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Workplace wellness programs improve employer's bottom line

"Who has time?" is a frequent question in response to the suggestion of a medical check-up. Job demands aren't becoming easier to meet in this challenging economy. And there is always a "to-do" list waiting at home. Naturally employees feel these pressures.

26 May 2010

Influenza A(H1N1) appears milder than seasonal flu in tropical environment: Report

In a tropical environment, influenza A(H1N1) appeared milder than seasonal flu, was less likely to cause fever and upset stomach and more likely to infect younger individuals, according to a report in the May 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

25 May 2010

Joint research by UB and CDC could lead to new generation of antiviral medicines

Future pandemics of seasonal flu, H1N1 and other drug-resistant viruses may be thwarted by a potent, immune-boosting payload that is effectively delivered to cells by gold nanorods, report scientists at the University at Buffalo and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The work is published in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

25 May 2010

Pregnant women with H1N1 flu strain are at risk for obstetrical complications: Study

Pregnant women who contract the H1N1 flu strain are at risk for obstetrical complications including fetal distress, premature delivery, emergency cesarean delivery and fetal death, according to a report in the May 24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

25 May 2010

FDA issues 510(k) clearance to Simplexa Influenza A H1N1 (2009) test on 3M Integrated Cycler

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued 510(k) clearance to the Simplexa Influenza A H1N1 (2009) test on the 3M Integrated Cycler. The Simplexa test, developed and manufactured by Quest Diagnostics' Focus Diagnostics business, is the first to be cleared by the FDA for use as an aid in the detection and differentiation of influenza A and 2009 H1N1 influenza viral RNA.

25 May 2010

China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals first-quarter 2010 revenues increase 16.3% to $10.68M

China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals Inc., one of the leading health products distribution and retail sales companies in China, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2010.

24 May 2010

Health leaders discuss polio, alcohol, childhood obesity at WHA

From the 63rd World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, the Associated Press reports on what some "describe as a new strategy to get rid of" polio that focuses on developing solutions to "problems in each country, provides more WHO monitoring, like more teleconferences, and holds governments more accountable." The plans also provide "[n]ew [polio] outbreak response plans," according to the AP.

24 May 2010

Influenza antiviral drugs not hoarded during recent H1N1 flu season, says Prime Therapeutics

Despite concerns from public health officials, influenza antiviral drugs were not hoarded during the recent H1N1 flu season, according to a new analysis presented recently at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 22nd Annual Meeting in San Diego by Prime Therapeutics (Prime), a thought leader in pharmacy benefit management.

21 May 2010

Medco: Big jump in kids' prescription drug use last year

Children's prescription drug use rose "several times faster" than adult use last year, "due in part to swine flu drugs and Type 2 diabetes medications, according to Medco Health Solutions Inc," The Associated Press reports. The "pharmacy benefits manager said a 5 percent increase in prescription drug use for children contributed to a 10.8 percent spending increase last year. In contrast, overall prescription drug use rose 1.3 percent, and drug spending climbed 3.7 percent. Medco released its annual drug trend report Wednesday" (Murphy, 5/19).

21 May 2010

Hendra virus infects a horse in south Queensland – authorities fear spread

A horse was put down at Tewantin, near Noosa and it was confirmed that it had Hendra virus infection. At present quarantine measures are being taken.

20 May 2010

Allergy sufferers can save out-of-pocket costs by visiting urgent care and retail health clinics instead of ER

In this economy, allergy sufferers are looking for relief from more than sneezing, runny noses, and itchy eyes. And, according to a recent study, they can find relief for both their symptoms and their wallets, saving anywhere from $50 to $400 in out-of-pocket costs per visit if they skip the emergency room and head to urgent care and retail health clinics when they are unable to see their primary physician.

20 May 2010

Vaccinations recommended for adults

Yearly vaccinations aren't just for kids any more. You probably heard a lot about a seasonal or H1N1 flu shot last fall, but you should know that a battery of other adult vaccinations might also become part of your health care routine. Pneumonia and shingles vaccines are preventive-care essentials for older adults, and meningitis and tetanus shots are now college rites of passage. Even the vaccines of childhood—measles, mumps and rubella, and whooping cough—are recommended for adults who missed out in their younger years.

