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Tai chi for heart failure patients: It works!

A latest study from Harvard Medical School has found that Tai chi, often called “meditation in motion,” appears to improve the quality of life in people with heart failure. The ancient Chinese exercise of tai chi features physical movements that are slow and gentle and require concentration. The study is published in the April 25, 2011 issues of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

26 Apr 2011

New malaria initiative

According to the UN chief envoy for malaria a $5 billion campaign has saved several hundred thousand lives in recent years, keeping international efforts on track to virtually end deaths from the mosquito-borne disease by 2015. The UN reveals that about 780,000 people, mostly babies and toddlers in sub-Saharan Africa, now die from malaria annually, down from nearly 1 million in 2008.

26 Apr 2011

MRI referrals determined by loyalty to unit rather than patient choice

Referrers were found to have a strong sense of loyalty to external medical units, with almost eight per cent saying that they had used the same MRI provider for over 25 years. Clinicians, who identified location, staff expertise and scanner quality as key reasons for initially referring patients, said they were difficult to influence thereafter.

26 Apr 2011

Newer birth control pill raises risk of blood clots

Two human trials in the US and the UK including women from both populations showed that women taking newer forms of oral contraceptives, which include drosperinone, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, increased their risk of developing a blood clots by two or three times over those taking older birth control pills that rely on a different form of the hormone known as levonorgestrel.

26 Apr 2011

Too much TV raises risk of narrow eye blood vessels and heart disease in kids

A new study has shown that children who spend more time in front of television and computer screens and less in outdoor physical activity have narrower blood vessels in their eyes. In adults, constricted blood vessels in the eyes have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

26 Apr 2011

New angle in cause of tuberculosis discovered - scientists hopeful for new therapy

In a new study published Monday, researchers from the US have isolated the enzyme that allows tuberculosis to destroy lung tissue. This discovery could speed the search for treatments.

26 Apr 2011

Common painkillers decrease effectiveness of antidepressants: Study

According to a latest study, antidepressants like Prozac and Aspirin do not mix. Researchers found that painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen appear to decrease the effectiveness of a popular class of antidepressants that includes Prozac, Paxil, Lexapro and Zoloft and Celexa.

26 Apr 2011

Millennium submits two VELCADE sNDAs to FDA

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company with its parent company Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited today announced that it has submitted two supplemental new drug applications (sNDAs) for VELCADE® (bortezomib) for Injection to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The first application seeks to add a subcutaneous route of administration for VELCADE. The second application is for the use of VELCADE in combination with rituximab in patients with relapsed follicular non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

26 Apr 2011

Durata attains global rights for dalbavancin to treat abSSSI

Durata Therapeutics today announced the Company has attained worldwide rights for the development and commercialization of Durata's lead product, dalbavancin, a long-acting, intravenous (IV) lipoglycopeptide for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (abSSSI). In December 2010, Durata acquired from RaQualia Pharma commercialization rights for dalbavancin in Japan.

26 Apr 2011

USPTO grants Cortex patent for CX1739 AMPAKINE molecule

Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for a patent that protects its lead AMPAKINE® molecule, CX1739.

26 Apr 2011

Real-time GPS tracking bracelet for people with cognitive disorders

Adiant Solutions, a leading distributor of GPS safety and tracking solutions, today announced that its S-911 tracking bracelet is generally available and families and caregivers of those with cognitive disorders can now rest easier knowing that their loved ones are wearing the only tracking bracelet that offers true real-time tracking with accuracy up-to-the-second and within several feet 24/7/365.

26 Apr 2011

Most Americans unaware of recommended alcohol limits and risks of sea salt

Most Americans believe drinking wine is good for your heart but are unaware of recommended alcohol limits, and most mistakenly believe sea salt is a low-sodium alternative to regular table salt, according to a new survey about these common products.

26 Apr 2011

Humana declares quarterly cash dividend, anticipates first quarter diluted EPS of $1.86

Humana Inc. announced today that it has realigned its business segments to more closely reflect the company's evolving business model. Effective immediately, the company will be managing and reporting its operating results using the following segments: Retail, Employer Group, and Health and Well-Being Services.

26 Apr 2011

FDA grants Cepheid marketing clearance for Xpert Flu diagnostic test

Cepheid today announced it has received clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to market Xpert® Flu. The diagnostic test, which runs on Cepheid's GeneXpert® System, simultaneously detects and differentiates Influenza A, Influenza B, and the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in about one hour.

26 Apr 2011

Waters first quarter sales rise 16% to $428 million

Waters Corporation reported first quarter 2011 sales of $428 million, an increase of 16%, from sales of $368 million in the first quarter of 2010. In the quarter, foreign currency translation added 2% to sales growth.

26 Apr 2011

BioControl Medical initiates INOVATE-HF study of CardioFit system

BioControl Medical, a medical technology company that develops and markets advanced implantable devices for the treatment of autonomic disorders, has announced first patient enrollment in the INOVATE-HF (INcrease Of VAgal TonE in Heart Failure) clinical study at Northwest Texas Heart Hospital, Amarillo, Texas, by study investigator Suresh Neelagaru, M.D.

26 Apr 2011

Amedisys net service revenue decreases 11.8% to $364.3 million

Amedisys, Inc., a leading home health and hospice company, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 and reaffirms 2011 guidance.

26 Apr 2011

Accuray announces expiration of HSR waiting period for TomoTherapy acquisition

Accuray Incorporated, a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, today announced the expiration of the mandatory, pre-merger waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, in connection with the previously announced acquisition of TomoTherapy Incorporated.

26 Apr 2011

PolyMedix defensin-mimetic antibiotic compounds show antimicrobial efficacy against anthrax

PolyMedix, Inc., a biotechnology company focused on developing new therapeutic drugs to treat patients with acute infectious diseases and cardiovascular disorders, announced today that several of its defensin-mimetic antibiotic compounds have shown antimicrobial efficacy in an animal model against the bacteria that causes anthrax.

26 Apr 2011