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New role discovered for cilia

Johns Hopkins researchers and colleagues have found a previously unrecognized role for tiny hair-like cell structures known as cilia: They help form our sense of touch.

22 Oct 2007

Sanofi Pasteur receives FDA approval of Menactra meningococcal vaccine for children

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted licensure to expand the indication for its meningococcal conjugate vaccine, Menactra (Meningococcal [Groups A, C, Y and W-135] Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine), to include children 2 years through 10 years of age.

22 Oct 2007

FDA to look at warnings about salt in food

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States will hear a consumer group's petition demanding that the federal agency should regulate the use of salt in food.

22 Oct 2007

Benefit of exenatide has not yet been proven

Since May 2007, a new drug has been available for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 in Germany: exenatide (trade name: Byetta), which is marketed by the manufacturer Eli Lilly.

18 Oct 2007

Training for walking after stroke

Repetitive training that simulates everyday leg function can help people walk more easily after stroke, according to a new review of studies.

17 Oct 2007

Ear infection superbug found to be resistant to all pediatric antibiotics

Researchers have discovered a strain of bacteria resistant to all approved drugs used to fight ear infections in children, according to an article to be published tomorrow in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

17 Oct 2007

Binghamton University aims to keep retirees connected to the campus

Binghamton University is hoping a new human resources initiative will be a jump-start in preparing for the fast-approaching retirement of their Baby Boomer population. With the creation of a new part-time retiree services coordinator position, the University hopes it can keep retirees connected to the campus.

16 Oct 2007

Caesarean or natural birth?

A new website that explores women's decision-making about birth after a previous caesarean section is to be launched.

10 Oct 2007

Researchers tackle phantom sounds of tinnitus

For the more than 50 million Americans who experience the phantom sounds of tinnitus -- ringing in the ears that can range from annoying to debilitating -- certain well-trained rats may be their best hope for finding relief.

8 Oct 2007

Supreme Court declines to consider challenge to New York contraceptive coverage law

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday said it will not consider a challenge to a New York law that requires employers who offer prescription drug plans to provide coverage for FDA-approved contraceptives for women, the New York Times reports (Greenhouse, New York Times, 10/2).

2 Oct 2007

iPod shuffles used to help stutters

Compared to advancements in modern medicine over the past 70 years, there have been few new treatment options for people who stutter.

27 Sep 2007

Scientists produce equivalent of test-tube inner ear hair cells

Birds, fish and amphibians can do something that humans and other mammals generally cannot: re-grow damaged or lost inner ear hair cells.

27 Sep 2007

Study explores link between victimization and suicidal behavior among college students

The film and television series "M*A*S*H*" featured the song "Suicide is Painless," but new research refutes that idea and indicates that being victimized because of sexual orientation is a chief risk factor for suicidal behavior among gay, lesbian and bisexual college students.

25 Sep 2007

New cell culturing technique provides better understanding of hearing loss, tinnitus and balance problems

In a breakthrough that will likely accelerate research aimed at cures for hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance problems, scientists have perfected a laboratory culturing technique that provides a reliable new source of cells critical to understanding certain inner-ear disorders.

25 Sep 2007

Music perception following cochlear implantation

Cochlear implants, which restore hearing in profoundly deaf patients, also allow many recipients to hear and enjoy music, significantly increasing their quality of life (QOL), according to a new study.

20 Sep 2007

Long-term cell phone use may cause inner ear damage

Hold the phone – long-term use of a cell phone may cause inner ear damage and can lead to high frequency hearing loss, according to a new study.

20 Sep 2007

Effects of smoking on otologic surgery outcomes

It has long been known that active smoking exerts a negative effect on normal ear functioning and hearing by chronically irritating the Eustachian tube and the lining of the middle ear.

18 Sep 2007

Validity of the hum test in predicting hearing loss

A basic hearing evaluation generally involves the use of tuning fork tests.

18 Sep 2007

Hearing aid trials in pediatric cochlear implantation

Children with severe to profound hearing loss under evaluation for cochlear implantation have traditionally been given a three to six month hearing aid trial to verify that they don't receive sufficient audiometric and speech benefit from hearing aids before proceeding with cochlear implantation.

18 Sep 2007