Saturday, April 12, 2008
Extremely Low Dose CT Coronary Angiography Shows Promise In Assessing Cardiac Function
Extremely Low Dose CT Coronary Angiography Shows Promise In Assessing Cardiac Function Extremely low dose CT coronary angiography can be used to measure cardiac function and has the potential for use when other commonly used examinations are limited, a preliminary study indicates. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comRadiation Beneficial For Older Breast Cancer Patients A breast cancer patient's age alone should not determine whether or not she receives standard breast-conservation treatments, including a lumpectomy and radiation therapy; however, if additional health problems (comorbidities) are present, treatments should be individualized based on age and the type Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comMDCT Accurate In Detecting Stenosis In Calcified Coronary Artery Plaque Multidetector CT angiography can accurately predict the presence of obstructive disease (stenosis) in small and moderate-sized calcified coronary artery plaque (CAP), and is even fairly accurate in diagnosing large and heavily calcified CAP, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comMRI "Best" For Looking At Breast Cancer And More The use of MRI is effective in differentiating the blood supply to medial and lateral breast tumors, which is important in treatment planning and prognosis according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Miami in Miami, FL and the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comUMDF Statement On The Connection Between Mitochondrial Disease And Autism The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation released the following statement from its executive director and CEO, Chuck Mohan, in light of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee's (NVAC) meeting of its Vaccine Safety Working Group and recent published reports of possible links between mitochondrial disorders and autism. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comEnzyme From A Microbe That Lives In A Cow's Stomach Key To Turning Corn Plants To Fuel An enzyme from a microbe that lives inside a cow's stomach is the key to turning corn plants into fuel, according to Michigan State University scientists.The enzyme that allows a cow to digest grasses and other plant fibers can be used to turn other plant fibers into simple sugars. These simple sugars can be used to produce ethanol to power cars and trucks. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comPATHFAST(R): Rapid Whole Blood Immunoassay Analyzer From Polymedco Polymedco, Inc. is pleased to announce the introduction of the PATHFAST immunoassay analyzer. The PATHFAST rapid point of care system utilizes a chemiluminescent technology combined with a unique magtration separation method that allows this system to report highly accurate results that compare to large platform instruments. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comArpida Provides Further Comments On The Pivotal Phase III Trials Further to the press release published on 9 April, Arpida Ltd. (SWX: ARPN) elaborates on some additional elements of the clinical programme with intravenous iclaprim in complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (cSSSI). Extensive data on ASSIST-1 has been presented at last year's ICAAC and IDSA meetings. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Friday, April 11, 2008
Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Took Risks With Patient And Staff Safety, Says Healthcare Watchdog, UK
Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust Took Risks With Patient And Staff Safety, Says Healthcare Watchdog, UK Managers at Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust took risks with the safety of patients, staff and volunteers, according to an investigation published by the Healthcare Commission. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comNew Dyneema Purity(R) Ug Grade Delivers Enhanced Performance To Support Long-Term Strength Of Implants At the World Biomaterials Congress, May 28 till June 1, DSM will introduce an important expansion of its high-performance Dyneema Purity� polyethylene fiber portfolio that is targeted to provide increased lifetime and 25 percent greater strength than the original product. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comGeneticist Francis Collins Named First Recipient Of Inamori Ethics Prize At Case Western Reserve Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., a physician-geneticist and leader of the Human Genome Project, has been named recipient of the inaugural Inamori Ethics Prize from the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence at Case Western Reserve University.The Inamori Ethics Prize honors outstanding international ethical leaders. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comBIO International Convention To Highlight Biotechnology's Effort To Fuel The World Biotechnology's contributions to a cleaner, more sustainable world will be highlighted during the 2008 BIO International Convention. Hosted by the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the global event for biotechnology will take place June 17-20, 2008 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com3,000 Walkers Braved Snow In Support Of Diabetes UK On a bitterly cold morning with heavy snow across most parts of the country, the walk took place successfully at 13 BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandirs and Centres around the UK. More than 3,000 walkers braved the challenging weather conditions across London, Ashton, Birmingham, Coventry, Havant, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Loughborough, Luton, Nottingham, Preston, Southend-on-Sea and Wellingborough. