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Study shows stereotactic radiation therapy as effective as surgery in elderly patients with early-stage lung cancer

A new study shows that a new type of targeted radiation therapy called stereotactic radiation therapy is just as good as surgery for patients aged 75 and older with early-stage lung cancer, according to research presented at the 2010 Chicago Multidisciplinary Symposium in Thoracic Oncology. This symposium is sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (ISLAC) and the University of Chicago.

13 Dec 2010

Research identifies two genetic variants that increase risk of endometriosis

Research published today identifies two genetic variants that increase the risk of developing endometriosis, a common gynaecological disease. The study provides clues to the origin of this often very painful condition, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of sufferers.

13 Dec 2010

Argos' AGS-004 shows feasibility in in vitro models to generate DC from viremic patients

Argos Therapeutics announced today that its Arcelis HIV immunotherapy, AGS-004, showed feasibility in in vitro models to generate fully functional dendritic cells (DC) from viremic patients.

13 Dec 2010

EU, India leaders meet to discuss trade deal, some concerned deal will jeopardize drug access in developing countries

On Friday, Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht met to "present a status report on the ongoing free trade talks" that some health advocates fear could limit the supply of generic medications in developing countries, according to Business Standard. "An EU source said the report would signal that talks had made excellent progress and should be wrapped up by early next year," according to the news service (Aiyar, 12/10).

13 Dec 2010

Better approaches to ovarian cancer screening could lower cancer deaths

Cancer prevention experts have long been frustrated by the lack of a meaningful way to screen women for ovarian cancer. It is a relatively rare disease that often progresses with few symptoms until it is too late for potentially curative treatments, and elevated values of the most commonly used biomarker used in screening, CA125, are also related to other disorders.

13 Dec 2010

Researchers generate insulin-secreting pancreatic islet cells from human SSCs

Insulin-secreting pancreatic islet cells have been generated from human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) directly isolated from human testicular tissue, researchers reported today at the American Association of Cell Biology 50th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

13 Dec 2010

Stem cell therapy can reduce risk of acute leukemia in affected individuals

Some adults and children with acute leukemia could benefit from certain transplants of blood stem cells, but the benefits are not equal across all cases of leukemia, according to a new review of 15 studies.

13 Dec 2010

Cesarean-section deliveries may lead to degenerative back disease

Researchers from Michigan State University are studying whether pregnancies, specifically cesarean-section deliveries, are linked to a degenerative back disease that affects women three to nine times more often than men.

13 Dec 2010

Men with type 1 diabetes could grow their own insulin-producing cells from testicular tissue, says GUMC

Men with type 1 diabetes may be able to grow their own insulin-producing cells from their testicular tissue, say Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC) researchers who presented their findings today at the American Society of Cell Biology 50th annual meeting in Philadelphia.

13 Dec 2010

High CTC level found to be early marker of poor outcome in metastatic breast cancer

A high level of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) - cells that have detached from a tumor and are circulating in the body through the blood - are an independent prognostic marker in metastatic breast cancer as first-line therapy.

13 Dec 2010

Genetic changes in HDAC9 gene may modulate onset of ER positive breast cancer and its recurrence

Investigators at The Cancer Institute of New Jersey have presented new research at the 33rd Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Their work highlights how a variation in a person's DNA sequence is associated with an earlier age of onset for breast cancer that is stimulated by the hormone estrogen (estrogen receptor positive).

13 Dec 2010

Depression drug appears effective in reducing pain associated with breast cancer treatment

A drug commonly used to treat depression and anxiety disorder was effective at reducing joint and muscle pain associated with a breast cancer treatment, according to a study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

12 Dec 2010

Young gay men taking risks - raising HIV transmission

A new study on HIV transmission in Australia reveals an alarming culture shift in which younger gay men appear more willing to take sexual risks and so become infected with the virus earlier. When comparing older men who have sex with men (MSM) with those aged under 35, the younger ones were found to be more likely to have never previously been tested for HIV and more likely to report not knowing the HIV status of regular partners. These men commonly reported inconsistent condom use with casual and regular partners.

