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Metformin associated with reduced risk of Parkinson's in patients with diabetes

A major 12-year study based on a Taiwanese population cohort has demonstrated that not only does diabetes increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease more than 2-fold, the use of sulfonylureas, commonly used as treatment for diabetes, increases the risk further by about 57%. This study also found that by including metformin in the therapy, no increased risk in developing Parkinson's disease was recorded.

17 Apr 2012

Bruker launches novel AVANCE III HD NMR spectrometer

At the Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Conference (ENC) 2012, Bruker introduces the novel AVANCE III HD NMR spectrometer.

17 Apr 2012

Australian nutrition researcher to receive Alexander Leaf Distinguished Scientist Award

After decades of research, scientists continue to uncover the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids - and there are many more discoveries yet to come, according to a nutrition researcher being honored for his lifetime of achievement in this field.

17 Apr 2012

ONO-4641 reduces number of lesions in people with MS

An investigational oral drug called ONO-4641 reduced the number of lesions in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to the results of a phase two clinical trial to be presented as Emerging Science at the American Academy of Neurology's 64th Annual Meeting in New Orleans April 21 to April 28, 2012.

17 Apr 2012

Steroids still work better for patients with sciatica

Despite the great promise that injecting a new type of anti-inflammatory pain medicine into the spine could relieve the severe leg and lower back pain of sciatica, a Johns Hopkins-led study has found that the current standard of care with steroid injections still does better.

17 Apr 2012

Study: 1 in 26 may develop epilepsy at some point in life

A landmark study from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports that your chance of developing epilepsy at some point in your life is one in 26. Onset is highest in children and older adults. But epilepsy knows no boundaries—it can strike at any age and across all socio-economic levels and ethnicities. There is no known cure and one-third of people with epilepsy have treatment-resistant or refractory epilepsy.

17 Apr 2012

Football-related brain injuries appear to rise among high school students

Catastrophic brain injuries associated with full-contact football appear to be rising, especially among high school students, according to a new report.

17 Apr 2012

High-fibre diet protects women from cardiovascular disease

Foods high in fibre provide good protection against cardiovascular disease, and the effect is particularly marked in women. This is shown in a new study from Lund University in Sweden.

17 Apr 2012

Morphotek commences MORAb-004 Phase II study in metastatic colorectal cancer

Morphotek, Inc., a subsidiary of Eisai Inc., announced today that it has commenced a multi-center, Phase II study evaluating the safety and efficacy of MORAb-004 in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer that is refractory to all standard therapy.

17 Apr 2012

Study pinpoints compounds that repress cancer gene’s activity

A research team pursuing one of the most commonly altered genes in cancer has laid a critical foundation for understanding this gene that could point the way toward developing drugs against it. A recent study of cancer genetics pointed to the gene MCL1, which encodes a protein that helps keep cells alive

17 Apr 2012

Osprey Medical closes IPO raising of A$20 million

Osprey Medical Inc, has today announced that its Initial Public Offer (IPO) raising of A$20 million has closed. Osprey Medical’s Offer was well supported by institutional and retail investors in Australia, including founding investors CM Capital and Brandon Capital. The Initial Public Offer was underwritten by Shaw Corporate Finance.

17 Apr 2012

Beds in pediatric intensive care unit could be used more efficiently with improved flow

The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is a precious resource. With limited number of beds and resource-intensive services, it is a key component of patient flow. A new study published in the Journal of Hospital Medicine reveals that while a large PICU observed for the study delivered critical care services most of the time, periods of non-critical care services represented a barrier to access for new patients. At times when a bed was needed for a new patient, the PICU had beds being used for patients who could have been in other settings.

16 Apr 2012

Novasep’s outstanding results in scale-up and biomanufacturing of Apo-A1 acknowledged by Cerenis at BioProcess International Conference

Novasep, a provider of purification-based manufacturing solutions for lifescience molecules, has announced that Cerenis Therapeutics has been invited by BioProcess International to present its major project CER – 001 ApoA1 - HDL mimetic drug candidate, and describe how Novasep played a critical role in the project by successfully achieving the transfer and scale up of Apo-A1 production.

16 Apr 2012

Synthon receives tentative approval for tadalafil tablets

Synthon has announced that its subsidiary Synthon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its abbreviated new drug application for tadalafil tablets, 20 mg on April 13, 2012. Synthon's product is a generic and bioequivalent version of Eli Lilly & Co and United Therapeutics’ Adcirca® tablets, which are indicated for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension to improve exercise ability.

16 Apr 2012

Canadian docs recommend HPV vaccine for boys

Girls have had access to free HPV vaccinations for five years - administered to protect them against cervical cancer - and this week, the Canadian Cancer Advocacy Coalition called on provincial governments to pay for the vaccine for boys as well. In January, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended HPV vaccination for males aged nine to 25.

16 Apr 2012

Gestational diabetes on the rise

Although the disease usually goes away after delivery, it can have permanent consequences. Not only can the mother be prone to develop diabetes later in life, but their babies are also at greater risk for chronic health problems.

16 Apr 2012

Cosmetics may contain chemicals that raise risk of obesity and diabetes

Scientists found that those who were exposed to phthalates, colourless man-made substances included in a variety of common consumer products, were more prone to weight gain. And subjects with even 'modest' levels of the substance in their bloodstream were twice as likely to develop diabetes.

16 Apr 2012

British doctors tackle the obesity epidemic

According to the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges the approach of using voluntary agreements with industry is “failing to have a significant impact” on obesity. Obesity, says the organization is a “huge crisis waiting to happen”.

16 Apr 2012

32 genetic variations could play a role in osteoporosis risk

A team of international researchers have found 32 new genetic regions linked to fractures and osteoporosis. According to the new study published in the April 15 online edition of Nature Genetics, changes in these regions could offer protection from, or greater risk for, bone-weakening disease.

16 Apr 2012

Genes linked to major brain functions and disorders

An international team of researchers have found the genes that increase or reduce the risk of certain mental illnesses and Alzheimer's disease. They claim that some genes that may explain individual differences in brain size and intelligence as well. The team of more than 200 scientists at 100 institutions said this was the largest-ever brain study to date.

16 Apr 2012