Medical News

RSS

VA disability claims continue to pour in

Despite efforts by the Obama administration to direct additional resources to help meet the disability benefits and treatment needs of veterans, the problems continue to grow.

25 Jul 2012

Human neutrophil peptide 1 effectively prevents HIV entry into cells in multiple ways

Human defensins, aptly named antimicrobial peptides, are made in immune system cells and epithelial cells (such as skin cells and cells that line the gut). One of these peptides, human neutrophil peptide 1, under certain circumstances hinders HIV infection, but exactly how it works remains unclear.

25 Jul 2012

Devex examines history, future of PEPFAR

In a feature analysis, Devex examines the history of PEPFAR, the program's sustainability, its use of public-private partnerships, and the potential impact of the closure earlier this month of the Global Health Initiative (GHI) office.

25 Jul 2012

Overeating healthy foods is easy to do, says Loyola dietitian

It may make you scratch your head, but in fact it is possible to overeat healthy foods, according to Loyola University Health System registered dietitian Brooke Schantz.

25 Jul 2012

Where does Ryan stand on Romney's list?

NPR reports on the effect Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., could have if Mitt Romney chose him as a running mate. Ryan's budget plan, which includes sweeping changes to Medicare, is one of the reasons why he may not be "the safest choice."

25 Jul 2012

WASC accredits Cedars-Sinai PhD program in biomedical sciences and translational medicine

The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences and Translational Medicine at Cedars-Sinai has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an affirmation that the PhD-awarding educational effort meets the most rigorous standards of higher learning.

25 Jul 2012

Drug resistance increasing in parts of Africa, report shows

"Resistance to AIDS drugs, a problem that has been widely feared over the last decade, is growing in parts of Africa but should not hamper the life-saving drug rollout, researchers reported on Monday" in a study published in the Lancet, Agence France-Presse reports.

25 Jul 2012

Study uses photodynamic therapy to ablate cardiac myocytes responsible for arrhythmias

University of Michigan heart researchers are shedding light on a safer method for steadying an abnormal heart rhythm that prevents collateral damage to healthy cells.

25 Jul 2012

New combination therapy for TB shows promise in Phase II study

"Results from a groundbreaking trial of three drugs given in combination -- one of them completely new and one not yet licensed for this use -- killed more than 99 percent of patients' [tuberculosis (TB)] bacteria after two weeks of treatment," and the combination "appears to be equally effective on drug-resistant TB," the Guardian reports.

25 Jul 2012

Rutgers cell biologist to receive Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Fewer than 100 researchers nationwide are chosen each year to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), and this year Dr. Nihal Altan-Bonnet is one of the 96 to receive this honor.

25 Jul 2012

Roche now offers expanded portfolio of blood screening solutions

Roche announced today that it now offers an expanded portfolio of blood screening solutions with an integrated serology testing offering.

25 Jul 2012

Study uncovers pathways by which yoga impacts biological processes

Six months ago, researchers at UCLA published a study that showed using a specific type of yoga to engage in a brief, simple daily meditation reduced the stress levels of people who care for those stricken by Alzheimer's and dementia. Now they know why.

25 Jul 2012

States wonder just how big an impact health law dollars will have

An analysis in Minnesota expects the state to receive only about $42 million in increased state revenue between fiscal years 2010 and 2015 from the health law. Meanwhile, budget cuts -- even with the increase in coverage from the health law -- have some Pennsylvanians worried that the mental health coverage gap could persist.

25 Jul 2012

SANAR platform aims to solve shortage of basic health infrastructures

One of the problems facing medical practitioners in emerging countries is the shortage of basic health infrastructures for effectively diagnosing diseases and administering treatments. SANAR, an online platform developed by Albert Moreira, a Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Facultad de Informática PhD student, aims to solve this problem. SANAR will improve information exchange among medical practitioners from different parts of the globe.

25 Jul 2012

Daily Beast profiles George W. Bush's post-presidency global health work

The Daily Beast's "U.S. Policy" blog profiles former president George W. Bush's post-presidency work in global health through the Bush Institute, which "houses a variety of programs under the broad headings of global health, education reform, economic growth, and advancing human freedom, areas that advance Bush's interests and reflect his presidency."

25 Jul 2012

Pennsylvania Hospital to participate in Best Fed Beginnings

Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH) has been selected to participate in Best Fed Beginnings, a first-of-its-kind national effort to significantly improve breastfeeding rates in states where rates are currently the lowest.

25 Jul 2012

Moody's: Nonprofit hospitals continue to face economic, budget challenges

According to Moody's Investors Service, there were more downgrades than upgrades among nonprofit hospitals, an indicator driven by the slow economic recovery, growing stress on state budgets and the mounting federal deficit.

25 Jul 2012

New NIAID grant to support development of topical microbicide gel for HIV and HSV-2 infections

A new grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will support the development of a topical microbicide gel for drug delivery. The innovative gel formulation will be a combination therapy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections in women.

25 Jul 2012

Burgess to offer legislation to fund high-risk pools, reinsurance programs

Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, plans to offer the bill before the August recess. Meanwhile, after fighting back a tea-party primary challenge, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, hopes to emerge as a dealmaker on tax and budget issues.

25 Jul 2012

NBTI participates in ICT-107 phase II trial for glioblastoma multiforme

Researchers at Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute (NBTI) are seeking to understand if a vaccine made from a patient's own blood cells may slow the growth of a type of brain tumor.

25 Jul 2012