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Experimental drug PLX4032 holds promise against cancers with faulty BRAF gene

An experimental drug designed to treat cancers with a particular genetic fault has shown promising results in a small clinical trial.

27 Aug 2010

Researchers find two high-fat diets reduce absence epilepsy in children

Two high-fat diets the classic ketogenic and a modified version of the Atkins can reduce and, in some cases, completely eliminate seizures in children with a common seizure disorder known as absence epilepsy, say researchers from Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

27 Aug 2010

Pulse named on 2010 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies

Pulse, an industry-leading vendor of ambulatory healthcare software solutions has been named as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

27 Aug 2010

H1N1 flu increases complication in children with sickle cell anemia: Study

Children with sickle cell disease are especially hard-hit by the H1N1 flu strain, causing more life-threatening complications than the seasonal flu, according to a study from Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

27 Aug 2010

Women who breastfeed are at lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Mothers who did not breastfeed their children have significantly higher rates of type 2 diabetes later in life than moms who breastfed, report University of Pittsburgh researchers in a study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Medicine.

27 Aug 2010

Kiehl's to introduce Photo-Age Corrector for treating UV damage on skin

With Labor Day fast-approaching and the summer sun almost a thing of the past, women and men across the United States will be in search of fall's must-have skin renewal system to repair and reverse UV damage.

27 Aug 2010

Today's Opinions: Sebelius on EMRs, primary care's role in reform and more

Health care providers may agree with the benefits of electronic health records. But they also believed that adopting them was too difficult and expensive. … [T]hat's changing - in large part due to an ambitious investment we made in the Recovery Act to reduce many of the obstacles that limited the spread of electronic health records in the past (HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, 8/26).

27 Aug 2010

Nationwide Children's Hospital designated as Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center

A $7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will help researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital translate new scientific findings and technological developments into novel treatments for the muscular dystrophies. The grant designates Nationwide Children's Hospital as a Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Center, one of three national award recipients in 2010.

27 Aug 2010

Immunomedics 2010 fourth quarter revenue decreases to $0.7 million

Immunomedics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of monoclonal, antibody-based products for the targeted treatment of cancer, autoimmune and other serious diseases, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2010.

27 Aug 2010

KHN column: The new momentum behind electronic medical records

In this Kaiser Health News column, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius writes that in almost every other sector besides health, electronic information exchange is the way we do business.

27 Aug 2010

Microflex announces acquisition of Black Dragon examination gloves from MedTexx

Microflex Corporation (Lake Forest, IL), a division of BarrierSafe Solutions International® (BSSI), a leading provider of latex and synthetic barrier protection, announced the acquisition of Black Dragon® examination gloves from MedTexx in Englewood, NJ.

27 Aug 2010

KHN column: The medical loss ratio requirements are being carefully crafted

In this Kaiser Health News column, Timothy Jost responds to the August 23 opinion column by Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Michael Ramlet. Jost, a National Association of Insurance Commissioners consumer representative, says the NAIC has been meticulously transparent and participatory in its processes to implement the medical loss ratio requirement (8/25).

27 Aug 2010

Researchers identify molecule to slow down dysfunctional immune response in hemorrhagic shock

Researchers have isolated a molecule, small enough to be used as a drug, that can shut down a dysfunctional immune response that causes deadly hemorrhagic shock, results in delayed death of heart attack patients, promotes rejection of transplanted organs and destroys joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a paper published in Molecular Immunology.

27 Aug 2010

Drought-tolerant varieties of maize could boost harvests in 13 African countries: Study

As climate change intensifies drought conditions in Africa and sparks fears of a new cycle of crippling food shortages, a study released today finds widespread adoption of recently developed drought-tolerant varieties of maize could boost harvests in 13 African countries by 10 to 34 percent and generate up to US$1.5 billion in benefits for producers and consumers.

27 Aug 2010

Study finds moderate exercise enhances DMN connectivity in specific regions of brain

A group of "professional couch potatoes," as one researcher described them, has proven that even moderate exercise - in this case walking at one's own pace for 40 minutes three times a week - can enhance the connectivity of important brain circuits, combat declines in brain function associated with aging and increase performance on cognitive tasks.

27 Aug 2010

Target offers seasonal flu vaccine at $24

Target will help its guests reach their well-being goals by serving as prevention and treatment headquarters throughout this upcoming cold and flu season. Beginning Sept. 1, 2010, the flu vaccine will be available at more than 1,600 Target Pharmacy and Target Clinic locations nationwide.

27 Aug 2010

Also in Global Health News: Disaster preparedness in Asian health sector; PEPFAR in Uganda; Malnutrition in Chad

IRIN reports on disaster preparedness in Asian health sectors. According to the news service, nine countries working with Bangkok-based Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) "have emergency preparedness plans in place for their health sectors."

27 Aug 2010

5 years after Katrina, Gulf area still struggles with access to quality health care, mental health counseling

"Finding quality health care continues to be a challenge in the New Orleans area. Five years ago, Hurricane Katrina flooded area hospitals, destroyed buildings and scattered patients. The health care industry has been slow to recover and in some cases, facilities still haven't opened. …

27 Aug 2010

Disulfiram drug effective in treating cocaine addiction: Research

Doctors have used the drug disulfiram to help patients stay sober for several decades. It interferes with the body's ability to metabolize alcohol, giving a fierce hangover to someone who consumes even a small amount of alcohol.More recently, disulfiram was shown to be effective in treating cocaine addiction as well, even though alcohol and cocaine affect the nervous system in different ways.

27 Aug 2010

At least 3.5M Pakistanis have no access to clean water, raising risk for waterborne diseases

UNICEF estimates that about 3.5 million Pakistanis only have access to contaminated water, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Wednesday in a statement, Bloomberg Businessweek reports. Approximately 2.5 million flood survivors now have access clean water (Gale, 8/26).

27 Aug 2010