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Thoratec gets FDA approval for increased enrollment and Medicare expansion for heart pump

Thoratec Corporation, a manufacturer of products to treat cardiovascular disease, has announced the expansion of its Phase I feasibility trial for the HeartMate(R) II left ventricular assist system (LVAS).

12 May 2004

WHO reports on treating tuberculosis in Ukraine

Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is the disease caused by TB bacilli that are resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin – the two most powerful anti-TB drugs. It results from inconsistent or partial treatment of TB, and develops when public health programmes fail to deliver regular and reliable treatment to TB patients.

12 May 2004

Australian researchers are working on a vaccine to prevent rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease

The Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) Australia, is working on a vaccine to prevent rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease are a secondary complication of a bacterial infection.

12 May 2004

Major flaws in the Australian Government’s plan to force doctors to work in certain areas

AMA (NSW) believes there are major flaws in the Federal Government’s plan to bond medical students to western Sydney via funding for a medical school in the region.

12 May 2004

Botox shows promise as an alternative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Injections of botulinum toxin A (botox) into the prostate are a promising alternative treatment for the millions of men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition commonly referred to as enlarged prostate, according to a study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan.

11 May 2004

Small, frequent doses of caffeine best strategy for staying awake

Caffeine is the world's most widely-used stimulant yet, scientists still do not know exactly how it staves off sleep. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and other institutions have now discovered that caffeine works by thwarting one of two interacting physiological systems that govern the human sleep-wake cycle.

11 May 2004

CMS proposed rule that would increase payments to acute care hospitals

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today issued a proposed rule that would increase payments to acute care hospitals for inpatient services in fiscal year 2005

11 May 2004

Critical link found between inflammation, heart disease and stroke

Until recently, the story on platelets was pretty simple: tiny blood cells, with limited sophistication because they had no nucleus, and their claim to fame was to be a first-responder to a wound site, to promote healthy clotting and prevent infection.

11 May 2004

$Trial of a drug derived from the puffer fish for treatment of refractory cancer pain$

Trial of a drug derived from the puffer fish for treatment of refractory cancer pain

Investigators involved in the pivotal clinical trial of TectinTM enrolled and dosed the first of up to 150 patients that will participate in the study. It is one of the largest Canadian clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a drug for treatment of medically refractory cancer pain, and will take place in up to 25 treatment centres across Canada.

11 May 2004

GenoMed adds to management team

GenoMed, Inc., a Next Generation Disease Management™ company that uses its expertise in genes to improve patient outcomes, said today that it has hired three additional full-time employees: a Chief Financial Officer, a Vice President for Marketing, and a Chief Technical Officer.

11 May 2004

Study shows men keen to be involved in child birth and early parenting

Contrary to some people's opinions most men are keen to be involved in the birth and early parenting of their child and midwives can play an important role in supporting that, a PhD study at Southern Cross University (SCU), Australia by Kay Burton has found.

11 May 2004

Young entrepreneur will import low cost, high quality cosmetic surgical products from China

A young entrepreneur who wants a share of the multi-million pound cosmetic surgical and products market has won the second University of Nottingham Student Business Venture Challenge.

11 May 2004

Low-level personnel un-trained in decision-making end up making discretionary medical choices

With no requirement for healthcare providers to care for uninsured patients seeking routine medical attention, frontline staff -- from clerks to insurance verifiers -- are the gatekeepers, deciding who is seen by the physician and who is turned away, according to research conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

11 May 2004

2 SARS patients in Beijing discharged from hospital

Xinhua reported today that there were no new cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) over the past 24 hours in China and 2 SARS patients in Beijing were discharged from hospital.

11 May 2004

Magnetic brain therapy may help spinal cord damage

A preliminary study has shown for the first time that it may be possible to help people who have suffered partial damage to their spinal cord by applying a magnetic therapy to their brain.

11 May 2004

Australian Federal Budget prepares for emerging health challenges

The 2004-2005 Federal Budget contains a package of measures to ensure that Australia is prepared for the emerging health challenges facing the nation.

11 May 2004

Country Industry Forecast - European Union Healthcare Industry

The accession of ten more central and east European countries to the European Union (EU) -15 in 2004 has created a single European market, the largest market and trading zone for the healthcare industry with almost 500 million consumers. The total healthcare industry comprising pharmaceuticals and drugs, medical devices and equipment, and health services is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.4 per cent from 2003 to 2008.

11 May 2004