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High methionine diet may increase risk of dementia

A diet rich in methionine, an amino acid typically found in red meats, fish, beans, eggs, garlic, lentils, onions, yogurt and seeds, can possibly increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study by Temple researchers.

17 Dec 2009

Group of drugs used to treat heart failure shows promise for fighting colon cancer

Scientists in Sweden are reporting for the first time that a group of drugs used to treat heart failure shows promise for fighting colon cancer. The study is in ACS' Journal of Natural Products, a monthly publication. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, with more than 150,000 cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year.

17 Dec 2009

UC San Diego Medical Center performs complex surgery on brain lesion

Over three decades, a world-recognized medical team at UC San Diego Medical Center has spurred the evolution of a complex surgery to destroy dangerous clusters of arteries and veins in the brain. Integrating innovative approaches in radiology, anesthesia, and surgery, the team has perfected a method to systematically starve these abnormal brain lesions, artery by artery, vein by vein.

17 Dec 2009

Ethicon and Acclarent announce definitive merger agreement

Ethicon, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company and a worldwide leader in surgical care, and Acclarent, Inc., a privately held medical technology company dedicated to designing, developing and commercializing devices that address conditions affecting the ear, nose and throat (ENT), today announced a definitive merger agreement whereby Ethicon will acquire Acclarent in an all-cash transaction for approximately $785 million net of estimated cash on hand at time of closing.

17 Dec 2009

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announces $27 million to help older individuals with chronic conditions

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the availability of $27 million to help older individuals with chronic conditions to improve their health and reduce their use of costly medical care.

17 Dec 2009

Survey examines disease R&D investment in 2008

According to an annual survey released Tuesday by the George Institute for International Health that looks at research and development (R&D) funding of diseases that affect the developing world, the U.S. government in 2008 "remained the single biggest contributor as it again provided almost half of the total funding but the report notes developing countries like Brazil [and] India ... were becoming a growing force," AAP/Sydney Morning Herald reports (Rose, 12/15).

17 Dec 2009

Also in global health news: Kenya HIV/AIDS; Uganda bill; water project in Philippines; U.N. appeal for Yemen

U.S. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger on Wednesday announced the U.S. would provide $26.5 million (2.7 billion Kenyan shillings) between 2009 and 2013 to fight HIV/AIDS in Kenya, the Daily Nation reports (Sinundu, 12/16). In related news, the Standard reports the Kenyan government will be begin the gradual phase out of the antiretroviral drug, Stavudine, which is known to cause adverse side effects (Mwai, 12/15).

17 Dec 2009

Top-line efficacy and safety results from Phase 2b clinical trial of XIAFLEX announced

BioSpecifics Technologies Corp., a biopharmaceutical company developing first in class collagenase-based products, today announced top-line efficacy and safety results from a Phase 2b clinical trial of XIAFLEX(TM) for the treatment of Peyronie's disease.

17 Dec 2009

Tips for healthy and balanced diet during holiday season

"Weight gained during the holidays often comes from eating foods that are high in sugar and fat. The good news is that you can still enjoy these special occasions as long as you use a bit of restraint and keep yourself from indulging too much," says Joan Daniels, R.D., a dietitian at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

17 Dec 2009

ChromoCure's new Southeast Research Center to be based in Aventura, Florida

ChromoCure, Inc. announced today its new Southeast Research Center to be based in Aventura, Florida.

17 Dec 2009

Scientists draw on bacterial decision-making success to guide human choices on H1N1 vaccine

Bacteria inhabited our planet for more than 4 billion years before humans showed up, and they'll probably outlive us by as many eons more. That suggests they may have something to teach us.

17 Dec 2009

Phase Forward’s InForm Global Trial Management solution standardized to support early-stage clinical trials

Phase Forward, a leading provider of data management solutions for clinical trials and drug safety, today announced that Cancer Research UK’s Drug Development Office – the drug development arm of the world’s largest independent organization dedicated to cancer research – is standardizing on Phase Forward’s InForm™ Global Trial Management solution to support its diverse portfolio of early-stage clinical trials.

