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Findings raise new hope for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A new study involving data from more than 20,000 individuals has uncovered several DNA sequences linked to impaired pulmonary function. The research, an analysis that combined the results of several smaller studies, provides insight into the mechanisms involved in reaching full lung capacity.

15 Dec 2009

Tech Rx Transformation Contest launched by CDW Healthcare and Cerner

CDW Healthcare, part of the public sector subsidiary of CDW Corporation, and Cerner Corporation, a global provider of healthcare solutions, today announced the launch of the Tech Rx Transformation Contest, which offers physician practices nationwide the opportunity to receive an end-to-end electronic health record (EHR) solution valued at up to $50,000.

15 Dec 2009

Molecular Partners closes its CHF 46 million Series B equity investment round

Molecular Partners AG, a pioneer in the development of DARPins as next generation protein therapeutics, has announced the closing of its Series B equity investment round securing CHF 46 million (€ 30 million, $ 45 million).

15 Dec 2009

Beneficiaries may need to pay coinsurance for orally delivered oncology drugs, says new report

HealthLeaders-InterStudy and Fingertip Formulary find that over the next five years, a greater percentage of health plans will transition orally delivered oncology drugs from a copayment structure to a reimbursement model that incorporates a coinsurance payment, thereby shifting more costs onto patients. Copayments represent a set dollar amount associated with a pharmacy benefit while coinsurance represents a percentage of cost that must be paid by the beneficiary.

15 Dec 2009

UHC creates noteworthy resources for all phases of value analysis program

In today's academic medical centers, value analysis professionals play a larger role than ever. Now the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) has created a set of noteworthy resources, Value Analysis: Achieving Cost Efficiencies in Health Care, to assist value analysis staff in these complex environments.

15 Dec 2009

INS cites FDA-approved Totect antidote for anthracycline extravasations

The third edition of Infusion Nursing: An Evidence-Based Approach, published by the Infusion Nurses Society (INS), includes Totect(®), the only FDA-approved treatment for anthracycline extravasation. Anthracyclines are a group of chemotherapy medications including daunorubicin, doxorubicin, idarubicin and epirubicin that have been used in the treatment of various types of cancer since the early 1970s.

15 Dec 2009

Breakthrough procedure yields a number of medical possibilities for dental stem cells

BioEDEN, the world-leader in dental stem cell extraction and storage, is celebrating the first successful human medical trial using stem cells from teeth.

15 Dec 2009

FDA publishes cGMPs for PET drugs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced publication of a final regulation on current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) for the production of positron emission tomography (PET) drugs, as well as a guidance document describing acceptable approaches that would enable PET drug producers to meet the requirements in the proposed regulation.

15 Dec 2009

Scientists identify protein switch that helps prevent liver cancer

A team of scientists from the UC San Diego School of Medicine and Osaka University in Japan have identified a protein switch that helps prevent liver damage, including inflammation, fibrosis and cancer. The findings suggest that a better understanding of how the protein, TAK1, works could lead to new insights into the development of liver disease and cancer.

15 Dec 2009

Merck granted exclusive license to Pfenex' Pseudomonas-based protein expression technology

Pfenex Inc. announced today that it has granted Merck & Co., Inc., through an affiliate, an exclusive worldwide license to Pfenex Expression Technology(TM) Pseudomonas-based recombinant protein expression technology for the production of specific proteins to be used in the development of an undisclosed vaccine candidate.

15 Dec 2009

Opinions: Future of PEPFAR; family planning

A Washington Post editorial examines the future of PEPFAR under the Obama administration, as outlined in a five-year strategy released earlier this month. Though "[m]any organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, continue to worry that Mr. Obama is 'flat-lining' funding for the vital program," this "ignores Mr. Obama's move to make PEPFAR the center of a larger $63 billion global health initiative to develop more comprehensive and integrated approaches to care," the editorial writes.

15 Dec 2009

Study says children are still bombarded with TV ads for unhealthy food choices

A new study released Monday, Dec. 14, in Washington, D.C., criticizes the nation's food and beverage industry for failing to shift their marketing efforts aimed at children. The report said television advertising continues to contribute to epidemic levels of obesity, despite industry promises of reform.

15 Dec 2009

Study explores comorbidity of medical complaints and insomnia symptoms in school-aged children

A study in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine indicates that significant associations exist between parent-reported insomnia symptoms and medical complaints of gastrointestinal regurgitation and headaches in young school-aged children.

15 Dec 2009

CureDM receives patent allowance for novel islet neogenesis program

CureDM, Inc. today announced that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for a patent application covering a Human proIslet Peptide (HIP) and methods related to its use and administration for treating type 1 diabetes.

15 Dec 2009

More support for FDA ban on flavored cigarettes

New research showing that thrill-seeking teenagers are especially susceptible to fruit-flavored cigarettes is in line with the recent ban on the sale of flavored cigarettes by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in September 2009. According to the FDA, the ban, authorized by the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, is part of a national effort by the FDA to reduce smoking, which is the leading preventable cause of death in America.

15 Dec 2009

Health hazards of BPA: Call for FDA to make its announcement before Christmas

Environmental health advocates hope that U.S. FDA will make its promised announcement about health hazards of bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic sex hormone linked to cancer, behavioral changes, reproductive harm and other illnesses, in time for Christmas.

15 Dec 2009

Update on new clinical developments and other initiatives related to Ceplene

EpiCept Corporation today provided an update on new clinical developments and other initiatives related to Ceplene® (histamine dihydrochloride), the Company’s therapy approved in the European Union for the remission maintenance and prevention of relapse of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first remission.

15 Dec 2009

Tel Aviv University researchers unravel the mysteries of DNA packaging

The RNA "spools" that make up DNA in our genes need careful editing, too. Genes are composed of meaningful sequences, called exons, separated by meaningless junk sections called introns.

15 Dec 2009

Study reveals wide variations in health and sustainability across English populations

A new study by experts at the University of the West of England (UWE, Bristol) has revealed wide and significant variations in the health and sustainability of populations across England.

15 Dec 2009

HealthPort's RACPro now holds the distinction of being RACTrac Compatible

HealthPort®, Inc., a top 25-company in the healthcare information technology industry, today announced its recovery audit contractor (RAC) management tool, HealthPort RACPro, now holds the distinction, through the American Hospital Association (AHA), of being RACTrac Compatible.

15 Dec 2009