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Insuring your health: Seniors should consider changes in Medicare Part D plans

In her latest Kaiser Health News consumer column, Michelle Andrews writes: "If you're on Medicare Part D, this month marks the beginning of the annual enrollment time when beneficiaries can try to pick the plan that provides the best coverage for their prescription drugs.

3 Nov 2010

NeurogesX initiates NGX-1998 Phase 2 study in postherpetic neuralgia

NeurogesX, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel pain management therapies, today announced dosing of the first patient in its Phase 2 clinical study of NGX-1998, a liquid formulation of high-concentration capsaicin, in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).

3 Nov 2010

Mouse study indicates black raspberries can prevent colorectal cancer

Black raspberries are highly effective in preventing colorectal tumors in two mouse models of the disease, according to a University of Illinois at Chicago study. The findings are published in the November issue of Cancer Prevention Research.

3 Nov 2010

UK watchdog agency to lose power to reject new drugs

The British government is expected to strip the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, or NICE, of its ability to reject new drugs.

3 Nov 2010

Decisions on health law's fate start today as GOP seems poised for gains

Expected Republican wins in Congress and in statehouses throughout the country Tuesday would likely slow down implementation of the law and make the debate even more contentious but not outright stop the law.

3 Nov 2010

CytRx receives nontaxable grant under Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Program

CytRx Corporation a biopharmaceutical company specializing in oncology, today announced that it has been awarded a nontaxable grant of approximately $735,000 related to its INNO-206, tamibarotene and bafetinib programs under the Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project Program included in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, H.R. 3590, signed into law in March 2010.

3 Nov 2010

Seniors play powerful role in today's elections

The Christian Science Monitor: "Seniors and baby boomers are more engaged in the election and more excited about voting than any preelection polling has found since 1994, according to the Pew Research Center. While it was considered to be youth that ushered in the Obama revolution, it is the older generation that is wielding more power now.

3 Nov 2010

Patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV have better chances of survival

When the human papillomavirus (HPV) is found in cancer tumours of the tonsil and base of the tongue, patients are more likely to survive following treatment.

3 Nov 2010

Study shows Lactobacillus reuteri bacteria promotes health

There is a great deal of interest in the impact of lactic acid bacteria on our health. Now a new study from the Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, in Sweden, shows that the occurrence of Lactobacillus reuteri in the body promotes health.

3 Nov 2010

Guardian's Katine project coverage concludes

The Guardian concluded its three-year Katine project in north-eastern Uganda, which "tracked the implementation of a development project focusing on five aspects of deprivation: health, education, water and sanitation, livelihoods and governance," the newspaper writes.

3 Nov 2010

Researchers reveal molecular structure of blood-clotting enzyme

Using state-of-the-art robotic and x-ray crystallographic equipment, researchers at Saint Louis University have revealed for the first time the molecular structure of the zymogen, or inactive, form of a blood-clotting enzyme.

3 Nov 2010

Health IT: Apps; Competitive contracts; Electronic medical records

The Wall Street Journal: "Indian technology companies are eyeing a coming wave of U.S. spending to digitize health care records. But sensitivity over outsourcing and resistance by American hospitals to sending medical information overseas could thwart efforts to win big contracts." Next year, the U.S. government will dispense billions to "health-care providers who adopt electronic medical records." Doctors are also facing "a federal mandate to upgrade software as the U.S. switches to a new system of insurance billing codes."

3 Nov 2010

Talecris announces launch of PROLASTIN-C in Canada

Talecris Biotherapeutics announced today the Canadian launch of PROLASTIN®-C (Alpha1-Proteinase Inhibitor [Human])(A1PI), a more concentrated and purified formulation of PROLASTIN®, the only approved alpha1-augmentation therapy in Canada for more than 20 years. PROLASTIN-C delivers twice the active protein per milliliter as PROLASTIN, cutting the infusion volume and time in half when given at the recommended rate of 0.08 mL/kg/min.

3 Nov 2010

Medicare Roundup: Courts widen coverage of skilled care; experts give enrollment advice

Two federal courts have ruled that the Obama administration is using overly strict standards to determine whether older Americans are entitled to Medicare coverage of skilled nursing home care and home health care.

3 Nov 2010

ISTA third quarter net revenue increases 31% to $42.0 million

ISTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010. Third quarter 2010 net revenues were $42.0 million, an increase of 31% from the third quarter of 2009.

3 Nov 2010

Today's Op-Eds: Birth control coverage, 'free' medical care, profitable nursing homes

For every extra benefit Congress has required health insurers to provide, there is an extra cost. Ultimately, we all will pay the cost of these "free" services in the form of lower wages, higher taxes or higher health insurance premiums.

3 Nov 2010

Jelly fish glow may help detect early stage cancer

Researcher Professor Norman Maitland of the Yorkshire Cancer Research Laboratory at York University, feels that this technology could be at least ten times better than CT scanners at detecting tumors. He explained, “Cancers deep within the body are difficult to spot at an early stage and early diagnosis is critical for the successful treatment of any form of cancer.

2 Nov 2010

Virus fighting just got a new boost

In a ground breaking study in the UK researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism that allows the immune system to fight viruses even after they have infected cells. Until now it was believed that antibodies can act only before the virus enters the cells. The team now has found that antibodies that attached themselves to a virus were able to follow it into cells and help to destroy the virus before it started to reproduce. This could open up new avenues of therapy.

2 Nov 2010

Salty issues for Australian food co’s

At present health authorities are depending on education and a voluntary approach to cut down on dietary salt. From now on they are urging the government to set mandatory salt limits for food. According to a study from the University of Queensland there are more than one ways to tackle the dietary salt problem which is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease in Australia.

2 Nov 2010

Debt panel on hold until election cycle ends

The New York Times: President Barack Obama's bipartisan debt-reduction commission is in a holding pattern until after the volatile elections. They'll begin private meetings just afterwards, leaving only three weeks to complete their work. "

2 Nov 2010