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Vaccinations do not increase risk of RA

Common adult vaccinations are not associated with an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

9 Nov 2010

Women prefer silicone implants after double mastectomy

A new study has found that women who receive silicone implants after a double mastectomy are more satisfied with their breasts than women who receive saline implants. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the findings may help physicians and breast cancer survivors as they together make decisions related to postmastectomy reconstructive surgery.

9 Nov 2010

Children of deployed parents more likely to suffer mental health problems

The New York Times: "Young children in military families are about 10 percent more likely to see a doctor for a mental difficulty when a parent is deployed than when the parent is home, researchers are reporting Monday in the most comprehensive study to date of such families' use of health insurance during wartime."

9 Nov 2010

BioCryst to present data on BCX4208 for gout at ACR Scientific Meeting

BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the presentation of new data related to the efficacy and safety of BCX4208 for the treatment of gout at the 74th ACR Scientific Meeting being held in Atlanta, Georgia.

9 Nov 2010

Anti-TNF therapy increases risk of varicella zoster virus infections

Anti tumor necrosis factor therapy increases the risk of developing varicella zoster virus infections, including shingles and chicken pox, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Atlanta.

9 Nov 2010

Employers struggle with increasing costs to insure workers

This year, Carilion Clinic has paid approximately 80 percent of the health care premium costs for full-time employees. Beginning in 2011, the region's largest employer will decrease its contribution significantly, absorbing an average of 66 percent of the premium costs.

9 Nov 2010

Omthera initiates ECLIPSE study for treatment of high triglycerides

Omthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held emerging specialty pharmaceuticals company, today announced the initiation of a randomized, open-label, four-way cross-over pharmacokinetics study to evaluate the bioavailability of Epanova, Omthera's lead compound for the treatment of very high triglycerides, in comparison to Lovaza, the leading prescription Omega-3.

9 Nov 2010

Teens abuse prescription drugs more than illegal drugs

According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, teens abuse prescription medications more than all illegal drugs combined, excluding marijuana. Many teens are under the misconception that these highly addictive, easily accessible drugs are "safer" than illicit drugs.

9 Nov 2010

New data on Soliris for PNH treatment to be presented at ASH Annual Meeting

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that researchers are scheduled to present new data relating to Soliris (eculizumab) as a treatment for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) during the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), to be held December 4 - 7, 2010 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.

9 Nov 2010

Sec. Clinton highlights importance of U.S.-Australia partnership to reduce violence against women worldwide

As part of her two-week Asia-Pacific tour, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was in Australia on Saturday, where she called for increased cooperation between Australia and the U.S. to help drive down violence against women globally, Bloomberg reports.

9 Nov 2010

Hospitals in Tennessee, Oregon invest in new growth

News outlets report on the hospital markets in Tennessee and Oregon.

9 Nov 2010

Research reveals EBV virus infected cell manipulates cancer-producing cells

A new discovery by UNC scientists describes how cells infected by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) produce small vesicles or sacs called exosomes, changing their cellular "cargo" of proteins and RNA. This altered exosome enters cells and can change the growth of recipient cells from benign to cancer-producing.

9 Nov 2010

NovaBay receives $244,479 QTDP grant for program to treat Impetigo

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class, anti-infective compounds for the treatment and prevention of antibiotic-resistant infections, announced today that it has been awarded a cash grant totaling $244,479 under the U.S. Government's Qualifying Therapeutic Discovery Project (QTDP) program.

9 Nov 2010

AOAC approves Neogen's rapid test for Salmonella enteritidis

Neogen Corporation today announced that its rapid test for Salmonella enteritidis (SE) has received approval from AOAC International.

9 Nov 2010

Doctors abandon traditional practice for concierge medicine, hospital employment

The Palm Beach Post, on the growth of concierge medicine: "As health reform prepares to send another 32 million people into the already stressed health system, some say that concierge medicine is the future — where the wealthy see the best primary care doctors in a luxury setting, and everyone else makes do with clinics staffed by 'physician extenders' such as nurse practitioners.

8 Nov 2010

New COLD-PCR technology to detect EGFR gene mutation

Transgenomic, Inc. today announced completion of a development study of several new assays to detect genetic mutations using the Company's proprietary Co-amplification at Lower Denaturing Temperature PCR (COLD-PCR) technology in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) gene.

8 Nov 2010

Government cutting premiums for Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan

The federal government is trying to spur enrollment in a new health insurance program for uninsured people with pre-existing medical conditions by slashing rates.

8 Nov 2010

Denosumab superior to Zometa in preventing SREs in breast cancer patients with bone metastases: Study

Amgen today announced the publication of results from a pivotal Phase 3 study of 2,046 patients which compared denosumab with Zometa® (zoledronic acid) in delaying or preventing skeletal-related events (SREs) in breast cancer patients with bone metastases. An SRE consists of any of the following: a pathologic fracture, the need for radiation or surgery to ameliorate bone pathology secondary to tumor growth, or spinal cord compression.

8 Nov 2010

Obesity does not increase breast cancer risk in Mexican-American women: Research

Obesity was not associated with breast cancer risk in Mexican-American women, even when measured at numerous ages throughout a woman's lifetime, according to data presented at the Ninth Annual AACR Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference, held here Nov. 7-10, 2010.

8 Nov 2010

Excess levels of TNF immune signaling protein key factor in AD

Three new studies provide converging evidence pointing to a new therapeutic target in Alzheimer's Disease(AD). These studies, from independent academic centers in the U.S., England, and China, point to excess levels of a protein called TNF as a key factor in AD. TNF is an immune signaling protein that regulates both inflammation and neuronal communication in the brain.

8 Nov 2010