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Changing priorities for major generic drug producers could lead to rising drug prices in developing countries

This is Africa reports on how changing priorities for major generic drug producing countries, such as Brazil, India and China -- countries that "redefined affordable drugs, making access to medicines possible for millions in low-income regions" -- and greater adoption of intellectual property rules could reshape the African pharmaceutical landscape, potentially leading to price increases, according to some experts.

16 Nov 2011

New computer chip models how neurons communicate with each other at synapses

For decades, scientists have dreamed of building computer systems that could replicate the human brain's talent for learning new tasks. MIT researchers have now taken a major step toward that goal by designing a computer chip that mimics how the brain's neurons adapt in response to new information. This phenomenon, known as plasticity, is believed to underlie many brain functions, including learning and memory.

16 Nov 2011

Scientists discover definitive role for brain in regulating loss of muscle mass

Patients with cancer, heart disease and other chronic illness struggle not only with complications inherent to their disease, they also experience an involuntary loss of weight and muscle mass triggered by the body's natural response to infection and inflammation. Increasing nutrition intake does not mitigate the process and there is no treatment.

16 Nov 2011

Silibinin stops spread of lung cancer in mice

Tissue with wound-like conditions allows tumors to grow and spread. In mouse lung cancer cells, treatment with silibinin, a major component of milk thistle, removed the molecular billboards that signal these wound-like conditions and so stopped the spread of these lung cancers, according to a recent study published in the journal Molecular Carcinogenesis.

16 Nov 2011

Specific gene variant may increase risk of premature death in people with alcohol dependency

People who are alcohol-dependent and who also carry a particular variant of a gene run an increased risk of premature death. This is a recent finding from the interdisciplinary research at the Department of Psychology and the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

15 Nov 2011

EPO-secreting engineered vessels could reverse anemia

Patients who rely on recombinant, protein-based drugs must often endure frequent injections, often several times a week, or intravenous therapy. Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston demonstrate the possibility that blood vessels, made from genetically engineered cells, could secrete the drug on demand directly into the bloodstream.

15 Nov 2011

Alnylam announces new data from ALN-TTR01 Phase I trial on TTR-mediated amyloidosis

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that it will present new data from its ALN-TTR program at the VIIIth International Symposium on Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy being held in Kumamoto, Japan from November 20-22, 2011.

15 Nov 2011

Multifaceted quality initiative can reduce adverse obstetric outcomes

A new study published in the Journal for Healthcare Quality reveals that a multifaceted quality initiative can significantly reduce adverse obstetric outcomes, thereby improving patient safety and enhancing staff and patient experiences.

15 Nov 2011

Derycz Scientific first quarter total revenue increases 64% to $9.9 million

Derycz Scientific, Inc., a leader in information logistics solutions and a pioneer in facilitating the flow of information from content publishers to enterprise customers in Life Sciences and other research intensive industries, today reported financial and operating results for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2012.

15 Nov 2011

Clinton's speech prioritizing creation of 'Aids-free generation' may shape future of U.S. global health strategy, analysts say

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's November 8 speech at the NIH, in which she called for the creation of an "AIDS-free generation" through the use of combination prevention strategies, "could be more than just political lip-service: it may also shape the next several years of U.S. global health programming and funding, analysts say," PlusNews reports.

15 Nov 2011

Exercise may help fibromyalgia: Study

A new study shows that fibromyalgia patients who stopped taking medication but exercised regularly for six weeks reported improved memory function and less pain. While the finding is encouraging, it does not suggest a potential change in clinical care for fibromyalgia patients, the study authors stressed.

15 Nov 2011

Children advised to get tested for cholesterol: Guidelines

According to latest medical guidelines announced Friday, all children aged 9 to 11 should have their cholesterol checked to help head off cardiovascular disease early. Overweight children and those who have other risks of Type 2 diabetes should be screened for diabetes every two years starting as early as 9, according to the panel.

15 Nov 2011

Pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar13 effective in seniors

Pneumococcal disease kills millions worldwide and the largest affected groups are children and the elderly. Federal health scientists now assure that the popular pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar is at least as effective as a rival vaccine at protecting adults from the sometimes-deadly infection.

15 Nov 2011

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) shows success as blood thinner in acute coronary syndrome

A new anti-blood clotting drug – Xarelto (rivaroxaban) has shown clinical success. It may help people with “acute coronary syndrome” lower their risk of death, subsequent heart attack or stroke, a new study finds. Acute coronary syndrome is term that includes people with angina or prior history of heart attack.

15 Nov 2011

Stem cell therapy remedies heart failure: Study

Heart failure may be sure cured using stem cell therapy claim researchers. In a breakthrough study 16 heart failure patients given stem cells taken from their own bodies showed dramatic and lasting improvement.

15 Nov 2011

King Faisal Specialty Hospital implements LUMEDX CVIS in its Heart Centre

LUMEDX Corporation, a provider of vendor-neutral, integrated cardiovascular information and imaging systems (CVIS), announced today that the King Faisal Specialty Hospital and Research Centre has deployed a comprehensive LUMEDX CVIS in its Heart Centre.

15 Nov 2011

Ellipse MAGEC System wins 2011 Best New Technology in Spine Care Award

Ellipse Technologies, Inc. today announced the Company's unique MAGEC Remote Control Spinal Deformity System has been awarded the 2011 Best New Technology in Spine Care Award.

15 Nov 2011

Scientists determine atomic structure of Lassa fever viral protein

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have determined the atomic structure of a protein that the Lassa fever virus uses to make copies of itself within infected cells.

15 Nov 2011

ProFibrix Fibrocaps effectively reduces bleeding in liver resection surgery

ProFibrix B.V., a leader in the development of innovative products for hemostasis, today announced that its multicenter Phase II clinical trial with Fibrocaps in liver resection surgery resulted in a highly statistically significant 50% reduction in mean time to hemostasis (TTH) compared to active control.

15 Nov 2011

Moberg Derma receives Vinnova grant to develop Limtop for actinic keratosis, genital warts

Moberg Derma AB has been granted 4 MSEK by Vinnova for the development of Limtop, an innovative formulation for the treatment of actinic keratosis, genital warts and basal cell cancer.

15 Nov 2011