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DNDi, AstraZeneca enter collaboration on drug-compound screening for NTDs

AstraZeneca and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) today announce an agreement to collaborate on drug-compound screening for leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness, three neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) which together affect nearly 10 million people worldwide.

12 Apr 2012

VOA health report examines health needs in Burma amid recent political changes

This VOA Special English Health Report examines health needs in Burma, where "[h]ealth workers are warning about the spread of a form of drug-resistant malaria."

12 Apr 2012

Discontinuing antibiotic used to prevent opportunistic infections among HIV patients could increase risk of malaria, diarrhea

"Abruptly discontinuing co-trimoxazole -- an antibiotic used to prevent opportunistic infections in HIV-positive people -- can lead to a higher incidence of malaria and diarrhea compared with patients who keep on taking the drug," according to a study conducted by the CDC in eastern Uganda and published by the Oxford Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases in March, PlusNews reports.

12 Apr 2012

New preoperative prepping kit to address surgical site infection risk

3M's Infection Prevention Division and Sage Products are working together to offer surgical staff and patients a new preoperative prepping kit to help address surgical site infection (SSI) risk within three main reservoirs of bacteria in the body: the nares, the oral cavity and the skin.

12 Apr 2012

Financial Times analysis examines efforts to address dual risk research

A Financial Times analysis examines how the international community is working "to ensure scientific work can proceed without falling prey to accidental leaks or malevolent intent," following controversy surrounding two studies on the H5N1 bird flu virus.

12 Apr 2012

Genocea to highlight progress in malaria vaccine development at World Vaccine Congress

Genocea Biosciences today announced that it will highlight new progress it is making toward the development of an effective vaccine for malaria during a presentation today at the World Vaccine Congress by Jessica Baker Flechtner, Ph.D., Vice President of Research.

12 Apr 2012

MSF expresses concern over proposed FY13 spending reduction for PEPFAR

Medical aid organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has expressed concern over proposed cuts to PEPFAR under the White House FY 2013 budget proposal, "saying it will undermine the president's own goals" of "treating six million people infected with HIV around the world by the end of 2013," VOA News reports.

12 Apr 2012

Scientists create reference guide for harmful germs in sand

On warm days, the beach seems an ideal destination for family rest and relaxation. Who hasn't built a sand castle or been buried up to the neck in sand? However, that family fun has a dark side -- sand can harbor illness-causing microbes. Unfortunately, there are no guidelines for sand quality at recreational sites.

12 Apr 2012

Communications engineers join fight against AIDS in Africa through wireless printer program

The Associated Press/Huffington Post reports on how communications engineers are joining the fight against AIDS in Africa, highlighting a project in Mozambique that brings wireless printers equipped with cell phone technology to remote villages.

12 Apr 2012

PATH Blog examines organization's work in malaria through affiliate drug development program

This PATH Blog post examines PATH's work in malaria through OneWorld Health, a non-profit drug development program. Since 2004, "when OneWorld Health formed a partnership to develop an alternative source of the malaria drug artemisinin, ... OneWorld Health, which became an affiliate of PATH late last year, has quietly forged relationships with public and private partners, creating the Artemisinin Project to take the work from research to commercialization," the blog writes.

12 Apr 2012

Support for Global Fund helps work of PEPFAR

In this post on the State Department's "DipNote" blog, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby provides an update on the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, stating, "I am buoyed by the reform that is happening at the Fund under the leadership of new General Manager Gabriel Jaramillo."

12 Apr 2012

Quest Diagnostics receives FDA clearance for Simplexa C. difficile Universal Direct test

Quest Diagnostics, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance to its Simplexa C. difficile Universal Direct Test on the 3M Integrated Cycler.

From Quest Diagnostics 12 Apr 2012

FDA takes three steps to protect public health and promote judicious antimicrobial use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it is taking three steps to protect public health and promote the judicious use of medically important antibiotics in food-producing animals.

12 Apr 2012

GAVI Alliance secures deal to purchase rotavirus vaccines from GlaxoSmithKline, Merck

The GAVI Alliance "has struck a deal for bulk buying rotavirus shots from GlaxoSmithKline and Merck, which cuts the price by two-thirds and will allow poorer countries access to them at around $5 per course," Reuters reports.

12 Apr 2012

PURE Bioscience launches new disinfectant/sanitizer product

PURE Bioscience, Inc., creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, today reported the launch of the PURE Complete Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting System.

12 Apr 2012

FDA clears Cerecor’s FP01 IND for treatment of cough

Cerecor Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription pharmaceuticals whose primary activity is in the human nervous system, today announced that its Investigational New Drug (IND) Application for FP01 for the treatment of cough has cleared the 30 day deliberation period by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

12 Apr 2012

Participation of big pharma companies critical to success of drug patent pools

In this post in the Huffington Post's "Impact" blog, David de Ferranti, president of the Results for Development Institute, and Robert Hecht, managing director at the Institute, examine whether patent pools could help increase access to AIDS drugs among the world's poor, writing, AIDS program managers and advocates must pursue all measures that can keep the cost of treatment low and affordable.

12 Apr 2012

Influenza vaccine recommended but select the appropriate vaccine

Further to advice issued by the RACGP and the Chief Medical Officer, NPS is encouraging health professionals to offer their patients influenza vaccination, especially for those at risk, but to be aware that the choice of influenza vaccine is important, especially for children.

11 Apr 2012

Inexpensive female genital schistosomiasis prevention could help reduce women's risk of HIV infection

In this Huffington Post "Global Motherhood" blog post, Peter Hotez, president of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, describes female genital schistosomiasis (FGS), which affects more than 100 million women and girls in Africa and "causes horrific pain and bleeding in the uterus, cervix and lower genital tract, not to mention social stigma and depression."

11 Apr 2012

Study shows how biofilms form on implanted devices

Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, the 'superbug' behind MRSA, can be a major problem for patients who have a medical implant, such as a replacement heart valve or pacemaker.

11 Apr 2012

Disease/Infection News

DNDi, AstraZeneca enter collaboration on drug-compound screening for NTDs

VOA health report examines health needs in Burma amid recent political changes

Discontinuing antibiotic used to prevent opportunistic infections among HIV patients could increase risk of malaria, diarrhea

New preoperative prepping kit to address surgical site infection risk

Financial Times analysis examines efforts to address dual risk research

Genocea to highlight progress in malaria vaccine development at World Vaccine Congress

MSF expresses concern over proposed FY13 spending reduction for PEPFAR

Scientists create reference guide for harmful germs in sand

Communications engineers join fight against AIDS in Africa through wireless printer program

PATH Blog examines organization's work in malaria through affiliate drug development program

Support for Global Fund helps work of PEPFAR

Quest Diagnostics receives FDA clearance for Simplexa C. difficile Universal Direct test

FDA takes three steps to protect public health and promote judicious antimicrobial use

GAVI Alliance secures deal to purchase rotavirus vaccines from GlaxoSmithKline, Merck

PURE Bioscience launches new disinfectant/sanitizer product

FDA clears Cerecor’s FP01 IND for treatment of cough

Participation of big pharma companies critical to success of drug patent pools

Influenza vaccine recommended but select the appropriate vaccine

Inexpensive female genital schistosomiasis prevention could help reduce women's risk of HIV infection

Study shows how biofilms form on implanted devices

Exploring the nanoscale: How AFM is transforming cosmetic science

Innovating Texture and Culture in Plant-Based Foods

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

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