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Roundup: Calif. woman's death at nursing home probed; Minn. orders counseling before patients get long-term care

Johnnie Esco died after a 13-day stay at the El Dorado Care Center in Placerville. Her death on March 7, 2008, led to a contentious civil lawsuit, investigations by California's Department of Justice and Department of Public Health – and the exhumation of her body from Arlington National Cemetery. Last week, amid inquiries from The Bee, the state Department of Justice reopened its criminal investigation into Johnnie Esco's treatment at the facility.

20 Sep 2011

ACR launches Simple Tasks campaign to raise awareness on rheumatic diseases

The American College of Rheumatology has launched its Simple Tasks campaign. The initiative aims to raise awareness of the severe impact of rheumatic diseases - such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and gout - on the U.S. population and to highlight the importance of rheumatologists in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

20 Sep 2011

UNC researchers develop technique that can observe cellular intricacies of CF

When researchers discovered the primary genetic defect that causes cystic fibrosis (CF) back in 1989, they opened up a new realm of research into treatment and a cure for the disease. Since then, scientists have been able to clone the defective gene and study its effects in animals. Now researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a technique for observing the defects at work in human tissue donated by patients with CF.

20 Sep 2011

Calgary researchers discover new class of anti-inflammatory agents

By using a mouse model of inflammation researchers at the University of Calgary have discovered a new class of molecules that can inhibit the recruitment of some white blood cells to sites of inflammation in the body.

20 Sep 2011

CMA announces winners of Canada's premier health journalism awards

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is proud today to announce the recipients of the 2011 Media Awards for Health Reporting, Canada's premier health journalism awards.

20 Sep 2011

Powerful new antibiotic treatment for MRSA and C. difficile bugs

MGB Biopharma, a biopharmaceutical company which has licensed technology from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, is developing a powerful new antibiotic treatment for resistant infections including the deadly MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) bugs.

20 Sep 2011

OvaGene's new molecular diagnostics laboratory receives CLIA-certification

OvaGene Oncology Inc., a molecular diagnostics company specializing in the development and commercialization of personalized gene-based diagnostics for gynecologic cancer, announced today that the company has received Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) certification for their newly constructed state-of-the-art molecular diagnostics laboratory.

20 Sep 2011

MDA, IMRIS collaborate to advance development of MR guided surgical robot

IMRIS Inc. and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. today announced an agreement for the final phases of collaborative development of IMRIS's MR guided surgical robot, building on the development work the two companies have completed to date.

20 Sep 2011

FDA approves Amphastar's ANDA for Enoxaparin Sodium Injection

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Enoxaparin Sodium Injection in the 100mg/mL and 150mg/mL strengths.

20 Sep 2011

Keryx completes enrollment in Zerenex Phase 3 long-term study for hyperphosphatemia

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals today announced completion of patient enrollment in the long-term study component of its Phase 3 registration program of Zerenex, the Company's ferric iron-based phosphate binder for the treatment of elevated serum phosphorus levels, or hyperphosphatemia, in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis.

20 Sep 2011

GlobalPost examines GHI in Kenya

As part of its special report "Healing the World," GlobalPost examines how the Obama administration's Global Health Initiative (GHI) is affecting U.S. health-related work in Kenya.

20 Sep 2011

ADHD symptoms might affect adaptive abilities, quality of life for children with ASD

Research supported by the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN), demonstrating that symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity worsen quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), was presented today at the Society for Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

20 Sep 2011

Infant formulas fortified with LCPUFA are good for developing brains and hearts

University of Kansas scientists have found new evidence that infant formulas fortified with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are good for developing brains and hearts.

20 Sep 2011

LA BioMed andrologist leads new male contraceptive Phase I clinical study

Christina Wang, M.D., lead investigator at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute (LA BioMed) - one of the leading biomedical research institutes in the country - is currently working on a Phase I single dose and multiple dose study that tests the safety and tolerability of a new androgen dimethandrolone undecanoate that is being developed as a potential male contraceptive agent.

20 Sep 2011

Mammography rates among immigrant women remain lower than the native-born

Fewer immigrant women receive mammograms than native-born American women, according to Penn State researchers, who note that more immigrant women are getting mammograms now than a decade ago.

20 Sep 2011

Mayo Clinic, SK biopharmaceuticals collaborate to discover new ALS drugs

South Korean biotech SK biopharmaceuticals announced yesterday that they signed an agreement to collaborate with the Mayo Clinic for the discovery of new drugs targeting Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

20 Sep 2011

Multispectral fluorescence imaging system can localize cancer cells during surgery

Ovarian cancer is one of the most frequent forms of cancer that affect women. As tumors can initially grow unchecked in the abdomen without causing any major symptoms, patients are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage and have to undergo surgery plus chemotherapy. During the operation, surgeons attempt to remove all tumor deposits as this leads to improved patient prognosis. To do this, however, they primarily have to rely on visual inspection and palpation - an enormous challenge especially in the case of small tumor nests or remaining tumor borders after the primary tumor excision.

20 Sep 2011

Scientists pioneer new combination treatment for prostate cancer

Scientists at Queen's University have pioneered a new combination treatment for prostate cancer. The treatment, which has been successful in phase one of trials, will now be tested for efficacy in a second phase.

20 Sep 2011

Positive data from NovaDigm's NDV-3 vaccine preclinical study on VVC

NovaDigm Therapeutics, a company developing innovative vaccines for fungal and bacterial infections, today announced the presentation of positive data from a preclinical study evaluating the efficacy its NDV-3 vaccine in a model of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), which is primarily caused by Candida albicans.

20 Sep 2011

Viewpoints: Controlling entitlement spending; irrationality of bashing health overhaul; need for changes to state workers' benefits; Va. abortion rules

Entitlement spending - Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the rest - is the long-term problem. … But Social Security is the easy case. Medicare and Medicaid have much bigger problems. The rise in their spending is fueled by the aging population and ever-more-expensive advances in medical care. Their problems cannot be solved with taxes unless American workers want government to take an ever-increasing share of their pay.

20 Sep 2011