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FDA approves AstraZeneca's anti-clotting drug Brilinta

The U.S. Food and drug Administration (FDA) has finally approved AstraZeneca's Brilinta blood thinner for patients with acute coronary syndrome - conditions, such as heart attack and angina.

20 Jul 2011

FDA panel votes against novel diabetes drug citing adverse effects

An advisory panel for the US Food and Drugs Administration voted 9-6 that the FDA should not yet approve dapagliflozin, a new type of diabetes drug that makes the body dump sugar and lose weight. Signals of possible liver damage and of breast and bladder cancer worried the experts.

20 Jul 2011

Stopping Aspirin may raise heart attack death risk by 60%: Study

The study results revealed that patients with a history of heart disease who stopped taking a low-dose daily aspirin had a 60% increased risk of having a heart attack over the three-year follow-up, compared with patients who continued the daily aspirin, says study researcher Luis A. Garcia Rodriguez, director of the Spanish Center for Pharmacoepidemiologic Research (CEIFE) in Madrid. The study is published in the British Medical Journal.

20 Jul 2011

US FDA advisory panel votes yes for Edwards heart valve

An U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel met Wednesday to discuss the approval of Edwards Lifesciences Corp's heart valve for patients deemed too sick to have open-heart surgery. The panel voted 9-0 with one abstention in favor of valve.

20 Jul 2011

Heaviest meals on the menu

According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) this week the accuracy of caloric counts from restaurants is unknown. On the same day, the Center for Science in the Public Interest released its annual ‘Xtreme Eating Awards’ to eight menu items on the restaurant menus.

20 Jul 2011

Malvern and Paraytec enter into development and technology licensing agreement

Malvern Panalytical (Malvern Panalytical, UK) and Paraytec Ltd (York, UK) have entered into a development and licensing agreement that will see Paraytec’s ActiPix® technology being added to Malvern Panalytical’s materials characterization portfolio. The agreement will give Malvern Panalytical exclusive rights to further develop, market and sell ActiPix® UV area imaging technology in specific fields of use related to the characterization of complex fluids for applications in biopharmaceuticals, foods and personal care industrial sectors.

From Malvern Panalytical 20 Jul 2011

Diabetes gene linked to Alzheimer’s

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine have identified a gene that causes diabetes kills nerve cells in the brain, possibly resulting in Alzheimer’s disease.

20 Jul 2011

Falling may be an early sign of Alzheimer's

In a new study presented at the Alzheimer's Association's annual International Conference in Paris it was reported that older people whose brain scans showed signs of amyloid plaques - an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease - but who were otherwise healthy, had twice the risk of falls as people without brain amyloid.

20 Jul 2011

Alzheimer’s risk transmitted from mother to offspring: Study report

According to preliminary research adults whose mothers develop late-onset Alzheimer's disease may have an increased risk for the disease, compared with children of dads with late-onset Alzheimer's. The findings were presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2011.

20 Jul 2011

New anti-cancer drugs plus chemo for breast cancer shows promise: Study

Melbourne researchers have discovered that some of the most aggressive forms of cancers can be more effectively treated if chemotherapy is combined with a new class of anti-cancer drugs.

20 Jul 2011

Novel approach to prevent ‘chemo’ induced menopause in breast cancer patients

It is known that women who undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer get an early menopause under age 40. Women can choose to have some eggs removed in advance of the treatment in order to preserve some chance of having a baby later, but that can be a difficult and complicated process. Now, however, there may be a medication to treat these women to avoid premature menopause. About 6% of women with breast cancer are diagnosed before age 40.

20 Jul 2011

Australia sees early rise in flu cases

Australia is gripped with a fourfold increase in the number of people suffering flu. This rise is even before the usual peak season in August and September. Already nearly 8,000 cases have been reported compared with about 2,000 at the same time last year. The increase has disproportionately affected Queensland, NSW and South Australia. In January and February more than 1,700 people were recorded with flu, compared with fewer than 300 the year before.

20 Jul 2011

Antidepressants ineffective in Alzheimer’s: Study

According to a new study published in the medical journal The Lancet on Tuesday, two antidepressants that are commonly given to Alzheimer's disease patients appear not only to be ineffective but may give side effects such as nausea and drowsiness. Researchers urged doctors to think twice before prescribing these drugs to Alzheimer's patients with depression.

20 Jul 2011

FDA to monitor medical apps

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stepped in to regulate the rapidly expanding field of medical applications, or apps, for smart phones and other handheld devices. With the rise of the iPhone, Android and other mobile devices has come a flood of applications designed to help people stay healthy. Industry analysts estimate there are already more than 17,000 medical applications available, ranging from calorie counters to programs that let doctors view medical scans on their phones.

20 Jul 2011

Alzheimer’s risk reduced by healthy living: study

According to a new study leading a healthy lifestyle can help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Researchers said at Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Paris on Tuesday that the number of Alzheimer's cases could be cut in half if people exercise, eat well and stop smoking. Other risks include depression, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Education is also a factor, because illiteracy keeps brains from developing properly. The new findings have been published in the journal Lancet Neurology.

20 Jul 2011

MDL announces HPV-16 Status reflex test

Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, L.L.C. (MDL) is a CLIA certified infectious disease laboratory which specializes in high-complexity, state-of-the-art, automated DNA-based molecular analyses.

20 Jul 2011

Quest Diagnostics second quarter revenues increase 1.5% to $1.9 billion

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, announced today that for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011, adjusted income from continuing operations was $179 million, or $1.12 per share.

From Quest Diagnostics 20 Jul 2011

Dossia introduces innovative health management system for employees

Dossia, a leading Personal Health Record System provider, today announced the launch of the Dossia Health Manager, an innovative health management system.

20 Jul 2011

St. Jude Medical second quarter net sales increase 10% to $1.447 billion

St. Jude Medical, Inc. today reported sales and net earnings for the second quarter ended July 2, 2011.

20 Jul 2011

DJO Global launches Turon Modular Shoulder System

DJO Global, Inc., a global provider of medical device solutions for musculoskeletal health, vascular health and pain management, today announced the introduction of the Turon Modular Shoulder System developed by the Company's surgical division, DJO Surgical.

20 Jul 2011