17 Dec 2009

Phase 3 registration clinical trial for perifosine initiated by Keryx Biopharmaceuticals

AEterna Zentaris Inc. (the "Company"), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology and endocrine therapy, today announced the initiation, by its partner Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Inc. ("Keryx") ( KERX), of a Phase 3 registration clinical trial for perifosine (KRX-0401), the Company's PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor, in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients.

16 Dec 2009

Opinions: HIV prevention; PEPFAR; H1N1 vaccine donation; developing country R&D; climate change

"For nearly 30 years scientists have been trying to break the back of the AIDS epidemic," but the recent microbicide gel study and an AIDS vaccine trial in Thailand "show just how difficult and how distant that goal is," according to a Washington Post editorial. "While scientists continue searching for a vaccine or a cure, prevention remains paramount," the Washington Post concludes (12/16).

16 Dec 2009

Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic team up to explore metabolic syndrome

Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic in Arizona are joining forces in a partnership to investigate metabolic syndrome - a cluster of high-risk medical factors that include increased blood pressure, elevated insulin levels, excess body fat and abnormal cholesterol levels, which can lead to heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

16 Dec 2009

New study to evaluate the effectiveness of H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines in pregnant women conducted

Abt Associates will conduct a study for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to evaluate the effectiveness of the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines among pregnant women, one of the high risk populations identified by CDC.

16 Dec 2009

The White House reject Dean's challenge to Senate health bill

USA Today: A White House spokesman today said President Obama rejects the call by former Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean to defeat the current Senate health care bill. Dean, "a physician who also was Vermont governor, said on national television Wednesday he believed legislation in the Senate would now benefit the insurance industry more than it helps Americans struggling to gain health coverage or pay for it."

16 Dec 2009

Individuals with lower educational status are associated with worse asthma symptoms

Individuals with more education suffer less from asthma. Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Respiratory Research have found that having less than 12 years of formal schooling is associated with worse asthma symptoms.

16 Dec 2009

Senate stalls amidst GOP delay maneuver

The Associated Press: "Senate Democrats' drive to pass [a] health care overhaul by Christmas sputtered Wednesday as a lone moderate holdout remained undecided and Republican delaying tactics stretched an already protracted debate even further." Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., who met privately with President Obama yesterday -- the third time he met with the President in eight days -- "says he still has concerns about abortion and other issues."

16 Dec 2009

Obama: Government 'will go bankrupt' without health reform

ABC News: "President Obama told ABC News' Charles Gibson in an interview that if Congress does not pass health care legislation that will bring down costs, the federal government 'will go bankrupt.'"

16 Dec 2009

Medical News

High methionine diet may increase risk of dementia

Group of drugs used to treat heart failure shows promise for fighting colon cancer

UC San Diego Medical Center performs complex surgery on brain lesion

Ethicon and Acclarent announce definitive merger agreement

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announces $27 million to help older individuals with chronic conditions

Survey examines disease R&D investment in 2008

Also in global health news: Kenya HIV/AIDS; Uganda bill; water project in Philippines; U.N. appeal for Yemen

Top-line efficacy and safety results from Phase 2b clinical trial of XIAFLEX announced

Tips for healthy and balanced diet during holiday season

ChromoCure's new Southeast Research Center to be based in Aventura, Florida

Scientists draw on bacterial decision-making success to guide human choices on H1N1 vaccine

Phase Forward’s InForm Global Trial Management solution standardized to support early-stage clinical trials

Phase 3 registration clinical trial for perifosine initiated by Keryx Biopharmaceuticals

Opinions: HIV prevention; PEPFAR; H1N1 vaccine donation; developing country R&D; climate change

Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic team up to explore metabolic syndrome

New study to evaluate the effectiveness of H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines in pregnant women conducted

The White House reject Dean's challenge to Senate health bill

Individuals with lower educational status are associated with worse asthma symptoms

Senate stalls amidst GOP delay maneuver

Obama: Government 'will go bankrupt' without health reform

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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