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Children with autism have slower pupil responses to light change: Study

Autism affects 1 in 150 children today, making it more common than childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes and pediatric AIDS combined. Despite its widespread effect, autism is not well understood and there are no objective medical tests to diagnose it. Recently, University of Missouri researchers have developed a pupil response test that is 92.5 percent accurate in separating children with autism from those with typical development. In the study, MU scientists found that children with autism have slower pupil responses to light change.

11 Nov 2009

Medicare Advantage plans are largely unpopular in rural states

Kansas Health Institute examines Medicare Advantage plans, which are less popular in rural areas, in a series of reports.

11 Nov 2009

Occupational contact dermatitis and asthma are most common work-related health issues, says new research

Occupational contact dermatitis and asthma are two of the most common work-related health issues facing workers worldwide, according to experts presenting the latest research at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) in Miami Beach, Fla.

11 Nov 2009

Financial results for third-quarter 2009 announced by PLC Systems

PLC Systems Inc., a company focused on innovative cardiac and vascular medical device-based technologies, today reported financial results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009.

11 Nov 2009

American Pathology Partners to deploy Halfpenny Technologies' ITF platform for HIE

Halfpenny Technologies, Inc., a leading health information exchange (HIE) company that enables interoperability between physician electronic medical record systems (EMRs) and hospitals, laboratories and other ancillary service providers, today announced that American Pathology Partners, a nationwide, private diagnostic testing services provider based in Nashville, Tenn., will deploy the company’s Integration Technology Framework (ITF) platform.

11 Nov 2009

Study: Face time at doctor visits expanding, not dwindling

Researchers have found that, contrary to conventional wisdom backed by "a more than 10 percent drop" in physician pay and consumer complaints, doctors are actually spending more time with their patients than they used to, the Los Angeles Times' Booster Shots blog reports.

11 Nov 2009

New educational program for caregivers of patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

Eisai Inc. introduced a new educational program today to help parents and caregivers of patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), a rare form of epilepsy in which patients have frequent seizures of multiple types.

11 Nov 2009

Senate braces for final reform drive

Roll Call: "Senate Democratic leaders are still pushing to bring up their health care reform bill next week, even though the gambit comes with risks as they race against the clock to get a measure passed before the end of the year." In his effort to bring the health bill to the floor next week before the Thanksgiving recess, Reid "appears to be calculating the public relations dangers of suspending debate" for the weeklong recess "do not outweigh the need to get the debate rolling" (Pierce, 11/10).

11 Nov 2009

HIV/AIDS leading cause of death among women ages 15-44, WHO study shows

In follow-up coverage to the WHO's report on women's health, several news outlets examine the impact HIV/AIDS is having on women around the world. "In its first study of women's health, the World Health Organization said yesterday that the AIDS virus is the leading cause of death and disease among women between the ages of 15 and 44," the Associated Press/Boston Globe reports (11/10).

11 Nov 2009

Key Senators could influence – even halt – action on health bill

In anticipation of the full Senate debate on health reform, news organizations are keeping tabs on lawmakers who could become players - or obstructers - when the bill hits the floor.

11 Nov 2009

GORE TAG Thoracic Endoprosthesis receives European CE Mark approval

W.L. Gore & Associates (Gore) today announced that it has received European CE Mark approval for the next generation GORE TAG® Thoracic Endoprosthesis. The device is available in an expanded portfolio of sizes to meet a broad range of patient needs and was engineered to treat multiple etiologies including thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs), traumatic aortic transections and thoracic aortic dissections.

11 Nov 2009

SMI Manufacturing to invest $10 million in HealthSport

HealthSport, Inc., the preeminent formulator and developer of edible, multi-layer film strips that deliver drug and dietary supplement actives through buccal and sublingual absorption as well as oral ingestion, announced today that its strategic manufacturing partner, SMI Manufacturing, has agreed to invest $10 million into HealthSport.

11 Nov 2009

MC Ultrasound acquired by MedPro Imaging

MedPro Imaging, a premium provider of new and refurbished ultrasound solutions, announced today that the Company has acquired MC Ultrasound, a leading on-site ultrasound provider for high quality, reliable ultrasound staffing and services throughout the Chicago area.

11 Nov 2009

Bayfront Medical Center to implement CareFocus clinical surveillance solution from Thomson Reuters

Bayfront Medical Center has selected Clinical Xpert CareFocus from Thomson Reuters as its clinical surveillance solution for improving Core Measures outcomes and patient safety indicator (PSI) scores while also supporting infection control and pharmacy intervention initiatives.

10 Nov 2009

State News: State budgets and Medicaid continue to draw headlines

The Associated Press/The Houston Chronicle reports that Texas lawmakers will add $5 million to expand mental health services — specifically veteran-to-veteran peer support groups — in the state. "Gov. Rick Perry on Monday announced the plan that calls for directing money from the state Health and Human Services Commission budget toward mental health treatment programs for veterans and their families" (11/9).

10 Nov 2009

Teva Pharmaceutical's generic lansoprazole does not infringe patent No. 5,464,632: U.S. Court

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. announced today that the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware has issued a decision in its litigation over the Company's Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) to market its generic version of Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.'s Prevacid® (Lansoprazole) SoluTab.

10 Nov 2009

Abortion restrictions in House health reform bill triggering outrage from the Left

ABC News reports that the abortion amendment to the House health reform bill has reignited a fiery debate on one of the most controversial issues in the country." Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., co-chair of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, "said in a statement that the restrictions the amendment would place on a woman's right to choose 'sets a terrible precedent and marks a significant step backwards.'

10 Nov 2009

Abortion clash moves to Senate as Centrists seek House-like provision in health bill

Roll Call reports that the impending fight has also sparked the attention of the abortion-rights lobby. "Abortion-rights advocates, who were outmaneuvered in the House's health care reform vote, are banking on tougher Senate rules and targeted lobbying to keep restrictive abortion language out of that chamber's bill."

10 Nov 2009

Colorcon acquires exclusive rights to market ARmark's micro-tag authentication technology

ARmark Authentication Technologies, LLC, and Colorcon, Inc. announced today an alliance in the development and introduction of ®mark® On-Dose ID(TM), an authentication technology that incorporates microscopic covert micro-tags into the immediate-release film coatings of solid oral dosage forms (SODFs) to prevent counterfeiting.

10 Nov 2009

AGRA, NEPAD agree to partnership to expand food security in Africa

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has entered into an "historic" partnership with the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) "to work towards increasing food production and food security in Africa," PEACE FM Online reports (11/9).

10 Nov 2009