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New approach for understanding how drug resistance occurs in leukemia

UCSF researchers have developed a new approach to identify specific genes that influence how cancer cells respond to drugs and how they become resistant. This strategy, which involves producing diverse genetic mutations that result in leukemia and associating specific mutations with treatment outcomes, will enable researchers to better understand how drug resistance occurs in leukemia and other cancers, and has important long-term implications for the development of more effective therapies.

5 Sep 2009

Recession impacts dental implant industry

Tooth loss among the elderly population will create some growth in the $3 billion global dental implant market despite the recession, according to "Implant-Based Dental Reconstruction: World Dental Implant and Bone Graft Market, 3rd Edition" by premier life sciences market research publisher Kalorama Information, though not the impressive double digit growth rates of prior years.

5 Sep 2009

Researchers study the brain's posterior cingulate cortex

Using brain scans in monkeys, Duke University Medical Center researchers are now able to predict when monkeys will switch from exploiting a known resource to exploring their options.

5 Sep 2009

AMAG shareholders to receive rights to purchase shares under Rights Plan

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAG) today announced that its Board of Directors has adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan (“Rights Plan”) under which all shareholders of record as of September 17, 2009 will receive rights to purchase shares of a new series of Preferred Stock.

5 Sep 2009

Nurses urge CDC to follow the recommendations for swine flu protection from the Institute of Medicine

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee (CNA/NNOC) today applauds the Institute of Medicine for recommending strong patient safety protections for patients and caregivers to avoid airborne transmission during the ongoing H1N1/swine flu pandemic--and calls on the Centers for Disease Control to meet the same, stringent standards.

5 Sep 2009

RAC certification for 263 regulatory professionals

The Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) has announced that 263 regulatory professionals achieved Regulatory Affairs Certification (RAC) during the most recent exam period. The RAC credential is administered by RAPS and is the only certification specifically for regulatory professionals in the healthcare product sector.

5 Sep 2009

New role discovered for sphingosine-1-phosphate

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine researchers have discovered a new role for the bioactive lipid messenger, sphingosine-1-phosphate, or S1P, that is abundant in our blood - a finding that could lead to a new generation of drugs to fight cancer and inflammatory disease.

5 Sep 2009

Google searches for 'death panels' trigger new ad war

Weeks after Sarah Palin coined the term, "death panels" to refer to a proposal in the House health reform bill, the term is among those helping to generate the most active internet advertising spree ever linked to a public policy issue, the Los Angeles Times reports.

5 Sep 2009

Health Net's ECHO kit to help military families maximize the health care benefits

Health Net Federal Services, LLC, the government operations division of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), today announced its newly developed Extended Care Health Option (ECHO) kit for service members and their families in the TRICARE North Region, designed to provide user-friendly, educational information to enhance understanding of the ECHO program.

5 Sep 2009

Insomnia increases blood pressure

Can't sleep at night? A new study published in the journal Sleep has found that people who suffer from insomnia have heightened nighttime blood pressure, which can lead to cardiac problems. The investigation, which measured the 24-hour blood pressure of insomniacs compared to sound sleepers, was conducted by researchers from the Universit- de Montr-al, its affiliated H-pital du Sacr--C-ur de Montr-al Sleep Disorders Centre and the Universit- Laval.

5 Sep 2009

nSR100 protein plays a key role in neuron development

Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a protein which plays a key role in the development of neurons, which could enhance our understanding of how the brain works, and how diseases such as Alzheimer's occur.

5 Sep 2009

Fitch downgrades bond ratings of Valley Health System

Fitch Ratings has downgraded to 'C' from 'CC' the rating on approximately $45.5 million of bonds (listed below) issued by Valley Health System, California (VHS). In addition, Fitch has placed the bonds on Rating Watch Negative.

5 Sep 2009

Amazing Charts Version 5 achieves CCHIT's 2008 ambulatory EHR certification

AmazingCharts.com, Inc., a leading developer of electronic health record systems, today announced that Amazing Charts Version 5 is a pre-market, conditionally CCHIT Certified® 2008 Ambulatory EHR.

5 Sep 2009

Clear Choice Health Plans awards a five-year contract to The TriZetto Group

Clear Choice Health Plans, Inc. (OTCBB:CCHN) announced that the company and Adaptis, Inc., its business process outsourcing (BPO) vendor, have mutually agreed to terminate their business relationship and that the Company has entered into a five-year contract for BPO services with The TriZetto Group, Inc., an information technology and services company focused on the health care industry.

5 Sep 2009

Democrats consider 'trigger' option instead of immediate public plan

The White House is considering a health reform proposal that would turn to a government-run public plan only if private insurers fail to provide affordable options.

5 Sep 2009

Health care reform could affect Americans having dental and vision coverage policies

Over 132 million Americans face having their family dental and vision coverage split in two under current Congressional proposals for health care reform, according to the National Association of Dental Plans whose members cover 80 percent of Americans with dental benefits.

5 Sep 2009

Alcohol is harmful for unborn babies

Learning disabilities, mental health issues and behavior problems are just some of the issues that afflict babies exposed to alcohol in the womb, yet some doctors still tell their patients it is safe to have a drink now and then while pregnant.

5 Sep 2009

Non-compliance notification from NASDAQ issued to Cardica

Cardica, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDC) today announced that, on September 2, 2009, it received a notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of The NASDAQ Global Market (NASDAQ) stating that the Company's stock will be delisted from NASDAQ based upon NASDAQ staff's determination that Cardica has not regained compliance with the minimum $10 million stockholders' equity requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ as stated under NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 5450(b)(1)(A).

5 Sep 2009

As Dems' hopes for two GOP Senators fade, a third gets special attention

The Senate Finance Committee's so-called "gang of six" will hold a conference call Friday to continue negotiations on a possible bipartisan health care compromise, as a Sept. 15 deadline set by Democrats approaches. "But the prospects of reaching such an agreement within 11 days have fallen as politics has crept further into the debate," the Washington Times reports.

5 Sep 2009

Proton Therapy facility in Prague to implement Elekta's information management systems

Elekta (STO:EKTAB) will provide treatment planning and information management systems for a major Proton Therapy facility in Prague, Czech Republic. The software solutions will facilitate the highest quality of patient care and lead to improved clinical efficiency.

From Elekta 5 Sep 2009