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Sprycel holds hope for treating Src dependent ovarian cancer

The drug Sprycel, approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, significantly inhibited the growth and invasiveness of ovarian cancer cells and also promoted their death, a study by researchers with UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found.

11 Nov 2009

Chronic kidney disease on the rise; preventive testing is critical for diabetic patients

New data confirms the rate of chronic kidney disease is inching upward, keeping pace with the rising rates of diabetes. In late September, the U.S. Renal Data System published its 2009 Annual Data report, which shows the incidence of chronic kidney disease in the U.S. Medicare population is now 9.8%, up from 8.7% reported in last year’s data analysis.

11 Nov 2009

Researchers identify cause that leads to age-related hearing loss

Age-related hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder among the elderly. But scientists are still trying to figure out what cellular processes govern or contribute to the loss.

11 Nov 2009

Negative and positive emotions have a direct impact on pain, says new study

Getting a flu shot this fall? Canadians scientists have found that focusing on a pretty image could alleviate the sting of that vaccine. According to a new Universit- de Montr-al study, published in the latest edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), negative and positive emotions have a direct impact on pain.

11 Nov 2009

Westaim executes amalgamation agreement with NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals

The Westaim Corporation today announced the execution of an amalgamation agreement with NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: NCST; TSX: NCS). Under the agreement, NUCRYST will amalgamate with a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Westaim.

11 Nov 2009

Data on Alexion Pharmaceuticals' Soliris to be presented at the ASH meeting

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that researchers are scheduled to present data relating to Soliris® (eculizumab) as a treatment for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) during the 51st Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), to be held December 5 – 8, 2009 at the Ernst N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

11 Nov 2009

Common myths about sun exposure, sunscreen and vitamin D

When it comes to vitamin D, consumers are bombarded with mixed messages about the best source for this essential nutrient. While some may argue that small doses of intentional sun exposure are safe, dermatologists point out that the risk of developing skin cancer from ultraviolet (UV) radiation far outweighs the benefit of stimulating vitamin D production - particularly when enriched foods and supplements are safe and effective sources of this vitamin.

11 Nov 2009

HFSP grant to develop molecular probes to study "cellular GPS" system

An international group of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, Goettingen Medical School in Germany and the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom have received a Human Frontiers Science Program (HFSP) grant to develop molecular probes that will help researchers better understand the "cellular GPS" system that guides neurons to create a properly wired nervous system.

11 Nov 2009

Medical Imaging Center offices acquired by Jefferson Radiology

Jefferson Radiology has acquired two Medical Imaging Center (MIC) offices in Bloomfield, an emerging medical epicenter in north central Connecticut, and in Granby, Connecticut. The acquisition makes Jefferson Radiology's expertise available at nine outpatient locations in the greater Hartford area.

11 Nov 2009

IntriCon to launch new CDM device at 2009 AHA Scientific Sessions

IntriCon Corporation, a designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of body-worn medical and electronics devices, announced today that it will unveil a prototype of its new Cardiac Diagnostic Monitoring (CDM) device, called the Mobile Patient ECG Telemetry System, or MPETS, at the 2009 American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions, Nov. 15-17, in Orlando, Fla.

11 Nov 2009

Palin resurrects 'death panel' claims, controversy is decades-old

Sarah Palin has returned to the battle over health care reform with a familiar refrain, slamming what she and others dubbed 'death panels' over the summer. Following passage of the health care overhaul in the House on Saturday night, Palin took to her Facebook page to register her well-known opposition to the Democratic plan.

11 Nov 2009

Anemia-reducing medications linked to deep vein thrombosis in cancer patients

Medications frequently given to cancer patients to reduce their risk of anemia are associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, according to new research led by Dawn Hershman, M.D, M.S., co-director of the breast cancer program at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. The findings will be published online on Nov. 10, 2009 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (ahead of the Dec. 2, 2009 print edition).

11 Nov 2009

Medical schools change curriculum to adapt to different policies, care standards

Medical schools are changing to adapt to the shifting medical landscape around America by increasingly preparing students for alternative methods of care, increased demand for their services and a world where health care reform will likely soon change the landscape again, The Washington Post reports.

11 Nov 2009

VeriChip announces the completion of Steel Vault acquisition

VeriChip Corporation, a provider of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems for healthcare and patient-related needs, and Steel Vault Corporation, a premier provider of identity security products and services, announced today that VeriChip has completed its acquisition of Steel Vault to provide unique health and security identification tools to protect consumers and businesses. In conjunction with the merger, VeriChip has changed its name to PositiveID ("PositiveID" or the "Company").

11 Nov 2009

Some Dems worry health bill will come up short on savings

The New York Times: "As health care legislation moves toward a crucial airing in the Senate, the White House is facing a growing revolt from some Democrats and analysts who say the bills Congress is considering do not fulfill President Obama's promise to slow the runaway rise in health care spending. ... The debate underscores a fundamental tension inside the White House between cost-containment idealists and pragmatists."

11 Nov 2009

Microbix Biosystems receives Health Canada's marketing and export approval for KINLYTIC

Microbix Biosystems Inc. today announced that KINLYTIC (urokinase for injection) has been approved in Canada for marketing and export. Health Canada's issuance of a Drug Identification Number for KINLYTIC gives Microbix the opportunity to market the product in Canada and export the clot-busting therapy to markets worldwide.

11 Nov 2009

New cookbook from NHLBI

The health of your heart has a lot to do with the foods you eat. To help busy people and families shop for, prepare, and serve healthy meals, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health created and published Keep the Beat Recipes: Deliciously Healthy Dinners. The new cookbook features 75 simple and delicious recipes influenced by Asian, Latino, Mediterranean, and American cuisine that are good for your heart and taste great too.

11 Nov 2009

Potential new drug for lung cancer eliminates tumors in mice

A potential new drug for lung cancer has eliminated tumours in 50% of mice in a new study published today in the journal Cancer Research. In the animals, the drug also stopped lung cancer tumours from growing and becoming resistant to treatment. The authors of the research, from Imperial College London, are now planning to take the drug into clinical trials, to establish whether it could offer hope to patients with an inoperable form of lung cancer.

11 Nov 2009

Ingenix to acquire CareMedic Services, a revenue cycle management company

Ingenix, a leading health information, technology and consulting company, today announced it will acquire CareMedic Services Inc., an industry leader in revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions for hospitals and health systems, in a cash transaction.

11 Nov 2009

Also in Global Health: Child sexual abuse in Zimbabwe; dengue outbreak in Cape Verde; program reduces waste in Kenya slums

The Mail & Guardian examines how the "economic collapse" in Zimbabwe has contributed to rising numbers of children falling victims to sexual abuse. "A single clinic in the capital, Harare, says it has treated nearly 30,000 girls and boys who were abused in the past four years - an average of 20 per day." The article examines other contributing factors to the sexual abuse of children in Zimbabwe and a recent program that aims to make schools safe places for Zimbabwe's children (11/10).

11 Nov 2009