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New paradigm in TB research may lead to improved vaccination, treatment

Often causing no symptoms in carriers of the disease, worldwide tuberculosis (TB) infects eight to ten million people every year, kills two million, and it is highly contagious as it is spread through coughing and sneezing. "It's a global health disaster waiting to happen, even here in Canada, but this new paradigm in TB research may offer an immediate opportunity to improve vaccination and treatment initiatives," explains Dr. Maziar Divangahi of McGill University and of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre.

30 Jul 2010

Health insurance scams on rise after health reform

U.S. News & World Report: Regulators are accusing the Tennessee-based American Trade Association of bilking consumers out of $14 million by selling fake health insurance to 26,000 households in all 50 states. The scams happened "over a span of 16 months, according to court documents. More than a few of those dollars appear to have been spent on personal items such as cars, real estate, and loan payments, says Leslie Newman, Tennessee's insurance commissioner.

30 Jul 2010

Abaxis first-quarter revenues increase 18% to $35.0 million

ABAXIS, Inc., a medical products company manufacturing point-of-care blood analysis systems, today reported financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2010.

30 Jul 2010

Today's Opinions: Haiti's lesson for the U.S.; Ending 'Pay for delay;' Getting the CLASS Act off the ground

In February, a month after Haiti's earthquake, I went down to Port-au-Prince as part of a team that was helping to reactivate cardiac care in the city's public hospital. For several months since, I have observed how the earthquake and its aftermath profoundly changed Haiti's health care system. Over that time, I have come to the unorthodox conclusion that Haiti's tragic experience may show us a way to improve health care in the United States (James Wilentz, 7/28).

30 Jul 2010

Quidel second-quarter total revenues increase 1.6% to $25.0 million

Quidel Corporation, a leading provider of rapid diagnostic testing solutions, announced today financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

30 Jul 2010

KHN column: Gazing into CBO's budget and health care crystal ball

In his latest Kaiser Health News column, James C. Capretta writes: "Last week, Peter Orszag, the president's outgoing Director of the Office of Management and Budget, released updated budget projections on behalf of the Obama administration.

30 Jul 2010

Poll: Opposition to health reform declines; Seniors view new law more negatively than adults overall

The Washington Post: "Opposition to the landmark health care overhaul declined over the past month, to 35 percent from 41 percent, according to the latest results of a tracking poll, reported Thursday. Fifty percent of the public held a favorable view of the law, up slightly from 48 percent a month ago, while 14 percent expressed no opinion about the measure, according to the poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

30 Jul 2010

iPads for 500 doctors and nurses in Victoria

Doctors and nurses in Victoria will be given Apple iPads as part of a trial to improve internet access in Victorian hospitals. According to Health Minister Daniel Andrews’ announcement yesterday, 500 iPads would be sent to graduate doctors and nurses in January and if the $500,000 pilot program goes well, the devices could be used more widely.

29 Jul 2010

Aged care in crisis: Warns opposition

According to opposition Leader Tony Abbott, the coalition's aged care policy will be suffering a cash crunch. The aged-care sector is critically underfunded and needs more than $50 billion to deal with the increased demand from an ageing population say the Aged Care Association. Mr. Abbott said, “I want to caution people against expecting enormous dollars.” Although he said some very important sectors in the aging population would be addressed but, “It would be a lot easier to help in so many areas if we hadn't been on such a poorly targeted spending spree from this government.”

29 Jul 2010

ADHD linked to poorer eating habits: Study

A new study by researchers in Perth has linked attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder with “western-style” diets in teenage sufferers. For the study the Telethon Institute for Child Health and Research examined the diets of 1,800 adolescents, categorizing them as either eating a healthy mix of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and fish or the “western-style” highly-processed, fried and take-away foods. The latter contained more food additives, flavors or colors, which could lead to hyperactivity or changes to chemicals that control parts of the brain dealing with attention and concentration say researchers.

29 Jul 2010

Health service workers should not bear responsibility for failures in the banking system

Commenting on the publication of the Independent Budget Review today (Thursday 29 July 2010), the BMA in Scotland welcomed calls for strong political leadership during times of financial pressure, but warned that any future changes to the NHS or pay and conditions must be planned and developed in partnership with the profession.

29 Jul 2010

Thermo Fisher Scientific introduces low evaporation plates for cell culture and high content analysis

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced the Thermo Scientific Nunc Edge 96-well Plates for cell-based assays.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 29 Jul 2010

Resting brain activity associated with spontaneous fibromyalgia pain

A recent study from researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and University of Michigan provides the first direct evidence of linkage between elevated intrinsic (resting-state) brain connectivity and spontaneous pain intensity in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).

29 Jul 2010

TNF blockers may increase the risk of malignancy in children

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of malignancies in children using tumor necrosis factor a (TNF) blockers, raising concerns of an associated risk and prompting an investigation.

29 Jul 2010

Anadys second-quarter net loss decreases to $3.0 million

Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to improving patient care by developing novel medicines for the treatment of hepatitis C, today reported its financial results and program highlights for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010.

29 Jul 2010

$Postmenopausal women with diabetes taking TZDs at increased fracture risk$

Postmenopausal women with diabetes taking TZDs at increased fracture risk

Postmenopausal women with diabetes taking thiazolidinediones (TZDS), including rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, may be at increased risk for fractures according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). Men with diabetes taking both loop diuretics and TZDs may also be at increased risk of fractures.

29 Jul 2010

Study examines effects of binge drinking on prospective memory in teenagers

Academics at Northumbria University have demonstrated a link between teenage binge drinking and damage to prospective memory. Prospective memory is an important aspect of day-to-day memory function and is defined as the cognitive ability to remember to carry out an activity at some future point in time. Examples include remembering to attend an appointment at the dentist or to carry out a task such as remembering to pay a bill on time.

29 Jul 2010

NovaMed second-quarter total net revenue decreases to $38.16 million

NovaMed, Inc., a leading operator of ambulatory surgery centers in partnership with physicians, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010. Total net revenue was $38,164,000 compared to $38,879,000 in the prior year second quarter. Same-facility net revenue declined 1% for the quarter. Net income from continuing operations attributable to NovaMed in the second quarter of 2010 was $1,805,000, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $2,290,000, or $0.30 per diluted share, in the prior year second quarter.

29 Jul 2010

Tips to tackle dental emergency situations

Minneapolis Dental Emergency - Having to deal with a dental emergency is not something people think about. However, being prepared can make the difference between saving or losing a tooth. And in the case of a toothache, if it involves a bacterial infection, it can be a life-threatening situation.

29 Jul 2010