Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Leapfrog Group urges hospitals to report infection rates for consumers’ benefit

For the first time, in 2009, The Leapfrog Group asked hospitals across the country on behalf of Leapfrog's purchaser members to publicly report their rates of one of the most common and deadly forms of hospital-acquired infections: central-line associated blood stream infections, or CLABSIs.

2 Feb 2010

Pandemic H1N1 influenza of swine origin has distinct means of transmission from seasonal flu

Current research suggests that pandemic H1N1 influenza of swine origin has distinct means of transmission from the seasonal flu, yet does not result in the pathogenic severity of avian flu viruses.

2 Feb 2010

Study shows antiviral drugs could offer protection against HIV, Ebola, herpes and hepatitis C

The development of antibiotics gave physicians seemingly miraculous weapons against infectious disease. Effective cures for terrible afflictions like pneumonia, syphilis and tuberculosis were suddenly at hand. Moreover, many of the drugs that made them possible were versatile enough to knock out a wide range of deadly bacterial threats.

2 Feb 2010

Some states mull requiring prescription for meth ingredients

"State and local efforts to thwart methamphetamine production by further limiting consumer access to a popular decongestant are pitting law enforcement against pharmacists and patients," USA Today reports.

2 Feb 2010

FDA and PATH collaborate to advance pneumococcal vaccine development for children

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced a collaboration with PATH to advance development of a vaccine to protect children against diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), especially pneumonia.

2 Feb 2010

Response Biomedical continues global market expansion, signs Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech in China

Response Biomedical Corporation announced that the Company has signed a second partner, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech Co., Ltd. (Wondfo) in China to sell the Company’s diagnostic products, expanding its strategic presence in this important global market.

2 Feb 2010

Researchers identify antiviral small molecule that is effective against numerous viruses

Viruses are insidious creatures. They differ from each other in many ways, and they can mutate - at times seemingly at will, as with HIV - to resist a host of weapons fired at them. Complicating matters further is that new viruses are constantly emerging.

2 Feb 2010

Romark Laboratories commences enrollment in Alinia clinical trial for acute uncomplicated influenza

Romark Laboratories announced that it has initiated enrollment of patients in a clinical trial of Alinia® (nitazoxanide) for treating acute uncomplicated influenza including illness caused by the currently circulating H1N1 strain.

1 Feb 2010

Whole grain intake prevents diabetes, heart diseases, and excess weight gain

Three daily servings of whole grains are recommended for prevention of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and excess weight gain. Yet few adolescents or young adults follow these guidelines, according to national survey data. In a study published in the February 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers from the School of Public Health, University of Minnesota report that young people are consuming less than 1 serving of whole grains per day. The study took an in-depth look at influencers, modifiable factors, and interventions that are critical for successfully addressing this gap.

1 Feb 2010

Consumers oppose prescription mandate; prefer alternative method to fight meth

Mississippians are expressing outrage at lawmakers' rush to change over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) to a prescription (Rx) drug.

31 Jan 2010

WHO pneumonia expert honored with PACE Global Leadership Award

WHO pneumonia expert Dr. Thomas Cherian will be honored by a group of the world’s leading infectious disease experts today for his pivotal work to accelerate access to vaccines preventing pneumococcal disease, the world’s leading vaccine-preventable killer of children under age five.

31 Jan 2010

Study identifies key demographic and psychological factors that predict protective behaviour during pandemics

A study that looked at how people behave during pandemics has identified key demographic and psychological factors that may predict protective behaviours. The study is published online today, 30th January 2010, in the British Journal of Health Psychology.

30 Jan 2010

One-third of dairy products exceed microbe contamination levels, says study

One-third of samples of milk and dairy products analysed in various restaurants exceed the microbe contamination limits set by the European Union, according to a study carried out by researchers from the University of Valencia (UV). The experts advise against keeping milk in jugs and suggest that these foodstuffs need to be better handled.

30 Jan 2010

AAOS offers tips to prevent winter sports injuries

As Olympians push their bodies to the extreme during the upcoming Winter Games in Vancouver, professional and amateur sports enthusiasts alike will be watching their favorite televised sports.

30 Jan 2010

At World Economic Forum, Gates Foundation announces 10-year, $10B vaccine commitment

Bill and Melinda Gates announced Friday during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that their foundation would commit $10 billion over the next decade to research, develop and deliver vaccines for the world's poorest countries, the New York Times reports (McNeil, 1/29). The Gateses "said they hope the commitment would spur support by governments, corporations, and other donors for vaccinations efforts," the Chronicle of Philanthropy writes (Wilhelm, 1/29).

30 Jan 2010

Canada to donate 5m doses of H1N1 vaccine to WHO; agency has received commitment of 200m vaccines

The Canadian government on Thursday announced the country would donate five million doses of H1N1 vaccines to the WHO from the country's current surplus, the Canadian Press reports (Branswell, 1/28).

30 Jan 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

Rajiv Shah's appointment as USAID administrator "comes at a crucial time of challenge and opportunity for the Agency to improve the nutritional well-being of impoverished societies," write the authors of a Lancet Comment that examines the U.S. Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative. Though the initiative "sends a clear message to the world about U.S. intent to partner with poor nations to achieve their national food and nutrition goals … the Initiative's nutrition plan, unlike its detailed agricultural blueprint, currently lacks a comprehensive set of aims, activities, research needs, and programme benchmarks," the authors write.

29 Jan 2010

Agent-enhanced CT scan plays a supporting role in diagnosing severe cases of H1N1 flu virus

Published reports on the usefulness of CT scans for complicated H1N1 cases have spurred use of these procedures in U.S. hospitals. According to healthcare market research publisher Kalorama Information, this opens up a pathway of diagnostics for physicians and overall is a positive sign not only for the technology but also for companies making chemical agents for procedures.

29 Jan 2010

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commits $10 billion for vaccine research and development

Bill and Melinda Gates announced today that their foundation will commit $10 billion over the next 10 years to help research, develop and deliver vaccines for the world's poorest countries.

29 Jan 2010

New understanding of CD44 receptor's role in immune cell survival

Investigators at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) have discovered a new way the cell surface protein, CD44, helps specific T helper (Th1) cells develop immunologic memory.

29 Jan 2010

Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Leapfrog Group urges hospitals to report infection rates for consumers’ benefit

Pandemic H1N1 influenza of swine origin has distinct means of transmission from seasonal flu

Study shows antiviral drugs could offer protection against HIV, Ebola, herpes and hepatitis C

Some states mull requiring prescription for meth ingredients

FDA and PATH collaborate to advance pneumococcal vaccine development for children

Response Biomedical continues global market expansion, signs Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech in China

Researchers identify antiviral small molecule that is effective against numerous viruses

Romark Laboratories commences enrollment in Alinia clinical trial for acute uncomplicated influenza

Whole grain intake prevents diabetes, heart diseases, and excess weight gain

Consumers oppose prescription mandate; prefer alternative method to fight meth

WHO pneumonia expert honored with PACE Global Leadership Award

Study identifies key demographic and psychological factors that predict protective behaviour during pandemics

One-third of dairy products exceed microbe contamination levels, says study

AAOS offers tips to prevent winter sports injuries

At World Economic Forum, Gates Foundation announces 10-year, $10B vaccine commitment

Canada to donate 5m doses of H1N1 vaccine to WHO; agency has received commitment of 200m vaccines

Recent releases in Global Health

Agent-enhanced CT scan plays a supporting role in diagnosing severe cases of H1N1 flu virus

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commits $10 billion for vaccine research and development

New understanding of CD44 receptor's role in immune cell survival

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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