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Millennium presents VELCADE Phase III trial data in multiple myeloma at IMW meeting

Millennium: The Takeda Oncology Company today reported the presentation of results of a randomized Phase III trial that investigated the effect of consolidation with single-agent VELCADE for Injection in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients after autologous stem cell transplant.

7 May 2011

Report: 76% of U.S. hospitals meet performance measures program

More than 76 percent of hospitals participating in the National Hospital Preparedness Program met 90 percent or more of all program measures for all-hazards preparedness in 2009, according to a report released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.

7 May 2011

Clinton calls for immediate action on global food shortage, food price spikes

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at a meeting of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome said that without immediate action, food shortages and volatile prices could spark global destabilization, the Associated Press reports.

7 May 2011

FDA approves expanded access to RX Acculink stent for clogged neck artery treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved an expanded indication that will allow a new group of patients at risk of stroke due to clogged neck arteries to be treated with the RX Acculink carotid stent.

7 May 2011

iPads help minimize children's pain during procedures

Nurses in the emergency department at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital are pioneering techniques -- including the use of iPads -- to improve the patient experience by eliminating or minimizing pain.

7 May 2011

Study finds 4.5 million outpatient visits yearly due to adverse drug effects

Harmful effects of medication bring an estimated 4.5 million patients to doctors' offices and emergency rooms yearly, according to a new study, and people who take multiple medications are particularly vulnerable to unpleasant or dangerous side effects, allergic reactions and toxicity.

7 May 2011

House Energy and Commerce Committee takes on Medicare payment reform issues

During a Thursday hearing, medical societies weighed in on efforts to fix Medicare reimbursement and Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., said a repeal of the current physician payment formula is on the "short list" of things to get done this summer.

7 May 2011

Cancer researchers help unlock cellular-level function of telomerase enzyme

Cancer researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center are helping unlock the cellular-level function of the telomerase enzyme, which is linked to the disease's growth.

7 May 2011

Study confirms prognostic role of CTC in metastatic breast cancer

French researchers have reported the strongest proof yet that evidence of 'circulating tumor cells' found in samples of a patient's blood is strongly linked to poor outcomes such as a short time to disease progression.

7 May 2011

Study shows benefits and safety of pediatric contact lens wear

After ten years of contact lens wear, patients are equally successful wearing contact lenses whether they were first fitted as children or as teenagers, new research shows.

7 May 2011

Stenting is safe, effective and superior to balloon angioplasty for deep vein thrombosis treatment

Stenting is safe and effective and superior to balloon angioplasty for treatment of venous stenosis in patients with deep vein thrombosis, according to results from EVISTA-DVT, presented today as a Late-Breaking Clinical Trial at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions 2011 Scientific Sessions in Baltimore.

7 May 2011

In effort to find common ground on budget talks, GOP Medicare message becomes mixed

With the debt-ceiling looming and other divisive budget issues on the table, some Republican lawmakers appeared to back away from their plan to "voucherize" Medicare.

7 May 2011

Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University partner to enhance health IT workforce

Specialized one- and two-year Indiana University graduate certificate and master's programs designed to increase the number of health information technology specialists in Indiana and nationwide will expand enrollment by 50 percent, thanks in part to Recovery Act funding.

7 May 2011

New book explores the hidden world of viruses

"Carl Zimmer is one of the best science writers we have today. A Planet of Viruses is an important primer on the viruses living within and around all of us-sometimes funny, other times shocking, and always accessible. Whether discussing the common cold and flu, little-known viruses that attack bacteria or protect oceans, or the world's viral future as seen through our encounters with HIV or SARS, Zimmer's writing is lively, knowledgeable, and graced with poetic touches."-Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

7 May 2011

New cardiac resynchronization therapy data in atrial fibrillation presented at Heart Rhythm 2011

Data presented as a Late Breaking Clinical Trial at Heart Rhythm 2011, the Heart Rhythm Society's 32nd Annual Scientific Sessions, shows the clinical benefit of cardiac resynchronization therapy versus conventional right-ventricle pacing in improving heart failure in patients undergoing atrioventricular junction ablation for permanent atrial fibrillation.

From Medtronic 7 May 2011

Alza files patent infringement suit against Impax in connection with Concerta

Impax Laboratories, Inc. today confirms that Alza Corporation has filed suit for patent infringement against Impax in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in connection with Concerta extended-release 18, 27 and 36 mg tablets.

7 May 2011

Abortion bills move to governors in Texas and Florida

House lawmakers have sent the controversial abortion sonogram bill to the governor's desk — after a last-ditch effort by disability rights advocates to change language they called highly offensive.

7 May 2011

Latest research on HIV immunity can help develop vaccine

Latest insights into immunity to HIV could help to develop a vaccine to build antibodies' defences against the disease, a University of Melbourne, Australia study has found.

7 May 2011

African Progress Panel report highlights status of African economies at World Economic Forum on Africa

Africa's economies are expanding, but the continent is still too dependent on the export of raw materials and trade between African nations needs to be increased, the African Progress Panel said in a report released Thursday at the World Economic Forum on Africa, which is taking place this week in Cape Town, the Associated Press/Washington Post reports.

7 May 2011

Virginia communities applaud signing of autism insurance reform into law

This afternoon, the Virginia Autism Project joined families and communities in Virginia in applauding Governor Robert McDonnell in signing House Bill 2467 and Senate Bill 1062, which will become law effective January 1, 2012.

7 May 2011