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Researchers discover additional cystic fibrosis-causing mutations

Of the over 1,900 errors already reported in the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis, it is unclear how many of them actually contribute to the inherited disease. Now a team of researchers reports significant headway in figuring out which mutations are benign and which are deleterious. In so doing, they have increased the number of known CF-causing mutations from 22 to 127, accounting for 95 percent of the variations found in patients with CF.

26 Aug 2013

Study compares spectrum of cancer-related gene mutations in two common types of cervical cancer

A new study has revealed marked differences in the genomic terrain of the two most common types of cervical cancer, suggesting that patients might benefit from therapies geared to each type's molecular idiosyncrasies.

26 Aug 2013

Report shows nonmedical use of pain relievers may increase risk of using heroin later

A new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that people aged 12 to 49 who had used prescription pain relievers nonmedically were 19 times more likely to have initiated heroin use recently (within the past 12 months of being interviewed) than others in that age group (0.39 percent versus 0.02 percent).

23 Aug 2013

Age, sex and race may predict risk factor reduction in patients with coronary heart disease

Risk factor modification efforts could help reduce the chance of another heart attack and death among the more than 15 million Americans with coronary heart disease. Yet some patients-especially women and minorities-leave the hospital with poorly managed risk factors.

23 Aug 2013

ATF3 gene may be the crucial link between stress and breast cancer: Study

In an unexpected finding, scientists have linked the activation of a stress gene in immune-system cells to the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body.

23 Aug 2013

Novartis starts shipment of 2013-2014 seasonal influenza vaccines to US customers

Novartis announced today that it has begun shipment of its seasonal influenza vaccines to customers in the US market for the 2013-2014 season. Novartis plans to ship a minimum of 30 million doses of its influenza vaccines to the US market, including Fluvirin (Influenza Virus Vaccine), approved for use in people 4 years of age and older, and Flucelvax (Influenza Virus Vaccine), approved for use in adults 18 years of age and older.

22 Aug 2013

Clinical study to investigate effects of prenatal chromosomal abnormalities through microarray analysis

Reproductive genetics researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) are leading a multicenter prospective clinical study investigating the effects of chromosomal abnormalities (duplicative or missing material) found prenatally through microarray analysis.

22 Aug 2013

Researchers discover 100% genetic match for MERS in insect-eating bat in Saudi Arabia

A 100% genetic match for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) has been discovered in an insect-eating bat in close proximity to the first known case of the disease in Saudi Arabia. The discovery points to the likely animal origin for the disease, although researchers say that an intermediary animal is likely also involved.

22 Aug 2013

UC Davis Health System develops new screening strategy for lethal stage of TB in Asia

More than 20,000 people in Pakistan are being tested for the potentially deadly stage of tuberculosis using a new strategy developed at UC Davis Health System to effectively detect the disease in children for the first time.

22 Aug 2013

DFID awards 5-year grant to DNDi to advance research and development for neglected diseases

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has announced its renewed support to the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), allocating a total of - 30 million (- 35 million) over the coming five years (2013-2018) to DNDi's Research & Development (R&D) portfolio to fight neglected diseases.

22 Aug 2013

FDA approves first mass spectrometer system in U.S. for identification of bacteria, yeasts

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today allowed marketing in the U.S. of the first mass spectrometer system for automated identification of bacteria and yeasts that are known to cause serious illness in humans.

22 Aug 2013

HIV prevention program at UCLA may reduce unprotected sex among bisexual black men

A culturally tailored HIV prevention program developed and tested by investigators at UCLA and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science has been shown to significantly reduce unprotected sex among bisexual black men.

22 Aug 2013

Childhood obesity: an interview with Dr. Kevin Hall, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA

Our research uses mathematical modelling to quantify calorie intake as children grow at a healthy rate as well as when they develop obesity. We showed that the development of childhood obesity required a much greater increase in calories than previously thought since prior estimates did not properly account for metabolic changes as children grow.

21 Aug 2013

Study: Participants who used community health workers showed improvement in diabetes control

The prevalence of diabetes among Hispanic Americans is growing and their likelihood of being hospitalized for uncontrolled diabetes is two times greater than that of non-Hispanic Whites. Rather than a new drug, the prescription for controlling diabetes may be a person.

21 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: Republican patient takes GOP health message to task; the deadlines the administration has missed

In recent months, President Obama and his subordinates have waived or delayed a number of Obamacare's notable features, such as the law's employer mandate, and its procedures for protecting taxpayers from fraud and identity theft.

21 Aug 2013

Study shows ERs are not meeting needs of senior citizens

Emergency departments are not meeting the needs of senior citizens, according to a new international study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

21 Aug 2013

Researchers develop simple scoring system to predict risk of dementia in older diabetes patients

Researchers have developed a simple scoring system, based on a patient’s age, health issues, and education, which accurately predicts the risk of dementia in people aged over 60 with type 2 diabetes.

20 Aug 2013

Viewpoints: GOP trapped between angry base and reality of health law; small businesses 'scrambling;' competing views of Medicaid expansion in Va.

Recent political reporting suggests that Republican leaders are in a state of high anxiety, trapped between an angry base that still views Obamacare as the moral equivalent of slavery and the reality that health reform is the law of the land and is going to happen (Paul Krugman, 8/18).

20 Aug 2013

Children with high BPA levels have higher odds of obesity and abnormal waist circumference

Children who have higher levels of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical previously used in many products for kids, like baby bottle and plastic toys, had a higher odds of obesity and adverse levels of body fat, according to a new study from University of Michigan researchers.

20 Aug 2013

New data analyzing technique via MR imaging identify tumors' response to anti-angiogenesis therapy

A new way of analyzing data acquired in MR imaging appears to be able to identify whether or not tumors are responding to anti-angiogenesis therapy, information that can help physicians determine the most appropriate treatments and discontinue ones that are ineffective.

20 Aug 2013

Public Health News and Research

Researchers discover additional cystic fibrosis-causing mutations

Study compares spectrum of cancer-related gene mutations in two common types of cervical cancer

Report shows nonmedical use of pain relievers may increase risk of using heroin later

Age, sex and race may predict risk factor reduction in patients with coronary heart disease

ATF3 gene may be the crucial link between stress and breast cancer: Study

Novartis starts shipment of 2013-2014 seasonal influenza vaccines to US customers

Clinical study to investigate effects of prenatal chromosomal abnormalities through microarray analysis

Researchers discover 100% genetic match for MERS in insect-eating bat in Saudi Arabia

UC Davis Health System develops new screening strategy for lethal stage of TB in Asia

DFID awards 5-year grant to DNDi to advance research and development for neglected diseases

FDA approves first mass spectrometer system in U.S. for identification of bacteria, yeasts

HIV prevention program at UCLA may reduce unprotected sex among bisexual black men

Childhood obesity: an interview with Dr. Kevin Hall, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA

Study: Participants who used community health workers showed improvement in diabetes control

Viewpoints: Republican patient takes GOP health message to task; the deadlines the administration has missed

Study shows ERs are not meeting needs of senior citizens

Researchers develop simple scoring system to predict risk of dementia in older diabetes patients

Viewpoints: GOP trapped between angry base and reality of health law; small businesses 'scrambling;' competing views of Medicaid expansion in Va.

Children with high BPA levels have higher odds of obesity and abnormal waist circumference

New data analyzing technique via MR imaging identify tumors' response to anti-angiogenesis therapy

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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