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Legionnaires may be able to grow in windshield washer fluid

A form of bacteria responsible for respiratory illness, including the deadly pneumonia known as Legionnaire's disease, may be able to grow in windshield washer fluid and was isolated from nearly 75% of school buses tested in one district in Arizona, according to research presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.

19 May 2014

Prevalence of heart failure is higher in patients with COPD, finds study

As if increased risks of high blood pressure, respiratory infections, lung cancer and even depression weren't enough, researchers say patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have another complication to worry about: heart failure.

19 May 2014

Study: Sleep apnea common among survivors of acute respiratory failure

Clinically important sleep apnea is common among survivors of acute respiratory failure, according to a new study presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society International Conference.

19 May 2014

Study: E-cigarettes appear to increase virulence of drug- resistant and life-threatening bacteria

Despite being touted by their manufacturers as a healthy alternative to cigarettes, e-cigarettes appear in a laboratory study to increase the virulence of drug- resistant and potentially life-threatening bacteria, while decreasing the ability of human cells to kill these bacteria

19 May 2014

COPD patients exposed to warm indoor temperatures have greater disease-related morbidity

If you suffer from COPD, staying cool this summer may provide much more significant benefits than simply feeling more comfortable. A study from researchers at Johns Hopkins University says it may also keep you healthier.

19 May 2014

Supplemental vitamin C taken by pregnant smokers improves measures of lung function for newborns

Supplemental vitamin C taken by pregnant smokers improved measures of lung function for newborns and decreased the incidence of wheezing for infants through 1 year, according to a study published by JAMA.

19 May 2014

Study shows commonly used statin drug does not reduce acute COPD exacerbations

A statin drug commonly used to lower cholesterol is not effective in reducing the number and severity of flare ups from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the results of a large multicenter clinical trial designed and directed by Gerard J. Criner, MD, Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.

19 May 2014

Kamada announces top-line results from Phase II/III trial for treatment of inherited emphysema

Kamada Ltd., a plasma-derived protein therapeutics company focused on orphan indications, announces preliminary top-line results from the Phase II/III pivotal clinical trial in Europe and Canada of the Company's proprietary inhaled Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) therapy for the treatment of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD or inherited emphysema).

16 May 2014

Abbott signs definitive agreement to acquire CFR Pharmaceuticals

Abbott today announced a definitive agreement to acquire Latin American pharmaceutical company CFR Pharmaceuticals, more than doubling its Latin American branded generics pharmaceutical presence and further expanding Abbott's presence in fast-growing markets.

16 May 2014

New research shows decline in clinical trials handled by CROs

The number of clinical trials started by leading contract research organisations (CROs) dropped by 50% between 2011 and 2013, according to new research from global pharmaceutical analyst firm Datamonitor Healthcare.

16 May 2014

Young adults who smoke water pipes have elevated levels of tobacco-related cancer-causing agents

Young adults who smoked water pipes in hookah bars had elevated levels of nicotine, cotinine, tobacco-related cancer-causing agents, and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in their urine, and this may increase their risk for cancer and other chronic diseases, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

16 May 2014

Link found between antibiotic use in babies and asthma

New research has shed light on how treating babies with antibiotics may lead to an increased risk for asthma.

15 May 2014

Study: Lorazepam drug not effective in treating pediatric status epilepticus

A National Institutes of Health-sponsored study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that lorazepam - a widely used but not yet Food and Drug Administration approved drug for children - is no more effective than an approved benzodiazepine, diazepam, for treating pediatric status epilepticus.

15 May 2014

Lung microbes offer protection against allergic asthma

Whether or not people develop asthma may be determined in the first few weeks after birth according to a study of mice funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF).

15 May 2014

WHO's annual statistics report shows global life expectancy continues to increase

People everywhere are living longer, according to the "World Health Statistics 2014" published today by WHO. Based on global averages, a girl who was born in 2012 can expect to live to around 73 years, and a boy to the age of 68.

15 May 2014

Depression is the leading cause of illness in adolescents, shows WHO's report

WHO's "Health for the world's adolescents" report reveals that depression is the predominant cause of illness and disability for both boys and girls aged 10 to 19 years.

15 May 2014

Aradigm reports total revenue of $6.6 million for Q1 2014

Aradigm Corporation today announced financial results for the first quarter and three months ended March 31, 2014.

14 May 2014

MedImmune to present Phase IIb asthma data on benralizumab and tralokinumab at ATS conference

AstraZeneca today announced that MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, will present Phase IIb data on two novel investigational molecules – benralizumab and tralokinumab – at the upcoming American Thoracic Society 2014 International Conference being held in San Diego, California, 16-21 May.

14 May 2014

Spring Bank announces 3 presentations on SB 9200 at 27th ICAR

Spring Bank Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to discovering and developing novel drugs to treat a number of medical conditions, with a primary focus in antivirals, today announced three presentations on SB 9200, its lead drug candidate for the treatment of Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections, at the 27th International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR) being held May 12-16, 2014 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC.

12 May 2014

New implantable cuff with 24 electrodes helps reduce high blood pressure

Freiburg researchers develop new method for lowering high blood pressure without side effects. High blood pressure is the greatest health risk worldwide behind smoking and alcohol consumption.

12 May 2014