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Scientists identify two genes involved in major symptoms of MeCP2 duplication disorder

The anxiety and behavioral issues associated with excess MeCP2 protein result from overexpression of two genes (Crh [corticotropin-releasing hormone] and Oprm 1 [mu-opioid receptor MOR 1]), which may point the way to treating these problems in patients with too much of the protein, said Baylor of Medicine scientists in a report that appears online in the journal Nature Genetics.

8 Jan 2012

AICAR therapy may combat heat stroke

We've all seen the story in the news before. Whether it's the death of a physically fit high school athlete at football training camp in August, or of an elderly woman gardening in the middle of the day in July, heat stroke is a serious, life-threatening condition for which there is no treatment beyond submersion in ice water or the application of ice packs to cool the body to a normal temperature.

8 Jan 2012

Scientists develop simple, reliable test to identify biomarkers for MPS

A team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Zacharon Pharmaceuticals, have developed a simple, reliable test for identifying biomarkers for mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS), a group of inherited metabolic disorders that are currently diagnosed in patients only after symptoms have become serious and the damage possibly irreversible.

8 Jan 2012

Positive results from BioCryst's BCX4208 Phase 2b study on gout

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced long-term results from the extension phase of its randomized Phase 2b study of BCX4208 added to allopurinol in patients with gout who had failed to reach the serum uric acid (sUA) therapeutic goal of <6 mg/dL on allopurinol alone.

8 Jan 2012

NCH voluntarily recalls certain over-the-counter drugs in the U.S.

Novartis Consumer Health, Inc. (NCH) announced today that it is voluntarily recalling all lots of select bottle packaging configurations of Excedrin and NoDoz products with expiry dates of December 20, 2014 or earlier as well as Bufferin and Gas-X Prevention products with expiry dates of December 20, 2013 or earlier, in the United States.

8 Jan 2012

HCA issues commitment to offer full support to PIP breast implant patients

Last Friday the MHRA advised that they found no evidence to support routine removal of PIP breast implants and they recommended that any patients who were concerned about their implant should seek clinical advice from their consultant surgeon.

8 Jan 2012

Bristol-Myers Squibb signs definitive agreement to acquire Inhibitex

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Inhibitex, Inc. announced today that the companies have signed a definitive agreement under which Bristol-Myers Squibb will acquire Inhibitex for $26.00 per share in cash pursuant to a cash tender offer and second step merger.

8 Jan 2012

Proteomics: Thermo Fisher Scientific and PREMIER Biosoft to co-market SimGlycan software

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, and PREMIER Biosoft, have announced an agreement to co-market PREMIER Biosoft’s SimGlycan® software. The agreement aims to advance glycobiology by dramatically speeding the characterization of complex glycans through automated interpretation of the rich data produced by Thermo Scientific mass spectrometer systems.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 8 Jan 2012

Anthrax defenses need to be strengthened say experts

It has been a decade since the anthrax attacks brought home the reality of bioterrorism and the nation has a stockpile of some basic tools to fight back against a few of the threats that worry defense experts the most.

8 Jan 2012

Americans cutting costs by skipping prescription drugs

A Consumer Reports survey revealed that more Americans are ignoring their doctor’s advice and skipping prescription drugs or medical procedures to save money in 2011 than a year earlier.

8 Jan 2012

Vinegar may easily detect cervical cancer

Vinegar may be more useful than realised. Its could offer the ability to find precancerous lesions in the cervix and potentially save thousands of women’s lives say researchers.

8 Jan 2012

Saw Palmetto ineffective in patients with enlarged prostate: Study

A new study showed that much cited saw-palmetto supplements for the middle aged to cope with the symptoms of an enlarged prostate might not be working at all.

8 Jan 2012

Contaminated cantaloupes carrying listeria

According to federal health officials last week, at least 13 people are dead amid 72 sickened in 18 states in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning tied to contaminated cantaloupes.

8 Jan 2012

Health insurance gets dearer

According to a latest survey, premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance continued to escalate this year even as the share of workers getting less generous coverage reached a new high.

8 Jan 2012

Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K Race to take place in Fort Myers on Jan. 28

Lace up your sneakers and join Florida Urology Physicians and ZERO — The Project to End Prostate Cancer on Saturday, January 28, 2012 for the Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K Race in Fort Myers. The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge is America's premier men's health event series, taking place in 33 cities in 2012.

7 Jan 2012

Ipswitch announces lead sponsorship for Annual Resolution Run to Kick Cancer 5k Road Race

Ipswitch, Inc. is pleased to announce that for the second straight year, it is the Elite Sponsor for the Annual Resolution Run to Kick Cancer 5k Road Race. The Resolution Run to Kick Cancer (RR2KC) is a Lexington-MA based non-profit organization and its mission is "to help those that are fighting cancer and their families and to promote healthy lifestyles in our community."

7 Jan 2012

Georgia Bio announces 2012 Deals of the Year for pharma, biopharma and medical device companies

Georgia Bio announced its 2012 Deals of the Year for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical device companies in four categories - public and private financings, fast growing companies, acquisitions and SBIR grants - reflecting a broad range of activity.

From Medtronic 7 Jan 2012

Disabled soldier goes back to Walter Reed to deliver Gift Cards to veterans

In a moving scene, the President of The Disabled Veterans National Foundation (www.dvnf.org ) and Michael McNaughton - a combat soldier who lost his leg on a mission in Afghanistan- delivered Gift Cards to veterans who are patients in the amputee wing at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD over the holidays.

7 Jan 2012

Challenges in new product planning and development process for pharmaceutical industry

The new product planning and development process is fraught with challenges, from regulatory requirements and safety concerns to cost constraints and competitive pressures. New product planning leaders looking to safeguard their new products' success in 2012 and beyond need an updated road map to help guide them through the new clinical development landscape.

7 Jan 2012

Acceptance increases for selective non-operative management of stab, gunshot wound patients

Although more patients with abdominal gunshot and stab wounds can successfully forego emergency "exploratory" surgery and its potential complications, new Johns Hopkins research suggests that choosing the wrong patients for this "watchful waiting" approach substantially increases their risk of death from these injuries.

7 Jan 2012