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Revolutionising breast cancer treatment through knowledge management

UK scientists have designed a knowledge management system which could enable medical practitioners to make speedy, informed decisions about breast cancer patients.

18 Nov 2004

Carbon coatings to prevent bacteria collecting on indwelling catheters

This team of physicists have coated catheters and ureter stents with an extremely thin layer of diamond-like carbon. DLC-coated surfaces do not react chemically with their environment; they are hardwearing, can be sterilised and reduce friction.

18 Nov 2004

Computerized reminder systems increase influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates

Computer-based standing orders are more effective than computerized reminders to physicians in increasing influenza and pneumococcal vaccine administration for hospitalized patients, according to an article in the November 17 issue of JAMA.

17 Nov 2004

Five advanced tests provide answers to couples with unexplained infertility

For couples struggling with infertility, "all routine tests came back negative" are not the words they want to hear. With up to 15% of couples with "unexplained infertility" and another 3% struggling with recurrent pregnancy loss, advanced tests help doctors find answers for their most challenging cases.

16 Nov 2004

Silicone facial implants provide HAART patients with a healthier appearance

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV/AIDS is the name given to treatment regimens recommended by leading HIV experts to aggressively suppress viral replication and progress of HIV disease. These treatment regimens have been shown to reduce the amount of virus so that it becomes undetectable in a patient's blood.

16 Nov 2004

Carbon dioxide laser could be the fix for photoaging or skin damaged by the sun

Excessive exposure to the sun early in life can make a person look older than he/she really is. Premature wrinkling and skin damage from sun exposure is also called photoaging. Photoaging, unlike natural aging, results in course, dry skin, freckling, skin discoloration, leathery skin, and deep wrinkles.

16 Nov 2004

Computer vignette effective at measuring quality of physician practice

A new measurement tool called the computerized clinical vignette can help clinicians and policymakers assess and improve the quality of physician practice while potentially reducing costs, according to a study led by a researcher at the San Francisco VA Medical Center (SFVAMC).

16 Nov 2004

10,000 abused women across Spain to receive a prototype personal alarm system

Early next year 10,000 abused women across Spain are due to receive a prototype personal alarm system operated by Vodafone and the Red Cross. The system stems from the results of CONFIDENT, which developed mobile services to enhance the independence of people with special needs.

16 Nov 2004

New software for the investigation of cancer

NorayBio, a bioinformatics company located at the Bizkaia Technological Park (Basque Country) and specialising in developing software for the biosciences, has launched a new software for cancer research on to the market - BITIA, primarily aimed at research centres and cancer wards in hospitals.

16 Nov 2004

Sirolimus drug-coated stent causes less inflammation than bare metal stents

In the treatment of coronary artery disease, a sirolimus drug-coated stent causes less inflammation than bare metal stents, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association annual meeting by Loyola University Health System, Maywood, Ill.

11 Nov 2004

UT Southwestern Moncrief Cancer Center treats patients with TomoTherapy

UT Southwestern Moncrief Cancer Center this week began treating patients with a TomoTherapy system utilizing image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Moncrief is the first cancer center in Texas to offer radiation treatment delivered by the TomoTherapy Hi-Art System.

10 Nov 2004

A new magnetic navigation system shows promise for use during percutaneous coronary interventions

The magnetic-assisted intervention is being introduced in the United States and Europe, with fewer than 15 systems installed at institutions worldwide. Developed by Stereotaxis, Inc., a St. Louis firm, the system was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2003.

9 Nov 2004

Merck licenses new and improved methods for developing antibiotics from San Diego State University

Two new and improved methods of developing antibiotics discovered at San Diego State University have been licensed to Merck Pharmaceuticals for $300,000, the largest technology transfer agreement so far for SDSU.

9 Nov 2004

New valve repair device that could replace major heart surgery

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) is participating in a nationwide clinical trial of a new valve repair device that could replace major heart surgery in some patients.

8 Nov 2004

Neogen Europe have announced new tests to detect hazardous toxins in grains, wine, nuts and coffee

Neogen Europe Ltd. announced today the introduction of two new tests to detect hazardous toxins in grains, wine, nuts and coffee. Marketing has begun in Europe and the products will soon be available in the United States and other worldwide markets.

8 Nov 2004

Doctors must choose and manage implanted cardiac defibrillators patients carefully

Implanted devices that can shock a failing heart back into regular rhythm do an excellent job of keeping patients alive, two new University of Michigan studies find.

8 Nov 2004

Technology to determine a patient's response to aspirin therapy taken to prevent heart attacks

This technology has demonstrated the ability to assess an individual's relative risk for heart attack by measuring the person's degree of aspirin resistance.

8 Nov 2004

Australian alliance to commercialise new genetic tests for epilepsy

Bionomics Limited and Genetic Technologies Limited have formed a strategic alliance to commercialise new genetic tests for epilepsy. These new diagnostic tools will enable earlier diagnosis, more precise treatment and better overall outcomes for those suffering from inherited forms of epilepsy.

8 Nov 2004

Tiny, vibrating paddle oscillator senses the mass of a virus

By using a device only six-millionths of a meter long, researchers at Cornell University have been able to detect the presence of as few as a half-dozen viruses -- and they believe the device is sensitive enough to notice just one.

5 Nov 2004

Channeling through plasma to accelerate bright beams for science and medicine

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have produced high quality electron beams in an accelerating structure of only a few millimeters long.

4 Nov 2004