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Massachusetts Council adopts new regulations on embryonic stem cell research

The Massachusetts Public Health Council on Tuesday adopted new regulations on human embryonic stem cell research that Harvard University and several state research centers and hospitals say could expose scientists to criminal penalties for conducting certain research activities, the Boston Globe reports.

30 Aug 2006

FDA advisory panel recommends approval of experimental preterm labor prevention drug

An FDA advisory committee on Tuesday voted 13-8 that clinical trial data regarding Adeza's experimental preterm labor prevention drug Gestiva was adequate to approve the drug, Dow Jones reports (Corbett Dooren, Dow Jones, 8/29).

30 Aug 2006

FluChip can spot bird flu in under 12 hours

Scientists in the United States have developed a new technology that reduces the time it takes to achieve a detailed diagnosis of avian flu, from one week or more down to less than 12 hours.

30 Aug 2006

FDA forms task force on human tissue safety

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the formation of a multidisciplinary FDA task force on human cell and tissue safety.

30 Aug 2006

Researchers say cut bird flu deaths by transfusions

Scientists in the U.S. say that research suggests that transfusions of blood products might help to cut deaths in the event of a bird flu pandemic.

30 Aug 2006

Study aims to lower diabetes risk in youth

As schools across the country reopen their doors this fall, hundreds of sixth graders in 42 middle schools will begin taking part in a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

30 Aug 2006

New microchip enables quick diagnosis of flu strains

Scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed a microchip-based test that may allow more labs to diagnose influenza infections and learn more about the viruses causing illness.

30 Aug 2006

Nature changes wording of news release for work that reports method of creating stem cells without destroying embryos

The journal Nature last Friday corrected wording in a news release it had distributed in advance of a study published in the Aug. 24 edition of the journal that describes a technique that could derive human embryonic stem cells without destroying the embryo.

30 Aug 2006

Antiretroviral drug Lopinavir selectively kills HPV-infected cells in lab tests

The protease inhibitor lopinavir - the primary component of Abbott Laboratories' antiretroviral drug Kaletra - selectively killed the human papillomavirus in laboratory tests, according to a study scheduled to be published next month in the journal Anti-Viral Therapy.

From The University of Manchester 30 Aug 2006

Kaiser report summarizes editorials on approval of nonprescription plan B sales to women over age 18

Some editorials and opinion pieces respond to FDA's decision on Thursday to approve Barr Laboratories' application for nonprescription sales of its emergency contraceptive Plan B to women ages 18 and older.

30 Aug 2006

XVI International AIDS conference characterized by 'guarded optimism'

The XVI International AIDS Conference, which was held Aug. 13 through Aug. 18 in Toronto, was characterized by "guarded optimism," the Los Angeles Times reports.

30 Aug 2006

Young people are more likely to use condoms with a casual sex partner than with their main partner

The study finds that those with and without regular partners on average have the same amount of unprotected sex.

30 Aug 2006

Officials say PhRMA funded U.S. Chamber of Commerce ads touting Medicare prescription drug benefit

"[P]olitical officials" allege that the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America gave money to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to support an advertising campaign that praises senators and House members who voted for the 2003 Medicare law, the AP/San Jose Mercury News reports.

30 Aug 2006

FDA advisory panels almost always recommend approval for new drugs and devices

Eleven randomly selected FDA advisory committees recommended approval for 79% of prescription drugs and medical devices that they considered during a seven-year period, according to a study released on Monday by the National Research Center for Women & Families, Bloomberg/Houston Chronicle reports.

30 Aug 2006

FDA looks at clinical emergency research when informed consent cannot be obtained

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking a close look at the implementation of its 1996 regulation, 21 CFR 50.24, which allows clinical emergency research when informed consent cannot be obtained.

29 Aug 2006

High blood pressure and long working hours, a deadly combo

Researchers in the U.S., say that people who work for more than 51 hours at the office each week are more likely to have high blood pressure than those who worked 39 hours or less.

29 Aug 2006

Obesity affects survival odds for ovarian cancer

According to research in the U.S. obese women get more aggressive ovarian cancers, have a shorter time before the cancer recurs and a shorter survival compared to women who are not obese.

29 Aug 2006

A cider a day may very well keep the doctor away

Scottish scientists say the good old west country beverage cider may offer health benefits to quaffers.

29 Aug 2006

Brits warned against 'maverick' stem cell treatments

A group of top scientists in Britain have warned patients to be wary of "extravagant" claims made for "unorthodox" stem cell treatments offered abroad and that some stem cell treatments could be killers.

29 Aug 2006

Fight against HIV/AIDS highlights interdependency of developed, developing nations

The global fight against HIV/AIDS highlights a "wider argument" about development issues, namely that the "prospects for advance in poor countries depend not just on programs launched within their borders, but also on programs launched in the rich world," a Washington Post editorial says.

28 Aug 2006