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com3 Legendary Physician-Scientists To Be Honoured By LA BioMed The Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (LA BioMed) will honor three of its legendary physician-scientists for their internationally recognized contributions to medicine at its fifth annual Legends dinner celebration May 1 at Trump National Golf Club.Dominic DeCristofaro, M.D., Grant B. Hieshima, M.D., and Jerrold Turner, M.D. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comWorldwide Research Archive Doubles In Size Since 2004 The Protein Data Bank this month reached a significant milestone in its 37-year history as the 50,000th molecule structure was released into its archive, joining other structures vital to pharmacology, bioinformatics, and education. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comAmerican Academy Of Otolaryngology-Head And Neck Surgery Approves Policy Statement On Micropressure Therapy For Meniere's Disease Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced that the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery approved a policy statement concluding that the use of micropressure for Ménière's disease including the Medtronic Meniett� device is appropriate when other medical treatments fail. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Florida Governor Crist Touts Plan That Would Insure More Residents, Senate Likely To Pass Plan This Week
Florida Governor Crist Touts Plan That Would Insure More Residents, Senate Likely To Pass Plan This Week Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is traveling through the state touting his proposal that seeks to provide health coverage to up to 3.8 million uninsured residents, the Miami Herald reports. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comExtending Life By Tackling Depression In Cancer Patients A study recommended by David Spiegel of Faculty of 1000 Medicine (http://www.f1000medicine.com/), looks at the relationship between depression care management and survival rates in older patients. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comCollaboration Between The Feinstein And Sweden's Karolinska Institute As part of its global mission of advancing science, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has announced that it has signed a collaborative agreement with the renowned Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The agreement paves the way for Karolinska graduates to conduct post-doctoral research in New York and scientists from The Feinstein to study at the Karolinska's laboratories in Stockholm. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comAmerican Academy Of Otolaryngology-Head And Neck Surgery Approves Policy Statement On Micropressure Therapy For Meniere's Disease Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced that the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery approved a policy statement concluding that the use of micropressure for Ménière's disease including the Medtronic Meniett� device is appropriate when other medical treatments fail. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comMedicare Payment Advisory Commission Approves Recommendations For Nursing Homes, Primary Care The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission on Wednesday voted to approve several recommendations to Congress focused on Medicare reimbursements for skilled nursing facilities and primary care, CQ HealthBeat reports (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 4/10). Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comFDA Hearings To Examine Regulation Of Embryonic Stem Cell Treatments FDA on Thursday will begin two days of hearings to examine how the agency will regulate human embryonic stem cell therapies, the Wall Street Journal reports. Executives from biotechnology companies, investors, researchers and representatives from patient advocacy groups are expected to attend the hearings, according to FDA officials. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comPhiladelphia Health Centers Treating Mostly Poor Blacks, Hispanics Have Five-Month Average Wait Times, Report Finds The average wait time to obtain a doctor's appointment at Philadelphia-area public health centers is more than five months, compared with 15 days in New York City and seven days in Baltimore, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Philadelphia Office of the Controller, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comMax Perutz And The Secret Of Life Max Perutz, a pioneer in the field of protein crystallography and a Nobel laureate, was one of the first to study the molecular structures of proteins. His life story, wonderfully told by Georgina Ferry, was recently published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press."Max Perutz was not 'just' a scientist," wrote Dr. Richard E. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comThe American College Of Nurse-Midwives Invites Boston Women To The Women's Health Expo The first American College of Nurse-Midwives Women's Health Expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24, 2008 at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston in conjunction with the ACNM 53rd Annual Meeting & Exposition. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comWellcome Trust Supports African Medical Research And Training The Wellcome Trust, the UK's largest medical research charity, has announced a 20 million pounds investment in research and training in Africa. Its Strategic Awards are aimed at ensuring that local researchers are equipped to tackle the most pressing problems in their region. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Lovastatin Shown To Slow Progression Of Alzheimer's Disease
