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NIH awards $1.9M grant to study genetic control of cell migration

Developmental biologists Dominique Alfandari and Hélène Cousin at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently received a five-year, $1.9 million grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health to investigate craniofacial development in a frog model to better understand genetic control of cell migration.

2 Jun 2012

High costs can limit access to potentially life-saving technology

More than one-fifth of people who have received referrals to test for cancer-causing genes say they will only undergo testing if their insurance covers the cost-just as more insurers are instituting cost-sharing for medical services like genetic testing, according to new findings from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia released at this year's 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Saturday, June 2.

2 Jun 2012

Engineered proteins demonstrate flu-fighting potency

Computer-designed proteins are under construction to fight the flu. Researchers are demonstrating that proteins found in nature, but that do not normally bind the flu, can be engineered to act as broad-spectrum antiviral agents against a variety of flu virus strains, including H1N1 pandemic influenza.

2 Jun 2012

ZYTIGA Phase 3 study for metastatic prostate cancer presented at 48th ASCO

New data presented this weekend at the 48th annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) showed ZYTIGA (abiraterone acetate) may prove to be an important new treatment option for metastatic prostate cancer patients prior to receiving chemotherapy.

2 Jun 2012

Study supports wider testing for immune-based therapies to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Two clinical trials led by Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center researchers in collaboration with other medical centers, testing experimental drugs aimed at restoring the immune system's ability to spot and attack cancer, have shown promising early results in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and kidney cancer.

2 Jun 2012

Lapatinib-pazopanib combination therapy not beneficial for patients with inflammatory breast cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a very aggressive type of cancer associated with early metastasis and poor survival rates, and the prognosis is even worse for patients with tumors expressing the ErbB2 receptor. The ErbB2-inhibiting drug lapatinib can slow the spread of cancer cells in individuals with advanced breast cancer who have already tried other chemotherapy medications.

2 Jun 2012

Two tumor suppressor genes function to disrupt overactive EGFR signaling

Overactive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling has been linked to the development of cancer. Several drug therapies have been developed to treat these EGFR-associated cancers; however, many patients have developed resistance to these drugs and are therefore no longer responsive to drug treatment.

2 Jun 2012

PMTCT of HIV 'critical, effective' to making progress in child survival

In this post in the Management Sciences for Health's (MSH) "Global Health Impact" blog, Scott Kellerman, global technical lead for HIV/AIDS at MSH, discusses USAID's "Every Child Deserves a 5th Birthday" campaign and recent attention to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.

2 Jun 2012

Akron General Medical Center to install Brainsuite iMRI and iCT integrated neurosurgical suites

Brainlab, a manufacturer of software-driven systems for targeted, less-invasive medical treatments, announced today that Akron General Medical Center will install both Brainsuite iMRI and iCT, making it one of only a handful of hospitals in the world to offer both solutions.

2 Jun 2012

Walnuts make a nutritious snack

Ninety percent of American adults snack daily and could be gaining valuable nutrition. A paper published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that smaller nutritious meals eaten throughout the day contribute significantly to the nutrient quality of the diet. The key is making snacking choices that are not "empty calories" but healthful options, providing important vitamins and minerals.

2 Jun 2012

Studies support diagnostic utility of molecular classification in difficult-to-diagnose metastatic cancer

bioTheranostics, Inc., developer of innovative oncology diagnostic tests and solution provider for metastatic cancer, today announced findings from two studies showing high diagnostic accuracy for CancerTYPE ID in determining the primary tumor site in high-grade, metastatic tumors. Results were reported at the 2012 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

2 Jun 2012

Chagas disease could pose threat similar to other global pandemics, experts warn

"Researchers are warning that the little-known Chagas disease could pose a threat similar to other global pandemics," Fox News reports, noting Chagas disease "is a parasitic illness that is most commonly transmitted by the so-called 'kissing bugs,' a subfamily of blood-sucking insects, through the parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi" (5/31).

2 Jun 2012

Reumofan Plus may have harmful pharmaceutical ingredients, warns FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that Reumofan Plus, marketed as a "natural" dietary supplement for pain relief and other serious conditions, contains several active pharmaceutical ingredients not listed on the label that could be harmful.

2 Jun 2012

GPR21 inhibitors may hold promise for diabetes

In recent years, a growing body of evidence has linked inflammation to the development of insulin resistance. In insulin resistance, the hormone insulin is less effective in promoting glucose uptake from the bloodstream into other tissues. Obesity is a major factor that contributes to insulin resistance, which can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have shown that proinflammatory molecules found in fat tissue decreases sensitivity of tissues to insulin.

2 Jun 2012

First intercontinental Kidney Paired Donation

Medical history was made last December when a 31-year old Oklahoma woman donated her kidney to a stranger - a man living in Athens, Greece. In return, the Greek man's wife has donated one of her kidneys to someone in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., completing the first intercontinental kidney exchange and opening a door that potentially can save thousands of lives in the U.S. and worldwide. A donor from Trinidad and Tobago will soon travel to Denver to continue the chain.

2 Jun 2012

Research roundup: Changing unhealthy diets with mobile tech; ACOs for Medicaid

Multiple Behavior Changes In Diet And Activity -- Mobile technologies have been touted for their potential benefits to health and wellness. Researchers in this study gave 204 individuals a dieting and exercise regimen. They also gave each person a handheld device to record adherence and receive remote coaching.

2 Jun 2012

New assay to test for newborn exposure to designer stimulants

United States Drug Testing Laboratories, Inc, a reference laboratory specializing in alcohol and substances of abuse testing, released a new assay testing umbilical cord for newborn exposure in utero to Designer Stimulants/ Bath Salts on Friday, June 1, 2012. The CordStat® assay screens for the most common of designer stimulants known as "Bath Salts."

2 Jun 2012

Global generic pharmaceuticals market to reach $231.00 billion in 2017 at 9.29% CAGR

The global generic pharmaceuticals market is likely to witness strong growth in the next few years owing to the patent expiration of key blockbuster drugs and the judicious cost containment efforts of governments and healthcare service providers worldwide.

2 Jun 2012

Cera announces new citrus ready-to-drink oral rehydration solution

Cera Products is proud to announce its new CeraLyte-70 Citrus Ready to Drink in a 500 ml environmentally green container with a re-closeable top and a long shelf-life. No mixing is needed, saving health care staff time when fast patient hydration is needed.

2 Jun 2012

Local anesthetic mixed with magnetized 'ferrofluids' may prevent rare complication of spinal anesthesia

An simple technique using local anesthetic mixed with magnetized "ferrofluids" may provide a new approach to preventing a rare but serious complication of spinal anesthesia, reports the June issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS).

2 Jun 2012