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Researchers discover a lead on the origin of chronic lymphatic leukaemia

Up until now the causes of the development of chronic lymphatic leukaemia, the most common form of cancer of the blood in Europe, have been unknown. At present a cure is not possible. A research group at the MedUni Vienna led by Christoph Steininger of the University Department of Internal Medicine I has now however discovered a lead on the origin of this disease. Says Steiniger: "This could influence the therapy approach taken in treating chronic lymphatic leukaemia."

12 Apr 2012

Polls and politics: How the high court's health law consideration is changing public sentiment

Recent polls generally indicate that last month's oral arguments changed public views about the health law, but it is not clear in which direction. There are also surveys and analysis about the law's under-26 coverage provision and whether people think seniors with higher incomes should pay more for Medicare.

12 Apr 2012

Biomet third quarter net sales increase 5% to $708.9 million

Biomet, Inc. announced today financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended February 29, 2012.

12 Apr 2012

Boston Scientific launches Z Flex-270 Steerable Sheath in the U.S.

Boston Scientific Corporation announces the U.S. market launch of its Z Flex-270 Steerable Sheath. The device is intended for use in a wide range of electrophysiology (EP) procedures to facilitate the introduction and placement of diagnostic and therapeutic catheters within the heart.

12 Apr 2012

Children under five at risk of malnutrition, death from looming Sahel famine, UNICEF warns

The Guardian examines child malnutrition in Chad, where "rising therapeutic feeding center admissions highlight the growing urgency of the situation in one of Sahel's driest, most remote areas."

12 Apr 2012

MacuCLEAR to initiate MC-1101 Phase III studies on early-stage AMD

MacuCLEAR, Inc., a clinical stage specialty pharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing novel solutions for vascular disorders of the eye, announced today it is beginning Phase III studies for its lead compound, MC-1101, for early-stage (Dry) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), based on positive feedback during the company's end-of-Phase II meeting with the FDA.

12 Apr 2012

Takeda enters definitive agreement to acquire URL Pharma

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and URL Pharma Inc. jointly announced that Takeda's wholly-owned subsidiary, Takeda America Holdings, Inc. and URL Pharma have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire URL Pharma – a privately-held pharmaceutical company headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for an upfront payment of $800 million and future performance-based contingent earn out payments.

12 Apr 2012

States plot Medicaid managed care changes; Kansas managed care plan met with skepticism

In Ohio, Molina Healthcare loses its Medicaid managed care contract. In Texas, a plan to save money by incorporating Medicaid drug benefits into a managed care program gets pushback. And, Kansas counties weigh in on a plan to shift Medicaid beneficiaries to managed care.

12 Apr 2012

Influenza vaccine recommended but select the appropriate vaccine

Further to advice issued by the RACGP and the Chief Medical Officer, NPS is encouraging health professionals to offer their patients influenza vaccination, especially for those at risk, but to be aware that the choice of influenza vaccine is important, especially for children.

11 Apr 2012

Timing pregnancy an important health concern for women

A newly published article in the journal Nursing for Women’s Health highlights the importance of a woman’s ability to time her childbearing. The author asserts that contraception is a means of health promotion and women who work with their health care providers to ensure they are healthy prior to conceiving can minimize their risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

11 Apr 2012

Austrian scientists challenge the clinical relevance of the term “basal-like” breast cancer subtype

Not all breast cancers are the same. Different types can mean different prognoses for the patient, and a different kind of treatment may be adequate. But how to classify tumors? Are molecular classification methods reliable? Mohammad Ali Lavasani and Farid Moinfar from the Unit of Breast and Gynecologic Pathology at the Medical University of Graz, Austria give a critical review of the literature with focus on “basal-like” carcinoma.

11 Apr 2012

Eye test to detect heart disease early

Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed the test which scans blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eyes. They are now launching a study involving more than 1,000 patients to see if the test is reliable.

11 Apr 2012

Lung cancer screening could be cost effective: Study finds

A new study shows that screening longtime tobacco users for lung cancer would be less costly than the widely accepted practice of screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancers and would reduce the death toll of lung cancer by an estimated 15,000 lives a year.

11 Apr 2012

FDA ‘ups’ safety warnings for blood clots on birth control pill labels

According to federal health regulators more information needs to be added to labels on a popular class of birth control pills that includes Bayer AG's Yaz and Yasmin, to show they may raise the risk of blood clots. A clot in blood vessels can prove fatal if it breaks loose and travels to the lungs, heart or brain.

11 Apr 2012

Gluten free diet does not help weight loss and may be harmful to the non-allergic

The 19-year-old pop star Miley Cyrus came into news after proclaiming on Twitter that the reason behind her skinny new frame is a gluten and lactose-free eating plan. She reportedly said, “Everyone should try no gluten for a week! The change in your skin, physical and mental health is amazing. You won’t go back!”

11 Apr 2012

GPs seeking separate remuneration for maintaining e-health records

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11 Apr 2012

Too frequent dental X-rays linked to higher risk of brain tumors

A new study has found that people who received frequent dental x-rays in the past have an increased risk of developing meningioma - a type of brain tumor. The study was published online Tuesday in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

11 Apr 2012

Dementia burden on the Australian economy raises concerns

The report by the World Health Organization and Alzheimer's Disease International added that policy priorities should include raising awareness of the disease ensuring timely diagnosis. It estimates the global cost of dementia is more than $600 billion per year.

11 Apr 2012

WHO publishes 'Programmatic Update' on use of ARVs to treat pregnant women, prevent PMTCT

The WHO "recently published a 'Programmatic Update' on the use of antiretrovirals (ARVs) to treat pregnant women and prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT)," the Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog reports.

11 Apr 2012

Computer modeling supports theory that many dementias spread like prion diseases

A new technique for analyzing brain images offers the possibility of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to predict the rate of progression and physical path of many degenerative brain diseases, report scientists at the San Francisco VA Medical Center and the University of California, San Francisco.

11 Apr 2012