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World Bank announces new head for its HIV/AIDS program

"The World Bank on Thursday named David Wilson, a Zimbabwean national who has written extensively about AIDS in the developing world, to head the poverty-fighting institution's global HIV/AIDS program," Reuters reports.

12 Jul 2010

Researchers demonstrate that MSNs can effectively suppress tumors in mice

The application of nanotechnology in the field of drug delivery has attracted much attention in recent years. In cancer research, nanotechnology holds great promise for the development of targeted, localized delivery of anticancer drugs, in which only cancer cells are affected.

12 Jul 2010

New methods may help identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease: Study

Abnormal brain images combined with examination of the composition of the fluid that surrounds the spine may offer the earliest signs identifying healthy older adults at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, well before cognitive problems emerge, a study by researchers at UC Davis has found.

12 Jul 2010

Science special section examines HIV/AIDS in Russia, Ukraine

In a special section in advance of the International AIDS Conference, Science examines the "state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Russia and Ukraine, which account for more than 90% of HIV infections in Eastern Europe."

12 Jul 2010

Sirtuin1 protein promotes memory, brain flexibility: MIT researchers

The same molecular mechanism that increases life span through calorie restriction may help boost memory and brainpower, researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory report in the July 11 issue of Nature.

12 Jul 2010

Survival rates for people diagnosed with once-deadly cancer increase: Cancer Research UK

People diagnosed with breast, bowel and ovarian cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are today twice as likely to survive for at least 10 years as those diagnosed in the early 1970s according to new figures1 released by Cancer Research UK.

12 Jul 2010

Obama announces VA will ease rules for vets to qualify for stress disorder benefits

"President Barack Obama said Saturday the country has a 'solemn responsibility' to ensure that veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder get the help they need. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki is to announce new regulations Monday intended to make it easier for veterans with PTSD to receive government benefits. The new rules will not only apply to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, but also those who served in previous conflicts. The regulations drop a provision requiring veterans to prove what caused their illness. Instead, veterans would have to show that the conditions surrounding the time and place of their service could have contributed to their illness" (Pace, 7/10).

12 Jul 2010

Alzheimer's Association recognizes four scientists for achievements in Alzheimer research at AAICAD 2010

The Alzheimer's Association recognized four scientists for their extraordinary achievements in advancing Alzheimer research at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

12 Jul 2010

CPhA welcomes announcement of agreement to lower generic drug prices

The Canadian Pharmacists Association today welcomed the announcement of an agreement reached between the Government of British Columbia, the British Columbia Pharmacy Association, and the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores to lower generic drug prices and invest in expanded pharmacy services.

12 Jul 2010

Medicaid: Generic drugs save money, dental care not always accessible

"When blockbuster drugs lose their patent protection, state Medicaid programs can save millions of dollars by switching patients to cheaper, generic versions of the medications." But, while some states have policies to shift people quickly to generics, others require permission from patients. "A new study tracking these policies concludes that some states, including Massachusetts, are quicker than others to bring down the costs of prescription drugs once alternatives are available. The difference has implications for expanding Medicaid coverage to more people after the national health care overhaul takes effect" (Cooney, 7/8).

12 Jul 2010

Accelr8 Technology completes sale of non-exclusive license for OptiChem bio-coatings

Accelr8 Technology Corporation today announced that it completed the sale of a non-exclusive license for its proprietary OptiChem bio-coatings to an innovative, public diagnostics company. The licensee is paying $1,865,000 over four annual escalating payments and intends to use OptiChem® in its disposable diagnostic devices.

12 Jul 2010

Fussy eating may be an “eating disorder” say researchers

Picky and fussy eaters are not just being difficult to please say U.S. researchers. They may be suffering from an eating disorder like anorexia or bulimia. Soon the disorder is to have an official name and the American Psychiatric Association plans to call them “selective eaters”.

11 Jul 2010

Glaxo’s diabetes pill Avandia under FDA scrutiny again

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scrutiny again. This is for its diabetes pill Avandia which is under review for the second time in three years.

11 Jul 2010

Voluntary alcohol restriction changes a community for the better

Voluntary alcohol restrictions in the West Australian town of Norseman, south of Kalgoorlie, has resulted in a reported decrease in violence and alcohol-related hospital admissions.

11 Jul 2010

Diabetes reform plans do not please the AMA

In a bid to reform the way long term illnesses like diabetes are managed in Australia, the federal government announced a $436 million scheme to be introduced from 2012.

11 Jul 2010

Sebelius pushing insurance companies to help get more Americans covered

In an interview with Reuters, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius "said she is pushing [insurance] companies to help people gain insurance in the gap between now and 2014. That is when the healthcare law President Barack Obama signed in March mandates extensive changes. Sebelius struck a cooperative tone after publicly chastising insurers for high rate hikes ... and after repeatedly calling them to the White House for highly publicized talks. A more congenial relationship with insurers could help keep the major overhaul of the healthcare system on track and loosen strained relations between Democrats and big business ahead of the November midterm elections" (Richwine, 7/8).

9 Jul 2010

UM researcher uses computer algorithms to develop vaccines for new strains of influenza viruses

Defeating the flu is challenging because the virus responsible for the disease undergoes frequent changes of its genetic code, making it difficult for scientists to manufacture effective vaccines for the seasonal flu in a timely manner. Now, a University of Miami computer scientist, Dimitris Papamichail, and a team of researchers from Stony Brook University have developed a rapid and effective approach to produce vaccines for new strains of influenza viruses.

9 Jul 2010

Phase III study results of imiquimod creams for treatment of EGW presented at HPV Conference

Results from a Phase III program evaluating imiquimod 3.75% and 2.5% creams for the treatment of EGW, applied once daily for up to 8 weeks, demonstrated that both were well-tolerated and more efficacious than placebo, according to data presented at the annual Human Papillomavirus Conference in Montreal, July 3 - 8. Investigators found that efficacy was greatest for imiquimod 3.75% with an enhanced safety profile.

9 Jul 2010

News roundup: NYC program to help poor, elderly with insurance gets cut; Colo. promotes wellness programs for small businesses

A program that for a decade helped New York City's poor and elderly navigate their way through insurance problems — and that became a model for a similar federal program — has become a casualty of city budget cuts, an administrator of the program said on Thursday. The $4 million program sent ombudsmen to 25 social service agencies across the city.

9 Jul 2010

Pioneer Surgical Technology expands Biologics Product Specialist program

Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. recently expanded its Biologics Product Specialist program to provide sales and technical biologic expertise to support their growing line of products that address bone and soft tissue repair.

9 Jul 2010