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Costs for end-of-life care rising, hospice care may be an antidote

Health care costs at the end of life show no signs of leveling off, according to new research from the United States and Canada published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

15 Oct 2010

Scientists identify mechanism that regulate nuclear size

Size matters when it comes to the nucleus of a cell, and now scientists have discovered the signals that control how big the nucleus gets. Nuclear size varies not only among different species, but also in different types of cells in the same species and at different times during development. In addition, cancer cells are known to develop larger nuclei as they become more malignant. Screening for cervical cancer, for example, involves looking for grossly distorted nuclei in cervical cells collected during a Pap smear.

15 Oct 2010

Lantheus announces Canadian launch of ABLAVAR injection

Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., a worldwide leader in diagnostic medical imaging, today announced the Canadian launch of ABLAVAR (gadofosveset trisodium injection), a unique, injectable magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) blood pool imaging agent.

15 Oct 2010

BIOTRONIK announces European release of TI Trend Chart

BIOTRONIK SE Co. & KG, leading manufacturer of cardiovascular devices, has announced the European release of its Thoracic Impedance (TI) Trend Chart via its pioneering BIOTRONIK Home Monitoring technology and Lumax 540 implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) series.

15 Oct 2010

FDG positron emission tomography allows early diagnosis of gall bladder cancer

Researchers at the University of Granada and the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves at Granada found that the metabolic imaging diagnosis technique based on the analysis of a structural analog of glucose labeled with a positron-emitting compound (18F) allows early diagnosis of gall bladder cancer, a relatively rare disease with high mortality rates among most patients suffering from it.

15 Oct 2010

Study finds TMS is an effective treatment solution for major depression

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), the treatment delivers a series of electrical pulses to the part of the brain associated with depression and other mood disorders. The pulses generate an electric current in the brain that stimulates neurons to increase the release of more mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine.

15 Oct 2010

NIH awards two new grants to develop Avidocin platform

AvidBiotics today announced the receipt of two new grants totaling $1 million dollars from the National Institutes of Health that further the development of the company's novel Avidocin™ platform for narrow spectrum antibacterial proteins against important health care threats. These grants add to three previous grants covering AvidBiotics' anti-infectious disease technologies, which provide approximately $3.4 million in currently active funding for the company.

15 Oct 2010

IOM Report: Food nutrition labels should be simple, on front

The food industry should provide simple, clearly-worded nutrition information on the front of food packages, according to a new report from the Institute of Medicine.

15 Oct 2010

Moores Cancer Center files IND application for topical NexACT-based formulation

Apricus Biosciences, backed by a revenue generating CRO business and seeking to leverage its multi-route NexACT drug delivery technology and internal pipeline through out-licensing partnerships, today announced that the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) has filed an Investigational New Drug Application with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration ("FDA") for approval to test Nupen, Apricus Bio's proprietary, topical NexACT-based formulation of filgrastim (Neupogen).

15 Oct 2010

SAMHSA awards grants to provide integrated substance abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention services

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is awarding up to $52.5 million for up to five years in cooperative agreements (grants) to provide integrated substance abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention services to at-risk, traditionally underserved populations.

15 Oct 2010

Prolong Pharmaceuticals receives $30 million from private investor group

Prolong Pharmaceuticals today announced that the company has received a commitment of $30 million in funding from a private investor group. The monies will be dedicated to the company's continuing research and development efforts and clinical programs targeting anemias resulting from oxygen deficiency.

15 Oct 2010

Waist circumference predicts long-term cardio-metabolic health risks in children: Research

A new long-term study published by researchers at the University of Georgia, the Menzies Research Institute in Hobart, Australia and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia suggests that waist circumference, rather than the commonly used body mass index measure, is the best clinical measure to predict a child's risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes later in life.

15 Oct 2010

FDA approves Gamunex-C for primary immunodeficiency treatment

Talecris Biotherapeutics announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gamunex-C (Immune Globulin Injection [Human], 10% Caprylate/Chromatography Purified) for subcutaneous administration in the treatment of primary immunodeficiency (PI).

15 Oct 2010

Study finds multiple genetic variations can contribute to common childhood obesity

A new study uncovers multiple genetic variations associated with common childhood obesity. The research, published by Cell Press on October 14th in the American Journal of Human Genetics, is likely to guide future studies aimed at characterizing the affected genes and unraveling the complex biology that underlies childhood obesity.

15 Oct 2010

Researchers study bacterial ecosystem to optimize women's health

A team of Canadian researchers are examining the delicate balance of bacteria and viruses in women's bodies in order to optimize women's health through their lives.

15 Oct 2010

Robot-assisted brachytherapy for treating prostate cancer

In the first-of-a-kind clinical trial, a robot will be used to place therapeutic radioactive seeds in prostate cancer patients. The National Cancer Institute-supported study, which will enroll 14 patients, has just opened at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

15 Oct 2010

Reuters examines experts' concerns about global polio eradication effort

Reuters examines the global effort to eradicate polio and how failure to eliminate the disease could affect future global health undertakings.

15 Oct 2010

Allure Medical Spa to offer FDA approved Coolsculpting by Zeltiq for non-invasive fat reduction

Great news for men and women dealing with exercise and diet-resistant fat in areas like the tummy, love handles and back rolls! Allure Medical Spa of Shelby Township is the first in Southeastern Michigan to offer Coolsculpting by Zeltiq, the first ever procedure approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Sept. 8, 2010), for the non-invasive reduction of fat. Coolsculpting by Zeltiq is a virtually painless procedure that reduces fat cells with no needles, surgery or downtime.

15 Oct 2010

Acetadote Injection is now commercially available in Australia

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Phebra Pty Ltd. today announced that Acetadote (acetylcysteine) Injection, an injectable product used to treat acetaminophen (paracetamol) overdose, is now commercially available in the Australian market. Phebra Pty Ltd., an Australian-based specialty pharmaceutical company, has an exclusive license from U.S.-based Cumberland Pharmaceuticals to market and distribute the product in Australia.

15 Oct 2010

Today's Opeds: Upcoming problems with state health exchanges; lying campaign ads; overseeing assisted living

The Republican rallying cry during this election season has been a promise to 'repeal and replace' ObamaCare. The problem is that through at least 2012 President Obama would veto any law repealing his signature health-care legislation.

15 Oct 2010