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Insulin may reduce life-threatening bacterial infections in intensive care patients

Treating intensive care patients who develop life-threatening bacterial infections, or septicemia, with insulin potentially could reduce their chances of succumbing to the infection, if results of a new preliminary study can be replicated in a larger study.

9 Sep 2010

Team of scientists issues HIV vaccine strategy

The Council of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise on Tuesday released a new strategy for HIV vaccine research, which marked "the culmination of an 18-month effort that included the input of 400 scientists worldwide," VOA News reports (DeCapua, 9/7).

9 Sep 2010

Hemispherx Biopharma to present clinical data on XMRV retrovirus at International Workshop

Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc. will present new clinical data on the possible inter-relationships of XMRV positivity/chronic fatigue syndrome/Ampligen responsiveness at the 1st International Workshop on XMRV being held at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, on September 7 and 8, 2010.

9 Sep 2010

AIDS programs reach out to African immigrant community

The Seattle Times reports on educating people about AIDS in the African immigrant community in Seattle.

9 Sep 2010

Opinions: U.S. commitment to Global Fund; Innovative financing; Global food security; Aid for Pakistan

A Times of Trenton editorial looks at the work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which is "estimated to have already saved 5 million lives, enables programs that prevent and treat infections, eliminate the transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their unborn children, contain the threat of multidrug-resistant TB, and eliminate malaria as a public health problem."

9 Sep 2010

Shared needle at school science experiment puts students at risk

In a science experiment at a Tasmanian Dover District high school, a teacher took blood samples from grade 9 and 10 students using the same needle. They were testing blood pH levels. Now students are being tested for HIV infection. The needle was dipped in methylated spirits each time before pricking but authorities say this is not enough to prevent transmission of HIV and other viruses like Hepatitis B and C.

8 Sep 2010

AHF praises US government's increase in PEPFAR funding commitment for Uganda

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, which currently cares for over 49,000 AIDS patients in Uganda through its Uganda CARES network of eleven treatment clinics throughout the country, today lauded the United States government for increasing its funding commitment in Uganda for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the United States' respected global AIDS program.

8 Sep 2010

Emergent BioSolutions initiates Phase I clinical trial for anthrax monoclonal antibody therapeutic

Emergent BioSolutions Inc. announced today that the Phase I clinical trial for its anthrax monoclonal antibody therapeutic has commenced with the dosing of the first subject. Emergent's fully human monoclonal antibody product candidate is being developed as a parenteral post-exposure therapeutic to treat symptoms of inhalational anthrax disease.

8 Sep 2010

AVAC welcomes new Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise Scientific Strategic Plan

AVAC welcomes the new Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise Scientific Strategic Plan, released today, as a critical document that the field must implement as part of ongoing efforts to improve coordination, efficiency and transparency to quickly capitalize on recent advances in AIDS vaccine research.

8 Sep 2010

Experts gathered for UNAIDS, WHO meeting recommend follow-up studies of ARV-containing microbicide gel start soon

Experts gathered at a joint meeting of UNAIDS and the WHO last week called for two additional clinical trials to test the effectiveness and safety of a microbicide vaginal gel containing the antiretroviral tenofovir, which previous studies have shown reduces the risk of HIV transmission in women who used it before and after sex by 39 percent, PANA/Afrique en ligne reports (9/5).

8 Sep 2010

Data finds low risk of serious complications in 2009 H1N1 infection

An analysis of data from influenza cases in Wisconsin indicates individuals with 2009 H1N1 infections were younger than those with H3N2 (2007-2008), and that the risk of most serious complications was not higher in adults or children with 2009 H1N1 compared with recent seasonal strains, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA.

8 Sep 2010

Risks of 'imported' measles

An outbreak of measles at an international youth soccer event illustrates the risks of with "imported" measles, according to a study in the September issue of The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.

8 Sep 2010

Global warming may eliminate plague

While many climate experts and environmentalists explore the negative effects of global warming, a new study reveals a positive outcome of the warming of the planet: the potential elimination of the plague. Global warming affects temperatures and precipitation regimes that play a pivotal role in the lives of rodents and fleas; rodents and fleas are responsible for maintenance and spread of plague to human populations. Plague can be fatal if the symptoms are not recognized and treated within 24 hours.

8 Sep 2010

New vaccines fact sheet released by Research!America

Research!America is highlighting the vital importance of vaccines with a new fact sheet in its Investment in Research Saves Lives and Money series. CDC recently reported that routine vaccination rates are increasing among teens aged 13-17, but for many diseases the vaccination rates are far below the CDC's recommended 90% mark. With kids heading back to school and flu season fast approaching, now is a good time to remind readers of the importance of vaccines and disease prevention.

8 Sep 2010

Phase 3 REALIZE study shows milestone in treatment development for hepatitis C

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced that 65% of people overall achieved a sustained viral response (SVR or viral cure) with a telaprevir-based regimen in the pivotal Phase 3 REALIZE study, as compared to 17% of people in the control arm who received pegylated-interferon and ribavirin alone.

8 Sep 2010

Personalized reminders effective in encouraging seniors to get annual flu shots

Personalized post cards or phone calls can be effective in encouraging more seniors to get their annual flu shots, according to a new review of evidence. Professional facilitators are also successful at urging providers to perform a suite of preventive services, including flu shots for seniors.

8 Sep 2010

NIH announces award to improve human microbiome research

The National Institutes of Health today announced it has awarded approximately $42 million to expand the scope of eight demonstration projects designed to link changes in the human microbiome to health and disease.

8 Sep 2010

Switching to nevirapine drug from PI based regimen reduces viremia in children: Study

HIV infected children in South Africa who were exposed to the drug nevirapine at birth (used to help prevent mother to child HIV transmission) and then received a protease inhibitor (PI) for viral suppression achieved lower rates of viremia (virus in the blood stream) if they were switched to nevirapine, compared to children who continued on the PI-based regimen, according to a study in the September 8 issue of JAMA.

8 Sep 2010

Researchers develop rapid screening test for mycotoxin detection

After close cooperation with researchers at the Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research (Bioforsk), Norwegian grain dealers are implementing a newly devised computational model and rapid screening tests to improve control of toxins in Norwegian cereals.

8 Sep 2010

Forest Laboratories' ceftaroline fosamil receives FDA Advisory Committee approval for CABP and cSSSI

Forest Laboratories, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee voted 21 - 0 in favor of approval of ceftaroline fosamil for the treatment of community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) and voted 18 - 0 in favor of approval for complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI).

8 Sep 2010