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Patient safety in hospitals draws attention

Over strong objections from the hospital industry, the government has published data about things that can go wrong in hospitals — falls, objects left behind during surgeries, bloodstream or urinary infections associated with catheters, incompatible blood infusions, serious bed sores and more.

12 Apr 2011

Study highlights deceptive potential of 'slim', 'silver' and 'gold' cigarette brands

Despite current prohibitions on the words 'light' and 'mild', smokers in Western countries continue falsely to believe that some cigarette brands may be less harmful than others. In fact, all conventional brands of cigarette present the same level of risk to smokers, including 'mild' and 'low-tar' brands.

12 Apr 2011

Study finds pelvic anatomy differences following RARP and open prostatectomy

Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine have concluded that the anatomy of the pelvis following robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

12 Apr 2011

Study shows neutralizing antibodies to C5a protein may prevent heart failure

New research published online in The FASEB Journal details research in rats and mice that offers hope for stopping the devastating, and often fatal, effects of sepsis in humans. In the study, University of Michigan researchers show how neutralizing the effects of a key protein fragment, called C5a, used by the immune system to attract white blood cells may ultimately prevent heart failure.

12 Apr 2011

Stress wreaks havoc on bacteria in digestive system

Stress not only sends the human immune system into overdrive - it can also wreak havoc on the trillions of bacteria that work and thrive inside our digestive system.

12 Apr 2011

Nano Terra announces acquisition of Surface Logix

Nano Terra, Inc., a leading surface engineering and nanotechnology co-development company, today announced it is acquiring Surface Logix, Inc., a drug development company founded by renowned Harvard scientist Professor George Whitesides. Surface Logix has made significant breakthroughs in enhancing the molecular functionality of pharmaceuticals and advancing several drug candidates.

12 Apr 2011

Pharmacological manipulation of DKK1, DKK2 can treat various vascular diseases

Angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels, is required during embryonic development and wound healing, as well as during disease processes such as tumor growth. The signals that direct angiogensis are incompletely understood, but could represent novel targets for the development of therapies that promote or inhibit this process.

12 Apr 2011

Wrist circumference may predict insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk

Measuring the wrist bone may be a new way to identify which overweight children and adolescents face an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, according to research in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

12 Apr 2011

Biomet net sales increase 1% to $678 million for third fiscal quarter 2011

Biomet, Inc. announced today financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2011.

12 Apr 2011

Longitudinal displacement in carotid artery reflects both degree of atherosclerosis in artery and heart function

How your carotid artery moves can reveal your risk of a future heart attack, and it is now possible to study this vessel aspect in more detail thanks to a new technique which could eventually be used to identify patients with suspected coronary artery disease, reveals a thesis from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

12 Apr 2011

State roundup: Texas hospital tax; IBM challenges Vt. single payer

The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that the state can cut off medical assistance to legal noncitizens who have been in the country fewer than five years, clearing the way to implement a 2009 budget cut that had been stalled because of legal action.

12 Apr 2011

Top-line results from DURECT's ELADUR Phase II trial in chronic low back pain

DURECT Corporation announced today top-line results from a Phase II clinical trial in chronic low back pain for ELADUR, DURECT's proprietary investigational transdermal bupivacaine pain patch.

12 Apr 2011

Scientists develop new method to detect virus presence in cells

Scientists at the Naval Research Laboratory Center for Bio-Molecular Science and Engineering have developed a method to detect the presence of viruses in cells and to study their growth.

12 Apr 2011

Baxter's ARTISS phase III study results in face lift surgery presented at AAPS meeting

Baxter International Inc. announced today the results of a phase III study evaluating the safety and efficacy of ARTISS in 75 patients.

From Baxter International Inc. 12 Apr 2011

Obesity impacts gene clock of cardiovascular system

Obese individuals typically suffer more medical problems than their leaner counterparts. They are more likely to be diagnosed with insulin resistance, diabetes, increased stress hormones, hypothyroidism, and sleep apnea. Researchers at the Georgia Health Sciences University in Augusta have also found the potential for something else, using an animal model.

12 Apr 2011

Researchers discover new mechanism underlying esophageal cancer

A gene thought to be associated with cancer development can be a tumor suppressor gene in mice, researchers have discovered. Understanding which genes are involved in spreading cancer could lead to future therapies.

12 Apr 2011

Obama's new vision for deficit reduction

In a Wednesday speech, President Barack Obama will outline a new approach to the nation's budget deficit, including proposals to address spending on Medicare and Medicaid.

12 Apr 2011

New research: Pomegranate juice may help reduce blood pressure

New research shows that pomegranate juice may help to reduce blood pressure. The findings will be presented today at the 2011 Society for Endocrinology conference in Birmingham, UK.

12 Apr 2011

Epilepsy medication USL255 associated with less fluctuation in plasma levels compared to topiramate IR

Upsher-Smith Laboratories today announced the presentation of data indicating that once daily administration of USL255, a proprietary extended-release (ER) formulation of the epilepsy medication topiramate, was associated with less fluctuation in topiramate plasma levels compared to immediate-release (IR) topiramate administered twice daily in healthy volunteers.

12 Apr 2011

Opinions: Empowering women, reducing global hunger; wars justified by humanitarianism; climate change, human health; budget cuts to foreign aid

In a perspective piece in The Globalist, Contributing Editor Cesar Chelala calls for more attention to be paid to the role of women in reducing hunger worldwide. "Giving women the same tools and resources as men, such as financial support, education and access to markets, could reduce the number of hungry people worldwide by up to 150 million, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization," he writes.

12 Apr 2011