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New gene therapy to restore retinal cone function and day vision

Veterinary ophthalmology researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have used gene therapy to restore retinal cone function and day vision in two canine models of congenital achromatopsia, also called rod monochromacy or total color blindness.

22 Apr 2010

Study uses new BL-DMAC method to measure PAC levels in cranberry products

Natural compounds in cranberries are linked to the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) but inconsistencies in methods currently used commercially to measure levels can result in the over- or under-estimation of potency levels, leaving product manufacturers and consumers without good data. A study published today in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture outlines a new, commercially viable method of measuring these compounds.

22 Apr 2010

Los Angeles slum housing health crisis

Over three hundred community members, stakeholders, and public health workers joined Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for a People's Hearing on Slum Housing and the unveiling of a position paper documenting the health crisis related to slum housing in Los Angeles.

22 Apr 2010

Human lymphocytes produce hepcidin that regulate iron levels in the body: Study

For some years now a small group of scientists have been pioneering a revolutionary idea - that the vertebrate immune system could have a role in the regulation of iron in the body. And now, a work soon to be published in the journal Immunology, shows that human lymphocytes (white blood cells) actually produce hepcidin, the most important protein in the regulation of iron levels in the body.

22 Apr 2010

International Day for Fighting Infection focuses on hospital infection control

Hospital acquired infections are the focus for the 3rd International Day for Fighting Infection, being marked on St. George’s Day, as experts meet to look at the evolution of infection control in hospitals.

22 Apr 2010

MRSA infections on the rise in hospitals and health care settings: AHRQ report

Despite activities to identify and reduce the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other health care-associated infections in hospitals and health care settings nationwide, new reports released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality show that MRSA is on the rise and continues to pose an alarming threat.

22 Apr 2010

Swine flu vaccine blues

Exactly a year after the swine flu outbreak vigilance, newer vaccine techniques and other measures are being emphasized by researchers and key decision makers. Dr. Harvey Fineberg, chairman of the World Health Organization's pandemic review committee and President of the U.S. Institute of Medicine says, we need to look at the past to learn from it.

22 Apr 2010

H1N1 flu epidemic has lessons to offer health care providers: Anesthesia Progress

The H1N1 flu epidemic has lessons to offer health care providers. The limited amount of vaccine available initially left pregnant women, small children with medical conditions, and other high-risk populations waiting in long lines. The problems encountered in reaching certain segments of the population apply to the provision of dental care as well as other disciplines.

22 Apr 2010

Bacterial infections often missed in febrile children in the ER

In a new study researchers reveal that up to one third of children with fever due to bacterial infections do not receive antibiotics in the emergency department and 20% of kids receive antibiotics unnecessarily.

22 Apr 2010

AFP reflects on WHO's response to H1N1

Agence France-Presse examines the WHO's response to H1N1 (swine flu) one year since the virus was first reported in Mexico and the U.S. "A year on, questions linger as to whether a decision by the World Health Organization to declare swine flu a pandemic, thereby unleashing the slew of health measures, was over-dramatic or even tainted by commercial interests," the news service writes.

22 Apr 2010

Study helps understand molecular mechanism underlying taurine's protection against hepatic fibrosis

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases and approximately 25%-40% of HF cases may ultimately progress to hepatic cirrhosis. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contribute significantly to the occurrence of HF and the activation of HSC is the key issue in the pathogenesis of HF. Taurine is a kind of important anti-injury substance in the body.

21 Apr 2010

Biomagnetics Diagnostics receives commitment for clinical validation testing in India for malaria, TB diagnosis

Biomagnetics Diagnostics Corp., a developer of revolutionary diagnostic systems and technology for HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis and malaria detection, today announced it has received important commitments from two leading research laboratories in India for clinical validation testing for malaria and tuberculosis (TB) detection and diagnosis.

21 Apr 2010

Staff, students join hands outside LSTM to mark World Malaria Day

One hundred staff and students joined hands outside Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) today to mark World Malaria Day, each person symbolising 10,000 of the lives lost every year to malaria.

21 Apr 2010

Initial results of gallium-containing compound to treat serious infection presented at AACR 2010

Genta Incorporated today announced the presentation of initial results from the first human use of a gallium-containing compound to treat serious infection. In a patient with cystic fibrosis and a highly resistant lung infection, who has been treated over a 2-year period, high concentrations of gallium were achieved in sputum.

21 Apr 2010

A*STAR's BMRC and SIgN award grants for twelve research projects on infectious diseases and immunology

Twelve research projects on infectious diseases and immunology have been awarded grants by A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council (BMRC) and Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) this year.

21 Apr 2010

Study identifies the source of inherent noise in HIV gene expression

New research identifies a molecular mechanism that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) appears to utilize for generating random fluctuations called "noise" in its gene expression.

21 Apr 2010

People around the world support anti-malaria campaigns

Congressional Malaria Champions today received over 20,000 signatures from people around the world supporting efforts to eliminate malaria. Members of local youth soccer teams and actress Molly Sims presented signatures gathered through United Against Malaria, a soccer driven anti-malaria campaign, and by World Vision's End Malaria campaign.

21 Apr 2010

Early diagnosis of varicose vein disease leads to simpler treatments and better outcomes

Varicose vein disease is an underappreciated and often misunderstood medical condition, causing many individuals to be misdiagnosed, mistreated - or ignored - resulting in needless suffering and complications from progressively worsening symptoms. Unfortunately, patients typically wait until the disease reaches a more difficult to treat and debilitating stage: they have lifestyle limiting pain, unsightly bulging veins and spider veins, leg swelling or skin ulceration.

21 Apr 2010

Test shows efficacy of avian antibodies against H5N1 and H1N1 influenza in mice

Scientists have discovered for the first time that antibodies in common eggs laid by hens vaccinated against the H5N1 virus can potentially prevent a possible H5N1 pandemic, raising the possibility that the same principle could be applied to the current H1N1 influenza pandemic.

21 Apr 2010

Roche's progress of RG7348 into Phase I clinical trial triggers $6.5M milestone payment to Ligand

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced that it earned a $6.5 million payment from Roche as a result of Roche progressing RG7348 into a Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. The milestone payment arises from a 2008 collaboration and license agreement between Roche and Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc.

21 Apr 2010