Research News and Research

RSS

Blocking rogue gene may stop cancer spread: Study

In a new breakthrough British scientists have discovered a “rogue gene” which helps cancer spread around the body and add that this could mean specific therapy, if developed against the gene, could stop cancer spread.

24 Jan 2011

Weighty matters

The Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA) has launched the “Healthy Weight Week”. The DAA says that 61 per cent of Australian adults and 25 per cent of Australian children are either overweight or obese. At present there are really no drugs that provide long term weight loss. The only resort is surgery.

24 Jan 2011

Unrealistic optimism appears common in early cancer trials

Can optimism be ethically problematic? Yes, according to a new study, which found unrealistic optimism prevalent among participants in early-phase cancer trials and suggested that it may compromise informed consent.

24 Jan 2011

Fat grafting safety review published; no increased risk of cancer

Published clinical experience in over 2,000 patients who received autologous fat grafts showed no evidence of increased risk of development, metastasis or recurrence of breast cancer in contrast to laboratory data.

24 Jan 2011

USAID Administrator responds to conservative Republicans' call for reducing agency's budget

In an interview with Foreign Policy's blog "The Cable," USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah said a Republican Study Committee (RSC) proposal to trim the U.S. foreign aid budget, in addition to other non-defense programs, could weaken U.S. national security.

24 Jan 2011

New voluntary dental insurance policy from Aflac

Aflac, the No. 1 provider of voluntary and guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States, today announced its new voluntary dental insurance policy. Aflac Dental offers policyholders more choices with multiple levels of coverage to choose from and bigger benefits ranging from higher annual maximums to enhanced orthodontic coverage.

24 Jan 2011

NBC News examines drug-resistant malaria along Thai-Cambodian border

NBC News' "World Blog" reports on the emergence of drug-resistant malaria along the border between Thailand and Cambodia. "The Pailin area [in Cambodia] is now the epicenter of a fight to contain a growing resistance to Artemisinin, which is the world's main anti-malarial drug," the blog writes before noting the global health community's efforts to contain the spread of drug-resistant malaria.

24 Jan 2011

Myriant closes $60M strategic equity investment from PTT Chemical

Myriant Technologies, Inc., a privately-held, biotech developer and manufacturer of renewable bio-based chemicals, announced today the closing of a $60 million strategic equity investment from PTT Chemical Group, Thailand's largest petrochemical producer.

24 Jan 2011

BMJ News examines ongoing investigation of WHO's handling of H1N1

BMJ News reports on the ongoing external investigation of the WHO's handling of the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic, following recent statements to the WHO's executive board meeting by review committee chairman, Harvey Fineberg.

24 Jan 2011

EU awards 3 million euros for improving assessment of MRI scans for Crohn’s disease

Colonoscopy is the standard intestinal examination for diagnosing and monitoring Crohn's disease. It is a stressful procedure in which a flexible tube fitted with a camera is passed into the large intestine. MRI scans are therefore often used as an alternative to monitor the course of the disease and how it is responding to treatment.

24 Jan 2011

Wall Street Journal looks at challenges facing U.S. aid operations in Pakistan

"A massive U.S. aid program that has made Pakistan the world's second-largest recipient of American economic and development assistance is facing serious challenges, people involved in the effort say," the Wall Street Journal reports in an article detailing the difficulties.

24 Jan 2011

Also in Global Health News: Cholera death in DR; TB vaccine study; Rising food prices

"Dominican Republic on Sunday confirmed that a 53-year-old Haitian man has become the country's first death from cholera and announced the immediate start of a broad disease control and monitoring operation" around the eastern town of Higuey where he was being treated and later died, Latin American Herald Tribune reports (1/24).

24 Jan 2011

GOP health agenda includes medical malpractice, cost concerns

The Republican House to-do list also includes action by oversight committees to investigate waivers given in regard to the health law. Meanwhile, KHN details six provisions from the sweeping measure that the GOP may seek to repeal or replace.

24 Jan 2011

HealthStream, Laerdal launch Simcenter simulation management platform for healthcare institutions

Through their joint venture, SimVentures, HealthStream, Inc., a leading provider of learning and research solutions for the healthcare industry, and Laerdal Medical, a global leader in the provision of educational solutions for healthcare providers and educators, today announced the launch of SimCenter. The

From Laerdal 24 Jan 2011

Health care jobs can be tough to find but primary care docs are in short supply

News outlets report on the health care workforce, including how the primary care physician supply is getting tighter as baby boomers' health needs increase.

24 Jan 2011

Digital Assent closes $2 million Series A equity financing round

Atlanta-based Digital Assent, provider of the PatientPad self-service patient check-in and patient education solution, announces the closing of a $2 million Series A round of equity financing led by Imlay Investments, Fulcrum Equity Partners and BLH Venture Partners.

24 Jan 2011

Senate GOP leaders press for health law repeal vote

Senate Republicans say they need to have a vote on repealing the health overhaul — even if they are going to lose — in order to be "on the record" about what they want and to make good on their campaign promises.

24 Jan 2011

IRBNet releases National Research Network 2010 Benchmark Report

IRBNet's free report provides objective performance metrics for the human subjects research protection oversight field, enabling hospitals, universities and government research institutions to make performance comparisons and drive process improvements

24 Jan 2011

Feds recoup billions in health care fraud cases

According to USA Today, whistle-blowers helped federal agents recover this record-breaking amount in health care fraud judgements.

24 Jan 2011

WSJ: Lawsuit explores fight over role of residential institutions for people with disabilities

The Justice Department in a lawsuit against Arkansas is reigniting an emotional fight over the role of residential institutions for people with disabilities. The suit focuses on one of Arkansas's facilities for people with severe disabilities, the Conway Human Development Center.

24 Jan 2011