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Scientists develop obesity drug without neurological side effects

The drug rimonabant was developed as a treatment for obesity and its myriad of serious health consequences. Despite having its desired effects on weight, which it decreased, and on levels of glucose and fats in the blood, rimonabant was never approved for use in the US because of serious neurological side effects including depression and anxiety. Now, a team of researchers, led by George Kunos, at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, and Alexandros Makriyannis, at Northeastern University, Boston, have developed a drug that has the same positive effects in mice on levels of glucose and fats in the blood as rimonabant but none of the neurological side effects.

27 Jul 2010

'Ultra Rice' piloted as way to tackle malnutrition

Ultra Rice, a rice-shaped pasta fortified with vitamins and minerals is "being produced and tested around the world as a potential solution to malnutrition," according to the Seattle Times. Produced by the nonprofit PATH, Ultra Rice is currently being piloted by the Indian and Brazilian governments in lunch programs and by the U.N. World Food Program in Cambodia. Each grain of Ultra Rice is combined with approximately 100 grains of ordinary rice.

27 Jul 2010

Quidel recommences shipments of QuickVue+ lateral flow diagnostic test for infectious mononucleosis

Quidel Corporation, a leading provider of rapid diagnostic testing solutions, announced today that it has begun taking orders for its QuickVue®+ lateral flow diagnostic test for infectious mononucleosis. Due to strong customer demand, the Company has restarted manufacturing its previous mononucleosis product with shipments to customers expected during the first week of August.

27 Jul 2010

Epilepsy drugs analyzed for causing increased risk of suicide in patients

While the Food and Drug Administration requires a warning of an increased risk of suicide for all epilepsy drugs, a new study shows that only certain drugs may increase the risk. The study is published in the July 27, 2010, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Newer drugs with a higher risk of causing depression than other epilepsy drugs, such as levetiracetam, topiramate and vigabatrin, were found to increase the risk of self-harm or suicidal behavior among people with epilepsy.

27 Jul 2010

Alexza second-quarter net loss decreases to $12.9 million

Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 and provided a business update. The net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, as reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), was $12.9 million and $26.3 million, respectively, compared to a net loss of $17.0 million and $23.9 million in the respective comparable periods in 2009. Alexza had consolidated cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at June 30, 2010 of $41.7 million.

27 Jul 2010

Americans with Disabilities Act turns 20

Several news outlets note the 20th anniversary Monday of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

27 Jul 2010

Roche receives FDA 510(k) clearance for CoaguChek XS Pro point-of-care anticoagulation monitor

Roche Diagnostics announced today it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the CoaguChek® XS Pro system, a new point-of-care anticoagulation monitor with a built-in bar code reader that can automatically scan and capture operator and patient identification information.

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 27 Jul 2010

UCLA Health System launches hand transplantation program

The UCLA Health System has launched the new UCLA Hand Transplantation Program, the first of its kind on the West Coast and only the fourth such center in the United States. The program will help those who have suffered the traumatic loss of a hand or forearm and allow them to regain function and improve their quality of life. Qualified candidates are now being sought for a clinical study of the procedure.

27 Jul 2010

Scientists discover mechanism of herpes virus cell entry machinery

The mechanism by which a herpes virus invades cells has remained a mystery to scientists, but now research from Tufts University and the University of Pennsylvania reveals the unusual structure of a key member of the protein complex that allows a herpes virus to invade cells.The new map details an essential piece of the herpes virus "cell-entry machinery," providing scientists with a new target for antiviral drugs.

27 Jul 2010

Racial, ethnic disparities remain a challenge for patients in the U.S. health care system: ACP

Racial and ethnic disparities remain a challenge for patients in the U.S. health care system, the American College of Physicians said in an updated paper released today. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, Updated 2010, an update to a policy paper that was originally released in 2003, outlines recommendations on how to close the gap between racial and ethnic minority patients and their white counterparts.

27 Jul 2010

Study analyses anesthetic effects on surgical site infections

A study appearing in the August 2010 issue of Anesthesiology found that patients receiving a total hip or knee replacement in Taiwan had a higher incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) when general anesthesia was administered for the operation than when the same procedures were performed under epidural/spinal (regional) anesthesia.

27 Jul 2010

Cardiva Medical, Advanced Vascular Dynamics sign agreement to distribute hemostasis products

Cardiva Medical, Inc. announced today that it has signed an agreement with Advanced Vascular Dynamics to distribute several products used for postcatheterization femoral and radial artery hemostasis in the U.S.

