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Autism rates among U.S. children is one in 91, says new report

A new report out yesterday places autism rates among U.S. children at one in 91, with autism now affecting one in 58 boys. These new numbers, from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are prompting outrage from parents and autism advocates over inaction from government health agencies in addressing the crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of American families.

7 Oct 2009

FDA provides Genzyme a complete response letter for Clolar NDA

Genzyme Corporation announced today that the FDA provided a complete response letter regarding the company's supplemental New Drug Application for Clolar® (clofarabine) in previously untreated older adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and at least one unfavorable baseline prognostic factor. The agency recommended a randomized, controlled clinical study be conducted for label expansion of Clolar in this indication.

7 Oct 2009

More studies needed to compare the efficacy of different biologic drugs for RA, say researchers

More studies that directly compare the effectiveness of different biologic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are needed, say Cochrane Researchers. The researchers reviewed all previous Cochrane Systematic Reviews assessing the effectiveness of biologic disease-modifying drugs for treatment of RA and found that although all were very effective, there was little data on direct comparisons between the drugs that could help doctors decide which to prescribe.

7 Oct 2009

New tool to help reduce cost and time factors for colonoscopies

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, leading to over 50,000 fatalities every year. But it can be prevented with early screening using a procedure called a colonoscopy. Now researchers from North Carolina State University, Mayo Clinic and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass) have created a tool to help colonoscopy facilities operate more efficiently, ultimately lowering costs and leading to shorter waiting times for patients.

7 Oct 2009

Physical activity during adolescence decreases risk of glioma

While little is known about the causes of glioma, researchers at the National Cancer Institute have found that this rare but often deadly form of brain cancer may be linked to early life physical activity and height.

7 Oct 2009

Opioid drugs may not be effective for osteoarthritis

Should you take opioid drugs for hip and knee pain caused by osteoarthritis? Probably not, suggests a new review of the best research on the subject.

7 Oct 2009

California Center for Cardiothoracic Surgery: A destination for diagnosing and treating lung cancer

The California Center for Cardiothoracic Surgery have performed countless successful Lung Cancer Surgeries for patients throughout Southern California. The diagnosis of lung cancer can be a daunting one. Swift, attached to a vital organ and responsible for more deaths than any other type of cancer, lung cancer is indeed a serious prognosis.

7 Oct 2009

Clinical trial of gene transfer therapy for advanced Parkinson's disease

Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital is embarking on a research study for advanced Parkinson's disease using a state-of-the-art treatment called gene transfer.

7 Oct 2009

Study: Patients experience sleep apnea after opharyngeal cancer treatment

Nearly all patients who underwent surgery to treat oropharyngeal cancer experienced some degree of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to new research presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, in San Diego, CA.

7 Oct 2009

Cochrane Systematic Review finds Abatacept effective against rheumatoid arthritis

Abatacept, a member of a new class of drug that targets immune cells to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is effective against RA, according to a new Cochrane Systematic Review. The review examines recent trials to assess safety and efficacy of the drug.

7 Oct 2009

Clinical Genomics extends collaboration with CSIRO

Sydney-based Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd and CSIRO have entered into a new phase in their collaboration to develop improved diagnostics for cancers of the colon and rectum (bowel cancer).

7 Oct 2009

New ultrasound probe effective for treating kidney stones

A relatively new ultrasound probe procedure has the highest success rate for breaking down kidney stones in the lower "funnel" area of the kidney, rather than the shock wave treatment used for many years, according to a review of studies.

7 Oct 2009

Skin cancer patients may benefit from smaller surgical margins

Many skin cancer patients fare just as well when surgeons remove about one inch of normal-looking tissue around the lesion instead of a larger safety margin, according to a new systematic review.

7 Oct 2009

IDF announces new social networking online website for people with PIDD

People with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) and their families will now be able to connect with one another and share their experiences through a new multidimensional social networking initiative, the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) announced today. Primary immunodeficiency diseases are a group of rare, chronic illnesses, caused by hereditary or genetic defects in the immune system.

7 Oct 2009

Combination of leukemia and breast cancer drugs inhibits cancer progression

When breast cancer spreads or metastasizes, it crashes through the body's protective fences. The disease becomes fatal when it travels outside the mammary ducts, enters the bloodstream and spreads to the bones, liver or brain.

7 Oct 2009

Award-winning GWTG hospitals have lower mortality rates for heart attack and heart failure patients: Study

Hospitals receiving performance awards from the American Heart Association's Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) quality improvement initiative have lower mortality rates for heart attack and heart failure patients than all other hospitals, according to a new study.

7 Oct 2009

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for metastatic brain tumors reduces risks of learning and memory problems

Cancer patients who receive stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and whole brain radiation therapy (WBRT) for the treatment of metastatic brain tumors have more than twice the risk of developing learning and memory problems than those treated with SRS alone, according to researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

7 Oct 2009

NIDCR announces research and technology grants to support new Facebase Consortium

The integration process just got a lot easier. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Institutes of Health, announced today it has issued the first 11 research and technology grants of its new FaceBase Consortium.

7 Oct 2009

Repros announces results of its Androxal efficacy study for secondary hypogonadism

Repros Therapeutics Inc. today announced results from an exploratory, efficacy and safety study of its oral investigational product, enclomiphene citrate (Androxal®), in men with secondary hypogonadism who were receiving testosterone replacement treatment. Secondary hypogonadism is a deficiency state in which the male hormone testosterone goes below the normal range, even in aging men, due to inadequate stimulation of the testes by the pituitary.

7 Oct 2009

Diuretics effective as second-line agents in treating high blood pressure

A new review shows that diuretics — drugs often recommended as a first-line treatment for high blood pressure — are also effective when added as a second agent to other blood-pressure lowering drugs.

7 Oct 2009