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European study on fat stem cells could help treat heart attack

Emerging Healthcare Solutions, Inc. anticipates the results of a new European study on treating heart attacks with stem cells taken from patients' belly fat.

18 Nov 2010

Scorecard: How health industry PACs placed their election bets

Reporting for Kaiser Health News, in collaboration with Politico, Bara Vaida and Christopher Weaver write: "Health-sector PACs - ranging from doctors to hospitals to drug companies - generally favored Democrats.

18 Nov 2010

PTSD doubles veteran's risk of death

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more than doubles a veteran's risk of death from any cause and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2010.

18 Nov 2010

Statins activate bacterial-killing properties of white blood cells

Widely prescribed for their cholesterol-lowering properties, recent clinical research indicates that statins can produce a second, significant health benefit: lowering the risk of severe bacterial infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.

18 Nov 2010

New theoretical model could develop novel clinical decision making in cancer research

Schonfeld, a University of Illinois at Chicago professor of electrical and computer engineering, is studying gene expression and interactions in ways that are analogous to the workings of electrical or computer networks. He is project director and principal investigator of a four-year, $1.2 million National Institutes of Health grant.

18 Nov 2010

New deficit report recommends seniors pay more for Medicare

Kaiser Health News staff writers Phil Galewitz and Jordan Rau report: "Offering the latest tough-love strategy to reduce the nation's debt, a panel of high-profile Republicans and Democrats is scheduled on Wednesday to recommend that Medicare beneficiaries pick up far more of their health care costs and the government substantially curb the amount both Medicare and Medicaid programs can grow in future years" (Galewitz and Rau, 11/16).

18 Nov 2010

Vitamin C can prevent and reverse sepsis

Physicians caring for patients with sepsis may soon have a new safe and cost-effective treatment for this life-threatening illness. Research led by Dr. Karel Tyml and his colleagues at The University of Western Ontario and Lawson Health Research Institute have found that vitamin C can not only prevent the onset of sepsis, but can reverse the disease.

18 Nov 2010

Berwick's big day: Senators will grill CMS administrator

Donald Berwick, administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is testifying today before the Senate Finance Committee, presenting an opportunity for Republicans on that panel to revisit their objections to the health law, CQ HealthBeat reports.

18 Nov 2010

Bioniche's achievement of fourth milestone in Urocidin Phase III trial triggers $4.0M payment from Endo

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., a research-based, technology driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced achievement of a US$4.0 million milestone payment from its development partner, Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. This milestone is the fourth achieved by Bioniche subsequent to the parties executing their agreement in July, 2009.

18 Nov 2010

EDP Biotech introduces new blood test for detecting early-stage colon cancer at Medica trade fair

The future of colon cancer screening may be surprisingly simple. ColoMarker, an innovative blood test to detect the early stages of colon cancer is generating plenty of attention from a wide audience, including from some of the world's leading researchers in cancer biomarkers and gastrointestinal medicine.

18 Nov 2010

Idera presents data on TLR7, TLR9 antagonist candidate for hyperlipidemia at American Heart Association

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it is presenting preclinical data from a study evaluating the mechanism of action of one of its Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR9 antagonist candidates in a model of hyperlipidemia.

18 Nov 2010

Study shows end-of-life care varies widely

A new study released by the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care finds that "America's hospitals treat patients with life-ending cancers very differently in their final months, with some deploying chemotherapy and other life-prolonging efforts until the end and others directing most of their patients into hospice," reports Kaiser Health News. The aggressive care may not be best for patients, and hospice may be a "more humane way to die," the report argues. A point the report doesn't address: that aggressive treatment "also adds to the drain on Medicare's pocketbook."

18 Nov 2010

BioSante announces sale of oncolytic virus technology to Cold Genesys

BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced it sold to Cold Genesys, Inc. exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize its oncolytic virus technology. The technology includes CG0070, a replication-competent adenovirus that has completed a Phase I clinical trial for treatment of superficial bladder cancer. In exchange for the technology, BioSante received a 19.9 percent ownership position in Cold Genesys and a $95,000 upfront cash payment and is eligible to receive future milestone and royalty payments.

18 Nov 2010

Researchers are revolutionizing treatment of cardiovascular disease through regenerative stem cell therapy

Northwestern Medicine physician researchers are revolutionizing treatment of cardiovascular disease by utilizing patients' own stem cells to regenerate heart and vascular tissue.

18 Nov 2010

FDA warns manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned four companies that the caffeine added to their malt alcoholic beverages is an "unsafe food additive" and said that further action, including seizure of their products, is possible under federal law.

18 Nov 2010

Administration unexpectedly expands bonus payments for Medicare advantage plans

In a surprising move, the Obama administration will extend special bonus payments meant to reward top-performing Medicare Advantage insurers to those that score only average ratings.

18 Nov 2010

Regado presents poster on REG3 at AHA Scientific Sessions meeting

Regado Biosciences, Inc., a privately held company leading the development of antithrombotic aptamers with active control agents, announced that Steven L. Zelenkofske, D.O., F.A.C.C., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, and Chris Rusconi, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer, presented a poster about REG3 at the AHA Scientific Sessions meeting.

18 Nov 2010

States consider options for funding Medicaid

The Billings Gazette: Montana lawmakers questioned the state's top health official "about plans to hire a private company to manage part of Medicaid, asking why the administration hasn't had a more public discussion on the proposal." The Legislative Finance Committee also listened to "health care providers and former officials who experienced the state's 1995 foray into private management of Medicaid for the mentally ill — and how it became a disaster for its low-income patients and their providers."

18 Nov 2010

Titan Spine granted FDA clearance for Endoskeleton TO system

Titan Spine, a developer of novel interbody fusion implants, announced today that it has received FDA clearance to commercially release its Endoskeleton® TO system, which consists of a line of interbody devices placed through a Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) approach. The company plans to commercially release the product beginning in December, 2010.

18 Nov 2010

Rheonix receives U.S patent for microfluidic device

Rheonix, Inc., developer of the Rheonix CARD system to provide multiplexed endpoint analysis for a wide breadth of diagnostic applications, announced that on November 16, 2010 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent Number 7,832,429 "Microfluidic Pump and Valve Structures and Fabrication Method" to the Company.

18 Nov 2010