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Miller-McCune examines debate over redistribution of some foreign aid funds from HIV/AIDS to other diseases

Through the lens of health conditions faced by people in Mbarara, Uganda, Miller-McCune examines the debate over redistributing some foreign aid funds from HIV/AIDS to fight other diseases.

24 Jun 2010

SIGA completes fourth human clinical trial of ST-246 smallpox antiviral drug candidate

SIGA Technologies, Inc., a company specializing in the development of pharmaceutical agents to combat bio-warfare pathogens, announced today the successful completion of its fourth human clinical trial, supporting the safety and tolerability of the anticipated clinical dose of ST-246®, SIGA's lead smallpox antiviral drug candidate.

23 Jun 2010

IQ Therapeutics achieves 100% survival in rabbit model at 48 hours after inhalation anthrax infection

IQ Therapeutics B.V., Groningen, the Netherlands, announced this week that in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch it has obtained outstanding results for the treatment of inhalation anthrax. In a rabbit model up to 100% survival could be achieved with extended time to treatment (48h post infection) with a combination of two specific monoclonal antibodies developed by IQ Therapeutics. This has significant potential for saving lives of infected people who have no immediate access to treatment.

23 Jun 2010

Shift in balance between good and bad bacteria in gut could be a harbinger of colon cancer: Study

The human body contains more bacteria than it does cells. These bacterial communities can have a positive effect on our health, by training our immune systems and helping to metabolize the foods we eat. But they can also set us up to develop digestive disorders, skin diseases, and obesity.

23 Jun 2010

Company took measures to protect employees from H1N1 flu: National poll

In response to the H1N1 flu, most employees at U.S. businesses say their company took measures to protect them from illness, such as encouraging sick employees to stay home, according to a national poll of employees by researchers from the Harvard Opinion Research Program at Harvard School of Public Health.

23 Jun 2010

Santaris Pharma, miRagen collaborate to develop microRNA-targeted medicines for cardiovascular disease

Santaris Pharma A/S, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of RNA-targeted therapies and miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative microRNA-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease, announced today that they have formed a strategic alliance to develop microRNA-targeted medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

23 Jun 2010

Student receives two-year $46,000 fellowship to research on a parasite that causes Chagas' disease

Michelle Oppenheimer of Charlotte, N.C., a Ph.D. student in biochemistry in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has received a two-year $46,000 fellowship from the American Heart Association to advance her research on a parasite that causes Chagas' disease, which can lead to swelling and inflammation of the heart.

23 Jun 2010

World Bank provides over $63M for multi-country lab network in East Africa region

East African Business Week/allAfrica.com reports on the recent decision by the World Bank to back the creation of "a unique regional network of 25 public health laboratories" in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda with $63.66 million in support.

23 Jun 2010

Scientists discover weakness of human louse

Scientists have discovered the human louse's Achilles' heel which could lead to new treatments to rid us of body and head lice infestations.

23 Jun 2010

Opinions: Canada's role in global health; Drug licensing agreements promote drug access; Funding for USAID, state; Haiti

After outlining the work of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Michel Kazatchkine, the organization's executive director, highlights the role Canada can play in determining "whether the world can overcome AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria" in a Toronto Star opinion piece, noting the upcoming G8 and G20 summits, as well as the Millennium Development Goal meeting later this year.

23 Jun 2010

Understanding HIV viral protein structure could lead to new molecular medicines: Study

The UK's National Physical Laboratory is involved in a collaborative project that is helping to further the understanding of HIV viral protein structure which could lead to new molecular medicines.

23 Jun 2010

Media examine GHI, U.S. HIV/AIDS funding

PBS' NewsHour's "The Rundown" blog examines the recent naming of eight countries to receive additional technical and management resources under President Barack Obama's Global Health Initiative (GHI).

23 Jun 2010

AIDS specialist leaves Calif. practice, citing rising costs

A long-time San Francisco AIDS specialist is closing his clinic and moving to Manhattan because of frustration with the insurance industry and the rising cost of practicing medicine, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "The bottom line is, you cannot make a living practicing medicine unless you work at least 50 to 60 hours a week," said Dr. Marcus Conant, one of the first AIDS doctors in the area. "I'm not the only doctor who's getting to the point where it's not worth it."

