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Obesity in pregnant women is associated with increased risk of birth defects

In recent years, there has been a large increase in the prevalence of overweight and obese women of childbearing age, with approximately 51% of non-pregnant women ages 20 to 39 being classified as overweight or obese.

21 Jan 2010

OA urges patients to stop smoking before surgery to protect their own health

During National Non-Smoking Week, Ontario's Anesthesiologists (OA) are once again urging patients to stop smoking before surgery in order to protect their own health. In addition, Ontario's Anesthesiologists estimate that if every smoker scheduled for surgery stopped 6-8 weeks prior to their procedure, approximately $122 million could be saved by the health care system.

21 Jan 2010

Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center to open to patients in February

Ushering in a new era in comprehensive cardiac care, the Vivian and Seymour Milstein Family Heart Center celebrated its opening today at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center.

21 Jan 2010

NHC urges congress to continue work on meaningful healthcare reform

The National Health Council (NHC), an organization providing a united voice for the more than 133 million people with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers, today sent a letter to Congress urging the House and Senate to "continue working to accomplish the long-sought goal of health care reform."

21 Jan 2010

Second earthquake hits Haiti as international relief efforts continue

"A strong earthquake struck Haiti on Wednesday morning, shaking buildings and sending screaming people running into the streets only eight days after the country's capital was devastated by a previous quake," the Canadian Press reports. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the 6.1 magnitude quake was approximately 35 miles northwest of the capital of Port-au-Prince. "It was not immediately possible to ascertain what additional damage the new quake may have caused," the news service writes (Faul, 1/20).

21 Jan 2010

Life sciences and healthcare segments support nanotech venture capital investments

The heyday for nanotech venture capital (VC) likely saw its peak in 2008, when overall investment reached $1.4 billion. Last year, the sector raised only $792 million, signifying a 42% decline from 2008. But while overall nano VC backing is down, it's not out, according to a new report from Lux Research.

21 Jan 2010

THCA concerned over pressure on state and federal funding for Texas' nursing home residents

The President of the Texas Health Care Association (THCA), Tim Graves, today expressed concern about the growing cumulative pressure on the critical state and federal funding needed to preserve and protect Texas' most vulnerable nursing home residents. Specifically, Graves warned that sharp federal Medicare cuts already put in place by the Obama Administration in late 2009 – as well as those contained within the pending federal health care reform bill – must be a key consideration as state lawmakers begin assessing budgetary priorities in the face of looming state budget deficits.

21 Jan 2010

InterLingua Medical Publishing introduces Medical Point2's to solve language barriers in health care

According to US Census, some 37 million Americans five years of age and older —nearly one in eight residents of this country—speak a language other than English at home.

21 Jan 2010

New class of HCV inhibitors discovered by Eiger BioPharmaceuticals

Eiger BioPharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company developing antiviral therapies, announced today the publication of research from the labs of Stanford scientist and Eiger Founder, Dr. Jeffrey Glenn, M.D., Ph.D. and colleagues entitled, "Identification of a Novel Class of HCV Inhibitors". Published in the January 20th edition of Science and Translational Medicine, the research validates a domain, termed 4BAH2, within the non-structural protein (NS4B) of the HCV genome, as essential for HCV replication and describes the development of a high-throughput screen leading to the identification of small molecule inhibitors of 4BAH2.

21 Jan 2010

Study identifies new mechanism that causes allergic response in people

WHAT: A new study in human cells has singled out a molecule that specifically directs immune cells to develop the capability to produce an allergic response. The signaling molecule, called thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), is key to the development of allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema) and food allergy.

21 Jan 2010

BIO commends GSK and Alnylam’s efforts to foster new therapies for neglected diseases

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) applauds the joint efforts of BIO members GlaxoSmithKline and Alnylam Pharmaceuticals to encourage research to accelerate medical therapies for neglected diseases and today’s announcement of the selection of BIO Ventures for Global Health (BVGH) as the administrator of the Intellectual Property (IP) Pool.

21 Jan 2010

EMD Serono announces results from CLARITY Phase III trial in MS patients

EMD Serono, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced today the online publication of the results from the CLARITY Phase III trial using Cladribine Tablets (EMD Serono's proprietary investigational oral formulation of cladribine) in The New England Journal of Medicine. The CLARITY study was a two-year (96-week), randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase III trial of Cladribine Tablets in 1,326 people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS).

21 Jan 2010

Lupin's Mandideep facility receives FDA clearance

Pharma major, Lupin Ltd announced today that it has received official communication from the US FDA on the satisfactory resolution of the Warning Letter issued earlier to its Mandideep site. The company had received a Warning letter for its Mandideep site in May 2009. In the ensuing seven months, the company made significant enhancements and took appropriate corrective actions.

21 Jan 2010

Given Imaging includes Aptina’s image sensor in its PillCam capsule

Aptina announced today that Given Imaging Ltd.’s PillCam® COLON 2 includes Aptina’s MT9S526 medical image sensor. All three of Given Imaging’s patient-friendly, ingestible PillCam® products for small bowel, esophageal, and now colon imaging include Aptina’s sensors embedded within the Given Imaging capsules.

21 Jan 2010

Medical student receives 2009 Lucien Rubenstein Award

The American Brain Tumor Association has announced that Alexander Ksendzovsky, a third-year medical student at the Chicago Medical School of Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago, is the 2009 Lucien Rubenstein Award recipient.

21 Jan 2010

FDA approves Thoratec's HeartMate II LVAS for DT

Thoratec Corporation, a world leader in device-based mechanical circulatory support therapies to save, support and restore failing hearts, said today that it has received FDA approval of its PMA (Pre-Market Approval) supplement, allowing the use of its HeartMate II LVAS (Left Ventricular Assist System) for Destination Therapy (DT).

21 Jan 2010

New York Times examines innovative approaches to tackling infrastructure needs in developing countries

The New York Times explores efforts across the U.S. to craft and implement affordable solutions to infrastructure problems around the world. It also looks at programs geared toward supporting the work of local entrepreneurs to build solutions to the problems on the ground.

21 Jan 2010

Stem Cell Assurance performs first regenerative cell breast augmentation surgery

Stem Cell Assurance, Inc. announced today that Arthur Handal, MD., F.A.C.S. has performed the first regenerative cell breast augmentation through its nationwide physician network. The procedure was performed at Handal Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton, Florida in the practice's onsite accredited ambulatory surgical facility.

21 Jan 2010

FORBA Holdings to pay $24M for resolving Medicaid fraud allegations

The United States today announced that it has settled False Claims Act allegations against FORBA Holdings LLC, a dental management company that provides business management and administrative services to 69 clinics nationwide known as "Small Smiles Centers." Under the agreement, FORBA will pay the United States and participating states $24 million, plus interest, to resolve allegations that it caused bills to be submitted to state Medicaid programs for medically unnecessary dental services performed on children insured by Medicaid, which is funded jointly by the federal and state governments.

21 Jan 2010

Study shows nutrition has a direct influence on the immune system

Bonn researchers have discovered an elementary mechanism which regulates vital immune functions in healthy people. In situations of hunger which mean stress for the body's cells, the body releases more antimicrobial peptides in order to protect itself. The scientists will publish their results in the journal Nature.

21 Jan 2010