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FDA approves 'first non-surgical treatment' for vitreomacular adhesion

The US Food and Drug Administration reports the approval of ocriplasmin for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion.

26 Oct 2012

Universal approach to MRSA-prevention in ICU is most effective

Universal decolonization of all patients admitted to intensive care units using chlorhexidine baths and mupirocin treatment for 5 days significantly reduces the risk for infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , report researchers.

26 Oct 2012

‘Postcode lottery’ sheds light on low-grade glioma strategy

Survival of adult patients with low-grade gliomas is better if they are admitted to a hospital that favors early resection, rather than one that opts for biopsy and watchful waiting, shows a study in JAMA.

26 Oct 2012

Imaging-based therapy benefits ‘wake-up stroke’ patients

Undertaking thrombolysis on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with stroke of unknown onset time may double their chances for a good outcome, say researchers.

26 Oct 2012

‘Virtual language therapist’ set to benefit aphasia patients

Portuguese researchers have developed an online speech recognition tool for the treatment of word naming difficulties in patients with aphasia.

26 Oct 2012

High worldwide drug-resistant TB figures are “worrying

The prevalence of resistance to second-line therapy among individuals with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is high, show the results of a study conducted using data from eight countries worldwide.

26 Oct 2012

EU Tobacco Products Directive further delayed

The EU’s revised Tobacco Products Directive – which was set to place substantial new restrictions on tobacco companies’ promotion of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, including banning “e-cigarettes” – is dangerously close to stalling, and “further delay will raise serious questions about whose interest the EU Commission is promoting”, according to the authors of a Comment, published in The Lancet.

26 Oct 2012

Cardiac arrhythmias: latest developments in diagnosis and treatment

A new Lancet Series explores the latest developments in the diagnosis, treatment and biology of cardiac arrhythmias, ahead of the American Heart Association’s annual meeting taking place this year on Nov 3–7 in Los Angeles, CA, USA.

26 Oct 2012

Hundreds of health professionals to make their voices heard on a range of public health issues

Hundreds of health professionals will descend upon Sydney next week to make their voice heard on a range of public health issues (October 31 – November 3).

26 Oct 2012

Intracoronary and IV abciximab during angioplasty do not result in differences in myocardial damage

A study confirmed no differences in various measures of heart damage, according to cardiac magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging, in patients receiving the anti-clotting medication abxicimab directly into the heart (intracoronary) compared to those receiving it intravenously (IV).

26 Oct 2012

Loyola and Hines VA announce accreditation of Dermatopathology Fellowship Program by ACGME

Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital Pathology and Dermatology Divisions have announced the accreditation of a Dermatopathology Fellowship Program by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).

26 Oct 2012

Researchers figure out 3D shape of promising TB drug target

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have figured out the three-dimensional shape of the protein responsible for creating unique bonds within the cell wall of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. The bonds make the bacteria resistant to currently available drug therapies, contributing to the alarming rise of these super-bacteria throughout the world.

26 Oct 2012

Researchers identify genes that control regeneration of the intestine in planarian flatworms

Researchers report in the journal Developmental Cell that they have identified genes that control growth and regeneration of the intestine in the freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea.

26 Oct 2012

Contaminated drug passed lab test

Products from the Massachusetts pharmacy linked to the deadly meningitis outbreak passed a lab test in May, reports The Wall Street Journal. In addition, the pharmacy dodged a reprimand by Massachusetts regulators in 2004 after protesting it would be "fatal to the business." The company's founders come under scrutiny by media outlets as more people file lawsuits.

26 Oct 2012

New report examines policies and initiatives to reduce gun violence in the U.S

On July 20, a gunman in Aurora, Colorado, used an assault rifle to murder 12 people and wound 58 others. Although this was one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history, all mass shootings account for a small percentage of gun violence that occurs in the U.S. every day. In the past 100 days since the Aurora shooting, an estimated 3,035 Americans have died as a result of gun violence.

26 Oct 2012

Health law, costs confusing for consumers

About 15,000 physicians and medical students from around the country, working through the grassroots advocacy group Doctors for America, haven taken on the challenge of explaining the health law to patients and providers.

26 Oct 2012

Journal of Pediatrics assesses issues surrounding lack of clinical drug trials for neonates

Clinical drug trials are a vital part of pharmaceutical manufacturers gaining approval for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A Commentary scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics assesses the issues surrounding the lack of clinical trials on medications used by children, most notably neonates, and how drug manufacturers and academic researchers could work together to create clinical trials that would benefit this underrepresented population.

26 Oct 2012