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PTSD doubles veteran's risk of death

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more than doubles a veteran's risk of death from any cause and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2010.

18 Nov 2010

Statins activate bacterial-killing properties of white blood cells

Widely prescribed for their cholesterol-lowering properties, recent clinical research indicates that statins can produce a second, significant health benefit: lowering the risk of severe bacterial infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.

18 Nov 2010

New theoretical model could develop novel clinical decision making in cancer research

Schonfeld, a University of Illinois at Chicago professor of electrical and computer engineering, is studying gene expression and interactions in ways that are analogous to the workings of electrical or computer networks. He is project director and principal investigator of a four-year, $1.2 million National Institutes of Health grant.

18 Nov 2010

New deficit report recommends seniors pay more for Medicare

Kaiser Health News staff writers Phil Galewitz and Jordan Rau report: "Offering the latest tough-love strategy to reduce the nation's debt, a panel of high-profile Republicans and Democrats is scheduled on Wednesday to recommend that Medicare beneficiaries pick up far more of their health care costs and the government substantially curb the amount both Medicare and Medicaid programs can grow in future years" (Galewitz and Rau, 11/16).

18 Nov 2010

Vitamin C can prevent and reverse sepsis

Physicians caring for patients with sepsis may soon have a new safe and cost-effective treatment for this life-threatening illness. Research led by Dr. Karel Tyml and his colleagues at The University of Western Ontario and Lawson Health Research Institute have found that vitamin C can not only prevent the onset of sepsis, but can reverse the disease.

18 Nov 2010

Berwick's big day: Senators will grill CMS administrator

Donald Berwick, administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is testifying today before the Senate Finance Committee, presenting an opportunity for Republicans on that panel to revisit their objections to the health law, CQ HealthBeat reports.

18 Nov 2010

Bioniche's achievement of fourth milestone in Urocidin Phase III trial triggers $4.0M payment from Endo

Bioniche Life Sciences Inc., a research-based, technology driven Canadian biopharmaceutical company, today announced achievement of a US$4.0 million milestone payment from its development partner, Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. This milestone is the fourth achieved by Bioniche subsequent to the parties executing their agreement in July, 2009.

18 Nov 2010

EDP Biotech introduces new blood test for detecting early-stage colon cancer at Medica trade fair

The future of colon cancer screening may be surprisingly simple. ColoMarker, an innovative blood test to detect the early stages of colon cancer is generating plenty of attention from a wide audience, including from some of the world's leading researchers in cancer biomarkers and gastrointestinal medicine.

18 Nov 2010

Idera presents data on TLR7, TLR9 antagonist candidate for hyperlipidemia at American Heart Association

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it is presenting preclinical data from a study evaluating the mechanism of action of one of its Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR9 antagonist candidates in a model of hyperlipidemia.

18 Nov 2010

Study shows end-of-life care varies widely

A new study released by the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care finds that "America's hospitals treat patients with life-ending cancers very differently in their final months, with some deploying chemotherapy and other life-prolonging efforts until the end and others directing most of their patients into hospice," reports Kaiser Health News. The aggressive care may not be best for patients, and hospice may be a "more humane way to die," the report argues. A point the report doesn't address: that aggressive treatment "also adds to the drain on Medicare's pocketbook."

18 Nov 2010

Researchers are revolutionizing treatment of cardiovascular disease through regenerative stem cell therapy

Northwestern Medicine physician researchers are revolutionizing treatment of cardiovascular disease by utilizing patients' own stem cells to regenerate heart and vascular tissue.

18 Nov 2010

Administration unexpectedly expands bonus payments for Medicare advantage plans

In a surprising move, the Obama administration will extend special bonus payments meant to reward top-performing Medicare Advantage insurers to those that score only average ratings.

18 Nov 2010

States consider options for funding Medicaid

The Billings Gazette: Montana lawmakers questioned the state's top health official "about plans to hire a private company to manage part of Medicaid, asking why the administration hasn't had a more public discussion on the proposal." The Legislative Finance Committee also listened to "health care providers and former officials who experienced the state's 1995 foray into private management of Medicaid for the mentally ill — and how it became a disaster for its low-income patients and their providers."

18 Nov 2010

Rheonix receives U.S patent for microfluidic device

Rheonix, Inc., developer of the Rheonix CARD system to provide multiplexed endpoint analysis for a wide breadth of diagnostic applications, announced that on November 16, 2010 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent Number 7,832,429 "Microfluidic Pump and Valve Structures and Fabrication Method" to the Company.

18 Nov 2010

Hospice or hospital? Where you die depends on where you live

America's hospitals treat patients with life-ending cancers very differently in their final months, with some deploying chemotherapy and other life-prolonging efforts until the end and others directing most of their patients into hospice, a new study finds.

18 Nov 2010

Viruses lead to discovery of security system in host cells

Viruses have led scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to the discovery of a security system in host cells.

18 Nov 2010

Selenium secures NIH grant to apply patented antimicrobial technology for ear infections

Selenium, Ltd., a biopharmaceutical company focused on unique solutions to meet antimicrobial coating and therapeutic needs, has been awarded a research grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, one of the National Institutes of Health. With the $155,387 NIH grant the company will apply its proprietary antimicrobial technology to researching the inhibition of biofilms on tympanostomy tubes.

18 Nov 2010

Deficit panel recommends ways to curb Medicare, Medicaid costs

Kaiser Health News / McClatchy: "Offering the latest tough-love strategy to reduce the nation's debt, a panel of high-profile Republicans and Democrats is scheduled on Wednesday to recommend that Medicare beneficiaries pick up far more of their health care costs and the government substantially curb the amount both Medicare and Medicaid programs can grow in future years." The panel will present the findings of the debt reduction task force that was created by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

18 Nov 2010

New Medicare/Medicaid projects aimed at cheaper, better care

Promising fast action, the new Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is launching a series of initiatives aimed at improving medical care while reducing its cost.

18 Nov 2010

Health care CEOs highest paid, Wall Street Journal survey finds

The Wall Street Journal: The median CEO pay in the health care industry "was $10 million" in the past fiscal year, which is "the highest median pay of any industry," including consumer goods, telecom and oil and gas, according to the new Wall Street Journal CEO Compensation Study. "The study looked at total direct compensation, which includes salary, bonuses and the value of long-term incentives, including stock and stock options at the time of the grant.

18 Nov 2010