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Despite price transparency legislation in California, uninsured patients do not receive price estimates

Uninsured patients in California are unable to successfully obtain information about the cost of medical care at hospitals despite recent state legislation intended to improve price transparency, according to a new study.

2 Dec 2009

MUHC researchers identify first genetic resistance factor against TB infection

Why do some people who are exposed to tuberculosis not become infected or develop the disease? Dr. Erwin Schurr and his team at the Research Institute from the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), in collaboration with Dr. Alexandre Alcais, from the Institut national de la sant- et de la recherche m-dicale (INSERM) in Paris, has shed light on this question for the first time. Their

2 Dec 2009

ACMG welcomes SACGHS report on gene patenting and licensing practices

The American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) has a long-standing position that genes are products of nature, and as such should not be patentable. ACMG has provided comments to the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics Health and Society (SACGHS) about its views on an ongoing basis.

2 Dec 2009

Overall use of blood-thinning agents not improving despite more options

Since 1999, stroke survivors have been advised to use aspirin, prescription antiplatelet agents, or prescription anticoagulants to help avoid another stroke. Many large surveys of the U.S. population have reported the use of aspirin for secondary prevention, but commonly combine people with stroke and coronary artery disease, and only rarely report the use of antithrombotic agents other than aspirin.

2 Dec 2009

TGF--1 suppresses the growth of cancer cells, find researchers

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have found that a naturally occurring protein -- transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF--1) -- which normally suppresses the growth of cancer cells, causes a rebound effect after a prolonged exposure.

2 Dec 2009

Women are less likely than men to receive major funding for scientific research

Women were less likely than men to receive major funding for scientific research, according to a study from the University of Michigan Health System. The study also found that only a quarter of all researchers, both men and women, who received a major early career award went on to get further federal funding within five years.

2 Dec 2009

Pulmonary embolism can be diagnosed by combining SPECT and low-dose CT, shows research

When it comes to diagnosing pulmonary embolism-a sudden blockage in the lung artery that could be deadly if not treated-which technique is the most effective?

2 Dec 2009

RapidArc radiotherapy technology delivers highly-precise IMRT treatment

Former New Jersey Assemblyman Francis Bodine was surprised and delighted when his radiotherapy treatment sessions for prostate cancer went from about 20 minutes each day to less than five.

2 Dec 2009

Galenea and Otsuka Pharmaceutical extend their research and development collaboration

Galenea Corp. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced today the further extension of their research and development collaboration through 2011. This latest extension increases the collaboration term to seven years and brings the total committed funding to approximately $90 million.

2 Dec 2009

LEED certification for UM Clinical Research Building

The Clinical Research Building (CRB), at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, has been honored for its sustainability components. The building was awarded the LEED- designation, established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI). LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of green buildings.

2 Dec 2009

Study identifies genetic link between vitamin D and heart disease

Previous studies have shown a link between low vitamin D status and heart disease. Now a new study shows that patients with high blood pressure who possess a gene variant that affects an enzyme critical to normal vitamin D activation are twice as likely as those without the variant to have congestive heart failure.

2 Dec 2009

MRI pioneer honored with MRC Millennium Medal

Sir Peter Mansfield, The University of Nottingham's Nobel Laureate for Physiology and Medicine, is to be recognised, once again, for his part in one of the most important breakthroughs in medical science.

2 Dec 2009

Study of Acetadote Injection as a cost-saving treatment for acetaminophen poisoning published

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced today that an independently conducted study of Acetadote (acetylcysteine) Injection, or intravenous N-acetylcysteine, as a cost-saving treatment for acetaminophen poisoning was published in Volume 12, Number 4 of the peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Economics, distributed in December.

2 Dec 2009

ZEGERID OTC, a proton pump inhibitor receives FDA approval

Merck & Co., Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ZEGERID OTC(TM) (omeprazole 20 mg/sodium bicarbonate 1100 mg capsules), for over-the-counter treatment of frequent heartburn.

2 Dec 2009

FDA grants approval for Dyax' KALBITOR for treating HAE patients

Dyax Corp. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for KALBITOR® (ecallantide) for the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema (HAE) in patients 16 years of age and older.

2 Dec 2009

CHG Healthcare Services implements campaign to lessen the spread of H1N1 among employees

With the height of seasonal flu season approaching and the pandemic of H1N1 in the headlines, CHG Healthcare Services has designed and mobilized a campaign to keep employees informed of the latest flu trends affecting their offices.

2 Dec 2009

Obesity research may be misrepresented by scientists working on bias topics, says UAB study

A new study by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Public Health shows that obesity research may be misrepresented by scientists operating with particular biases on topics related to weight, nutrition and the food industry.

1 Dec 2009

ASH to host annual High School Student Symposium at New Orleans Marriott

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) will host its annual High School Student Symposium at the New Orleans Marriott on Thursday, December 3, at 8:00 a.m. CST.

1 Dec 2009

Missouri scientists discover aspirin and Tylenol can inhibit vaccine efficacy

With flu season in full swing and the threat of H1N1 looming, demand for vaccines is at an all-time high. Although those vaccines are expected to be effective, University of Missouri researchers have found further evidence that some over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin and Tylenol, that inhibit certain enzymes could impact the effectiveness of vaccines.

1 Dec 2009

Sperm genes may have a detrimental effect on longevity, says new study

Researchers in Japan have found that female mice produced by using genetic material from two mothers but no father live significantly longer than mice with the normal mix of maternal and paternal genes. Their findings provide the first evidence that sperm genes may have a detrimental effect on lifespan in mammals.

1 Dec 2009