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Diagnostic test Xpert MTB/RIF proven fast and effective in low-resource settings

The Lancet published a significant development for TB diagnostics yesterday with concrete and encouraging study outcomes on the effectiveness of the new Xpert MTB/RIF test for TB and rifampicin resistance in realistic health care field conditions. One of the authors, Prof. Mark Nicol of the University of Cape Town (South Africa) who contributed to this study, is an EDCTP Senior Fellow. The article demonstrates that the test can effectively be used in low-resource settings to simplify early and accurate diagnosis of patients. The potential impact is a reduction in the morbidity associated with diagnostic delay, dropout and mistreatment. The article has appeared online on 19 April 2011 and will be published in volume 377 on 30 April 2011.

20 Apr 2011

Scientists detect several biomarkers to screen active drugs for Batten disease

Goethe University and Harvard Medical School start screening for active ingredients for the treatment of Batten disease

20 Apr 2011

Hypothalamus plays a key role in obesity and type 2 diabetes

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20 Apr 2011

Rituxan receives FDA approval for treating two rare diseases

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Rituxan (rituximab), in combination with glucocorticoids (steroids), to treat patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), two rare disorders that cause blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis).

20 Apr 2011

Combination therapy restores skilled use of limb in rodent model

After the acute treatment window closes, the only effective treatment for stroke is physical/occupational therapy. Now scientists from Children's Hospital Boston report a two-pronged molecular therapy that leads to significant recovery of skilled motor function in a rat model of stroke.

20 Apr 2011

Future cuts by the government could undermine charity funded medical research

Future cuts by the government could undermine research funded by charities, leaving them no choice but to make difficult decisions about the studies they fund, according to a report published today.

20 Apr 2011

How peppermint helps to relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome

University of Adelaide researchers have shown for the first time how peppermint helps to relieve Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which affects up to 20% of the population.

20 Apr 2011

Panelists urge consumers to prepare for possible long-term care issues in the future

Panelists participating today on a Lincoln Financial Group-sponsored webcast focusing on long-term care issues urged consumers to adopt a "retirement mindset" and be certain to understand the funding options available well before a need arises.

20 Apr 2011

Alnylam, Precision NanoSystems enter collaboration for discovery of novel small lipid nanoparticles

Precision NanoSystems, Inc. and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that the two companies have formed an exclusive collaboration focused on the discovery and development of novel lipid nanoparticles, known as small lipid nanoparticles ("sLNPs"), using microfluidics technology.

From Precision NanoSystems Inc. 20 Apr 2011

Diabetes in Control publishes complete list of drugs that affect blood glucose

Any clinician knows that there's a massive amount of new diabetes research and clinical information released daily, which makes keeping pace with best practices almost a full-time job.

20 Apr 2011

Researchers deploy new tool in study of tubulin tyrosine ligase in tumor growth

Many of the newest weapons in the war on cancer come in the form of personalized therapies that can target specific changes in an individual's tumor. By disrupting molecular processes in tumor cells, these drugs can keep the tumor from growing and spreading. At the forefront of this work are Binghamton University researchers, Susan Bane, and Susannah Gal, who are deploying a new tool in their study of an enzyme called tubulin tyrosine ligase, or TTL.

20 Apr 2011

Why we 'lust for blood'

We are fascinated with the lurid details of sensational murder trials. Horror fiction and slasher movies thrill us-the gorier the better. When we drive by the scene of an accident, we're compelled to slow down. And it's no secret that brutal video games are solid moneymakers. Why do we thirst for the frighteningly grotesque? In The "LUST FOR BLOOD: WHY WE ARE FASCINATED BY DEATH, MURDER, HORROR, AND VIOLENCE" veteran psychologist Jeffrey A. Kottler explains our dark desire for guts, gore, and the gruesome.

20 Apr 2011

Report: Impact of Ryan's 'Roadmap' on health law unclear

A report by the Congressional Research Service found that neither the House-passed budget resolution nor the "Roadmap to Prosperity" document provide enough detail to make a determination.

20 Apr 2011

Springer to publish new journal of Society of Behavioral Medicine

Starting in 2011, Springer will publish Translational Behavioral Medicine: Practice, Policy, Research (TBM), a journal of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. The journal will debut with a special section, "Information Technology and Evidence Implementation."

20 Apr 2011

Chronic inflammation due to infection may lead to cancer

A new study shows how inflammation can help cause cancer. Chronic inflammation due to infection or to conditions such as chronic inflammatory bowel disease is associated with up to 25 percent of all cancers.

20 Apr 2011

Cognitive behavior therapy eases depressive symptoms, improves cardiovascular health in diabetics

Frequently, depression and diabetes go hand in hand. And depression can be a major obstacle for people living with diabetes, making it less likely they'll stick to a medicine schedule or exercise regimen.

20 Apr 2011

SERI selects AB SCIEX TripleTOF 5600 system to test chronic eye inflammations

AB SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, today announced that the Singapore Eye Research Institute, an internationally known eye research center, will advance biomarker candidates it identified for chronic inflammatory eye conditions into large-scale clinical trials for validation with the AB SCIEX TripleTOF™ 5600 System.

20 Apr 2011

Antibodies to non-human sugar molecule may be useful for early detection of cancer

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine say antibodies to a non-human sugar molecule commonly found in people may be useful as a future biomarker for predicting cancer risk, for diagnosing cancer cases early and, in sufficient concentration, used as a treatment for suppressing tumor growth.

20 Apr 2011

Tissue Genesis commences PVD clinical trials with adipose-derived adult stem cell-coated vascular grafts

Tissue Genesis, Inc., an emerging leader in adult stem cell and regenerative medicine, announced today that it has begun clinical trials for peripheral vascular disease (PVD) with adipose (fat) derived adult stem cell-coated vascular grafts at the University of Louisville Hospital. Tissue Genesis is the first to initiate a FDA-approved trial using the patient's own adipose-derived adult stem cells (ASCs) prepared at the point-of-care.

20 Apr 2011