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Study finds contradictory role of RIP1 protein in the liver during sepsis

Researchers from Rhode Island Hospital have identified a protein that plays a dual role in the liver during sepsis. The protein, known as RIP1, acts both as a "death switch" and as a pro-survival mechanism. The ability to identify the triggers for these functions may play a key role in treating sepsis in the future. The study is published online in advance of print in the journal Shock.

3 Feb 2011

Study: Health insurers consolidate market power

Meanwhile, Aetna mailed letters Tuesday to notify customers in Colorado that it will be exiting the individual market there.

3 Feb 2011

Malarial drugs may help treat specific form of frontotemporal dementia

Frontotemporal dementia is caused by a breakdown of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal region of the brain, which leads to, among other symptoms, a change in personality and behavior. The cause of some forms of frontotemporal dementia is a genetically determined reduction of a hormone-like growth factor, progranulin.

3 Feb 2011

Poor adolescents with strong community get protection from risky health behaviors

Children who grow up in poverty have health problems as adults. But a new study finds that poor adolescents who live in communities with more social cohesiveness and control get some measure of protection; they're less likely to smoke and be obese as adolescents.

3 Feb 2011

Agilent introduces first commercial RNA target enrichment system

Agilent Technologies, Inc., today introduced SureSelect RNA Capture Kits, the first commercial RNA target enrichment system enabling geneticists to focus on specific genomic loci or transcripts of research interest. The RNA capture kits make it possible to precisely measure expression levels of genes of interest and detect allelic-specific expression, splicing events and gene fusions.

3 Feb 2011

Four-gene/protein signature more accurately predicts metastatic prostate cancer

Prostate tumors that carry a "signature" of four molecular markers have the potential to become dangerously metastatic if not treated aggressively, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute report in a study published online today by the journal Nature. The discovery lays the groundwork for the first gene-based test for determining whether a man's prostate cancer is likely to remain dormant within the prostate gland, or spread lethally to other parts of the body.

3 Feb 2011

Older people with metabolic syndrome may face high risk of developing memory loss

Older people with larger waistlines, high blood pressure and other risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome may be at a higher risk for memory loss, according to a study published in the February 2, 2011, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

3 Feb 2011

Health law ruling draws different state reactions

State officials are sorting a legal decision issued Monday by a federal court judge in Florida overturning the health law. Their challenge is to determine how and whether to proceed with their implementation responsibilities. Some, like Florida's governor, appear to favor taking steps to stall its progress.

3 Feb 2011

Study uncovers genetic hierarchy in plant sperm formation

Biologists at the University of Leicester have published results of a new study into the intricacies of sex in flowering plants.

3 Feb 2011

Epocrates prices initial public offering at $16.00 per share

Epocrates, Inc. today announced the pricing of the initial public offering of 5,360,000 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $16.00 per share. The shares are expected to begin trading today on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "EPOC." Epocrates is offering 3,574,285 shares and selling stockholders are offering the remaining 1,785,715 shares.

3 Feb 2011

Seattle Genetics prices underwritten public offering of 10,000,000 shares of common stock

Seattle Genetics, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 10,000,000 shares of its common stock, offered at a price to the public of $15.50 per share.

3 Feb 2011

Blue Shield of California agrees to postpone rate increase

With this announcement, Blue Shield joins other large California insurers — Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna and PacifiCare — in agreeing to the delay.

3 Feb 2011

Positive results from Factor IX-CTP comparative study in hemophilic mice

PROLOR Biotech, today reported positive results from a comparative study of its biobetter longer-acting version of the hemophilia drug Factor IX in Factor IX-depleted hemophilic mice.

3 Feb 2011

Scientists challenged to sequence genome and RNA content derived from single cancer cell

Life Technologies Corporation today announced that the Life Grand Challenges Contest, initially introduced in December 2010, is expanding to include a fourth challenge. This latest contest challenges scientists to sequence the genome and all RNA content derived from a single cancer cell using the 5500 Series SOLiD™ Sequencers.

3 Feb 2011

EGEN receives 4-year, $1.6M FDA grant for EGEN-001 Phase II clinical study in ovarian cancer

EGEN, Inc. today announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has awarded the company a four-year grant of $1,600,000 to assist in the Phase II clinical development of EGEN-001, the company's lead product. EGEN-001 is under clinical development for the treatment of advanced recurrent ovarian cancer.

2 Feb 2011

Uterine health is more relevant for fetus to achieve normal birth weight, full gestation

For women seeking pregnancy by assisted reproductive technologies, such as in-vitro fertilization, a new study shows that the health of the uterus is more relevant than egg quality for a newborn to achieve normal birth weight and full gestation.

2 Feb 2011

Analyzing the health law's 'prognosis'

As experts continue to parse the specifics of a federal Judge's Monday ruling striking down the health overhaul, experts speculate about what the Supreme Court could decide. Meanwhile, insurers, health industry stakeholders and even state officials mull their next steps.

2 Feb 2011

Isis commences ISIS-FXIRx Phase 1 study for treatment of clotting disorders

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase 1 study of ISIS-FXIRx, an antisense drug designed to treat clotting disorders. ISIS-FXIRx inhibits the production of Factor XI, a clotting factor that is an important component of the coagulation pathway. Because of its role in the intrinsic coagulation pathway, inhibition of Factor XI could offer an effective approach for preventing the formation of blood clots with a lower risk of bleeding.

2 Feb 2011

Legal decision triggers political twists

News outlets report on some of the political issues surrounding the individual mandate and Monday's legal decision striking down the health law.

2 Feb 2011

USPTO issues notice of allowance to Vermillion's breast cancer biomarkers

Vermillion, a molecular diagnostics company, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a notice of allowance for a patent entitled "Biomarkers for breast cancer" to the Company.

2 Feb 2011