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Advancements in use of zinc finger nucleases to produce genetically modified pigs

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced the publication of a study demonstrating the use of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) to produce genetically modified pigs. The study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), represents a significant advancement in the development of improved, less immunogenic animal tissue as a source for transplant into humans.

22 Jul 2011

U.N. increases humanitarian aid need to $4.9B for 2011

The U.N. on Wednesday said during a donor meeting in Geneva that "it needs $7.9 billion this year, $500 million more than it had originally sought, to fund relief operations in the face of spreading humanitarian crises in Africa and Asia," Reuters reports (7/20).

22 Jul 2011

Allowing optometrists to perform surgeries may put patients at risk

Proposed regulations for a new state law which allows optometrists, who are not medical doctors, to perform a broad range of surgical procedures on the eye, fail to properly define the education, training and oversight necessary for this new scope of work that is typically performed by medical board-certified physicians.

22 Jul 2011

OCD introduces VITROS 4600 Chemistry System for high-volume laboratories

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (OCD) today announced the launch of the VITROS® 4600 Chemistry System, a state-of-the-art analyzer that delivers high-quality, reliable test results for mid- to high-volume laboratories using the same core technologies that drive reliability and efficiency throughout OCD's portfolio of products.

From Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. 22 Jul 2011

Somali President issues appeal for famine assistance

Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed on Wednesday "issued an urgent appeal for international aid" for famine assistance in his country during an exclusive interview with CNN at his residence in Mogadishu. "The situation is very severe. The conditions are very harsh," he said (7/21).

22 Jul 2011

Senators introduce critical legislation to increase access to podiatric care

As Congress works to bring down the cost of healthcare delivery and reduce the budget deficit, Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) have introduced critical legislation that would increase access to podiatric care and save billions of dollars in the process.

22 Jul 2011

Grand bargains, fall-back plans and short-term deals — debt talk status checks

The status of ongoing negotiations to raise the debt ceiling changes daily, and news outlets report on the political and policy dynamics in play.

22 Jul 2011

Health Canada approves SPRYCEL as first-line treatment for life-threatening blood cancer

Canadians newly diagnosed with a life-threatening blood cancer, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in chronic phase, now have a new treatment option available to them. Health Canada has granted a notice of compliance with conditions for SPRYCEL (dasatinib) as first-line treatment in patients with chronic phase CML.

22 Jul 2011

Combination of strategies reduces more than half the number of tiger mosquitos

The combination of three complementary measures to eradicate tiger mosquitos - avoid having stagnant water, using insecticides to eliminate larvae and adults, and removing rubbish - reduces more than half the number of tiger mosquitos, according to a research coordinated by researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.

22 Jul 2011

A counter to claims that extending Medicaid drug rebates would help reduce deficit

Rep. Henry Waxman and Sen. Jay Rockefeller have introduced legislation that would extend Medicaid rebates to "dual eligibles" and those who qualify for the low-income subsidy program — a plan they say could reduce the deficit by $112 billion over the next ten years.

22 Jul 2011

Humans' desire to kill rats has only made them stronger

Over millennia, mice have thrived despite humanity's efforts to keep them at bay. A Rice University scientist argues some mice have found two ways to achieve a single goal -- resistance to common poison.

22 Jul 2011

22nd Century receives FDA approval for X-22 IND to conduct Phase II-B smoking cessation trial

22nd Century Group, Inc., a company focused on smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction products, today announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared an Investigational New Drug (IND) Application to conduct a Phase II-B clinical trial using X-22, a prescription smoking cessation aid in development.

22 Jul 2011

Contaminated nasal spray associated with rare bacterial outbreak

Infection control researchers investigating a rare bacterial outbreak of Burholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) identified contaminated nasal spray as the root cause of the infections, leading to a national recall of the product.

22 Jul 2011

IDEXX Laboratories second quarter revenues increase 13% to $317.9 million

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., today reported that revenues for the second quarter of 2011 increased 13% to $317.9 million, from $281.5 million for the second quarter of 2010. Organic revenue growth, as defined below, was 8%.

22 Jul 2011

U.S. must continue long-term investment in food security

In a post on USAID's "IMPACTblog," USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah describes the U.S. response to the drought in the Horn of Africa, as well as his visit on Wednesday to the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya.

22 Jul 2011

Scientists identify bacterial attack pathway

When competing for food and resources, bacteria employ elaborate strategies to keep rival cells at bay. Scientists have now identified a pathway that allows disease-causing bacteria to attack other bacterial cells by breaking down their cell wall.

22 Jul 2011

Sanitation pioneer earns Roll of Honour Award for lifetime service in Kigali, Rwanda

Professor Sandy Cairncross has received a unique honour from the governments of Africa in recognition of his major contribution to improving the health and well-being of Africans through his three decades of work to improve sanitation and hygiene across the continent.

22 Jul 2011

ICF receives HHS re-compete contract to leverage IT and health domain knowledge

ICF International, a leading provider of consulting services and technology solutions to government and commercial clients, has been awarded a re-compete contract from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Surgeon General, Office of the Civilian Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps.

22 Jul 2011

Medigap policy options could lead to program savings, increased costs for enrollees, report says

Savings estimates range from $1.5 billion to $4.6 billion — depending on the proposal. Policymakers are currently eyeing some of these options to reduce Medicare costs in the ongoing deficit-reduction talks.

22 Jul 2011

Regulation of association health plans triggers questions

News outlets report on this and other issues related to implementation of the health law, including patient-centered outcomes research and how the so-called death-panel discussions are now echoing in the debate surround the Independent Payment Advisory Board.

22 Jul 2011