Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Latest Gastrointestinal Health News and Research

Frequent heartburn is painful and impacts the quality of life: Study

While most adults have likely experienced the uncomfortable symptoms of heartburn at least once, for the 50 million American adults who suffer from frequent heartburn two or more days per week, the condition is not only painful, it can also impact their quality of life.

12 Nov 2009

GeneNews discloses financial results for third-quarter 2009

GeneNews Limited, a company focused on developing blood-based biomarker tests for the early detection of diseases and personalized health management, today reported operational and financial results for the third quarter-ended September 30, 2009.

11 Nov 2009

New incisionless GERD treatment under trial

Every day, more than 20 percent of the U.S. population experiences the painful burning symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For these 20 million Americans, the first line of defense is medication. To find a long-term, permanent solution for this nagging condition, the Center for the Future of Surgery at UC San Diego Medical Center is leading a multicenter clinical trial to test the safety and effectiveness of a new incisionless GERD treatment.

11 Nov 2009

Emory researchers present public health research findings at American Public Health Association meeting

Emory University Rollins School of Public Health researchers will present Nov. 11 on a range of topics at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting in Philadelphia, including a study that found reduced absenteeism among employees participating in a large-scale worksite wellness program.

11 Nov 2009

Lesser rates of kidney/pancreas transplants for African Americans: Is physician bias the reason?

Physician bias might be the reason why African Americans are not receiving kidney/pancreas transplants at the same rate as similar patients in other racial groups. Dr. Keith Melancon, director of kidney and pancreas transplantation at Georgetown University Hospital and associate professor of surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center, and colleagues explore this phenomenon in the November issue of the American Journal of Transplantation.

10 Nov 2009

Environmental factors, obesity and diabetes: Long-term study launched

Three Singapore biomedical institutions have launched a major, long-term study of pregnant mothers and their fetuses as well as infant children to determine just how profoundly environmental factors early in life influence the onset of diseases such as obesity and diabetes in later years.

10 Nov 2009

Astellas receives exclusive rights to develop and commercialize linaclotide compound in Asia

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Astellas Pharma Inc. today announced that they have entered into an agreement providing Astellas exclusive rights to develop and commercialize the investigational compound linaclotide in Japan, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand.

10 Nov 2009

Emisphere Technologies' key product developments and financial results for the third quarter of 2009

Emisphere Technologies, Inc. today announced financial and operational results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

9 Nov 2009

Warner Chilcott reports a net income of $424.2M for the quarter ended September 30, 2009

Warner Chilcott plc today announced its results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Revenue in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 increased 9.0% to $252.8 million over the prior year quarter. The primary drivers of the increase in revenue in the quarter were the net sales of LOESTRIN 24 FE and ESTRACE Cream which were partially offset by net sales declines of other products, primarily TACLONEX.

9 Nov 2009

National Institutes of Health grants $6-million for brain disease research

Brown University, in collaboration with two other institutions, has been awarded a five-year, $6-million National Institutes of Health program project grant to help determine how a virus that can cause a rare brain disease attaches to host cells.

6 Nov 2009

William D. Carey Award for Boston University School of Medicine professor

Francis A. Farraye, MD, MSc, FACG, FASGE, a professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and clinical director in the Gastroenterology Section at Boston Medical Center (BMC) recently received the William D. Carey Award from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). The award is reserved for an exceptional individual who has served the Board and the College with distinction.

5 Nov 2009

Untreated rainwater is safe to drink

A world first study by Monash University researchers into the health of families who drink rainwater has found that it is safe to drink.

5 Nov 2009

GI and hepatology societies take initiative to evaluate the current medical school curriculum

Due to the increasing complexities of treating digestive diseases, allowing gastroenterological (GI) trainee physicians the opportunity to develop enhanced abilities and experiences in specific disease areas or procedures will be a great benefit to patients, according to a "Report of the Multisociety Task Force on GI Training."

4 Nov 2009

Contaminated public restrooms on cruise ships may predict AGE outbreaks

A team of researchers from Boston University School (BUSM), Carney Hospital, Cambridge Health Alliance and Tufts University School of Medicine, have found that widespread poor compliance with regular cleaning of public restrooms on cruise ships may predict subsequent norovirus infection outbreaks (NoVOs).

4 Nov 2009

IBN iCare to develop cutting-edge nanomaterials for ocular therapy

Marking a significant bench to bedside research milestone in Singapore, the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), the world's first bioengineering and nanotechnology research institute, and the National University Hospital (NUH) launched the IBN iCare and the NUH Eye Centre @ Biopolis at an official opening ceremony officiated by the Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Education, S. Iswaran, at the Biopolis on Nov. 3, 2009.

4 Nov 2009

Takeda Pharmaceuticals strengthens its North American market

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., today announced the incorporation of Takeda Pharmaceuticals Mexico, S.A. de C.V. This expansion strengthens the company's North American presence, bolstering existing operations in the United States and Canada. Takeda Pharmaceuticals Mexico will be headquartered in Mexico City.

4 Nov 2009

Hospitalization and death of H1N1 patients can occur at all ages, says study

In contrast with some common perceptions regarding 2009 influenza A(H1N1) infections, an examination of cases in California indicates that hospitalization and death can occur at all ages, and about 30 percent of hospitalized cases have been severe enough to require treatment in an intensive care unit, according to a study in the November 4 issue of JAMA.

4 Nov 2009

Breastfeeding: ADA position paper details health benefits for both infants and mothers

The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on breastfeeding that details health benefits for both infants and mothers and encourages promotion of breastfeeding whenever possible.

4 Nov 2009

Early-morning colonoscopies yield more polyps per patient than later screenings

The effectiveness of a screening colonoscopy may depend on the time of day it is performed. According to a new UCLA study, early-morning colonoscopies yielded more polyps per patient than later screenings, and fewer polyps were found hour by hour as the day progressed.

4 Nov 2009

Crohn's disease drug market driven by TNF-alpha inhibitors Humira and Remicade

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that, in the Crohn's disease drug market, the dominance of TNF-alpha inhibitors such as Abbott/Eisai's Humira and Centocor Ortho Biotech/Schering-Plough/Mitsubishi Tanabe's Remicade will continue over the next decade. Sales of Humira and Remicade, which accounted for more than three-quarters of the market in 2008, will continue to grow through 2018 in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Japan.

3 Nov 2009