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UCSF researchers discover new technology purifying special types of stem cells

UCSF researchers are reporting the first success in very rapidly purifying one type of embryonic stem cell from a mix of many different types of embryonic stem cells in the culture dish. The technique, which avoids the need to genetically alter the cells to distinguish them, is a key advance, the researchers say, for obtaining the appropriate cells for repairing specific damaged tissues.

7 Aug 2010

Blue Cross of Massachusetts agrees to reduce dramatic rate increases

In Massachusetts, the state's largest health insurer has agreed to reduce dramatic rate increases for individuals and small businesses.

7 Aug 2010

Health reform provisions on abortion, IRS reporting requirements stirring up Capitol Hill

The Hill reports that Sens. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, introduced legislation Thursday "designed to eliminate a controversial provision of the Democrats' new healthcare reform law that allows subsidized plans to offer abortion coverage if patients pay separately, and with their own money, for that portion of the coverage.

7 Aug 2010

Drugs that reduce activity of ABDH6 enzyme can prevent brain damage: Study

A newly discovered molecular mechanism helps control the amount and effectiveness of a substance that mimics an active ingredient in marijuana, but that is produced by the body's own nerve cells.

7 Aug 2010

GenVec signs new agreement with Novartis for supply of services relating to development materials

GenVec, Inc. today announced a new agreement for the supply of services relating to development materials with Novartis, related to the companies' collaboration in hearing loss and balance disorders. Under this new agreement, GenVec could receive approximately $13 million over four years to manufacture clinical trial material for up to two lead candidates.

7 Aug 2010

Multiple tattoos increase risk of contracting hepatitis C: Study

Youth, prison inmates and individuals with multiple tattoos that cover large parts of their bodies are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis C and other blood-borne diseases, according to a University of British Columbia study.The researchers reviewed and analysed 124 studies from 30 countries, including Canada, Iran, Italy, Brazil and the United States, and found the incidence of hepatitis C after tattooing is directly linked with the number of tattoos an individual receives. The findings are published in the current issue of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

7 Aug 2010

Equatorial Guinea, ECCAS partner to form network to fight H1N1, HIV

Equatorial Guinea (Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial) and the Global Viral Forecasting Initiative, along with several Central African States, have partnered with the Economic Community of Central African States to form a network to fight H1N1 and HIV. The purpose of the network's recent forum was to share knowledge and best practices, and to collect data and prevention procedures among military health professionals in the region.

7 Aug 2010

Progenics announces EMA CHMP positive opinion for RELISTOR in pre-filled syringes

Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, the scientific committee of the European Medicines Agency, has issued a positive opinion for RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) subcutaneous injection in pre-filled syringes.

7 Aug 2010

From Florida to Oregon, Medicare Advantage's benefits – and cuts – vary

This Kaiser Health News story by David Gulliver, produced in partnership with Health News Florida, explores how the impact of changes to Medicare Advantage will differ from place to place across the country.

7 Aug 2010

FDA declines to grant Levulan PDT Orphan Designation: DUSA Pharmaceuticals

DUSA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. reported today that on the afternoon of August 5, 2010 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified DUSA that it has not granted Orphan Drug Designation for the use of Levulan (aminolevulinic acid HCl) Photodynamic Therapy for the prevention of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in patients who have a proven history of multiple localized cutaneous SCCs over a 12 month period.

7 Aug 2010

Funk Out Cancer to raise money, awareness for research at University of Wisconsin

Funk Out Cancer is back for the second annual concert and silent auction to raise money and awareness for cancer research at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Funk Out Cancer will feature music by international recording artists funk/jazz trio SOULIVE along with special guests Madison's own Phat Phunktion and Mama Digdown's Brass Band. The event will be held on Saturday, November 20 at 7:00 PM at the Orpheum Theatre, Madison.

7 Aug 2010

College of Nursing awarded $753,817 grant to provide education in nursing leadership

The University of Colorado College of Nursing has been awarded a $753,817 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, to prepare advanced practice nurses with the expertise to provide leadership for high quality healthcare in rural and medically underserved urban areas.

7 Aug 2010

Surgery offers high survival rate for prostate cancer patients: Study

Surgery for localized prostate cancer offers a significantly higher survival rate than either external-beam radiation or hormonal therapies, according to a new study led by researchers at UCSF.The differences among therapies were more prominent at higher levels of cancer risk, and suggest, the researchers say, that in many cases surgery should play a greater role in treatment strategies for patients with prostate cancer that is likely to recur or spread.