27 Jul 2010

AIDS 2010 opinions: U.S. funding for global HIV/AIDS programs; Empowering women, girls in fight against HIV/AIDS

The first letter, Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, addresses an opinion piece by Desmond Tutu, archbishop emeritus of Cape Town and honorary chairman of the Global AIDS Alliance. Goosby writes, "The United States has been and continues to be the global leader on HIV/AIDS. The best metric of our success is lives saved." Goosby cites an increased number of people on antiretrovirals financed by the United States and a commitment to treat 4 million more as part of the Global Health Initiative.

27 Jul 2010

1 yr old tested positive for angel dust and cocaine

In a shocking incident, a one year old boy baby tested positive for the drug Phencyclidine (PCP) commonly known as “angel dust” and cocaine after his parents took him to a hospital in Chicago.

26 Jul 2010

Healthcare Labor Update 2010: A year of critical opportunity for employers

When labor unions, particularly the Service Employee International Union (SEIU), spent hundreds of millions during the last presidential election cycle - resulting in a labor-friendly Democratic Administration and Congressional majority for the first time in a decade - it appeared the labor movement was poised to make a swift resurgence.

26 Jul 2010

New drug for type 2 diabetes, Effect of insulin on bones

In a groundbreaking finding, a new medicine Galvus (vildagliptin) has been created for people with type 2 diabetes that would lower blood glucose levels without the side effects of other medications.

26 Jul 2010

Anti-vaccination group declared unsafe

A Bangalow, NSW based group known as the Australian Vaccination Network (AVN) had earlier maligned the nation’s immunization campaign calling vaccines unsafe on their website. The New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission had then issued a warning to them to include a disclaimer that the contents of the sites webpages should not be taken as medical advice. AVN failed to heed to the warnings and now the HCCC has issued a safety warning against the group.

26 Jul 2010

QRxPharma reports positive outcome of European Scientific Advice meetings on MoxDuo IR pain therapy

QRxPharmareported today positive outcomes of its European Scientific Advice meetings on the development and registration of MoxDuo IR, an immediate release Dual-Opioid™ pain therapy. The Company is currently completing pivotal Phase 3 trials required for filing a New Drug Application (NDA) for MoxDuo IR with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

26 Jul 2010

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, Marianjoy announce partnership

Patients with acute physical rehabilitation needs now can undergo inpatient treatment close to home thanks to a new partnership between Adventist Hinsdale Hospital and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. Announced today, the cooperative effort unites two organizations with similar holistic approaches to rehabilitative patient care for a variety of conditions in multiple settings.

26 Jul 2010

CMSI signs Letter of Intent with Green Medicals to acquire equity interest in 8 medical marijuana dispensaries

Cannabis Medical Solutions Inc., a leading company specializing in both brick-and-mortar and online merchant payment solutions and financial security products for medical marijuana dispensaries and high-risk merchant accounts, today announced that the Company has signed a Letter of Intent with Green Medicals LLC to acquire equity interest in up to eight (8) medical marijuana dispensaries within the state of Colorado.

26 Jul 2010

Medical News

Scientists develop obesity drug without neurological side effects

'Ultra Rice' piloted as way to tackle malnutrition

Quidel recommences shipments of QuickVue+ lateral flow diagnostic test for infectious mononucleosis

Epilepsy drugs analyzed for causing increased risk of suicide in patients

Alexza second-quarter net loss decreases to $12.9 million

Americans with Disabilities Act turns 20

Roche receives FDA 510(k) clearance for CoaguChek XS Pro point-of-care anticoagulation monitor

UCLA Health System launches hand transplantation program

Scientists discover mechanism of herpes virus cell entry machinery

Racial, ethnic disparities remain a challenge for patients in the U.S. health care system: ACP

Study analyses anesthetic effects on surgical site infections

Cardiva Medical, Advanced Vascular Dynamics sign agreement to distribute hemostasis products

AIDS 2010 opinions: U.S. funding for global HIV/AIDS programs; Empowering women, girls in fight against HIV/AIDS

1 yr old tested positive for angel dust and cocaine

Healthcare Labor Update 2010: A year of critical opportunity for employers

New drug for type 2 diabetes, Effect of insulin on bones

Anti-vaccination group declared unsafe

QRxPharma reports positive outcome of European Scientific Advice meetings on MoxDuo IR pain therapy

Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, Marianjoy announce partnership

CMSI signs Letter of Intent with Green Medicals to acquire equity interest in 8 medical marijuana dispensaries

PhD researcher at LifeArc

Unveiling Hidden Potential: Organoids for Disease Modeling in Neuroscience Research

How GLP‑1 Agonists Are Shaping the Future of Obesity Treatment With Dr Bryony Henderson

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