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"Mouse model" study finds LRRK2 gene mutation may cause inherited Parkinson's disease

Using new one-of-a-kind "mouse models" that promise to have a significant impact on future Parkinson's disease research, Mount Sinai School of Medicine researchers are among the first to discover how mutations in a gene called LRRK2 may cause inherited (or "familial") Parkinson's disease, the most common form of the disease.

2 Apr 2010

NAFC supports PMAA of Uromedica's ACT device for SUI, speaks to FDA

On March 24, Nancy Muller, executive director of The National Association For Continence (NAFC), spoke to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in support of a Premarket Approval Application (PMAA) of Uromedica, Inc.'s Adjustable Continence Therapy (ACT®) device to approve its usage in the U.S. The ACT is designed to treat female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

2 Apr 2010

DNA patent case: US District Judge rules in favor of AMP

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) is an international medical and professional association representing approximately 1,800 physicians, doctoral scientists, and medical laboratory scientists who perform laboratory testing based on knowledge derived from molecular biology, genetics, and genomics. AMP applauds US District Judge Robert Sweet's ruling in favor of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Association for Molecular Pathology, et al. v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, et al.

2 Apr 2010

Utilizing "synthetic population" in simulating spread of infectious outbreaks

Did you know that filling out your census card will help computer scientists model how diseases spread in the United States?

2 Apr 2010

Variant of ATG16L1 gene associated with higher risk for Crohn's disease

The ATG16L1 gene is located on chromosome 2 and encodes a protein involved in the formation of autophagosomes during autophagy. Autophagy is a cytoplasmic process that keeps a cell stable. Hampe et al first identified ATG16L1 as a Crohn's disease (CD) susceptibility gene in 2007, and many other studies have arisen since then. However, the definite relationship of variants of ATG16L1 with IBD remains unclear.

2 Apr 2010

Merge Healthcare completes private placement of preferred and common stock

Merge Healthcare, a health IT solutions provider, announced today that it has completed a private placement of preferred and common stock totaling $41.75 million, which is specified for use in funding a portion of the proposed acquisition of AMICAS, Inc., a provider of medical imaging software and services.

2 Apr 2010

Multnomah Court Judge denies I-Flow's request for new trial

Judge Youlee You today denied a request by defendant I-Flow for a new trial in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The ruling follows the January 22 jury verdict against the pain pump manufacturer. Jurors awarded $5.475 million for the destruction of Portland-area resident Matthew Beale's right shoulder. They found the damage was caused by the On-Q Painbuster infusion pain pump, manufactured and marketed by I-Flow.

2 Apr 2010

Practicing safer sex: New condom technology to keep partners "in the moment"

Each year there are an estimated 19 million new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Today, more than 68 million Americans live with STIs despite the fact that a condom could prevent them. A recent Kinsey Report points to disruption of "the mood" as a main barrier to condom use.

2 Apr 2010

Genome of Australian zebra finch decoded

Nearly all animals make sounds instinctively, but baby songbirds learn to sing in virtually the same way human infants learn to speak: by imitating a parent.

2 Apr 2010

RPCI studies potential of CellSearch test for monitoring treatment results in metastatic gallbladder patients

Renuka Iyer, MD, of the Department of Medicine, and Dan Iancu, MD, of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) are studying how a new test called CellSearch could be used with standard radiographic methods to monitor treatment results in patients with locally advanced or metastatic gallbladder or biliary duct cancers. The goal of the study is to see if CellSearch could predict patient response to therapy earlier than traditional measures.

2 Apr 2010

Controversial healthcare reform bill evaluated on 106.3FM

ABC7 and NBC5 cameras didn't miss a beat as fathers' rights attorney and guru Jeffery M. Leving and Congressman Danny K. Davis analyzed the historic healthcare bill on 106.3FM Sunday, March 28, 2010. Phones were ringing off the hook during Leving's Fathers' Rights Legal Show as the dynamic duo evaluated the controversial healthcare reform bill answering burning questions on every American's mind.

2 Apr 2010

Ontario Association of Medical Laboratories invites applications for 2010 Small Grants Program

The Ontario Association of Medical Laboratories is pleased to announce its 2010 Small Grants Program to support non-proprietary research projects to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the delivery of laboratory services. Previously funded projects have included research into new testing methodologies, information systems and improvements to operational systems.

2 Apr 2010

CCE recognizes Good Samaritan Hospital with CAPE Silver-level Eureka award

Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles was recognized with a California Awards for Performance Excellence (CAPE) Silver-level Eureka award for its performance excellence by the California Council for Excellence (CCE). Good Samaritan Hospital was one of four organizations recognized with the Silver-level Eureka award. CCE also awarded 1 Gold-level Eureka award and 3 Bronze-level Eureka awards. Organizations represent the business, education, non-profit, health care and military sectors. In addition 25 businesses received the lower-level Prospector award.

2 Apr 2010

Elsevier adds extensive FDA Advisory Committee content to new PharmaPendium

PharmaPendium, Elsevier announces a new release that adds extensive FDA Advisory Committee content to the online resource for authoritative preclinical, clinical and post-market drug information. These documents provide preclinical and clinical drug development and regulatory affairs departments with a substantial collection of comparative scientific and regulatory data that may not be included in final FDA Approval Package documents.

2 Apr 2010

Nanotechnology for eavesdropping on inner electrical activity of individual cells

A nanometer-scale probe designed to slip into a cell wall and fuse with it could offer researchers a portal for extended eavesdropping on the inner electrical activity of individual cells.

2 Apr 2010

Nonromantic sexual partnerships: Risks and rewards

A University of Iowa study found that one-third of sexual relationships in the Chicago area lack exclusivity. One in 10 men and women reported that both they and their partner had slept with other people.

2 Apr 2010

First Edition: April 2, 2010

Today's headlines highlight President Obama's speech yesterday in Maine, during which he continued stumping for the new health reform law and urged patience as the measure kicks in.

2 Apr 2010

PIH to acquire DRMC, signs non-binding letter of intent

Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital (PIH) and Downey Regional Medical Center (DRMC) today announced they had each signed a non-binding letter of intent with plans to execute a definitive agreement calling for PIH's acquisition of DRMC. This will bring together two not-for-profit hospitals both with long standing histories of being dedicated to providing quality care to the communities they serve. The nonbinding letter of intent would allow for the continuation of a nonprofit hospital serving the greater Downey community.

2 Apr 2010

No doughnut hole in global mail-order pharmacy

Thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010, Medicare enrollees who enter the dreaded "doughnut hole" -- the Medicare Part D coverage gap that has made seniors responsible for all their drug costs between $2,830 and $6,440 -- will save $250 in 2010. But Betterthanmedicare.com is already saving seniors thousands of dollars, because the global mail-order pharmacy has no doughnut hole.

2 Apr 2010

Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals' abstracts on cell cycle inhibitor drugs selected for presentation at AACR meeting

Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that six abstracts highlighting translational and preclinical data for Cyclacel's cell cycle inhibitor drugs have been selected for presentation at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, being held from April 17-21, 2010, in Washington, DC.

2 Apr 2010