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Statins benefit ‘at risk’ patients but are underused: Study

A look at some of the large clinical trials and studies has shown that thousands of deaths could be prevented a year if people at risk of heart attack or stroke are prescribed high doses of statins. The review involves data from 170,000 patients in 26 randomized trials. The paper is published in the journal The Lancet.

10 Nov 2010

Omeros identifies orphan GPCR compound that potentiates tumor-killing activity of doxorubicin

Omeros Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering, developing and commercializing products focused on inflammation and disorders of the central nervous system, today announced that a compound identified by the Company as an antagonist of GPR87, an orphan GPCR recently unlocked for drug development by Omeros and linked to squamous cell carcinoma, potentiates the tumor-killing activity of doxorubicin (Adriamycin), a widely used chemotherapeutic agent.

10 Nov 2010

Breast cancer patients more likely to have joint pain from taking AIs: Study

Breast cancer patients are more likely to have joint pain from taking aromatase inhibitors if they have advanced stage cancer, according to a study presented at the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting, held Nov. 7-11, in Atlanta. The study is one of the first to identify factors that increase the likelihood that a patient will suffer joint pain from AI therapy.

10 Nov 2010

Study sheds light on difficulty of controlling blood pressure in patients with high aldosterone levels

A hormone already responsible for increasing blood pressure by prompting the kidneys to retain salt appears to moonlight as a major stimulator of the brain centers that control the vascular system and blood pressure.

10 Nov 2010

Gov't health IT spending attracts investments from all over

As part of its foray into health IT, AT&T has partnered with WellDoc, a Baltimore-based company that makes an FDA-approved mobile-phone application to help manage diabetes, The Baltimore Sun reports. "The telecommunications giant launched a new business segment last week that will focus on technology solutions for the health care industry. And WellDoc's software will be pitched by AT&T's huge marketing muscle to commercial clients ranging from hospitals to insurers to employers" (Sentementes, 11/8).

10 Nov 2010

GTx third quarter net loss decreases to $8.6 million

GTx, Inc. today reported financial results for the third quarter of 2010. The net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 was $8.6 million compared with a net loss of $12.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, GTx reported net income of $22.8 million compared with a net loss of $35.4 million for the same period in 2009.

9 Nov 2010

Johns Hopkins scientists identify protein mechanism that regulates cell division

By tracking the flow of information in a cell preparing to split, Johns Hopkins scientists have identified a protein mechanism that coordinates and regulates the dynamics of shape change necessary for division of a single cell into two daughter cells.

9 Nov 2010

GBS meningitis in infants still very serious

Although now less frequent because of preventive antibiotics, meningitis caused by group B streptococcal (GBS) bacteria is still a serious illness causing a high rate of death and severe complications in infants, reports a study in the November issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

9 Nov 2010

CMU receives $2.9 million DOD research grant to develop therapy for amputees

CMU's Jeffrey O. Hollinger, director of the center, and Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski have received a three-year, $2.9 million U.S. Department of Defense research grant to develop a therapy that would aid amputees, specifically wounded soldiers. The therapy aims to prevent bone nodules from forming in the muscle at the site of amputation, a painful condition that makes it difficult for amputees to wear limb prostheses.

8 Nov 2010

New findings could help scientists devise optimal therapies for Friedreich's ataxia

Scripps Research Institute scientists have taken a step closer to understanding the cause of Friedreich's ataxia, a debilitating neurological condition that affects tens of thousands of people worldwide, and so far has no cure.

8 Nov 2010

Researchers identify key step in metabolic pathways linked to diabetes and cancer

United States and Japanese researchers have identified a key step in metabolic pathways linked to diabetes and cancer. The study on activation of the protein complex TORC 2 was published online in the journal Current Biology Oct. 28.

8 Nov 2010

Skin to blood transformation in the lab

In a new study scientists have successfully transformed human skin cells into blood without first being sent through a primordial, stem-cell-like state. The findings were published online in the journal Nature. Earlier work has shown that fibroblast cells from mouse skin, treated with the right cocktail of chemicals, can be transformed into neurons and heart muscle. This is a first with human cells.

7 Nov 2010

Abiomed second quarter revenue increases 17% to $23.4 million

Abiomed, Inc., a leading provider of breakthrough heart support technologies, today reported second quarter fiscal 2011 revenue of $23.4 million, up 17% compared to the same period of fiscal 2010.

4 Nov 2010

Testosterone treatment for frailty in older men lacks long term benefits

The beneficial effects of six months of testosterone treatment on muscle mass, strength and quality of life in frail elderly men are not maintained at six months post-treatment, according to a study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

4 Nov 2010

Acceleron receives grants for five projects under QTDP program

Acceleron Pharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics that modulate the growth of cells and tissues including muscle, bone, fat, red blood cells and the vasculature, today announced it has been awarded grants for five projects under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program.

4 Nov 2010

Workers unwilling to disclose work related stress: Survey

According to findings from a survey by mental health charity Mind, millions of British workers have lied to their bosses about taking sick leave when they feel overwhelmed by stress. The survey showed that one in five workers (19%) have taken stress-induced sick leave, but virtually all of them (93%) say they have lied to their boss about the real reason for not turning up. The usual reasons cited are stomach upsets, housing problems or even have a sick relative, rather than admitting the truth.

3 Nov 2010

Northumbria University to host workshop on space exercise countermeasures and post mission rehabilitation

Space travel experts from around the world will gather at Northumbria University to discuss ways to tackle health issues faced by astronauts during lengthy extra terrestrial missions.

3 Nov 2010

Lifestyle changes and natural supplements can control blood sugar levels

The holiday season can make it challenging for people with diabetes to keep their blood sugar levels stable. Diabetes expert, Dr. Isaac Eliaz recommends prevention through a number of lifestyle changes and natural supplements.

3 Nov 2010

MSU awarded $4.2M to develop clinical research tools for osteopathic manipulative medicine study

A multidisciplinary team of Michigan State University researchers has been awarded $4.2 million to develop accurate clinical research tools for studying osteopathic manipulative medicine, a hands-on approach to the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.

3 Nov 2010

UIC awarded $12M to study acquired and familial causes of heart failure

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have been awarded more than $12 million by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to investigate both the acquired and familial causes of heart failure -- with the aim of identifying markers for diagnosis and targets for cures.

3 Nov 2010