19 May 2010

WHO Director-General pushes for sustained commitment to MDGs at World Health Assembly

During her opening address to the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan called for increased global efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals, PANA/Afrique en ligne reports. Chan also set-up several global health challenges to be addressed during the five-day meeting, according to the news service.

19 May 2010

DanActive drink reduces rate of common sicknesses in daycare children, say researchers

The probiotic yogurt-like drink DanActive reduced the rate of common sicknesses such as ear infections, sinusitis, the flu and diarrhea in daycare children, say researchers who studied the drink in the largest known probiotic clinical trial to be conducted in the United States. An additional finding, however, showed no reduction in the number school days missed.

19 May 2010

Immunizations Across the Lifespan campaign launched to educate adults on current vaccinations

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is urging adults to ensure they are up-to-date on all needed vaccinations.

18 May 2010

New study shows DFA testing for H1N1 influenza unreliable in ICU patients

Direct Immunofluorescence Assay testing for H1N1 influenza is unreliable in ICU patients, according to a new study from Stanford University. Multiple methods exist for diagnosing influenza, but data on the utility and accuracy of these tests for H1N1 are still emerging, given the relatively recent onset of the epidemic.

18 May 2010

Argos Therapeutics presents AGS-004 autologous dendritic cell therapy Phase 2a trial data at 19th CAHR

Argos Therapeutics today announced the presentation of data from the Phase 2a trial of AGS-004, demonstrating that the personalized immunotherapy has a positive impact on the genetic diversity of residual HIV virus, and also results in substantially increased time to viral rebound in HIV patients treated with AGS-004 following antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption.

17 May 2010

Hemispherx Biopharma to conduct study of Ampligen antiviral in China

As part of its expanding international program Hemispherx Biopharma, Inc., announced an agreement with Fountain Medical Development Ltd., a leading Chinese clinical research organization (CRO) to prepare, file and gain approval from the authorities in China to conduct a study of Ampligen, an investigational therapeutic.

17 May 2010

HSPH researchers succeed in locking malaria parasites within infected blood cells

Harvard School of Public Health researchers and colleagues seeking to block invasion of healthy red blood cells by malaria parasites have instead succeeded in locking the parasites within infected blood cells, potentially containing the disease.

15 May 2010

Recent releases in Global Health

As the 193 WHO member states gather at next week's World Health Assembly (WHA) "a draft global code of practice on the international recruitment of health personnel will be on the agenda. Negotiation and adoption of a WHO code of practice is an unprecedented opportunity to advance global consensus to address the critical challenges of migration of health workers and its effect on health systems worldwide," the authors of a Lancet Comment write.

15 May 2010

Flu News and Research

Workplace wellness programs improve employer's bottom line

Influenza A(H1N1) appears milder than seasonal flu in tropical environment: Report

Joint research by UB and CDC could lead to new generation of antiviral medicines

Pregnant women with H1N1 flu strain are at risk for obstetrical complications: Study

FDA issues 510(k) clearance to Simplexa Influenza A H1N1 (2009) test on 3M Integrated Cycler

China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals first-quarter 2010 revenues increase 16.3% to $10.68M

Health leaders discuss polio, alcohol, childhood obesity at WHA

Influenza antiviral drugs not hoarded during recent H1N1 flu season, says Prime Therapeutics

Medco: Big jump in kids' prescription drug use last year

Hendra virus infects a horse in south Queensland – authorities fear spread

Allergy sufferers can save out-of-pocket costs by visiting urgent care and retail health clinics instead of ER

Vaccinations recommended for adults

WHO Director-General pushes for sustained commitment to MDGs at World Health Assembly

DanActive drink reduces rate of common sicknesses in daycare children, say researchers

Immunizations Across the Lifespan campaign launched to educate adults on current vaccinations

New study shows DFA testing for H1N1 influenza unreliable in ICU patients

Argos Therapeutics presents AGS-004 autologous dendritic cell therapy Phase 2a trial data at 19th CAHR

Hemispherx Biopharma to conduct study of Ampligen antiviral in China

HSPH researchers succeed in locking malaria parasites within infected blood cells

Recent releases in Global Health

Shaping the Future of Neuroscience: A Conversation with Atlas Antibodies on the MolBoolean™ and the Impact of SfN 2024

How the Arts Reshape Brain Function: Susan Magsamen on the Future of Neuroaesthetics

Inside the Alzheimer's Association: Dr. Heather Snyder on Driving Research and Collaboration

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