7 Aug 2010

OncoGenex reports net income in second-quarter 2010 against loss last year

OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported unaudited financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and reviewed the Company's highlights for the second quarter of 2010.

7 Aug 2010

BCF publishes two new patient publications

The Bone and Cancer Foundation is announcing the publishing of two new patient publications on Pain Management and Physical Therapy and other Rehabilitation Therapies. Other publication topics include: Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Lung Cancer, Osteonecrosis of the Jaw, Vitamin D, Surgery, Myeloma and Osteosarcoma.

7 Aug 2010

S-ICD subcutaneous implantable defibrillator restores normal heartbeat in high risk cardiac arrest

Scottsdale Healthcare is the only Arizona hospital system testing a new under-the-skin device that uses an electrical shock to interrupt possibly fatal heart rhythms, restoring a normal heartbeat for patients at high risk of sudden cardiac arrest.The first Arizona patient received the device Thursday at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center. Scottsdale Healthcare is the only Phoenix area hospital and one of only 35 in the world participating in the study.

7 Aug 2010

State news: Kansas facing Medicaid shortfall; Indiana to expand coverage for low-income adults; Maryland's medical home experiment

Sen. Sam Brownback, the Kansas Republican who is running for governor, "faced new questions Thursday about joining fellow congressional Republicans in opposing legislation that would prop up state budgets as his Democratic opponent in the race for governor criticized him. Brownback said he is against a plan that includes extra Medicaid dollars for states because it wasn't drafted in a fiscally responsible way. Kansas' share is $131 million, and its current $13.7 billion budget won't balance without the money, which covers health care for the poor and disabled" (Hanna, 8/5).

7 Aug 2010

Research Roundups: Expanding Medicaid; More spending doesn't reduce mortality; Colonoscopy cost effectiveness; Kids, asthma and access to care

Health Affairs: Little Evidence Of Correlation Between Growth In Health Care Spending And Reduced Mortality - This study examines differences in hospital mortality and cost between 2000 and 2004 for patients at 122 U.S. hospitals, with seven common medical diagnoses: acute myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, community-acquired pneumonia, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accident (also called ischemic stroke), sepsis, or urinary tract infection.

7 Aug 2010

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals reports net loss of $5.7M for third-quarter fiscal 2010

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today reported unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2010.

7 Aug 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

According to a Lancet Comment, "alcohol remains conspicuously absent from the larger field of research and programming in HIV and substance use. ... Patterns of hazardous alcohol consumption prevail in countries with the most severe HIV epidemics, notably eastern and southern Africa." In addition, "hazardous drinking patterns also dominate in the concentrated epidemics of eastern Europe and Asia, where alcohol use by injecting drug users and other marginalised groups might be an additional barrier to effective efforts to prevent HIV infection."

7 Aug 2010

Medical News

UCSF researchers discover new technology purifying special types of stem cells

Blue Cross of Massachusetts agrees to reduce dramatic rate increases

Health reform provisions on abortion, IRS reporting requirements stirring up Capitol Hill

Drugs that reduce activity of ABDH6 enzyme can prevent brain damage: Study

GenVec signs new agreement with Novartis for supply of services relating to development materials

Multiple tattoos increase risk of contracting hepatitis C: Study

Equatorial Guinea, ECCAS partner to form network to fight H1N1, HIV

Progenics announces EMA CHMP positive opinion for RELISTOR in pre-filled syringes

From Florida to Oregon, Medicare Advantage's benefits – and cuts – vary

FDA declines to grant Levulan PDT Orphan Designation: DUSA Pharmaceuticals

Funk Out Cancer to raise money, awareness for research at University of Wisconsin

College of Nursing awarded $753,817 grant to provide education in nursing leadership

Surgery offers high survival rate for prostate cancer patients: Study

OncoGenex reports net income in second-quarter 2010 against loss last year

BCF publishes two new patient publications

S-ICD subcutaneous implantable defibrillator restores normal heartbeat in high risk cardiac arrest

State news: Kansas facing Medicaid shortfall; Indiana to expand coverage for low-income adults; Maryland's medical home experiment

Research Roundups: Expanding Medicaid; More spending doesn't reduce mortality; Colonoscopy cost effectiveness; Kids, asthma and access to care

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals reports net loss of $5.7M for third-quarter fiscal 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

Exploring the nanoscale: How AFM is transforming cosmetic science

Innovating Texture and Culture in Plant-Based Foods

Advancing brain microphysiological systems (bMPS)

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