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Flooding in the Philippines could spread infectious diseases, Health Department says

The Health Department in the Philippines "warned Monday of a possible spread of infectious diseases" in the capital of Manila, which has had the largest rainfall "in nearly half a century, according to the government weather bureau," the New York Times reports. Rains have flooded "80 percent of this metropolis of 12 million people" and killed at least 240 so far.

29 Sep 2009

Ontario government files cost-recovery litigation against tobacco companies

The Canadian Cancer Society is pleased the Ontario government is suing tobacco companies to recover tobacco-related health care costs.

29 Sep 2009

Africa's agricultural sector grew in '08, 'concerted' policy action needed for growth to continue, FAO paper says

The growth of sub-Saharan Africa's agricultural sector in 2008 is a "a break with the past," but "concerted and purposeful policy action" is required for developments to continue, according to a new U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) paper, VOA News reports (De Capua, 9/28).

29 Sep 2009

Eclipsemed establishes new manufacturing and international sales entity

Eclipsemed Ltd., a leading national supplier of advanced medical and aesthetic equipment, has announced the formation of Eclipse Global, its new manufacturing and international sales entity.

29 Sep 2009

Study: Role of genetics and environment in autism spectrum disorders

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the University of the West Indies have joined forces to launch a study of Jamaican children that they hope will unlock the secrets of how genetics and environment may interact to cause autism spectrum disorders.

29 Sep 2009

New oral health information program from American Dental Association

The American Dental Association (ADA) is launching "Straight from the Mouth," a new video podcast series for the public, to provide oral health information in amusing three to five-minute Webisodes.

29 Sep 2009

California's failed health reform attempts offer useful lessons

California's failed attempt at remaking the state's health care system provides useful lessons for participants in the current federal health care debate.

29 Sep 2009

MabCures develops monoclonal antibodies against Colorectal Cancer

MabCure, Inc., a biotechnology company that has developed a series of highly specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to combat various types of cancers, has reached another development milestone, with the creation of its MAbs against Colorectal Cancer (CRC). After further characterization the company plans to explore the utility of these MAbs in terms of both the early diagnosis of CRC (in blood or feces specimens), as well as imaging agents for detecting micrometastatic disease during surgery and the detection of cancerous polyps during colonoscopy.

29 Sep 2009

State Republicans attack health reform bill

Republican state officials are escalating their opposition to elements of the proposed health care overhaul.

29 Sep 2009

Response Genetics launches new genetic diagnostic test for gastric cancer

Response Genetics, Inc., a company focused on the development and sale of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer, announced today the availability of its ResponseDX: Gastric™ genetic test panel, a proprietary PCR-based diagnostic test. By analyzing the expression of genes that correlate with response to commonly used chemotherapy agents, physicians can better tailor treatment for their patients with gastric cancer and gastroesophageal (GE) junction cancer.

29 Sep 2009

Medicare commission proposal and MedPAC data shape reform

A proposal for a Medicare Commission passes through the Senate Finance markup while MedPAC data may help rework Medicare spending.

29 Sep 2009

Vitae receives 11Beta-HSD-1 program milestone payment from Boehringer Ingelheim

Vitae Pharmaceuticals, Inc., an integrated discovery and development company, today announced that it has earned an $8 million milestone payment from Boehringer Ingelheim for achievement of a performance milestone in their 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD)-1 diabetes and metabolic disease strategic alliance.

29 Sep 2009

Illinois nursing homes mix seniors and mentally ill patients, some criminals

Some Illinois nursing homes create dangerous and unsafe environments by mixing seniors and younger mentally ill residents, the Chicago Tribune reports: "More than any other state, Illinois relies heavily on nursing homes to house mentally ill patients, including those who have committed crimes. But a Tribune investigation found that government, law enforcement and the industry have failed to adequately manage the resulting influx of younger residents who shuttle into nursing facilities from jail cells, shelters and psychiatric wards."

29 Sep 2009

SAIC-Frederick and Roche collaborate on technology advancements in sequencing cancer genes

National Cancer Institute contractor SAIC-Frederick, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Science Applications International Corporation, and Roche Applied Science, a division of Roche Diagnostics Corporation, have signed a collaboration agreement to assess Roche’s advanced technologies to sequence the genomes of cancer research samples.

From Roche Sequencing and Life Science 29 Sep 2009

Democrats look to Medicare to help finance reform

The Associated Press: "Medicare is looking like a big fat piggy bank for health care overhaul. President Barack Obama and the Democrats want to pay for much of their plan to cover the uninsured by cutting hundreds of billions from the Medicare budget over the next 10 years. From its inception, the health plan for seniors has been kept afloat by taxes out of workers' paychecks. Now, Medicare savings would count toward helping uninsured working-age children and grandchildren afford their own coverage."

29 Sep 2009

NIH awards Novelos and MGH $1M grant for the study of compounds for radiation-induced lung injury

Novelos Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCBB: NVLT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapeutics to treat cancer and hepatitis, today announced that the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), in collaboration with Novelos, was awarded a $950,371 competitive grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study two Novelos compounds – NOV-002 and NOV-205 – for the mitigation and treatment of radiation-induced pulmonary injury.

29 Sep 2009

Solos to supply MammoView surgical endoscopy instruments for Beth Israel Medical Center

Solos Endoscopy, Inc. (Pink Sheets: SNDY) is pleased to announce that the Company has received purchase orders for the MammoView(TM) line of surgical endoscopy instruments from Beth Israel Medical Center, one of the five Continuum Health Partners health care facilities that play a vital role in providing quality medical care for millions of New Yorkers.

29 Sep 2009

Share repurchase program announced by Synovis Life Technologies

Synovis Life Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYNO), a leading biomaterial and surgical products company, today announced that its board of directors has approved a program for the company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its common stock.

29 Sep 2009

AAP receives grant to promote awareness on childhood obesity

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) announces that it has been awarded a $250,000 grant from MetLife Foundation, to promote community and regional approaches to obesity prevention. Through the grant, AAP will launch two national grant programs, which are focused on encouraging both established pediatricians and pediatricians-in-training to develop collaborative methods to educate communities about the health effects of childhood obesity.

29 Sep 2009

Renewed GMP certification for China Biologic Products' Qianfeng subsidiary

China Biologic Products, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CBPO) ("China Biologic," or the "Company"), one of the leading plasma-based pharmaceutical companies in the People's Republic of China ("PRC"), today announced that on September 2, 2009, the PRC's State Food and Drug Administration (the "SFDA") renewed SFDA certification of compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices ("GMP") for the production facility of Qianfeng Biological Products Co., Ltd. ("Qianfeng"), China Biologic's indirectly owned subsidiary.

29 Sep 2009