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Dalfampridine drug for multiple sclerosis now available in the U.S.

A drug whose clinical benefit in treating multiple sclerosis was discovered at Rush University Medical Center was approved by the Food and Drug Administration on January 22 and is now available in the U.S.

6 Apr 2010

Scientists show carbon nanotubes can be broken down by MPO

A team of Swedish and American scientists has shown for the first time that carbon nanotubes can be broken down by an enzyme - myeloperoxidase - found in white blood cells. Their discoveries are presented in Nature Nanotechnology and contradict what was previously believed, that carbon nanotubes are not broken down in the body or in nature.

5 Apr 2010

Plexiglas robot sees in the dark much like blind cave fish Astyanax

Clever as a blind fish, the underwater robot "Snookie" can orient itself in murky waters with an artificial sensory organ inspired by the so-called lateral-line system, found in fish and some amphibians. The experimental vehicle was developed by researchers at the Technische Universitaet Muenchen within the framework of the CoTeSys (Cognition for Technical Systems) excellence cluster. In the future, the researchers expect such capabilities to enable underwater robots to work autonomously in operations ranging from deep sea exploration to inspection of sewer pipes.

5 Apr 2010

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center reviews top cancer stories

Surgeon Jeremy Richmon, M.D., at Johns Hopkins is using robotic assistance to cut away tumors of the tongue and tonsils. Conventional surgery leaves disfiguring neck and jaw scars, but the robotic procedure leaves no scar except for inside the mouth, and he says, patients retain good function of speech and swallowing.

5 Apr 2010

SE5-OH with Natural S-equol supplement appears to be safe for pre- and post-menopausal women

Healthy pre-and post-menopausal Japanese women who took a supplement of SE5-OH containing Natural S-equol, a novel soy germ-based ingredient under development for the management of menopausal symptoms, had measures of reproductive hormones that stayed within normal limits throughout the study.

3 Apr 2010

Coffee beans contain proteins that can kill insects

Scientists in Brazil are reporting for the first time that coffee beans contain proteins that can kill insects and might be developed into new insecticides for protecting food crops against destructive pests.

3 Apr 2010

Cancer research at Georgia Tech: Report

Cancer treatment typically involves surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy or biological therapy. An oncologist may use one therapy or a combination of methods, depending on the type and location of the cancer, whether the disease has spread, the patient's age and general health, and other factors.

3 Apr 2010

Practicing safer sex: New condom technology to keep partners "in the moment"

Each year there are an estimated 19 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Today, more than 68 million Americans live with STIs despite the fact that a condom could prevent them. A recent Kinsey Report points to disruption of "the mood" as a main barrier to condom use.

2 Apr 2010

Hsp90 inhibitors may help fight cardiovascular disease, say researchers

New drugs that are helping fight a multi-front war on cancer may do the same for cardiovascular disease, Medical College of Georgia researchers said.

31 Mar 2010

Virginia Tech professor receives NSF CAREER award for research on cancer therapies using nanotechnology

Preliminary research on cancer treatments using nanotechnology and laser therapy has led to a National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award for Marissa Nichole Rylander, Virginia Tech assistant professor jointly appointed in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Virginia Tech - Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences (SBES).

30 Mar 2010

Today's OpEds: The states' lawsuits, the need to trim health costs and industry winners

No sooner had President Obama signed comprehensive health care reform than the attorneys general of 14 states scurried to the federal courts to challenge the law. ... [they] are doing a disservice to their constituents by opposing Medicaid expansion and a mandate that everyone buy insurance, with subsidies for low- and middle-income people (3/28).

29 Mar 2010

Iridoids found to be stable in Tahitian Noni Bioactive Beverages: TNI

Tahitian Noni International announced that, unlike the flavonoids and carotenoids in major superfruit juices that degrade rapidly, the iridoids in Tahitian Noni® Bioactive Beverages™ are found to be extremely stable, even after processing.

29 Mar 2010

CVS/pharmacy to help consumers dispose unwanted medication in an effort to protect the environment

CVS/pharmacy announced today that it will collect expired or unused medications from the public at two collection events in Rhode Island to be held at stores in the town of Coventry and the city of Cranston in April.

27 Mar 2010

Biophotonics: Light to cure disease

Biophotonics, or photomedicine, is a relatively unknown discipline, though it has existed for years now. You may have even benefited from it without realizing it. Some of the greatest advances of this field can be found in applications for the areas of oncology, dermatology, ophthalmology, surgery and cardiology.

27 Mar 2010

Comparative effectiveness research in reform legislation seeks to control health costs

Within the health bill is an element that "has generated far less attention and political heat than other parts of the White House's plan to expand medical coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans.

26 Mar 2010

First Edition: March 23, 2010

Today's headlines cover a range of topics related to the newly passed health overhaul bill, from the surrounding opposition and next steps to some of its policy implications.

23 Mar 2010

Toshiba’s new V-TRACE MRA for brain imaging

When imaging the brain, time is critical as vascular abnormalities can have a profound effect on patients’ lives if not diagnosed quickly. To help health care facilities diagnose disease with greater accuracy and speed, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. has introduced Variable True Rate Angiography with Combined Encodings, an exclusive MRA sequence available on all Vantage TitanTM and Vantage Atlas® MR systems.

22 Mar 2010

Executive order on abortion funding to assuage anti-choice members: Center for Reproductive Rights concerned

News reports today confirm that an executive order on abortion funding is being developed in an attempt to assuage anti-choice members of the House of Representatives and to secure their votes in the down-to-the-wire battle over passage of healthcare reform. The text of the proposed executive order has not been publicly disclosed. Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights has this response:

22 Mar 2010

Impact of plastics on human health and ecosystems

Plastics surround us. A vital manufacturing ingredient for nearly every existing industry, these materials appear in a high percentage of the products we use every day. Although modern life would be hard to imagine without this versatile chemistry, products composed of plastics also have a dark side, due in part to the very characteristics that make them so desirable-their durability and longevity.

20 Mar 2010

Technique of igniting nanoparticles with low-intensity laser may help destroy cancer cells from within

University of Florida engineering researchers have found they can ignite certain nanoparticles using a low-power laser, a development they say opens the door to a wave of new technologies in health care, computing and automotive design.

19 Mar 2010