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Scientists map neurons that process different kinds of visual information

There's a 3-D world in our brains. It's a landscape that mimics the outside world, where the objects we see exist as collections of neural circuits and electrical impulses.

7 Jan 2012

Positive topline results from Civitas' CVT-301 Phase 1 trial on PD

Civitas Therapeutics, Inc., a privately-held pharmaceutical company developing transformative therapeutics using the ARCUS(TM) respiratory delivery platform, announced today positive topline results from a Phase 1 clinical trial for CVT-301, an inhaled formulation of levodopa (L-dopa) for the rapid relief from motor fluctuations associated with Parkinson's disease.

7 Jan 2012

FDG-PET safe and accurate in detecting dementia, Alzheimer's

In a new review of imaging studies spanning more than ten years, scientists find that a method of positron emission tomography (PET) safely and accurately detects dementia, including the most common and devastating form among the elderly, Alzheimer's disease.

7 Jan 2012

GSN completes $20M financing round

Gene Security Network Inc. (GSN) today announced the completion of a $20 million financing round, as well as the change of the company's name to Natera, Inc. The financing round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners, which is joined in the current round by Claremont Creek Ventures and Sequoia Capital.

7 Jan 2012

Viewpoints: Sebelius on curbing the increase in health insurance costs; Forcing the mentally ill into treatment

The rising cost of health insurance coverage has imposed a heavy burden on our nation. Over the past decade, insurance premiums for working families have grown three times faster than have wages. Small businesses have seen health care become one of their biggest operating expenses. And rising state and federal spending on health programs has crowded out critical investments in better schools, new roads and other areas.

7 Jan 2012

Third Security, Transgenomic enter Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement

Transgenomic, Inc. today announced that it has entered into a Convertible Promissory Note Purchase Agreement in the aggregate amount of $3.0 million with entities associated with Third Security, LLC, a leading life sciences investment firm.

7 Jan 2012

CMS assigns permanent J-code for Savient's KRYSTEXXA to treat RCG

Savient Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that a product-specific billing code, or permanent J-code, for KRYSTEXXA (pegloticase) became available on January 1, 2012.

7 Jan 2012

KAI commences enrollment in KAI-4169 second Phase 2 study for CKD-MBD

KAI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately held drug discovery and development company, today announced initiation of patient enrollment in the second Phase 2 study of KAI-4169, a novel pharmaceutical agent being tested for the treatment of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), which is a frequent and serious complication of end-stage renal disease.

6 Jan 2012

Roka raises $47.5M in Series D round

Roka Bioscience announced today that it has secured $47.5 million in Series D financing. New investor Aisling Capital participated in the financing along with existing investors OrbiMed Advisors, New Enterprise Associates, Inc., and TPG Biotech. In conjunction with the financing, Josh Bilenker, M.D., Partner at Aisling Capital, will join Roka's Board of Directors.

6 Jan 2012

Annual screening tests do not decrease deaths from prostate cancer

There's new evidence that annual prostate cancer screening does not reduce deaths from the disease, even among men in their 50s and 60s and those with underlying health conditions, according to new research led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

6 Jan 2012

Article summarizes methods for radiation dose optimization in pediatric CT scans

An article in the January issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology summarizes methods for radiation dose optimization in pediatric computed tomography (CT) scans.

6 Jan 2012

FDA approves TGM's hip and knee systems and related surgical instruments

China Kanghui Holdings, a leading domestic developer, manufacturer and marketer of orthopedic implants in China, today announced that the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, TGM Medical, Inc., has received approvals from the Food and Drug Administration of the United States for its Helicon Hip System ("HHS"), Milestone Knee System ("MKS") and related surgical instruments.

6 Jan 2012

Roundup: Miami police unions thwart health premiums increase; Washington's mandatory-abortion-coverage bill

Despite blunt warnings from Mayor Carlos Gimenez that their decision would force layoffs of hundreds of police and corrections officers, Miami-Dade commissioners Thursday narrowly refused to force two employee unions to contribute an additional 5 percent of their pay toward health insurance. ... The panel also refused to impose the controversial 5-percent giveback on its professionals and supervisor.

6 Jan 2012

First Edition: January 6, 2012

In today's news, reports from the campaign trail and details about how nine states have asked the federal government for more funding to make sure their high-risk pools don't run out of cash before 2014.

6 Jan 2012

Simple steps for better long-term eye health

A new year is a time for reprioritizing. To encourage consumers to make their eyes a priority this year, AllAboutVision.com has issued its 2012 Checklist for Better Vision & Eye Health.

6 Jan 2012

APUA applauds FDA for acting to limit antibiotics in food-producing animals

The Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA) today praised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acting to limit certain extra label uses of cephalosporins in major animal species – cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys – where misuse and overuse are cause for great concern. Extra label use occurs when use of a drug does not comply with the approved labeling.

6 Jan 2012