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Ziconotide could promote suicidal tendencies: Study

The active agent ziconotide, the synthetic toxin of the cone snail (Conus magus), was acclaimed a safe alternative to morphine when it was introduced six years ago. Now it is increasingly suspected of causing patients to commit suicide. Researchers working under the auspices of Prof. Christoph Maier (Director of the Pain Clinic Bergmannsheil at the Ruhr University in Bochum) presume that ziconotide not only suppresses the transmission of pain stimuli, but also deteriorates the frame of mind and could simultaneously reduce anxiety and impulse control.

23 Nov 2010

Study examines nosocomial outbreak of influenza in Hong Kong hospitals

Direct contact and droplets are the primary ways influenza spreads. Under certain conditions, however, aerosol transmission is possible. In a study published in the current issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases, available online, the authors examined such an outbreak in their own hospital in Hong Kong.

23 Nov 2010

Photoacoustic tomography and gold nanobeacons help researchers view blood vessel formation

See it for yourself: a new breakthrough in imaging technology using a combination of light and sound will allow health care providers to see microscopic details inside the body. Access to this level of detail potentially eliminates the need for some invasive biopsies, but it also has the potential to help health care providers make diagnoses earlier than ever before-even before symptoms arise. Details describing this advance are published online in the FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org/content/early/2010/11/19/fj.10-171728.abstract).

23 Nov 2010

Erbitux development program featured in ASCO's Clinical Cancer Advances report for third consecutive year

For the third year in a row, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has included Erbitux® (cetuximab) research in its annual report, Clinical Cancer Advances, which features the most significant studies of 2010. The report cites as a notable advance this year the finding that BRAF mutation status is a prognostic, not predictive, marker for Erbitux efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

23 Nov 2010

2010 issue of Johns Hopkins Nursing explores new collaborative opportunities

When it comes to healthcare, an innovative team approach is essential to providing excellent patient care, advancing research, and educating future healthcare providers. The fall/winter 2010 issue of Johns Hopkins Nursing explores how today's nurses work to bridge disciplines and discover new collaborative opportunities.

23 Nov 2010

Stem Cell Assurance to focus on four business development initiatives

Stem Cell Assurance, Inc. announced today that the Company will be focusing on four business development initiatives Lipo Rejuvenation Centers, Cellular Treatment Programs, Laboratory Science Investigations, and its Skincare Brand, Stem Cellutrition.

23 Nov 2010

Landmark comparative study supports more frequent hemodialysis

NxStage® Medical, Inc., a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, today commented on the just- released findings of the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily Trial that compared in-center hemodialysis administered under a three times per week schedule ("conventional dialysis") versus six shorter sessions per week ("short daily dialysis").

23 Nov 2010

Study finds biological basis of brain's ability for rapid adaptation

A new study in the Nov. 21 advance online edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience details the biological basis of this ability for rapid adaptation: neurons located at the beginning of the brain's sensory information pathway that change their level of simultaneous firing.

23 Nov 2010

USPTO, EPO issue key patents for Tekmira's LNP technology

Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a leading developer of RNA interference therapeutics, announced today that the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) have issued key patents covering elements of Tekmira's leading lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology, which is used to deliver nucleic acid therapeutics, including small interfering RNA (siRNA).

23 Nov 2010

IMSI presents OneList unified worklist at RSNA 2010

Integrated Modular Systems, Inc. (IMSI) has announced OneList™, a unified worklist at RSNA 2010. IMSI will be in Booth 4606 at RSNA 2010 (the 96th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America) November 27, 2010-December 3, 2010 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.

23 Nov 2010

Researchers highlight importance of motivating people to seek HIV testing

HIV infected patients whose treatment is delayed not only become sicker than those treated earlier, but also require tens of thousands of dollars more in care over the first several years of their treatment.

23 Nov 2010

AADR Fall Focused Symposium highlights fast-moving field of Salivary Diagnostics

The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) held its 3rd Fall Focused Symposium on November 12-13, in the Washington, DC, area. This year, the theme was the fast-moving field of Salivary Diagnostics, with a focus on Scientific & Clinical Frontiers.

23 Nov 2010

Botox Cosmetics increase overall quality of life and self-esteem

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon, Steven H. Dayan, MD, FACS, publishes a study in the November 2010 issue of Dermatologic Surgery, a prominent Dermatology journal, demonstrating that increases in overall quality of life and self-esteem were observed in participants treated with Botulinum Toxin Type A or Botox Cosmetic. In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled survey, Dr. Dayan and DeNova research worked with one hundred participants who were treated with either Botox Cosmetic or a saline placebo for facial wrinkles.

23 Nov 2010

Aggressive surgery for brain tumors increases survival in children

A new Mayo Clinic study found that children with low-grade brain tumors (gliomas) who undergo aggressive surgery to completely remove the tumor have an increased chance of overall survival. If complete removal is not possible, adding radiation therapy to a less complete surgery provides patients with the same outcomes as a complete removal.

23 Nov 2010

aAetna announces pilot with MCNT to improve diabetes care

Aetna today announced a pilot with the Medical Clinic of North Texas aimed at improving the care of diabetic patients of Hispanic and African American descent.

23 Nov 2010

Evotec to collaborate with Merck on neurological disease drug discovery program

Evotec AG today announced that it has signed within the "NEU²-Consortium" framework and partially funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung - BMBF), an agreement with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, to develop pre-clinical candidates for an undisclosed neurological disease. Evotec will provide drug discovery expertise covering in vitro biology, medicinal chemistry and in vitro and in vivo pharmacology.

23 Nov 2010

New method to generate custom-made platelets from skin cells

Skin cells from humans can be revamped into pro-clotting cells called platelets, according to a study published on November 22 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

23 Nov 2010

U.S mortality rate from congenital heart defects drops 24%: Report

The U.S. death rate from congenital heart defects dropped 24 percent from 1999 to 2006 among children and adults, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

23 Nov 2010

Ontario Cancer Plan third edition to address growing needs

The third edition of the Ontario Cancer Plan (OCP) ensures our cancer system serves the changing and growing needs of Ontarians. The Cancer Plan outlines priorities for cancer services, sets a course to transform cancer services from the patient perspective, and is driven by a commitment to quality across the cancer journey - from prevention to survivorship or palliative care - as the most effective way to manage cancer.

23 Nov 2010

Medicalis to showcase Radiology Collaborative Workflow Solutions at 96th RSNA

Medicalis today announced the commercialization of its next generation Radiology Collaborative Workflow Solutions™ offering providers a sophisticated technology platform to enhance productivity and ensure the delivery of measureable high-quality radiology care. For the first time, the company will showcase its three groundbreaking Collaborative Workflow Solutions at the 96th annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, in Chicago (Booth 4050).

23 Nov 2010