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AMP raises ethical, laboratory practice concerns in whole genome sequencing at SACHGS meeting

Today, the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) presented public comments to the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health and Society (SACHGS) meeting focused on whole genome sequencing. In anticipation of advances in sequencing and its incorporation into clinical practice, AMP raised ethical and laboratory practice concerns for the Committee's consideration.

17 Jun 2010

NSF awards Florida State University $17.5M grant to build 21-tesla magnet system for large molecule analyses

The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University is planning to build a state-of-the-art magnet system that will transform the study of complex environmental and biological samples. A better understanding of fossil and biological fuels, for example, could lead to applications for reducing carbon emissions and the development of new, sustainable fuels.

16 Jun 2010

Understanding the African mindset may help promote health education in rural areas

Seen through western eyes, beliefs in supernatural forces are common in Ghana and other African countries. Death, suffering and diseases are often attributed to witchcraft. Over thirty per cent of its inhabitants believe such evil forces could be responsible for the spread of HIV/AIDS.

22 Mar 2010

X-spine Systems, Gamma Spine announce exclusive agreement for minimally invasive spinal fixation technology

X-spine Systems, Inc., a global manufacturer of implants and instruments for spinal surgery, announced today that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with Gamma Spine for the development and distribution of its minimally invasive spinal fixation technology. Gamma Spine, founded by Dr. Vijay Goel, Ph.D., will participate in the development process with X-spine.

9 Mar 2010

As rainy season begins, U.N. special envoy Clinton asks for more shelter, latrines for Haitian earthquake survivors

During a phone call on Monday, Bill Clinton, the U.N. special envoy for Haiti, asked U.N. officials to provide more tents, latrines and hurricane-proof shelter to improve housing and sanitation for Haitian earthquake survivors living in temporary camps, the Associated Press writes.

3 Mar 2010

Third-party-payment system needs reform, says AAPS

The 2,000-page "Obamacare" agenda is stalled, but some want to try to jump-start "reform." Republicans introduced a 200-page substitute for H.R. 3962, which failed on a vote of 176 to 258. Now the President plans to meet with Republican congressional leaders.

10 Feb 2010

New York Times examines innovative approaches to tackling infrastructure needs in developing countries

The New York Times explores efforts across the U.S. to craft and implement affordable solutions to infrastructure problems around the world. It also looks at programs geared toward supporting the work of local entrepreneurs to build solutions to the problems on the ground.

21 Jan 2010

Decision Resources reports increased uptake of TNF-alpha inhibitors for Crohn's disease

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that compared to last year's analysis of U.S. patient-level claims data, TNF-alpha inhibitors are being used more often to treat newly diagnosed patients suffering from Crohn's disease.

9 Dec 2009

DFG approves establishment of new CRCs; research topics range from modern prostheses to political reforms to marine bacteria

The DFG has approved the establishment of 17 new Collaborative Research Centres as of 1 January 2010. This decision was made recently by the relevant Grants Committee in Bonn.

1 Dec 2009

Obama's health reform political maneuvers may prove successful

"After months of plodding work by five Congressional committees and weeks of back-room bargaining by Democratic leaders, President Obama's arms-length strategy on health care appears to be paying dividends, with the House and the Senate poised to take up legislation to insure nearly all Americans," The New York Times reports.

2 Nov 2009

Protein Discovery and New Objective sign co-marketing and development agreement

Protein Discovery, Inc. and New Objective, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a strategic co-marketing and development agreement designed to enable and expand key applications for intact protein analysis using mass spectrometry ("top down" proteomics).

22 Oct 2009

World Food Day marked, Actionaid International releases hunger report

Today marks World Food Day, with the aim of bringing "awareness to the issue of hunger," as the world faces "more mouths to feed but fewer farmers to grow the needed crops," Deutsche Welle reports.

19 Oct 2009

Opinions: Fighting hunger; property ownership, trade key to Africa's development

"For one billion people around the world, the daily effort to grow, buy or sell food is the defining struggle of their lives. This matters to them, and to all of us," Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton writes in a Times of India opinion piece.

19 Oct 2009

Health bill fails to address the root cause of national health collapse: Earth Intelligence Network

Robert David STEELE Vivas, CEO, Earth Intelligence Network, a 501c3 Public Charity chartered in the Commonwealth of Virginia, has released a single graphic showing Health Policy Fundamentals, three quarters of which are being ignored by both proponents and detractors of the new national health bill.

18 Sep 2009

System 50 years out of date for chronic illness

Many people with chronic health conditions have more than one disease, which makes caring for them much more complex. Unfortunately, the way our health system is structured now, and the way it is paid for, reflects the health needs our society had about 50 years ago.

27 Jul 2009

Impaired ability to monitor behavior, emotions may underlie vulnerability to drugs; suggests new targets for treatment

Parts of the brain involved in monitoring behaviors and emotions show different levels of activity in cocaine users relative to non-drug users, even when both groups perform equally well on a psychological test.

25 May 2009

DNA origami rectangle made with 'bottom-up' construction approach

The construction of complex man-made objects--a car, for example, or even a pizza--almost invariably entails what are known as "top-down" processes, in which the structure and order of the thing being built is imposed from the outside (say, by an automobile assembly line, or the hands of the pizza maker).

9 Apr 2009

Schizophrenics appear to rely considerably less on top-down processing during perception

Patients with schizophrenia are able to correctly see through an illusion known as the 'hollow mask' illusion, probably because their brain disconnects 'what the eyes see' from what 'the brain thinks it is seeing', according to a joint UK and German study published in the journal NeuroImage.

6 Apr 2009

Allergies may be caused by a malfunction of the respiratory epithelium

One reason for the development of allergy may be malfunction of the respiratory epithelium, which allows allergens to bind to, enter and travel through the epithelium.