Medical News

RSS

Sangamo presents Phase 2 clinical data in ALS at Society for Neuroscience Meeting

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced today the presentation of Phase 2 clinical data from its ZFP Therapeutic program to develop SB-509, a zinc finger protein transcriptional activator (ZFP-TF) of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A gene as a treatment for ALS.

17 Nov 2010

New findings suggest novel approach to targeted treatment of cancer

New research that provides potential for exciting new approaches to targeting diseases such as cancer has been announced by an international team of academics.

17 Nov 2010

Nanotrope assay receives U.S. patent for diagnosing influenza and viral infections

Nanotrope, Inc. announced today that it has been issued United States patent #7,829,272 covering its ground-breaking diagnostic test for influenza and other viral infections.

17 Nov 2010

New pharmacogenetic test enables a personalized medicine approach

Luminex Corporation, today announced that it has commercially launched its first pharmacogenetic test, the xTAG CYP2D6 Kit, which recently received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

From Luminex 17 Nov 2010

Lawmakers elbow for influence as they return to Capitol Hill

Lawmakers are elbowing around Capitol Hill to cement their places in the coming fight over health reform, and industry groups are attempting the same.

17 Nov 2010

New investigational drug improves lung function in CF patients

An investigational drug targeting a defective protein that causes cystic fibrosis has been shown to improve lung function in a small study of CF patients, according to findings published Nov. 18, 2010, in the New England Journal of Medicine.

17 Nov 2010

Prime Healthcare announces acquisition of Alvarado Hospital

Prime Healthcare Services, Inc., which owns and/or operates 13 acute care hospitals in California, announced the acquisition of Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, CA, from Plymouth Health, a privately-held, Los Angeles-based company that has owned and operated the hospital since January 2007.

17 Nov 2010

U.N. report highlights gaps in global social security programs, including health care

Though basic social security is critical for mitigating the dire consequences of economic crises, it remains out of reach for most people across the world, above all in poorer countries," according to a report.

17 Nov 2010

Cancer patients can still access NICE rejected drugs

Anti cancer drugs that have been rejected by the UK Government’s new cancer drugs fund would still be available to needy patients according to the new ‘top-up’ cash plan that is being launched. This Health Top-Up cash plan comes from Western Provident Association (WPA).

17 Nov 2010

Obesity linked to heightened sense of smell for food

New research shows that obese and overweight people have a greater sense of smell for food. The study at the University of Portsmouth explains why some people struggle to stay slim. The researchers say that it is known that part of the brain that processes information about odour is also connected to the feeding centres of the brain. This study adds to the knowledge and is published in the journal Chemical Senses.

17 Nov 2010

Imec and PEIRA develop platform for in-vitro study of brain tissue

The nanoelectronics research centre imec and Peira, a Belgium-based manufacturer of pharmaceutical and chemical research instruments, jointly developed an innovative slice-tilting instrument for in-vitro research on brain tissue. The new tool enables long-term studying of brain cultures through electronic stimulation and read-out, essential in getting insight into the functioning of the brain.

17 Nov 2010

Innovative neural probe senses and stimulates individual brain cells

Imec, together with its partners within the European FP6 Program NeuroProbes, has created a new neural probe enabling electrical and chemical recording and stimulation of single neurons in the brain. Applications of the new technology are vast, ranging from tools for fundamental research on the functioning of the brain, to instruments for more precise diagnosis of brain seizures before brain-surgery.

17 Nov 2010

GST debates continue & heath reforms come under threat

The federal opposition demands more transparency from the Australian government on how much GST the states will have to hand over under a new health plan. Early this year all states apart from WA, agreed to hand over a third of their GST payments for the federal government to take responsibility for 60 per cent of the cost of running, staffing and building public hospitals. This is estimated to deliver $7.4 billion in funding for extra hospital beds, support for GPs, boosted aged care services and training for more doctors and nurses.

17 Nov 2010

Asbestos problem in NSW needs government attention: Report

A report from the NSW Ombudsman says that the state government is failing to deal with the deadly issue of asbestos despite repeated warnings regarding “immense” amounts of the dangerous material still scattered across NSW.

17 Nov 2010

Mammograms bungled: Rush to fix the problem

Nearly 5,300 mammograms will need a review because of a computer error at Breast Screen Victoria. In a serious error a radiologist noticed a mismatch between the names of patients and their images. This may mean that some women may not have had their mammograms checked twice by two different radiologists as is the usual protocol.

17 Nov 2010

Low back pain care initiated with chiropractic doctor saves 40% on health care costs

A new study finds that low back pain care initiated with a doctor of chiropractic (DC) saves 40% on health care costs when compared with care initiated through a medical doctor (MD), the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) announced today. The study, featuring data from 85,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield beneficiaries, concludes that insurance companies that restrict access to chiropractors for low back pain treatment may inadvertently pay more for care than they would if they removed such restrictions.

17 Nov 2010

Study on intention-behaviour gap in relation to healthy eating

We regularly hear how the best of intentions do not translate into action. This is nowhere more apparent than in the case of healthy eating, where many fall through the gap between intention and action. Research is ongoing at Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, and University College Cork to try to decipher this intention-behaviour gap in relation to healthy eating.

17 Nov 2010

13-hour lifesaving heart/liver transplant performed on pulmonary atresia patient

A 28-year old man from Georgia, David Krech, is recovering from a rare, lifesaving heart/liver transplant on October 15 at the University of Maryland Medical Center. The 13-hour operation followed a five-month journey as he awaited a suitable heart and liver donor.

17 Nov 2010

AACN endorses intraosseous vascular access

Recognizing that IV use is not always optimal to provide patients with fluids and medications, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently endorsed a consensus paper that recommends intraosseous (IO) vascular access in a variety of healthcare settings.

17 Nov 2010

Study reveals very high cumulative estimated effective doses to patients undergoing MPI

Multiple testing with the cardiac diagnostic imaging technique of myocardial perfusion imaging is common, and in many patients is associated with a high cumulative estimated radiation dose, according to a study in the November 17 issue of JAMA.

17 Nov 2010