Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

“Swine flu” deaths may be fifteen times higher than previously reported

The number of deaths from the 2009 H1N1 (“swine flu”) pandemic may be fifteen times higher than the number of laboratory-confirmed deaths previously reported by countries to the World Health Organization (WHO), according to an Article published Online First in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. While estimates of 2009 H1N1-associated deaths have been derived for some countries such as the United States, these are the first estimates of the worldwide number of deaths caused by the pandemic.

26 Jun 2012

KaloBios’ KB001 shows promise against Pa pneumonia

Phase 2a trial results with KB001 suggest the recombinant, human PEGylated monoclonal antibody fragment, under development by KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Sanofi Pasteur, offers potential as an alternative to antibiotics for preventing or reducing pneumonias in mechanically ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients heavily colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa).

26 Jun 2012

Sinovac provides update on EV71 vaccine Phase III trial on HFMD

Sinovac Biotech Ltd., a leading provider of biopharmaceutical products in China, today provided an update on its Phase III clinical trial progress and commercialization preparation for its proprietary inactivated Enterovirus 71 (EV71) vaccine against hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD).

26 Jun 2012

Comprehensive, automated infection outbreak detection system for the Olympics

The world's first comprehensive, automated outbreak detection system which will monitor over 3,000 infections and is ready to run during Olympics 2012, was developed by a researcher at The Open University.

25 Jun 2012

NIH awards Sirnaomics SBIR grant for developing STP705 siRNA wound healing product

Sirnaomics, Inc. announced today that the company has been awarded another NIH SBIR grant for developing its small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutic product STP705 to improve skin wound healing with minimized scar formation.

25 Jun 2012

FDA approves Baxter's GAMMAGARD LIQUID for multifocal motor neuropathy

Baxter International Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved GAMMAGARD LIQUID 10% [Immune Globulin Infusion (Human)] as a treatment for multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). This is the first immunoglobulin treatment approved for MMN patients in the United States, and it was approved for use with MMN patients in Europe in 2011.

From Baxter International Inc. 25 Jun 2012

Even moderate thyroid dysfunction during early pregnancy increases risk of serious complications

Even moderate thyroid dysfunction during early pregnancy significantly increases the risk of serious complications, underscoring the need for universal screening in the first trimester, a new study finds. The results will be presented Saturday at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting in Houston.

25 Jun 2012

Censoring 'dual-use' scientific research not an effective strategy to mitigate security risks

"It's easy to get the impression that recent controversy over research into mutated versions of the H5N1 flu virus has created a clear split between a scientific community that wants the research to proceed and the results to be published and a biosecurity community that doesn't," biological-weapons expert Tim Trevan writes in this Nature opinion piece.

23 Jun 2012

Genentech's Perjeta helps people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer live longer

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, announced today that people with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) lived significantly longer (overall survival) when treated with the combination of Perjeta (pertuzumab), Herceptin (trastuzumab) and docetaxel chemotherapy, compared to Herceptin and docetaxel chemotherapy alone in the Phase III CLEOPATRA study.

23 Jun 2012

First sales order for Bluechiip's products from ATCC

Bluechiip Limited - which has developed a unique asset-tracking solution initially for cryogenic sample management in the healthcare and life science industry - today announced that a successful pilot trial of its tracking solution by ATCC, a US-based leader in biological materials management and processes, has led to the first sales order for Bluechiip's products from ATCC.

23 Jun 2012

Researchers identify new virus alert signal that triggers the human immune system

Researchers from Aarhus University have now located the place in the human body where the earliest virus alert signal triggers the human immune system. They have also discovered a new alarm signal, which is activated at the very first sign of a virus attack.

23 Jun 2012

Skin infections in AD patients linked to PMN impairment

Impairment of polymorphonuclear granulocytes among patients with atopic dermatitis may represent an additional cause of skin infections, suggest study findings.

22 Jun 2012

U.S. journal Science publishes controversial H5N1 research

The U.S. journal Science on Thursday published the results of a controversial study in which researchers at the Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands "identified five mutations apparently necessary to make the [H5N1] bird flu virus spread easily among ferrets, which catch the same flus that humans do," the New York Times reports (McNeil, 6/21).

22 Jun 2012

Wraparound knee brace for osteoarthritis patients

Breg, Inc., a premier provider of sports medicine products and services, has introduced five new products, including a first-of-its-kind wraparound knee brace for osteoarthritis (OA) patients. New products also include two ankle braces designed to help prevent ankle injury, a cold therapy system with longer ice time, and an upgrade to Breg's inventory management system created specifically for the orthopedic office.

22 Jun 2012

Study: 5.6M new health care jobs by 2020

A new Georgetown University study says the health care sector will create 5.6 million new jobs by 2020, but most of them will require special education and training, leaving many unemployed workers out in the cold.

22 Jun 2012

Janssen receives FDA complete response letter for XARELTO sNDA

Janssen Research & Development, LLC (Janssen R&D) announced today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a complete response letter regarding a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for XARELTO (rivaroxaban) for the reduction of the risk of secondary cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

22 Jun 2012

Midurethral slings can prevent pre-operative urinary incontinence in women with vaginal prolapse

A multicenter study involving a UT Southwestern Medical Center urogynecologist will eliminate some of the guesswork physicians face about whether to use a sling during vaginal prolapse repair to prevent urinary incontinence.

21 Jun 2012

Genetics play a significant role in determining side effects of opiates

Genetics play a significant role in determining which patients will suffer the most from the disturbing side effects of opiates, commonly prescribed painkillers for severe to moderate pain, according to a new Stanford University School of Medicine study, which pinpoints nausea, slowed breathing and potential for addiction as heritable traits.

21 Jun 2012

HMS physician publishes new nutrition book

In his new book, Food: You're the Boss, world-renowned Harvard Medical School physician Dr. Gary Epler has put his efforts toward teaching you how put food to work for you - the right food in the right amount at the right time will take care of you forever.

21 Jun 2012

FDA approves CDC DENV-1-4 Real Time RT PCR Assay to treat dengue

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has developed a new diagnostic test to detect the presence of dengue virus in people with symptoms of dengue fever or dengue hemorrhagic fever. The test, called the CDC DENV-1-4 Real Time RT PCR Assay, has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States and can be performed using equipment and supplies many public health laboratories already use to diagnose influenza.

21 Jun 2012