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Findings shed light on the genetic origins of diabetes

Pediatric researchers have found that a gene already implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes in adults also raises the risk of being overweight during childhood. The finding sheds light on the genetic origins of diabetes and may present an avenue for developing drugs to counteract the disease, which has been on the upswing in childhood and adolescence.

8 Dec 2009

Amgen announces results from first Phase 1/2 study of Nplate

Amgen Inc. today announced results from its first Phase 1/2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Nplate® (romiplostim) in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

8 Dec 2009

New NNNS screening tool developed to identify newborn at risk

When a baby is born, new parents often wonder, "Will he be the next President of the United States?" or "Could she be the one to find a cure for cancer?" But the underlying question for many specialists is, "Is this child 'at risk' for developmental issues?"

8 Dec 2009

Group Health selects Avaya contact center solutions to improve patient service operations

Group Health Cooperative, one of the nation's largest consumer-governed, non-profit health care systems, selected Avaya contact center solutions to achieve greater efficiencies and faster service in their patient service operations.

8 Dec 2009

Young adults with higher blood lead levels more likely to have panic disorders, reveals research

Young adults with higher blood lead levels appear more likely to have major depression and panic disorders, even if they have exposure to lead levels generally considered safe, according to a report in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

8 Dec 2009

Selenium-based antioxidant compound reduces risk of colorectal cancer

Supplementation with a selenium-based antioxidant compound decreased the risk of developing new polyps of the large bowel — called colorectal metachronous adenomas — in people who previously had colorectal polyps removed.

8 Dec 2009

Stericycle completes its pending acquisition of MedServe

Stericycle, Inc., announced today that it had completed its pending acquisition of MedServe, Inc., which is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stericycle’s.

8 Dec 2009

Combination of chemotherapy and midostaurin drug may benefit AML patients with FLT3 mutations

A targeted drug that is active against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is particularly effective when teamed with chemotherapy in patients whose cancer cells harbor a key genetic mutation, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and their colleagues will report at the American Society of Hematology's (ASH) annual meeting on Monday, Dec. 7 (Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Room 343-345, 5:15 pm CT).

8 Dec 2009

CAM314 randomized Phase 3 clinical trial results released

Genzyme Corporation announced data from its CAM314 randomized Phase 3 clinical trial comparing Campath (alemtuzumab) in combination with Fludara (fludarabine phosphate) (FluCAM) to Fludara alone in patients with relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) demonstrated that the FluCAM regimen significantly reduced the risk of disease progression or death compared to single-agent Fludara.

8 Dec 2009

New research finding sheds light on the genetic origins of diabetes

8 Dec 2009

New bone marrow transplantation technique shows prompt immune recovery

Although bone marrow transplants have long been standard for acute leukemia, current treatments still rely on exact matches between donor and patient. Now, scientists at the University of Perugia, Italy, and the Weizmann Institute of Science have improved on a method of transplanting bone marrow-based stem cells from a mismatched donor, making it safer for use when no exact match exists.

8 Dec 2009

New research discovers link between HIV-related cognitive deficits and Alzheimer's-related dementia

More than half of HIV patients experience memory problems and other cognitive impairments as they age, and doctors know little about the underlying causes. New research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis suggests HIV-related cognitive deficits share a common link with Alzheimer's-related dementia: low levels of the protein amyloid beta in the spinal fluid.

8 Dec 2009

Opioids can be a safe and effective treatment for pain, shows study

A study published in the current issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) by Dhalla et al. has reviewed opioid-related deaths in Ontario from 1991 to 2004. The Canadian Pain Society (CPS) is very concerned that a small percentage of the population is misusing opioid analgesics, also called narcotic pain killers, resulting in harm and even death.

8 Dec 2009

New pharmacology textbook released by Elsevier

Elsevier, the world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, proudly announces the early success and rapid acceptance of its recently released Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Principles to Practice, an innovative new pharmacology textbook designed to better meet the needs of today's residents and practitioners.

8 Dec 2009

BD Diagnostics receives FDA clearance on Amplified DNA Assays

BD Diagnostics, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), announced today it has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to utilize its BD ProbeTec(TM) Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) Qx and BD ProbeTec(TM) Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) Qx Amplified DNA Assays with samples collected during women's routine liquid-based Pap testing for cervical cancer screening.

From BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) 8 Dec 2009

Data from two phase Ib clinical trials of dacetuzumab for DLBCL reported

Seattle Genetics, Inc. today reported data from two phase Ib clinical trials of dacetuzumab, one in combination with Rituxan® (rituximab) and Gemzar® (gemcitabine) for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and the other in combination with Revlimid® (lenalidomide) for multiple myeloma.

8 Dec 2009

Prenatal exposure to microbes may help protect child from developing allergies later in life

A pregnant woman's exposure to microbes may protect her child from developing allergies later in life. Researchers in Marburg, Germany find that exposure to environmental bacteria triggers a mild inflammatory response in pregnant mice that renders their offspring resistant to allergies.

8 Dec 2009

Non-clinical data of CK-2017357 presented by Cytokinetics

Cytokinetics, Incorporated announced today that both a poster and an oral presentation summarizing non-clinical data regarding CK-2017357, a novel fast skeletal troponin activator, were presented at the 5th Cachexia Conference, organized by the Society on Cachexia and Wasting Disorders, being held December 5-8, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain.

8 Dec 2009

Marketers and retailers refrained from promoting any dietary supplement for H1N1 treatment

The trade associations of the dietary supplement industry today reaffirmed the industry's support for the responsible sale and use of health-promoting vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements.

8 Dec 2009

CDA launches Acne And Rosacea Awareness Campaigns

The temperature drop outside is leaving many Canadians red in the face but dermatologists say the culprit could be acne or rosacea. The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) is launching Acne and Rosacea Awareness Campaigns to give sufferers the advice they need to cope with these diseases.

8 Dec 2009