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'Survival protein' protects brain against effects of stroke

Johns Hopkins scientists say that a newly discovered "survival protein" protects the brain against the effects of stroke in rodent brain tissue by interfering with a particular kind of cell death that's also implicated in complications from diabetes and heart attack.

24 May 2011

NIH awards $3.03 million grant to UTMB researcher to continue groundbreaking aging study

Rebeca Wong, one of the nation's foremost experts on aging, has been awarded $3.03 million by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health to continue a groundbreaking study in Mexico. Wong will use the grant for a longitudinal aging study she and collaborators started in 2001.

24 May 2011

Long-term, regular acetaminophen use may be associated with lower prostate cancer risk

A new study from American Cancer Society researchers finds use of 30 tablets a month or more of acetaminophen for five or more years was associated with an estimated 38% lower risk of prostate cancer. The study appears in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention and is one of only two studies of prostate cancer to date that have examined the association with acetaminophen use that was both long-term and regular.

24 May 2011

African-Americans with multiple sclerosis have lower vitamin D levels

African-Americans who have multiple sclerosis have lower vitamin D levels than African-Americans who don't have the disease, according to a study published in the May 24, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

24 May 2011

Vertex Incivek receives FDA approval for treatment of chronic hepatitis C

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Incivek treat certain adults with chronic hepatitis C infection. Incivek is used for patients who have either not received interferon-based drug therapy for their infection or who have not responded adequately to prior therapies. Incivek is approved for use with interferon therapy made up of peginterferon alfa and ribavirin.

24 May 2011

Aptus EndoStapling System receives CE Mark approval

Aptus Endosystems, Inc., a medical device company developing advanced technology for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), announced CE Mark approval for the Aptus EndoStapling System. The innovative helical staple technology enables independent endograft fixation, and is designed to mimic the hand suturing performed during open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

From Medtronic 24 May 2011

Journal of Clinical Oncology publishes Exelixis' cabozantinib phase 1 trial results in lymphoma

Exelixis, Inc. today announced the results of the phase 1 clinical trial of cabozantinib in patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphoma have been published in the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

24 May 2011

Patient Safety Technologies first quarter total revenue decreases to $2.0 million

Patient Safety Technologies, Inc. today announced financial results for its first quarter of 2011 ended March 31, 2011.

24 May 2011

FDA approves Taro's ANDA for Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. reported today that it has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its Abbreviated New Drug Application for Cetirizine Hydrochloride Oral Solution, 1 mg/mL.

24 May 2011

Opinion: Recognizing the success of foreign aid

In the Wall Street Journal, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, applauds economist Charles Kenny's book, "Getting Better: Why Global Development Is Succeeding - and How We Can Improve the World Even More."

24 May 2011

Key U.S. patents increase commercial rights and clinical indications

Australian regenerative medicine company, Mesoblast Limited (ASX:MSB; OTC ADR: MBLTY), today announced that the company’s product development strategy has been significantly strengthened by novel composition of matter claims granted by the United States Patent and Trade Mark Office (USPTO) in two distinct patent families to which Mesoblast has exclusive worldwide commercial rights.

23 May 2011

Terminally ill missing out on palliative care: Survey reports

According to two new surveys, increased hospital admissions in the last three months of life could be of little benefit to dying people and are in contrast to the wishes of many.

23 May 2011

Tobacco wars

According to reports, Australia is gearing up for the world's toughest laws on tobacco promotion but Health Minister Nicola Roxon denied Sunday the government's ultimate goal was a complete ban on smoking.

23 May 2011

Infertility centers under scrutiny

Private infertility treatment centers in Britain are set to come under increased scrutiny. These centers have come under scrutiny for exploiting vulnerable couples with their high fees and exaggerated success story claims.

23 May 2011

Public smoking ban in NYC

Smoking has been banned from many parts of the U.S. over the last decade. New York City is now taking the war against tobacco a step further with a new law that goes into effect tomorrow, banning smoking outdoors - at beaches, boardwalks, parks, and pedestrian plazas.

23 May 2011

Zombie attack guidelines

According to a blog post, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has put together tips on how to avoid becoming attacked by zombies. A "Zombie Task Force" acting for the US Government has released official advice on how to survive an undead apocalypse.

23 May 2011

New genetic testing technology for IVG embryos

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have devised a new technique, which helps couples that are affected by or are carriers of genetic diseases have in vitro fertilized babies free of both the disease in question and other chromosomal abnormalities. The results were reported in the April issue of Fertility and Sterility.

23 May 2011

Johns Hopkins bioethicists urge disaster preparedness for mentally impaired

Johns Hopkins bioethicists say disaster-response planning has generally overlooked the special needs of people who suffer from pre-existing and serious mental conditions. Survivors already diagnosed with schizophrenia, dementia, addictions and bipolar disorder are vulnerable long before a disaster strikes, they point out.

23 May 2011

PolyPid announces new drug delivery system and an innovative biodegradable bone void filler

PolyPid, a developer of innovative drug carriers, announced today the company’s flagship platform – PolyPid. PolyPid is a new, innovative family of drug carriers, based on a fusion between two known drug delivery systems: polymers and lipid-based systems. The new drug carriers enable long-lasting and controlled release of therapeutic drugs. The revolutionary, patented carrier can be tailored to almost any drug – small molecules, peptides, protein and nucleic acids-based drugs. The formulations can be pre-planned in order to achieve the desired release rate of the drug/s and the optimal duration, which can last up to several months.

23 May 2011

HIV-infected donors present novel source of organs for HIV-infected transplant candidates

A new study published in the American Journal of Transplantation reveals that HIV-infected deceased donors represent a potentially novel source of organs for HIV-infected transplant candidates that could decrease waitlist deaths and even shorten the national waitlist.

23 May 2011