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Global regulator for DNA trade needed

Amid growing concern that synthetic life sciences pose biosecurity and biosafety risks, scrutiny is increasing into the burgeoning DNA sequence trade. Research published today in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, published by SAGE, looks at the necessity of a global regulator for DNA trade, and the significant barriers to creating one.

17 Sep 2010

Elements Therapeutic Massage reports record revenue growth

Elements Therapeutic Massage, one of the fastest-growing franchises in America, is defying the economy with record revenue growth, an expanding brand and a flourishing customer base. The company has announced Arizona as its next hot spot for franchise expansion and plans to add nine new locations in its next phase of development.

17 Sep 2010

Healthcare organizations link physician pay to performance

Annual performance-based incentive plans are on the rise for physicians in both presence and scale, according to Hay Group's 2010 Physician Compensation Survey. Most (92 percent) group-based organizations offer incentive plans to their physicians, up from 75 percent in 2009. Physician incentive plans are also being offered by 63 percent of hospitals this year, as opposed to 51 percent in 2009. The percentage of integrated health systems (IHS) offering physician incentive plans remained steady between 2009 and 2010 at 67 percent.

17 Sep 2010

Spike mat reduces muscle tension pain: Study

Spike mats do not alleviate chronic pain. Nor do they lead to a better night's sleep. But pain sufferers who have tested a spike mat did experience a measurable reduction in the worst peaks of pain. This is shown in a research study performed at Karlstad University in Sweden.

17 Sep 2010

Implementation of solutions to emergency department crowding needed

An editorial published online on Friday in Annals of Emergency Medicine says the fact that a serious study showing that acute coronary patients can be treated in the waiting room of a severely crowded emergency department shows how bad things have gotten ("Waiting Room Medicine: Has It Really Come to This?").

17 Sep 2010

Researchers to develop vaginal microbicide gels to reduce HIV risk

With the support of an $11.8 million, five-year federal grant, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and their collaborators are developing a quick-dissolving vaginal film containing a powerful drug that reduces the risk of HIV infection, and they plan to begin testing it locally within a year.

17 Sep 2010

Discovery Benefits wins Solutions Superstars award

From the publishers of EmployersWeb.com and CDHC Solutions magazines comes their annual Solutions Superstars awards. Discovery Benefits won in the 'Innovative Solution Provider' category, nominated by one of our most valued partners, COBRApoint.

17 Sep 2010

SBi reports continuing growth for S.T.A.R. ankle arthroplasty implant system

Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (SBi), a leading, privately held orthopedics company focused primarily on arthroplasty and trauma reconstruction technology and treatments for the small bones & joints, reported continuing growth for its S.T.A.R. ankle arthroplasty implant system with August being the biggest month ever for the S.T.A.R. in terms of revenues and surgeries.

From Evident Corporation - Life Sciences 17 Sep 2010

Opiate usage increases in workplace and ER

More American workers and job applicants are testing positive for prescription opiates, according to U.S. general workforce data in the 2009 annual Drug Testing Index™ (DTI) released today by Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the nation's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services. Results from more than 5.5 million urine drug tests reveal an 18 percent jump in opiate positives in the general U.S. workforce in a single year (2008 to 2009), and a more than 40 percent climb from 2005 to 2009.

17 Sep 2010

Research finds placebo improves sexual satisfaction among women

Many women with low sex drives reported greater sexual satisfaction after taking a placebo, according to new psychology research from The University of Texas at Austin and Baylor College of Medicine.

17 Sep 2010

Wounded Warrior Project applauds introduction of traumatic brain injury bill

Wounded Warrior Project applauds Congressman Tim Walz (D – MN) for introducing legislation today in the U.S. House of Representatives that would ensure fuller lives for warriors who sustained severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in Iraq and Afghanistan, and urges speedy action on this measure.

17 Sep 2010

Society for Vascular Nursing partners with local hospitals to create P.A.D awareness

Approximately 9 million Americans have peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.), a common and dangerous vascular disease that can lead to heart attack, stroke, amputation and death. Unfortunately, many with the disease do not even know they have it. September is P.A.D. Awareness Month, and the P.A.D. Coalition and the Society for Vascular Nursing are joining forces with local hospitals to inform Americans about the risk factors, warning signs and consequences of P.A.D.

17 Sep 2010

76% of Americans oppose cloning human embryos for research

As the U.S. Senate prepares to hold a hearing on human embryonic stem cell research (hESCR), a new public opinion poll shows that a plurality of Americans (47 percent) oppose federal funding of stem cell research that involves destroying human embryos, while only thirty-eight percent (38 percent) support such funding. The poll, conducted by ICR / International Communications Research, surveyed 1,006 adults September 8-14. It was commissioned by the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

17 Sep 2010

Abiomed to provide updates on USpella registry, Impella case reviews at CRF annual TCT meeting

Abiomed Inc., a leading provider of breakthrough heart support technologies, today announced its schedule of events at the Cardiovascular Research Foundation's (CRF) annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific meeting, scheduled from September 21 - 25, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

17 Sep 2010

Vital Therapies expands SILVER clinical trial to Middle East

Vital Therapies, Inc., is pleased to announce that the first subject has been enrolled at National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the further expansion of its SILVER clinical trial to the Middle East. The trial is evaluating whether VTI's biological cellular therapy product, ELAD, can prevent deterioration of liver function and improve the survival of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.

17 Sep 2010

Prometheus, Tarrot announce exclusive agreement for Crohn's Disease treatment

Prometheus Laboratories Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, and Tarrot Laboratories, a business unit of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, today announced the execution of an exclusive research collaboration and license agreement. The collaboration will focus on identifying genetic or serologic markers associated with clinical responses to anti-TNF therapies such as Cimzia, Humira and Remicade utilized in the treatment of Crohn's Disease, and the subsequent development of diagnostic tests.

17 Sep 2010

PCF applauds new prostate cancer legislation

As hundreds of prostate cancer researchers, advocates and supporters Advance on Washington this week and push for more progress in fighting the disease, the Prostate Cancer Foundation applauds the prostate cancer legislation introduced on Tuesday by Senator Jon Tester of Montana.

17 Sep 2010

American Lung Association data shows improvement in health benefits

The American Lung Association in California released new data today showing significant public health benefits from pursuing a smart growth future for California. The American Lung Association data shows health benefits, including reduced asthma attacks and premature deaths linked to the Vision California "mixed growth" and "growing smart" scenarios in 2035 that include more compact, sustainable development patterns.

17 Sep 2010

New genetic analysis technique isolates culprit gene in families with inherited single-gene kidney diseases

A University of Michigan-led research team has identified a gene responsible in some families for a devastating inherited kidney disorder, thanks to a new, faster method of genetic analysis not available even two years ago. The success offers hope that scientists can speed the painstaking search for the genes responsible for many rare diseases and test drugs to treat them.

17 Sep 2010

Arena, Eisai provide update on lorcaserin NDA

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eisai Inc. announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 9 to 5 that the available data do not adequately demonstrate that the potential benefits of lorcaserin outweigh the potential risks, when used long-term in a population of overweight and obese individuals to allow marketing approval.

17 Sep 2010