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BIOTRONIK announces FDA IDE approval and first patient enrollment for TOCCASTAR clinical trial

BIOTRONIK SE Co. & KG highlights two key milestones toward receiving premarket approval (PMA) of the TactiCath, a novel technology for treating atrial fibrillation (AF): FDA IDE (investigational device exemption) approval and the first patient enrollment of the TOCCASTAR (TactiCath Contact Force Ablation Catheter Study for Atrial Fibrillation) clinical trial.

14 Jan 2011

State health programs face significant budget challenges

In the third quarter of 2010, overall state revenues were down 7 percent compared to two years earlier. That drop has come at a time when the slow economy is putting increasing demands on safety-net services that states administer, such as Medicaid. The state-run health program for people with low incomes has eclipsed K-12 education as the most expensive portion of overall state budgets.

14 Jan 2011

Vanderbilt, Scripps Research form partnership to open new institute

The Scripps Research Institute and Vanderbilt University have formed a partnership to advance science at the interface of chemistry and medicine, the institutions announced today.

14 Jan 2011

GOP leaders reformulate strategies to undo health law

In the wake of last weekend's shootings in Arizona, GOP House leaders are contemplating ways to proceed with their planned health law repeal vote. Meanwhile, even as the debate continues — perhaps with more civility — The Washington Post offers a fact-check of one of the key points in play.

14 Jan 2011

New research shows hospital's design features can improve patient care, reduce health care expenses

Extra large private hospital rooms with plenty of natural light and artwork may seem like unaffordable luxuries, but new research shows that these and other architecture and design features can improve patient care and in the long run reduce health care expenses.

14 Jan 2011

First 6 months of exclusive breast feeding: Child health experts question recommendation

Current guidance advising mothers in the UK to exclusively breast feed for the first six months of their baby's life is being questioned by child health experts on bmj.com today.

14 Jan 2011

News outlets examine reaction to WHO plan to contain drug-resistant malaria

In follow-up coverage of the WHO's announcement Wednesday of a plan to contain the spread of artemisinin-resistant malaria, news outlets examined the scope of the problem, reactions to the plan and speculations of how the anticipated $175 million annual cost would be funded.

14 Jan 2011

Airborne prions can induce mad cow disease: Research

Airborne prions are also infectious and can induce mad cow disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disorder. This is the surprising conclusion of researchers at the University of Zurich, the University Hospital Zurich and the University of Tübingen. They recommend precautionary measures for scientific labs, slaughterhouses and animal feed plants.

14 Jan 2011

Cataloguing microbes in gut could lead to cause of necrotizing enterocolitis

Scientists have for the first time sequenced and reconstructed the genomes of most of the microbes in the gut of a premature newborn and documented how the microbe populations changed over time.

14 Jan 2011

Investing in medical innovation could have positive effect on health care costs

News outlets report that some experts say this investment could help with job creation and American competitiveness in the international marketplace.

14 Jan 2011

Exploring the health overhaul's business opportunities

News outlets report on efforts to capitalize on health reform's new business opportunities.

14 Jan 2011

Merck announces changes in vorapaxar clinical studies

Merck today provided the following statement on the changes to the clinical studies for vorapaxar, one of the Company's investigational cardiovascular medicines, following an announcement from the two academic centers leading the studies of vorapaxar.

14 Jan 2011

Study highlights role of SIRT1 protein as tumor suppressor in prostate cancer

Researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson and two other institutions have discovered new evidence that suggests the "longevity" protein SIRT1, known for its life-spanning effects in different species, can inhibit the development of a known precursor to prostate cancer, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

14 Jan 2011

FDA asks manufacturers to eliminate higher-dose prescription combination acetaminophen products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is asking manufacturers of prescription combination products that contain acetaminophen to limit the amount of acetaminophen to no more than 325 milligrams in each tablet or capsule.

14 Jan 2011

Patients on dialysis may face risk of death from atrial fibrillation: Study

The abnormal heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation, is increasingly common in patients on dialysis and is linked to a sharp rise in death, in an already at-risk population, according to a study appearing in an upcoming issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

14 Jan 2011

Viewpoints: Health law repeal; Individual mandate; Essential benefits package; Arizona transplant program

If the government fails, then costs will rise inexorably. Nothing in the law guarantees success: The law embodies almost every idea anyone has offered and hopes a couple of them will work.

14 Jan 2011

T.A. Sciences receives US patent for TA-65 to tackle aging process

Telomerase Activation Sciences, today announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,846,904 to the Geron Corporation. The patent covers the use of certain compounds to upregulate telomerase expression in cells.

14 Jan 2011

Research study to develop rapid, inexpensive blood screening test for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer

A clinical research study to develop a rapid and inexpensive blood screening test for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer has been launched by Henry Ford Health System and the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.

14 Jan 2011

Study reports long-term complications in childhood survivors of bacterial meningitis

Nearly half of children who survive an episode of bacterial meningitis experience persistent behavioral, intellectual, or other complications, reports a study in the January issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

14 Jan 2011

CJSM highlights emerging issues in sport medicine

Should electrocardiograms be included in cardiovascular screening of athletes? What's the current status of research into long-term effects of concussions? These and other hot topics are the focus of the January Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, a special issue on "Emerging Issues in Sport Medicine."

14 Jan 2011