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Bacterial cells could contribute to stronger bone implants

Bacteria that manufacture hydroxyapatite (HA) could be used to make stronger, more durable bone implants. Professor Lynne Macaskie from the University of Birmingham this week (7-10 September) presented work to the Society for General Microbiology's meeting at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.

7 Sep 2009

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in European hospitals is low, says study

Tobacco use is prohibited in hospitals in many European countries, although levels of compliance with this regulation differ. A study carried out by researchers from the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) has shown for the first time that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in European hospitals is "low", and "without any notable differences" between them.

4 Sep 2009

NCI renews SPORE grant for the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer

National Cancer Institute (NCI) has renewed a $11.5 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer, which supports multidisciplinary research at Fox Chase Cancer Center and the University of Pennsylvania. First approved in 1999, this marks the third five-year term for the Fox Chase-Penn Ovarian SPORE.

4 Sep 2009

Two new antibodies for targeting HIV virus discovered

Researchers at and associated with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), at The Scripps Research Institute, and at the biotechnology companies Theraclone Sciences and Monogram Biosciences have discovered two powerful new antibodies to HIV that reveal what may be an Achilles heel on the virus. They published their work in Science this week.

3 Sep 2009

Intendis GmbH forges agreement with SkinMedica to acquire two prescription dermatology products

Asset Purchase Agreement Signed for Marketed Prescription Products Desonate(R) and NeoBenz(R) Micro

3 Sep 2009

NCI to announce the results of follow-up study of PharmaGap's lead drug GAP-107B8

PharmaGap Inc. (TSX-V: GAP; OTC.BB: PHRGF) ("PharmaGap" or "the Company") today announced that results are expected during September from the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI) follow-up study of the company's lead drug GAP-107B8.

2 Sep 2009

Also in global health news: U.S. global development policy; DDT in Uganda; potential drought, famine in Ethiopia

"President Barack Obama has signed a Presidential Study Directive [PSD] authorizing a U.S. government-wide review of global development policy, according to sources briefed on the review by the White House," Foreign Policy's blog, "The Cable," reports. The new PSD is important, according to people in development, "because it signals the intent to reach across government agencies to think through a more coordinated and strategic approach to development policy," according to the blog (Rozen, 8/31).

2 Sep 2009

GS-101 effective in inhibiting and regressing corneal neovascularisation

Gene Signal, a company focused on developing innovative drugs to manage angiogenesis based conditions, today announced the publication of interim results from a phase II study suggesting that the antisense oligonucleotide GS-101 (eye drops) is safe and effective at inhibiting and regressing corneal neovascularisation (abnormal new blood vessel growth).

1 Sep 2009

ChromoCure releases development plan for CS300 Chromosomal Scanner

ChromoCure, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: KKUR) released today its development plan for its next generation of chromosomal scanners. The new system has been given the name "CS300" as the next iteration of its current CS200 Chromosomal Scanner design.

1 Sep 2009

HOYA Conbio to feature premium dental lasers at LVI Global's first branch in Brisbane

HOYA ConBio, a global leader in dental and aesthetic lasers, today announced an agreement with The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) Global, an internationally renowned provider of post-graduate dental education, to feature premium dental lasers at LVI Global's first branch in Brisbane, Australia. Effective November 1, this new partnership builds on HOYA ConBio's long-standing involvement at LVI Global's headquarters in Las Vegas.

31 Aug 2009

BioAlliance Pharma to discuss nanoparticle technology and its therapeutic applications at the French-Norwegian Interdisciplinary Symposium

BioAlliance Pharma SA, a company dedicated to the treatment and supportive care of cancer and AIDS patients, today announced that it will present its nanoparticle technology and the latter's advantages in therapeutic applications at the French-Norwegian Interdisciplinary Symposium on Nano and Micro Frontiers in Biology and Medicine, to take place in Bergen, Norway, from August 31 to September 2, 2009.

29 Aug 2009

Medical journal article highlights the challenges faced by healthcare providers for treating patients with non-healing wounds

Cardium Therapeutics today reported that a recent medical journal article highlights the challenges facing healthcare providers with respect to finding optimal treatments for patients with non-healing wounds.

28 Aug 2009

Rapid, accurate and cost-efficient testing of DNA with the Nanogap Sensor Array

A novel electronic sensor array for more rapid, accurate and cost-efficient testing of DNA for disease diagnosis and biological research has been developed by scientists at Singapore's Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN).

27 Aug 2009

Nanogap sensor array for ultra-sensitive detection of human DNA

Researchers in Singapore are reporting development of a new electronic sensor that shows promise as a faster, less expensive, and more practical alternative than tests now used to detect DNA. Such tests are done for criminal investigation, disease diagnosis, and other purposes.

27 Aug 2009

Gates Foundation awards $4.8M grant for improving sanitation systems in developing world

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation recently awarded a $4.8 million grant to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to study and improve sanitation systems in the developing world, the Seattle Times' blog, "The Business of Giving" reports.

26 Aug 2009

Study reveals high levels of ergothioneine in RBCs of women with pre-eclampsia

A chemical compound found in unpasteurised food has been detected in unusually high levels in the red blood cells of pregnant women with the condition pre-eclampsia.

26 Aug 2009

Young innovators Andrea Armani and Ellis Meng to feature in Technology Review magazine's 2009 TR35 list

The University of Southern California today announced that two faculty members from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering have been recognized by Technology Review magazine as some of the world's top innovators under the age of 35. Andrea Armani, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and Ellis Meng, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering, will both appear on the prestigious 2009 TR35 list.

19 Aug 2009

New addition to the forensic toolkit

In an advance toward the first portable device for detecting human bodies buried in disasters and at crime scenes, scientists today report early results from a project to establish the chemical fingerprint of death.

17 Aug 2009

Dynamic, 3D pattern formation within protein-based gel

Modern regenerative medicine is on the lookout for implantable materials that can change as the surrounding tissue does, and two Stanford University researchers have made some new gel materials that do just that. Karin Straley and Professor Sarah Heilshorn have developed a method for preparing protein-based implant materials that can evolve with the changing needs of the host biological system. Not only can their new materials change in different ways at different times, they can do so at different places within the implant materials.

31 Jul 2009

Copper could be used to inhibit swine flu

A leading microbiologist from the University of Southampton has told a conference that his research has found copper is effective in inhibiting the influenza A H1N1 virus.

23 Jul 2009