Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

WHO publishes comprehensive report on H1N1

"A year after the H1N1 [swine] flu first appeared, the World Health Organization has issued perhaps the most comprehensive report on the pandemic's activity to date," HealthDay News/Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports (Gardner, 5/5).

7 May 2010

Vical reports net loss of $8.5 million for first-quarter 2010

Vical Incorporated today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. Revenues were $1.5 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared with $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2009, reflecting lower revenues under the company's license agreement with AnGes MG, Inc. Operating expenses were $10.1 million for the first quarter of 2010 compared with $10.6 million for the first quarter of 2009.

6 May 2010

Experts unveil roadmap to improve health and health delivery in the U.S.

A Commission of national health care experts convened by the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress has unveiled a roadmap and integrated approach that will put "health" back into our nation's health care system as well as address key opportunities following passage of health care reform legislation.

6 May 2010

Prescription drug may have new use in boosting effectiveness of vaccines for bacterial, viral diseases

A prescription drug already approved to treat genital warts and skin cancer may have a new use in boosting the effectiveness of future vaccines for bacterial and viral diseases, such as hepatitis C and HIV (the AIDS virus). These findings appear in ACS' Molecular Pharmaceutics, a bi-monthly journal.

6 May 2010

Scientists analyze genetic networks of microRNAs in tumors

Genes interact in complex networks that govern cellular processes, much like people connect a social network through relationships. Researchers are now discovering how biological networks change and are rewired in cancer.

6 May 2010

Nausea in pregnant women can be a sign of flu: Researchers

Nausea in pregnant women tends to fade after the first three months, but during the second and third trimesters it can be a sign of flu, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found in a study of expectant women who sought medical care.

6 May 2010

New breakthrough: Seaweed for treatment of swine flu

In a groundbreaking new discovery a Tasmanian company has used seaweed as treatment for swine flu. The lab trials have been going on for the past nine months using the undaria seaweed (better know as wakame seaweed) harvested from waters at Triabunna, of Tasmania's East Coast.

5 May 2010

Older men who receive pneumococcal vaccine not less likely to have heart attack, stroke: JAMA

Men 45 years or older who received pneumococcal vaccine were not less likely to have a heart attack or stroke compared to men who did not receive the vaccine, according to a study in the May 5 issue of JAMA.

5 May 2010

Cryo-EM images shed light on virus structure, function

UCLA researchers report in the April 30 edition of the journal Cell that they have imaged a virus structure at a resolution high enough to effectively "see" atoms, the first published instance of imaging biological complexes at such a resolution.

5 May 2010

Vical commences enrollment in Phase 1 trial of Vaxfectin DNA pandemic influenza vaccine

Vical Incorporated today announced the enrollment of the first subject in its Phase 1 trial of the company's Vaxfectin®-formulated plasmid DNA (pDNA) pandemic influenza vaccine. The trial will be conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC).

5 May 2010

Decreasing radiotherapy doses given to 'cold spots' can help reduce side-effects

Fine-tuning radiotherapy to take into account which parts of a patient's tumor are growing fastest could improve control of cancer while subjecting patients to lower doses of radiation, Dutch researchers reported today at the 2nd European Lung Cancer Conference.

5 May 2010

Meda AB's net sales for first-quarter 2010 decrease 14% to SEK 2,943M

After a strong Q4 in 2009, net sales decreased 14% in Q1 to SEK 2,943 million (3,437). Mainly currency effects but also increased competition for Astelin and Optivar reduced sales by more than SEK 400 million, compared with the same period last year.

5 May 2010

Azithromycin does not improve lung function in children with cystic fibrosis

Children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis who received the antibiotic azithromycin did not experience improved lung function, compared to patients who received placebo, according to a study in the May 5 issue of JAMA.

5 May 2010

Eight states to receive grants for local health programs

Pregnant women in eight states will receive prenatal services and education from the March of Dimes, thanks to a $313,000 grant from the WellPoint Foundation, Inc., a private, nonprofit organization wholly funded by WellPoint, Inc.

5 May 2010

Calgary doctors research how to minimize complications from Cryptococcus disease

Cryptococcus disease is a rare but serious infection resulting from inhaling a toxic fungus often found in fir trees. Approximately 250 people have been infected with the disease in British Columbia since its emergence in 1999. The disease can cause meningitis, pneumonia and in 10 per cent of cases it can lead to death.

5 May 2010

Results from STEALTH C-3 clinical trial of nitazoxanide presented at DDW 2010

Romark Laboratories announced results from its STEALTH C-3 clinical trial, a phase 2 clinical study of nitazoxanide in treatment-naive patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C. Study results were presented this afternoon as an oral communication at a late breaking forum of the American Gastroenterological Association Institute during Digestive Disease Week 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

5 May 2010

New findings show seaweed extract inhibits H1N1 virus

In a breakthrough that offers new hope for the containment of influenza outbreaks, an Australian biotechnology company has isolated a natural extract from seaweed which has been shown to inhibit the H1N1 virus.

5 May 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals reports net loss of $1.9M for first-quarter 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company engaged in the discovery and development of DNA- and RNA-based drug candidates targeted to Toll-like Receptors, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.

5 May 2010

Widespread support for a full flu vaccine side effects enquiry

After nearly 250 children suffered from serious side effects of the seasonal flu shots including one death the Western Australian Government’s step to suspend further vaccinations and investigate the issue has received widespread support. The enquiry will look into the Health Department's handling of the flu vaccination program as well.

4 May 2010