Lovastatin Shown To Slow Progression Of Alzheimer's Disease High cholesterol levels are considered to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease including stroke. Therefore, many cholesterol lowering drugs have been developed by pharmaceutical companies in recent years. One class of these drugs, statins, has been found to reduce the incidence of stroke and progression of Alzheimer's disease when prophylactically administered. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comMethamphetamine Use In Pregnancy Changes Learning Ability Of The Offspring Studies have suggested that infants exposed to methamphetamines while in the womb can suffer irreversible brain damage, although the exact effects of these drugs during pregnancy have been hard to pinpoint due to many other negative behaviors that often occur in meth users. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comCritics Of HIPAA Say Law Is Too Lenient To Adequately Protect Patient Privacy The "recent revelation" that University of California-Los Angeles Medical Center employees looked at the private medical files of high-profile and celebrity patients could prompt a review of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the Los Angeles Times reports. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comSt. Jude Medical To Acquire EP MedSystems St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE: STJ) and EP MedSystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: EPMD) announced that the Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which St. Jude Medical will acquire EP MedSystems for approximately $92.1 million. Terms of the AgreementUnder the terms of the merger agreement, EP MedSystems shareholders will receive $3. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comTechnique Developed At Stanford Enables Creation Of Cancer Stem Cells With a bit of genetic trickery, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have turned normal skin cells into cancer stem cells, a step that will make these naturally rare cells easier to study.Cancer stem cells are thought to be the ones that drive a cancer, and are therefore the targets of any cancer therapy that must kill them in order to be effective. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comNurse Struck Off For Slapping Alzheimer's Resident A 64-year old nurse from North Bretton, Peterborough has been struck off the Nursing & Midwifery Council register following the outcome of a hearing by the regulatory body in London on Friday, 4 April 2008. Josephine Nash was employed as a Mental Health nurse by Wentworth Croft Nursing Home in 2005 when she slapped a resident on the top of the head. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com1 In 3 Adults At Risk Of Malnutrition On Admission To Hospital, Care Homes & Mental Health Units, UK Older people won't respond to treatment if they are malnourished. Help the Aged responded to a report from the British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (BAPEN) showing that of adults admitted to hospitals, care homes and mental health units, 28 per cent are at risk of suffering from overall malnutrition at the time of their admission. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
News Tips From The Journal Of Neuroscience
News Tips From The Journal Of Neuroscience Prion Protein Modulates Calcium BufferingAndrew D. Powell, Emil C. Toescu, John Collinge, and John G. R. JefferysAbnormal prion protein (PrP) is thought to cause spongiform encephalopathies such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob and mad cow disease, but the function of normal prion protein is unknown. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comActions Taken On Antiabortion Legislation In Alaska, Arizona, Georgia The following highlights recent news of state actions on antiabortion legislation. Alaska: The House on Saturday voted 23-15 to approve a measure (HB 364) that would require minors seeking abortions to obtain parental consent before undergoing the procedure, the AP/Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comMEDX, Inc. Releases NuQuest(R) V3.0 Nuclear Medicine Software MEDX, Inc. released NuQuest(R) V3.0 , the newest version of its nuclear medicine image acquisition and processing software. The updated design vastly increases usability and enhances nuclear medicine connectivity options. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comPluristem's Second Pre-Clinical Study In Ischemic Stroke Shows Statistically Significant Advantages In Functional And Anatomical Recovery Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comDevelopment Ministers From G8, Emerging Donor Countries Pledge To Bolster Efforts To Meet MDGs Development ministers from the Group of Eight industrialized nations and some emerging donor countries on Sunday in Tokyo pledged to bolster efforts to meet key targets in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals -- which include curbing the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria -- AFP/Yahoo! News reports. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comACOG Ethics Opinion On Referrals By Physicians Opposed To Abortion, EC The American Medical News reports that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said last month that it will re-examine a November 2007 opinion that calls on physicians to provide referrals for patients seeking abortions, emergency contraception or other procedures if they are opposed to providing the services themselves. