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New omalizumab medication may reduce seasonal asthma attacks in children

A new anti-asthma medication dramatically reduced increases in seasonal asthma attacks in children and young adults with allergic asthma, according to a multi-institutional study involving a UT Southwestern Medical Center physician.

17 Mar 2011

Naltrexone may be effective in women with specific genetic variation

Results from a new study suggest that one of the most prescribed medications for alcohol dependence may be more effective in some people. Preliminary results show that naltrexone, one of the only medications approved for treating people with alcohol abuse problems, may only be effective in women and those with a specific genetic variation.

17 Mar 2011

Individuals face roadblocks in buying health insurance

According to the Commonwealth Fund, difficulty getting health coverage — combined with rising treatment costs and high unemployment levels — triggered a jump in the number of Americans who struggle to pay their medical expenses.

17 Mar 2011

Study suggests dissolvable tobacco products may cause mouth diseases

The first study to analyze the complex ingredients in the new genre of dissolvable tobacco products has concluded that these pop-into-the-mouth replacements for cigarettes in places where smoking is banned have the potential to cause mouth diseases and other problems.

17 Mar 2011

Tai chi helps manage depression in older adults

The numbers are, well, depressing: More than 2 million people age 65 and older suffer from depression, including 50 percent of those living in nursing homes. The suicide rate among white men over 85 is the highest in the country - six times the national rate.

17 Mar 2011

FDA approves Rochester Nomogram technology for LASIK surgery

A technology created by University of Rochester physicians and scientists that has helped boost the eyesight of patients to unprecedented levels is now more widely available, thanks to approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

17 Mar 2011

Fresh insight into parasite's reproductive strategy can prevent malaria spread

Fresh insight into the way the parasite that causes malaria reproduces could lead to new treatments to help curb the spread of the disease.

17 Mar 2011

Specific type of selenium supplement may help prevent cancer

Scientists are reporting that the controversy surrounding whether selenium can fight cancer in humans might come down to which form of the essential micronutrient people take.

17 Mar 2011

Research highlights new parameters for HIV study

A research article co-authored by Brenna Anderson, MD, director of Reproductive Infectious Diseases Consultation in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, was included in the recently published special issue of the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology.

17 Mar 2011

New study: Emergency departments may miss 70% of domestic abuse cases

Emergency departments may be missing over 70 percent of domestic abuse cases, warns new study.

17 Mar 2011

Scientists to develop new universal vaccine against various flu viruses

A vaccine that helps against all types of influenza - for several years? If all goes right for Norwegian company Bionor Pharma ASA, such a vaccine could exist within a few years.

17 Mar 2011

Experts to discuss work directions for fight against TB at ITM conference in Antwerp

On occasion of the World TB Day, leading experts from 12 countries will take stock of the fight against tuberculosis, during a conference at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp.

17 Mar 2011

Pharmaron signs agreement to provide Isis with nucleoside phosphoramidites up to 100 kg

Pharmaron has signed an agreement to provide Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. with nucleoside phosphoramidites at quantities up to 100 kg. Nucleoside phosphoramidites are fundamental building blocks in the production of antisense therapeutics.

17 Mar 2011

The Lancet Neurology publishes Neurologix NLX-P101 Phase 2 trial results against PD

Neurologix, Inc., announced today that the results of the Company's Phase 2 clinical trial for its novel, investigational gene therapy NLX-P101 for the treatment of Parkinson's disease were published in an online-first edition of The Lancet Neurology.

17 Mar 2011

Medtronic introduces Activa SC deep brain stimulation system in the U.S. and Europe

With the first U.S. implant of its new Activa SC neurostimulator for deep brain stimulation therapy, Medtronic, Inc. today announced the technology's commercial availability throughout the United States and Europe.

17 Mar 2011

Experts advise against taking unnecessary potassium iodide

There is a mad rush to the stores to pick up potassium iodide supplements to guard against radiation exposure wafting over to the U.S. from Japan, an unlikely event according to experts. This is despite health officials’ warnings that these supplements are pointless and could cause adverse side effects.

16 Mar 2011

Eating fatty fish reduces blindness risk from AMD: Study

New research has shown that consuming omega-3 fatty acids that are most commonly found in oily fish such as tinned salmon and tuna, could prevent the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that leads to the gradual loss of vision. The required amount may be as low as one to two portions of fish a week that can reduce the risk of sight loss by up to 42 per cent in older women, according to a new study. Earlier results have shown similar benefits in men. Omega 3, whose common form in food is Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can also be taken as a supplement.

16 Mar 2011

NHS staff concerns laid out in a report

Nearly one third of NHS staff say basic hygiene supplies such as hot water and soap are not always available when they need them. This was revealed in a comprehensive survey of the workforce. A third of workers said they would not be happy with the standard of care provided by their hospital if family or friends needed treatment, or had witnessed potentially dangerous errors in the past month. Many complained of bullying by colleagues and managers. Nearly 40% complained that low staffing levels prevented them from doing their jobs properly. The survey was completed by some 165,000 employees across England’s 388 trusts. This is the eighth annual NHS Staff Survey, collated by the Care Quality Commission watchdog.

16 Mar 2011

TB risk in infants exposed to infected health worker

Around 200 families have been exposed and probably infected with infectious Tuberculosis (TB) after a hospital health worker was diagnosed with the disease. At present the health care worker is off work and is receiving treatment. The hospital said there was no continuing risk to patients and staff.

16 Mar 2011