Nicotine News and Research

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Nicotine is an alkaloid found in the nightshade family of plants (''Solanaceae'') which constitutes approximately 0.6–3.0% of dry weight of tobacco, with biosynthesis taking place in the roots, and accumulating in the leaves.

New clinical uses for old hypertension drug leads to several patents

University of South Florida neuroscientist R. Douglas Shytle's discovery of successful new clinical uses for mecamylamine, a drug once used to treat hypertension, has led to several issued patents on mecamylamine and related compounds. Earlier this month, Shytle, associate professor and research scientist at the USF Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair and the USF Silver Child Development Center, received the university's 2009 "Excellence in Innovation" award.

28 Oct 2009

Development of VLN cigarettes for use in smoking cessation continues: 22nd Century

22nd Century Limited, LLC is pleased to announce that it is continuing development of a very low nicotine cigarette for use in smoking cessation. Clinical trial results demonstrate that these cigarettes, also referred to as ‘nicotine-free’ and ‘denicotinized,’ may be more effective for quitting than FDA-approved therapies.

28 Oct 2009

Crushing virtual cigarettes reduces nicotine dependence

Smokers who crushed computer-simulated cigarettes as part of a psychosocial treatment program in a virtual reality environment had significantly reduced nicotine dependence and higher rates of tobacco abstinence than smokers participating in the same program who grasped a computer-simulated ball, according to a study described in the current issue of CyberPsychology and Behavior, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

28 Oct 2009

Even one cigarette has serious adverse effects on young adults, says researcher

Even one cigarette has serious adverse effects on young adults, according to research presented by Dr. Stella Daskalopoulou at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2009, co-hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society.

27 Oct 2009

Smoking one cigarette can increase artery stiffness by 25% in young adults

27 Oct 2009

ZANTAC(R) Chili Challenge attracts thousands of Canadian participants

There are few dishes that bring out as much pride and passion from Canadians as chili. With football season and plunging temperatures in full swing, there is no better time for chili enthusiasts to get back into the kitchen, perfect their chili recipes and put them to the ultimate test in the second annual ZANTAC(R) Chili Challenge.

26 Oct 2009

SmokeStik: Healthier and cheaper electronic cigarettes

We've all felt the price increase of smoking hit our wallets. Over the past ten years the price of a pack of cigarettes has more than doubled, tripled and even quadrupled in some areas, but the amount of people who still smoke isn't decreasing.

22 Oct 2009

Maternal smoking may increase the level of distress of newborns, says study

A new research study being published in the October 15th issue of Biological Psychiatry suggests that maternal smoking may increase the level of distress of newborns.

21 Oct 2009

Clinical data supports continued development of ORENCIA administration for rheumatoid arthritis

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced today that new clinical data support continued development of a subcutaneous administration of ORENCIA® (abatacept) for patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.

21 Oct 2009

Health care providers should assist patients in breaking the smoking habit

More than a quarter of cancer survivors who still smoke have not been advised to quit smoking by their health care providers in the last year, according to a study published by researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center in the current issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

21 Oct 2009

Bristol-Myers Squibb presents study data on ORENCIA for treating rheumatoid arthritis

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company today announced two-year results of a study that supports use of ORENCIA® (abatacept) for methotrexate-naive patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis of less than or equal to two years duration.

20 Oct 2009

ECA commends Governor Schwarzenegger's stance on alternative smoking devices

Matt Salmon, president of the Electronic Cigarette Association (ECA), today praised California Governor Schwarzenegger’s wise decision to veto Senate Bill 400, which would have banned electronic cigarette sales in the state, protecting adult consumers’ access to these alternative smoking devices.

13 Oct 2009

Mobile phones may help in kicking nicotine habit

Hooked on your cell phone and cigarettes? Fortunately, your mobile device could help you kick the nicotine habit, according to a new review from New Zealand.

7 Oct 2009

Researchers examine effects of curcumin on HNSCC growths

Curcumin, the compound that gives curry powder its yellow/orange color, may inhibit the adverse effects of nicotine in patients with head and neck cancer who continue to smoke.

4 Oct 2009

Researchers study the role of CHRNA3 and CHRNA5 genes in lung cancer

A recent study published in the October 2009 issue of the Journal of Thoracic Oncology determined that variations of specific genetic markers identified in previous research, or SNPs, may indicate a greater lung cancer risk in African Americans than in whites. The genes CHRNA3 and CHRNA5 may contribute to lung cancer risk due directly or through their association with nicotine dependence.

3 Oct 2009

Scientists identify measures for reducing $2 billion healthcare burden from substance abuse

With substance abuse now accounting for one in 14 hospital admissions and generating billions in health care costs, leading scientists held a briefing on Capitol Hill today to present the evidence that we already have and the evidence we need in treating and preventing the use and abuse of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.

3 Oct 2009

ARRA stimulus funds fuel research projects across America

The Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), and The Science Coalition (TSC) today released highlighted examples of the important scientific work happening across the country as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The brief report summarizes just a handful of the thousands of projects benefiting from stimulus dollars.

30 Sep 2009

Acrux reports Phase III trial results evaluating AXIRON for testosterone deficiency

Australian company, Acrux, today announced positive results from a Phase III trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of AXIRON™ in 155 men with testosterone deficiency (hypogonadism), across 26 sites in six countries.

29 Sep 2009

First step to reducing smoking in America

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today a ban on cigarettes with flavors characterizing fruit, candy, or clove. The ban, authorized by the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, is part of a national effort by the FDA to reduce smoking in America. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in America.

23 Sep 2009

Drugs blocking the effects of ACh may prevent cancer

By seeing what substances and molecules affect the development of our diseases, we can develop drugs that prevent or cure diseases. In her dissertation at Kalmar University in Sweden, Ann Novotny has found that the signal molecule acetylcholine (ACh) is important for the progress of cancer of the large intestine and colon, knowledge that is important to factor in when developing drugs that block the effects of Ach on tumor cells.

23 Sep 2009