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France struggling to provide universal care while controlling high costs

Wall Street Journal: "France claims it long ago achieved much of what today's U.S. health-care overhaul is seeking: It covers everyone, and provides what supporters say is high-quality care. But soaring costs are pushing the system into crisis.

7 Aug 2009

Immune system protects cancer cells in first few days

During the very first few days of development of a cancer, our immune system recognizes cancer cells not as abnormal cells requiring eradication but as cells of the body that need to be protected. This result was obtained by the team led by David Klatzmann at the Laboratoire Immunologie (UPMC / CNRS / INSERM).

7 Aug 2009

Clinton Foundation reaches deal with Matrix, Pfizer to cut prices for second-line Arvs, TB drug

Former President Bill Clinton on Thursday announced deals with drugmakers Matrix Laboratories and Pfizer to lower the cost of medications to treat patients with drug-resistant forms of HIV/AIDS in the developing world, Reuters reports (Honan, 8/6).

7 Aug 2009

Merck shareholders overwhelmingly approve merger with Schering-Plough

Merck & Co. today announced that its shareholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the proposed merger with Schering-Plough. The preliminary tabulation indicates that more than 99% of the company’s outstanding shares voted in favor of the transaction. Merck today held its special shareholder meeting in Bridgewater, New Jersey to vote on the proposed merger.

7 Aug 2009

Hospice Partners On Call selects 1Vault Networks, a secure server colocation facility

Averaging 2,700 patients daily throughout the United States and hosting a critical 24/7 patient information call center, Hospice Partners On Call has selected 1Vault Networks, a secure colocation facility, to safeguard its powerful server infrastructure and guarantee call center continuity.

7 Aug 2009

Doctors create program to help providers adjust to rural work settings

group of doctors has created a post-doctorate program to provide rural communities with a pipeline of providers, The Iowa Independent reports.

7 Aug 2009

Hillary Clinton to meet with South African leaders

After arriving in South Africa on Thursday as part of her 11-day African tour, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has "encouraged South Africa to take a leadership role on the political crisis in neighboring Zimbabwe," Bloomberg reports.

7 Aug 2009

Disagreement over public plan among Dems straining party unity

A key item in the debates following lawmakers home this month is whether to create a public plan, the Washington Post reports.

7 Aug 2009

Two significant advances in treating lung cancer

Dr. Glen Weiss of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale Healthcare this week announced two significant advances in treating lung cancer at an international cancer research conference.

7 Aug 2009

H1N1 vaccine will be approved, ready for use by September, WHO says

By September, the first H1N1 (swine) flu vaccines will be approved and ready for use, WHO director of the Initiative for Vaccine Research Marie-Paule Kieny said Thursday, Reuters reports. Kieny also expressed optimism that "vaccine production yields were improving, following a disappointing start that triggered some worries about supplies," the news service writes.

7 Aug 2009

Poor diagnosis of brain tumours in UK children

Significant numbers of children in the UK are suffering from preventable levels of disability, particularly blindness, and premature death because of poor diagnosis of brain tumours.

7 Aug 2009

American Oriental Bioengineering launches new product for rhinitis and allergies

American Oriental Bioengineering, Inc. today announced that the Company has launched a new product for the rhinitis and allergy market, called Jingwei Capsules ("Jingwei"). Jingwei will be manufactured by the Company's Boke subsidiary, and will be marketed throughout China utilizing AOBO's distribution network, including the Company's national hospital and pharmacy distribution network.

7 Aug 2009

The prediction, from infancy, of adult IQ and achievement

Infants who excel at processing new information at 6- and 12-months-old, typically excel in intelligence and academic achievements as young adults in their 20's, according to a study directed by Case Western Reserve University Psychologist Joseph Fagan.

7 Aug 2009

President criticizes 'deceptive' reform opponents, urges public support for health bills

President Barack Obama is asking supporters of health overhaul proposals to show up at rallies, knock on doors and participate in community events.

7 Aug 2009

More insulin-producing cells from a single transcription factor switch

Researchers have found a way in mice to convert another type of pancreas cell into the critical insulin-producing beta cells that are lost in those with type I diabetes. The secret ingredient is a single transcription factor, according to the report in the August 7th issue of Cell, a Cell Press journal.

7 Aug 2009

Reform could strain community health centers

While the health care reform debate rages on Capitol Hill, sitting just a mile away is the Walker-Jones Health Center in Northeast Washington, one of about 1,200 federally-qualified community health centers across the country that provide free and reduced-cost care to millions of Americans.

7 Aug 2009

Guided care reduces cost of health care for seniors with chronic conditions

The nation's sickest and most expensive patients need fewer health care resources and cost insurers less when they are closely supported by a nurse-physician primary care team that tracks their health and offers regular support, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

7 Aug 2009