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Internet stimulates and improves brain functioning for seniors: Study

A study by UCLA suggests that use of the Internet by seniors helps to "stimulate and possibly improve brain functioning." Dr. Gary Small, a professor at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, noted "Internet searching engages complicated brain activity, which may help exercise and improve brain function."

6 Nov 2009

HHS announces contract awards for up to 120,000 treatment courses of intravenous antiviral drugs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced contract awards for up to 120,000 treatment courses of intravenous (IV) antiviral drugs to help treat hospitalized 2009 H1N1 influenza patients.

6 Nov 2009

Lack of evidence a problem for policymakers, doctors and patients

One category of medical mysteries that stumps expert doctors and policymakers alike falls under the heading: What works? News reports on two new studies - and one that was never completed - offer insight into that issue.

6 Nov 2009

Democrats must clear remaining hurdles on path to health vote

As House Democrats move towards a weekend vote, they must resolve a series of outstanding issues, The Hill reports. Blue Dog Democrats, a fiscally conservative voting bloc, said up to 30 of their members "are considering voting against the bill because of concerns that it will increase healthcare costs in its second 10 years."

6 Nov 2009

Patients should bring up financial concerns with their doctors in view of high health insurance costs

As health insurers require people to base more treatment decisions on out-of-pocket costs, physicians should learn to talk to patients about money, according to researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

6 Nov 2009

Prescription drug abuse among teens: NCPIE, SAMHSA launches campaign

The National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), along with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and representatives from 15 nationally recognized prevention, health professional and child advocacy organizations, are launching Maximizing Your Role as a Teen Influencer: What You Can Do to Help Prevent Teen Prescription Drug Abuse.

6 Nov 2009

Obama to visit House Dems Friday to rally support for Saturday health bill vote

"In a last-minute exercise of presidential hand-holding, President Obama plans to travel to Capitol Hill on Friday morning to meet with House Democrats, one day before they vote on his highest domestic priority: a bill to overhaul the nation's health care system," The New York Times reports.

6 Nov 2009

Malaria experts discuss eradication at MIM conference

In a session at the 5th Multilateral Initiative on Malaria (MIM) Pan-African Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, experts discussed the tools required to eradicate the disease and highlighted insecticide and drug resistance in some parts of the world, Xinhua reports. Researchers noted that resistance to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) has been documented in western Cambodia and "has now also been reported in the west of Thailand and in eastern Myanmar," the news service writes (Ooko/Zhuoyun, 11/5).

6 Nov 2009

Elysium Internet launches two new online destinations

Elysium Internet, Inc., a next generation Local Internet advertising and digital media Company, today announced the launch of two new online destinations www.PodiatristSites.com and www.LocalPhysician.com as the company seeks to expand its portfolio of health related online destinations.

6 Nov 2009

Helix BioPharma completes enrollment in its Topical Interferon Alpha-2b ano-genital warts clinical program

Helix BioPharma Corp. announced today that its Phase II trial of Topical Interferon Alpha-2b for the treatment of ano-genital warts (AGW) has completed patient enrollment, with the required 120th patient randomized to enter the trial.

5 Nov 2009

Bortezomib lymphoma drug may be effective against bone cancer in children and teens: Study

A drug already approved for the treatment of lymphoma may also slow the growth of the most deadly bone cancer in children and teens, according to an early-stage study published online today in the International Journal of Cancer.

5 Nov 2009

GenVec and SAIC-Frederick signs contract to develop influenza and HIV vaccines

GenVec, Inc, announced today that SAIC-Frederick, Inc. has signed a contract with GenVec for the development of influenza and HIV vaccines in support of the Vaccine Research Center (VRC) of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

5 Nov 2009

Amgen announces the results for Phase 3 PRIME '203' trial of Vectibix

Amgen today announced that the Phase 3 PRIME "203" trial evaluating Vectibix® (panitumumab) administered in combination with FOLFOX (an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy) as a first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) failed to meet a secondary endpoint of overall survival.

5 Nov 2009

MSF calls for sustained commitment to global HIV/AIDS funding

During a press conference on Thursday, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) warned that the "global economic crisis and calls to commit funds to other health crises" threatened to undermine recent gains in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the Associated Press reports. MSF "says money for other health issues should be given in addition to money for [HIV/]AIDS" (11/5).

5 Nov 2009

Consumers in search of saving money should reconsider prescription drug choices

Americans are increasingly scrutinizing their drug choices to find ones that work but don't break the bank. The Associated Press reports: "Last year pharmaceutical companies spent more than $4 billion urging patients like you to 'ask your doctor' about their drugs. But if you want a prescription that won't empty your wallet, while still keeping you well, you might start asking your doctor about drugs you don't see on TV.

5 Nov 2009

Study: Public opinion on health care reform has echoes of 1994

"Americans' opinion of the health care proposals now before Congress is eerily similar to public sentiment about the Clinton health reform initiatives in 1994, according to an analysis published online yesterday in The New England Journal of Medicine - and that may not bode well for Democrats," The Boston Globe reports.

5 Nov 2009

FDA clears ARKRAY's new GLUCOCARD Vital blood glucose monitoring system

ARKRAY, Inc., the world's 5th largest manufacturer of diabetes self-monitoring systems, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration for its new GLUCOCARD Vital blood glucose monitoring system.

5 Nov 2009

SpineSmith Partners signs product development agreement with GenOsteo

SpineSmith Partners has signed an initial agreement with GenOsteo, Inc. to co-develop a unique scaffold that mimics the structure of natural cancellous bone.

5 Nov 2009

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Endotis Pharma forge alliance to develop oral formulations of small-glycol drugs

Catalent Pharma Solutions, the leading provider of advanced oral drug delivery technologies to the pharmaceutical industry, has entered into a strategic alliance with Endotis Pharma for the development of oral formulations of synthetic oligosaccharides.

5 Nov 2009

Today's selection of opinions and editorials

When Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled the revised House Democratic health care bill last week, the Obama White House hailed it as a "critical milestone" in the process. No doubt senior administration officials were relieved to see signs of "momentum" toward passage of something. But if the president really meant what he has said about health care policy throughout this year, his administration would be working to defeat the Pelosi bill, not supporting it (James Capretta).

5 Nov 2009