Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Swine flu may levy higher toll on minorities

Swine flu may have an 'outsized' impact on minorities, the New York Daily News reports. "The Centers for Disease Control [and Prevention] alluded to the problem in a small Sept. 4 report, but only in a passing mention." The report showed that 12 of the first 36 deaths of U.S. children related to H1N1 were among Hispanics. Hispanics and blacks made up half of all children's deaths due to the new flu strain between April and August.

8 Oct 2009

The Prescription Center Pharmacy launches 'Be Prepared, Not Scared' campaign

The Prescription Center Pharmacy, headquartered in Beverly Hills, California announced its “Be Prepared, Not Scared” campaign today. The purpose of the campaign is to help both businesses and consumers stay healthy, without dramatically changing their daily routines. Dr. Afshin Nassir, the pharmacy’s Founder and CEO, states that “We want to help businesses and consumers create a realistic plan to deal with the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Virus, which is now, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), at a Pandemic stage.”

8 Oct 2009

Antioxidants can contribute to early onset of Type 2 diabetes

An international team of scientists, led by Monash University researchers, has found that anti-oxidants commonly touted for their health-promoting benefits, could contribute to the early onset of Type 2 diabetes.

8 Oct 2009

WHO emphasizes H1N1 vaccine safety

The WHO on Tuesday continued to express confidence in the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine as few mild adverse effects have been reported by patients participating in China's vaccine campaign, the Associated Press reports. Out of the 39,000 people in China who received the H1N1 vaccine, four reported experiencing side effects such as muscle cramps and headache, according to WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl (Higgins, 10/6).

8 Oct 2009

Swine Flu prevention tips from California dentists

In keeping with the global effort to limit the spread of the Swine Flu, the California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA) issued a list today of simple ways patients and oral health professionals can prevent catching and spreading the disease.

8 Oct 2009

Amarillo Biosciences, Intas Pharmaceuticals enter strategic partnership to combat influenza in India

Amarillo Biosciences, Inc. today announced that it has agreed to a strategic partnership with Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited (Intas), one of the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in India, whereby Intas will sponsor clinical trials of ABI's orally administered interferon-alpha lozenges in order to combat influenza. Intas will pay ABI a royalty on net sales after marketing approval is obtained in India.

8 Oct 2009

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals establishes a new Anti-Viral Research Group

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that it has established a new Anti-Viral Research Group in its R&D organization.

7 Oct 2009

New apoptosis detection kit for monitoring chromatin condensation

Enzo Biochem, Inc.’s Enzo Life Sciences division today announced the addition of a new apoptosis detection kit for monitoring chromatin condensation to its rapidly expanding CELLestial™ product line for live cell analysis.

7 Oct 2009

Microsoft launches a new online H1N1 Flu Response Center

With the current H1N1 flu (swine flu) pandemic under way, many public health officials are concerned that critical healthcare resources could be stretched thin as people flood hospital emergency departments and physicians' offices to determine whether they have the illness.

7 Oct 2009

The Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2010 announced at Cleveland Clinic Medical Innovation Summit

Cleveland Clinic's Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2010 list features a wide range of new techniques and therapies that are being developed to treat everything from deafness and Parkinson's disease to pneumonia and sleep disorders.

7 Oct 2009

Baxter receives marketing authorization for CELVAPAN H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine

Baxter International Inc. today confirmed that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for CELVAPAN H1N1 pandemic vaccine using Baxter’s Vero cell technology. CELVAPAN H1N1 is the first cell culture-based and non-adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine to receive marketing authorization in the European Union.

From Baxter International Inc. 7 Oct 2009

HTDS receives follow up report and files with Pink Sheets

HTDS www.htdsmedical.com (HTDS) - The issuer's China based operating subsidiary Mellow Hope and Serbia operating subsidiary Slavica Bio Chem are providing this news release to bring attention to today's Pink Sheets filing,

7 Oct 2009

Rapid viral testing might benefit health systems

Rapid viral diagnosis tests for respiratory diseases in children who arrive in emergency departments have the potential to reduce pressures on health systems by enabling doctors to reach a quicker diagnosis, according to Cochrane Researchers. However, they say larger trials are needed to confirm this finding.

7 Oct 2009

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

Swine Flu vaccine arrives as flu moves quickly through population

The first doses of Swine Flu have arrived in the United States, as health officials work quickly to inoculate people against the virus.

7 Oct 2009

Mexican Health Minister to discuss preparations and responses to H1N1 influenza

Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos, Secretary of Health, United States of Mexico, discussed preparations and responses to the H1N1 influenza during a visit to Washington D.C.

7 Oct 2009

Gen-Probe to acquire Prodesse for $60 million in cash

Gen-Probe Incorporated announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Prodesse, Inc., a privately held leader in molecular testing for influenza and other infectious diseases, for approximately $60 million in cash. Gen-Probe's purchase price could increase to up to $85 million if Prodesse achieves certain financial and regulatory milestones in 2010 and 2011.

7 Oct 2009

Parents should watch out for flu warning signs, says Minnesota physicians

Minnesota's physicians are urging parents to watch for the warning signs that their child is having a severe case of H1N1 and to seek out the H1N1 vaccine for their child when it becomes available.

7 Oct 2009

Research must focus on discovering potential causes and treatments for Bell's palsy

Drugs widely prescribed to treat facial paralysis in Bell's palsy are ineffective and are based on false notions of the cause of the condition, according to Cochrane Researchers. They say research must now focus on discovering other potential causes and treatments.

7 Oct 2009

HRT may increase urinary incontinence in postmenopausal women

Grappling with the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is nothing new for postmenopausal women. Researchers have now added more fuel to the fire, with evidence that HRT could play a role in incontinence.

7 Oct 2009