12 Dec 2010

House clears the Medicare 'doc fix' for the President's signature; Senate falls short of passing 9/11 bill

In the midst of the lame duck session, House lawmakers approve a one-year Medicare pay fix for physicians — clearing the measure for the president's signature.

10 Dec 2010

Arizona's transplant funding cuts continue to trigger controversy; Florida, Kansas focus on state role in reforms; Wisc. plan would elminate tax on health savings accounts

[Arizona Gov. Jane] Brewer's transplant cutbacks have become a rallying cause for Democrats, who call her decision "Brewercare." It's hypocritical for Republicans to support the program's end while opposing President Barack Obama's health-care legislation on the ground it would create death panels run by bureaucrats, said Anna Tovar, a Democratic state representative from Tolleson (Palmeri, 12/10).

10 Dec 2010

In effort to curb preventable ICU infections, new reporting requirement kicks in Jan. 1

A new rule will require hospitals to report infections the follow a patient's treatment in intensive-care units. Meanwhile, a new study finds mortality risks related to dialysis are higher at for-profit chains.

10 Dec 2010

Medication for depression ended before recommended time

Swedish women's use of antidepressants is twice as high as that of Swedish men. However, among both female and male new users, one fifth fills only one prescription. "This can be an indication of choices being made to end treatment before the recommended time," says researcher Karolina Andersson Sundell at the Nordic School of Public Health.

10 Dec 2010

Research roundup: For-profit hospitals' readmission rate, containing self-referrals, children's dental health, revisiting McAllen

For-Profit Hospital Status And Rehospitalizations At Different Hospitals: An Analysis of Medicare Data - "Rehospitalization within the first 30 days of discharge affects 1 in 5 hospitalized Medicare fee-for-service patients and costs approximately $17.4 billion in payments annually ... the top 4 factors most related to the risk for rehospitalization at a different facility were initial admission to a for-profit index hospital … lower-volume index hospital (hospitals with <1000 annual discharges) … hospital with a major medical school affiliation … and being disabled."

10 Dec 2010

HHS slaps 'mini-med' plans with new restrictions

The Department of Health and Human Services offers new guidance on "mini-med" health plans, requiring that insurers selling these limited coverage offerings must inform consumers "in plain language" how such plans fall short of the health law's minimum coverage standards.

10 Dec 2010

The New York Times: Aetna's former chief executive ponders the new health law

Insurers continue to "ponder" their future under the new order of the health law and, in California, rate increases trigger a blame game.

10 Dec 2010

Research News and Research

Study shows stereotactic radiation therapy as effective as surgery in elderly patients with early-stage lung cancer

Research identifies two genetic variants that increase risk of endometriosis

Argos' AGS-004 shows feasibility in in vitro models to generate DC from viremic patients

EU, India leaders meet to discuss trade deal, some concerned deal will jeopardize drug access in developing countries

Better approaches to ovarian cancer screening could lower cancer deaths

Researchers generate insulin-secreting pancreatic islet cells from human SSCs

Stem cell therapy can reduce risk of acute leukemia in affected individuals

Cesarean-section deliveries may lead to degenerative back disease

Men with type 1 diabetes could grow their own insulin-producing cells from testicular tissue, says GUMC

High CTC level found to be early marker of poor outcome in metastatic breast cancer

Genetic changes in HDAC9 gene may modulate onset of ER positive breast cancer and its recurrence

Depression drug appears effective in reducing pain associated with breast cancer treatment

Young gay men taking risks - raising HIV transmission

House clears the Medicare 'doc fix' for the President's signature; Senate falls short of passing 9/11 bill

Arizona's transplant funding cuts continue to trigger controversy; Florida, Kansas focus on state role in reforms; Wisc. plan would elminate tax on health savings accounts

In effort to curb preventable ICU infections, new reporting requirement kicks in Jan. 1

Medication for depression ended before recommended time

Research roundup: For-profit hospitals' readmission rate, containing self-referrals, children's dental health, revisiting McAllen

HHS slaps 'mini-med' plans with new restrictions

The New York Times: Aetna's former chief executive ponders the new health law

Human iPSCs: A Full Guide to Advanced in Vitro Models and Applications eBook

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

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