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comFDA Approves Orencia(R) (abatacept) For Moderate-To-Severe Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) In Patients Over Six Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY)today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ORENCIA� (abatacept) for reducing signs and symptoms in pediatric patients six years and older with moderately to severely active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). ORENCIA may be used as monotherapy or concomitantly with methotrexate (MTX). Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comFederal Authorities Seize More Than $100,000 of Unapproved Drugs Marketed as "Natural Supplements" At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, today U.S. Marshals seized more than 14,000 dosage units of Shangai Regular, Shangai Ultra, Super Shangai, Natural� Super Plus, and Lady Shangai. Although labeled as natural supplements, the seized products were all marketed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), impotency, and/or to provide sexual enhancement, which caused them to be drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Source: www.fda.gov
American Society For Therapeutic Radiology And Oncology Receives Record Number Of Abstracts For 50th Annual Meeting
American Society For Therapeutic Radiology And Oncology Receives Record Number Of Abstracts For 50th Annual Meeting The American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology has received a record number of abstract submissions for the scientific program to be held at its 50th Annual Meeting taking place September 21-25, 2008, in Boston. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comProtein Data Bank Archives 50,000th Molecule Structure The Protein Data Bank (PDB) based at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) this month reached a significant milestone in its 37-year history. The 50,000th molecule structure was released into its archive, joining other structures vital to pharmacology, bioinformatics and education. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comTeenage Birth Rates In Massachusetts Highest Among Hispanics; Legislation Needed To Address The Issue, Experts Say Births to Hispanic teenagers living in the western part of Massachusetts -- a state with one of the lowest teen pregnancy rates in the nation -- are more prevalent than teen births among other groups and the rate is growing, a health expert said at a conference on Monday, the Springfield Republican reports. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comFDA Reports More Deaths Linked To Contaminated Heparin The US Food and Drug Administration released an update yesterday, 8th April, showing a dramatic rise in the number of deaths that may be due to patients having allergic reactions to contaminated heparin. The agency puts the new figure at 62 deaths in the last 15 months, which is considerably more than the 19 suggested last month. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comChlorine Triggers Protective Nerve Receptor Inhaling chlorine triggers a nerve receptor that protects healthy people by inducing sneezing, coughing, and irritation, but can cause major problems for people with asthma and other respiratory problems, Yale School of Medicine researchers report in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Fred L. Brown To Receive AHA Distinguished Service Award
Fred L. Brown To Receive AHA Distinguished Service Award The American Hospital Association (AHA) will present its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, to Fred Brown LFACHE, Chairman of Fred L. Brown & Associates, LLC an international consulting company in Scottsdale, Ariz. This award recognizes significant lifetime contributions and service to the nation's health care institutions and associations. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comWii Used In Parkinson's Study It's Ingrid Bell's turn at bat. She steps up to the plate, awaiting the pitch. A 70-mph fastball soars toward her. She swings and connects with the ball.Foul ball! Everyone cheers for her anyway.This baseball game's not taking place on a field, and there's no real bat or ball to be seen. Mrs. Bell is playing the Nintendo Wii as part of her occupational therapy. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comDemocratic Presidential Candidate Clinton Announces Proposal To Increase Funds For Breast Cancer Research Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) on an episode of the "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" scheduled to air on Monday announced a proposal that would provide an additional $300 million in annual federal funds for breast cancer research, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comUse Of Digital Health Records Improves Health Of The Elderly Use of medications that are linked to increased risk of falls in the elderly can be reduced through careful review of patient files in the Electronic Health Record, new Geisinger research shows.Psychoactive drugs such as anti-anxiety medicines impact a person's neurochemistry and may predispose elderly patients to falls, which are a major cause of injury and death in the elderly. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comHow Scheduled Medicare Pay Cuts Will Affect Patients: ACP Report Medicare patients - many of whom have multiple chronic illnesses - face severe difficulty in receiving healthcare if Congress does not act to avert pending cuts to Medicare payments, according to first-hand reports from physicians who specialize in internal medicine released by the 125,000-member American College of Physicians (ACP). Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Teens Who Have TV In Their Bedroom Are Less Likely To Engage In Healthy Habits, U Of M Research Finds