23 Jun 2010

Scientists complete comparative analysis of bacterial communities living in human nose, throat

Scientists have completed the most comprehensive comparative analysis to date of bacterial communities inhabiting the human nose and throat, which could provide new insights into why some individuals become colonized with pathogens while others do not. They release their findings today in mBio- the online open-access journal published by the American Society for Microbiology.

22 Jun 2010

Beneficial effects of LifeVantage's Protandim on DMD mouse model published in Journal of Dietary Supplements

LifeVantage Corporation, the maker of Protandim®, a patented, science-based solution to oxidative stress, announced today that a peer-reviewed manuscript was published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements examining the beneficial effects of Protandim® on a mouse model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked inherited disease affecting one in 3,500 males.

22 Jun 2010

NIH, Wellcome Trust partner to support population-based genetic studies of disorders, communicable diseases in Africa

The National Institutes of Health, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the Wellcome Trust, a global charity based in London, today announced a partnership to support population-based genetic studies in Africa of common, non-communicable disorders such as heart disease and cancer, as well as communicable diseases such as malaria.

22 Jun 2010

BD, PEPFAR commence multi-year initiative to improve blood collection practices in African clinics, hospitals

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, and the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today set in motion a joint, multi-year initiative to improve blood collection practices in African clinics and hospitals.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 22 Jun 2010

Report says G8 countries short $10B on $50B commitment, reveals mixed progress on health goals

An accountability report, prepared by officials in G8 member countries' foreign affairs departments, acknowledges that G8 "countries are $10 billion behind the five-year, $50-billion commitment they made at their 2005 summit in Scotland," the Canadian Press/CTV News reports (6/20).

22 Jun 2010

Protesters ask U.S. to boost funding for Global Fund, HIV/AIDS programs in Africa

Thousands of protesters in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday "demand[ed] the U.S. increase its AIDS funding for Africa," the Associated Press reports (Naki, 6/17). The protesters delivered a letter to the consulate saying the U.S. is "cutting funding to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria," which health advocates believe could lead "other countries to follow suit and reduce funding for the fight against HIV," Agence France-Presse writes (6/17).

22 Jun 2010

FDA approves ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay to aid in diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first assay to detect both antigen and antibodies to Human Immunodeficiency Virus. This assay is approved for use as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection in adults including pregnant women. It is also the first assay for use as an aid in the diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection in children as young as two years old.

22 Jun 2010

Disease/Infection News

Miller-McCune examines debate over redistribution of some foreign aid funds from HIV/AIDS to other diseases

SIGA completes fourth human clinical trial of ST-246 smallpox antiviral drug candidate

IQ Therapeutics achieves 100% survival in rabbit model at 48 hours after inhalation anthrax infection

Shift in balance between good and bad bacteria in gut could be a harbinger of colon cancer: Study

Company took measures to protect employees from H1N1 flu: National poll

Santaris Pharma, miRagen collaborate to develop microRNA-targeted medicines for cardiovascular disease

Student receives two-year $46,000 fellowship to research on a parasite that causes Chagas' disease

World Bank provides over $63M for multi-country lab network in East Africa region

Scientists discover weakness of human louse

Opinions: Canada's role in global health; Drug licensing agreements promote drug access; Funding for USAID, state; Haiti

Understanding HIV viral protein structure could lead to new molecular medicines: Study

Media examine GHI, U.S. HIV/AIDS funding

AIDS specialist leaves Calif. practice, citing rising costs

Scientists complete comparative analysis of bacterial communities living in human nose, throat

Beneficial effects of LifeVantage's Protandim on DMD mouse model published in Journal of Dietary Supplements

NIH, Wellcome Trust partner to support population-based genetic studies of disorders, communicable diseases in Africa

BD, PEPFAR commence multi-year initiative to improve blood collection practices in African clinics, hospitals

Report says G8 countries short $10B on $50B commitment, reveals mixed progress on health goals

Protesters ask U.S. to boost funding for Global Fund, HIV/AIDS programs in Africa

FDA approves ARCHITECT HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay to aid in diagnosis of HIV-1/HIV-2 infection

Edoardo Fabini

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