Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

DHA supplements during lactation increases DHA status in preterm infants

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, is essential for the growth and development of infants' brains. Very premature infants may be deficient in DHA because they miss out on the third trimester in utero when the fatty acid accumulates in tissues. In addition, their gastrointestinal system is immature, and health problems often increase the risk of malnutrition.

3 May 2010

New tool may help neurologists predict candidates for organ donation

A new tool may help neurologists predict which coma patients may be candidates for organ donation, according to a study published in the April 27, 2010, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

3 May 2010

Codeine containing preparations lose their OTC status

It will get more difficult to procure Codeine based pain killers, cough syrups etc. from the local pharmacists from now on. There have been new restrictions over codeine based drugs like Nurofen Plus, Panadeine and Mersyndol which were initially sold over the counter but lost this OTC status with effect from May 1st 2010. The National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee formulated the changes during meetings in June and October last year.

2 May 2010

Seasonal flu vaccine ups the risk of getting H1N1 flu

Initial reports linking seasonal flu vaccine and getting swine flu or H1N1 flu emerged September 2009 in Canada. In spring 2009 many people who acquired pandemic H1N1 flu had been initially vaccinated with seasonal flu vaccine. This triggered four additional studies in Canada to explore the link further. The studies included 2,700 patients with or without H1N1. The first of the studies showed a surprising 68 percent rise of risk of development of H1N1 flu in those vaccinated with seasonal flu shot. The other 3 studies showed increase of risk of H1N1 flu by 1.4 to 1.5 times with the original flu shot.

2 May 2010

McGill scientist discovers how one particular gene regulates epithelial cells

New research led by McGill Biochemist Dr. William Muller helps explain why breast-milk cells lose their structure, causing them to clump up in strange ways (photos available) and sometimes become cancer tumors. With the support of Chen Ling and Dongmei Zuo at McGill's Goodman Cancer Centre, Muller has discovered how one particular gene regulates epithelial cells - cells that normally form in sheets and are polarized to enable the transport of molecules in a single direction.

30 Apr 2010

New health law will penalize hospitals for poor quality

The new health law puts the nation's hospitals on strict notice. Either they improve the safety and quality of care for patients or the government will hit them where it hurts the most -- their revenue.

30 Apr 2010

REGN reports net loss of $30.5M for first-quarter 2010

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2010. The Company reported a net loss of $30.5 million, or $0.38 per share (basic and diluted), for the first quarter of 2010 compared with a net loss of $15.4 million, or $0.19 per share (basic and diluted), for the first quarter of 2009.

30 Apr 2010

Amerigroup reports net income of $42.2M for first-quarter 2010

Amerigroup Corporation today announced that net income for the first quarter of 2010 was $42.2 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, versus $40.2 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2009.

30 Apr 2010

CDC report shows increase in seasonal flu vaccinations, greatest increase among children

More Americans were vaccinated against seasonal flu during the 2009-10 season (40 percent of eligible population) than during the previous flu season (33 percent of eligible population), according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

30 Apr 2010

CBC, Scarab Genomics form agreement to increase manufacturing yield of Solinex rhu-pGSN

Critical Biologics Corporation (CBC) and Scarab Genomics announced today a strategic agreement to substantially increase the manufacturing yield of CBC's lead therapeutic protein candidate, Solinex™, an intravenous formulation of recombinant human plasma gelsolin (rhu-pGSN).

30 Apr 2010

UNICEF, WHO release new publication on medicines formulated for children

A new publication that lists medicines formulated for children is being made available online by UNICEF and the World Health Organization, to help doctors and organizations obtain some of the 240 essential medicines that can save the lives of children.

30 Apr 2010

CDC presents clinical trial results of Biojector 2000 at 13th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research

Bioject Medical Technologies Inc., a leading developer of needle-free injection therapy systems (NFITS), today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and its collaborating institutions presented the latest results of its clinical trial of the Biojector® 2000 at the 13th Annual Conference on Vaccine Research, sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and held in Bethesda, Maryland April 26 - 28, 2010.

30 Apr 2010

Gen-Probe reports total revenues of $135.4M for first-quarter 2010

Gen-Probe Incorporated today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2010, highlighted by $135.4 million of total revenues and earnings per share of $0.48 on both a non-GAAP and GAAP basis.

30 Apr 2010

Practicing NPIs may help limit transmission of pandemic flu: Study

Practicing non-pharmaceutical interventions such as hand-washing and mouth covering may help limit the transmission of the pandemic flu, but more research on these measures is critical according to a new study appearing in the May issue of AJIC: American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.

30 Apr 2010

Novavax reports positive results from Phase II study of trivalent VLP influenza vaccine in older adults

Novavax, Inc. reported today that its trivalent seasonal influenza virus-like-particle (VLP)-based vaccine candidate was safe and immunogenic against the 2009-2010 seasonal influenza virus strains in older adults 60 years or higher in age.

30 Apr 2010

Summer born babies more at risk of multiple sclerosis, says research

A recent study in Australia has found a link between low exposure to sunlight during the first three months of pregnancy and development of multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life of the baby.

30 Apr 2010

Tel Aviv scientist uncovers a new way of detecting multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an equal opportunity destroyer. It attacks the central nervous system and eventually renders most patients disabled. Among its high-profile victims are celebrated cellist Jacqueline du Pre, whose career was ended by MS, and Joan Didion, one of America's greatest writers - but they are far from alone.

30 Apr 2010

West Pharmaceutical Services reports 13.3% increase in first-quarter consolidated sales

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. today announced its results for the first quarter of 2010.

30 Apr 2010

EMSC generates net revenue of $679.4 million for first-quarter 2010

Emergency Medical Services Corporation today announces results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

29 Apr 2010

BD second-quarter revenues up 7.0% to $1.845 billion

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) today reported quarterly revenues of $1.845 billion for the second fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010, representing an increase of 7.0 percent from the prior-year period, or 6.6 percent on a foreign currency-neutral basis.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 29 Apr 2010