2010

Early group daycare exposure protects kids from infections later: Study

A new study reassures parents that although young kids might get sick more often when they first start group childcare, these same kids get fewer infections later in their childhood. About one in three U.S. kids receives organized childcare before reaching kindergarten age, whether at a daycare center or a school.

7 Dec 2010

Secondhand smoke in the home may cause ear infections in children: Study

Family members who smoke are more apt to feel it is OK to smoke indoors as their children get older. But in households with secondhand smoke, children between 12 and 17 are 1.67 times more prone to have recurrent ear infections compared to adolescents who live in a smoke-free environment, a large new study reveals.

7 Dec 2010

Progress in developing new pig breeds with a desirable combination of both leanness and flavor

Perhaps you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but scientists are reporting progress in pulling off the same trick with the notoriously bland flavor of pork. They are reporting new insights into the biochemical differences in the meat of an Italian swine renowned for its good flavor since the ancient Roman Empire and the modern "Large White" or Yorkshire hog, whose roots date back barely 125 years. Their study appears in ACS' Journal of Proteome Research.

3 Dec 2010

SAGE selected to publish Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery journal

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), the nation's largest organization representing ear, nose, and throat surgeons, has partnered with SAGE to publish its official journal, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, beginning with Volume 144 in January 2011.

1 Dec 2010

CRN says increased DRI for vitamin D a step in right direction, but still falls short

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the dietary supplement industry's leading trade association, today called the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine's (IOM) newly released report on the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) levels for vitamin D "a modest step in the right direction that fell short of truly capturing the extensive and positive research that has consistently supported the need for people to significantly raise their vitamin D levels."

1 Dec 2010

Age-related hearing loss associated with low serum levels of folic acid in the elderly

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), one of the four most prevalent chronic conditions in the elderly, is associated with low serum levels of folic acid, according to new research published in the December 2010 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

1 Dec 2010

FDA approves Axiron topical solution CIII for testosterone replacement therapy in men

Acrux , a drug delivery company that develops and commercializes patented pharmaceutical products for global markets, and Eli Lilly Company today announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Axiron® topical solution CIII for testosterone replacement therapy in men. Axiron is the first testosterone topical solution approved for application via an underarm applicator.

29 Nov 2010

Haiti cholera death toll increases, U.N. boosts estimate for number of expected cases

"The cholera epidemic in Haiti is gathering pace and some violence is expected when the country holds elections this week, U.N. officials warned Tuesday," Agence France-Presse reports. The official death toll from cholera is now above 1,400, but "experts believe that the real toll is close to 2,000 dead and the number of cases is between 60,000 and 70,000 rather than the 50,000 given by the authorities, Nigel Fisher, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Haiti said," according to the news service (11/23).

25 Nov 2010

Men failing to protect eyes from injuries: Experts

A review looking at patients attending a Melbourne hospital’s emergency department with a serious eye injury shows that most of them could be prevented by proper eye protection. Men’s particular lack of eye protection while using power tools and lawn mowers, usually during routine house maintenance, were the other major factors in the injury cases say the researchers.

23 Nov 2010

Scientists discover bone matrix plays a vital role in tissue hardening

Scientists are reporting the first direct evidence that a subtle change in the physical properties of a tissue can affect its function. The finding has immediate implications for understanding several rare hearing disorders, they said, and ultimately could offer insight into such conditions as osteoporosis, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

19 Nov 2010

Selenium secures NIH grant to apply patented antimicrobial technology for ear infections

Selenium, Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company focused on unique solutions to meet antimicrobial coating and therapeutic needs, has been awarded a research grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one of the National Institutes of Health. With the $155,387 NIH grant the company will apply its proprietary antimicrobial technology to researching the inhibition of biofilms on tympanostomy tubes.

18 Nov 2010

Popular Science names VisionCare's Implantable Miniature Telescope for AMD 'Best of What's New' 2010

VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies, Inc., a developer of advanced visual prosthetic devices, today announced the Implantable Miniature Telescope (by Dr. Isaac Lipshitz), designed to improve vision in patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is named "Best of What's New" 2010 by Popular Science magazine.

17 Nov 2010

Otoscopic exams critical for accurate diagnosis of ear infections in children

Among the findings of an analysis of previous studies regarding ear infections in children are that results from otoscopic exams (an instrument for examining the interior of the ear) are critical to accurate diagnosis and antibiotics are modestly more effective than no treatment, with most antibiotics demonstrating similar rates of clinical success among children at normal risk, according to an article in the November 17 issue of JAMA.

17 Nov 2010

Sonova 2010/11 first half sales increases 17.2% to CHF 832 million

Sonova generated a new sales record of CHF 832 million in the first half of 2010/11, an increase of 17.2% in Swiss francs compared to the previous year.

16 Nov 2010

Prolonged use of cell phone increases nickel allergy

Chatting endlessly on your cell phone can lead to an allergic reaction to the nickel in your phone, according to allergists at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Phoenix, Nov. 11-16. From cosmetics to jewelry, body piercings to tattoos, allergies can lurk in unlikely places, allergists say.

15 Nov 2010

NovaBay third quarter net loss increases to $1.6 million

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class, anti-infective compounds for the treatment and prevention of antibiotic-resistant infections, has reported third quarter financial results and highlighted the clinical progress of its in-house programs.

12 Nov 2010

Elderly often have poor outcomes from surgery: Study

A new study has shown the ill effects of surgery in the elderly. Results of the Australian study shows that one in five older patients will suffer complications from surgery and one in 20 will die within 30 days. Lead author and Associate Professor David Story from the University of Sydney and his team looked at more than 4,100 patients aged over 70 for the study.

11 Nov 2010

Meda acquires Pyralvex, Spasmonal and Waxsol from Norgine

Meda has acquired three well established OTC products from Norgine, a Dutch pharma company. The products are Pyralvex (relief of pain associated with e.g. aphthous ulcers), Spasmonal (treatment of for example Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and Waxsol (ear drops). The largest product is Pyralvex, which has a turnover of about 90 MSEK.

11 Nov 2010

Study shows dogs attack children's face, eyes

As dog bites become an increasingly major public health concern, a new study shows that unsupervised children are most at risk for bites, that the culprits are usually family pets and if they bite once, they will bite again with the second attack often more brutal than the first.

10 Nov 2010