Teens Who Have TV In Their Bedroom Are Less Likely To Engage In Healthy Habits, U Of M Research Finds University of Minnesota School of Public Health researchers have found that older adolescents who have a bedroom television are less likely to engage in healthy activities such as exercising, eating fruits or vegetables, and enjoying family meals. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comTaiGen Initiates Phase I Trial Of The Stem Cell Mobilizer TG-0054 TaiGen Biotechnology Co., Ltd. announced the enrollment for the TG-0054 phase I trial under an IND from the US FDA. TG-0054 is a potent and selective inhibitor for the binding of the chemokine cell-surface receptor CXCR4 to its ligand SDF-1 and efficiently mobilizes stem cells (CD34+) and endothelial progenitor cells (CD133+) from bone marrow into peripheral circulation in a mouse model. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comShift Work Linked To Organ Disease Disruption of an individual's natural sleep-wake cycle has been determined to be a contributing factor in the development of organ disease. The findings of U of T researchers were recently published in the Journal of American Physiology. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comPremature Babies And Autism "One in four premature babies 'faces the risk of autism'," reports the Daily Mail. The Daily Express also covers the story, saying that those who are the smallest at birth are the most vulnerable. Both newspapers go on to say that this could explain the rise in the number of children with autism in recent years. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comAdvanced Biofuels Will Slow Climate Change Biofuels from new sources such as switchgrass and algae will soon be widely and efficiently produced, thanks to ongoing industrial biotechnology research. BIO's World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing will present the latest research on advanced biofuels and biobased products that provide sustainable climate change solutions. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comNMC Appoints New Director Of Fitness To Practise, UK The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the regulatory body for nurses and midwives, has announced the appointment of Ian Todd as the new Director of Fitness to Practise (FtP). Ian will ultimately be responsible for the FtP department which processes allegations of impaired fitness to practise against nurses and midwives. He will start in his new post on May 6th 2008. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Monday, April 7, 2008
Recipients Of The 2008 APhA Academy Of Pharmacy Practice And ManagementPresentation Merit Award Announced
Recipients Of The 2008 APhA Academy Of Pharmacy Practice And ManagementPresentation Merit Award Announced The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) announces the recipients of the APhA Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management (APhA-APPM) Presentation Merit Award. This award recognizes eligible participants on practice-related topics presented at the APhA2008 Annual Meeting Contributed Poster Session. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comBlacks Cannot 'Afford To Ignore' Disparities In STI Rates, Opinion Piece Says A recent CDC study that found 48% of black U.S. girls and young women ages 14 to 19 have at least one of four common sexually transmitted infections, compared with 20% of white and Hispanic teens, is "[s]adly" not a "new trend," Yolanda Young, host of the video blog spadeproject.com, writes in a USA Today opinion piece. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comDoctors' Sub-Inflation Pay Awards Are Extremely Disappointing, Says BMA, UK Doctors are today (Monday 7 April, 2008) facing another year of below inflation pay awards, with effective cuts for many. Dr Hamish Meldrum, chairman of the British Medical Association, warns of anger and disappointment within the medical profession at what he describes as "unacceptable" pay rises. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Cancer Research Taking The Main Stage At Baylor University
Cancer Research Taking The Main Stage At Baylor University Two Baylor University faculty members are working to create and test dozens of new cancer fighting compounds that disrupt solid cancer tumors and target any remaining tumor cells that may grow after the tumor is treated. In another project, two Baylor adjunct faculty members and a Baylor graduate student are developing vaccines against melanoma. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comMitosis Gets Harder Thanks To New Gene Discovery A biological process taught to every pupil studying GCSE science has just become a little more complicated thanks to a new discovery just published.Scientists from the University of Bath have found that a protein called RASSF7 is essential for mitosis, the process by which a cell divides in two. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.comResearchers Answer Troublesome Question Of Why Some Genetic Association Studies Have Failed Replication Attempts A team of researchers from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), and elsewhere have described a possible reason why some studies have been unable to replicate associations between genes and traits - namely that the strength of a gene/trait association might vary with age and that current study designs typically fail to take that into account. Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
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