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Experts propose solution to burden of medical school debt

The Wall Street Journal Health Blog: "Educational debt is a serious burden for young [and middle-aged] doctors — the median amount owed for both premedical and medical school was $145,000 for those graduating from public med schools in 2008 and a whopping $180,000 for private school grads.

8 Jul 2010

Vitamin E may help prevent cognitive deterioration in elderly people: Study

High levels of several vitamin E components in the blood are associated with a decreased risk for Alzheimer's disease in advanced age, suggesting that vitamin E may help prevent cognitive deterioration in elderly people. This is the conclusion reached in a Swedish study published in the July 2010 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

8 Jul 2010

Cardiac Concepts initiates enrollment in European trial of RespiCardia System for CSA

Cardiac Concepts, Inc., a developer of medical devices to treat Heart Failure patients who experience breathing disturbances during sleep, announced today enrollment of the first European patients in a Pilot Clinical Trial. The purpose of the Pilot Study is to understand the respiratory and cardiac benefits of the RespiCardia™ System when treating a breathing disorder known as Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) in Heart Failure patients.

8 Jul 2010

Scientists identify new strategy for treating movement disorders

Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and Stanford University have shown how key circuits in the brain control movement. The research, published in the journal Nature not only establishes the function of these circuits, but offers promise for treating movement related disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.

8 Jul 2010

HealthPlan Holdings announces acquisition of GEMGroup

HealthPlan Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of outsourcing solutions to insurers in the individual, small business and union trust markets, announced today that it has acquired GEMGroup. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, GEMGroup specializes in accounting, pension and 401(k) administration software and services to self-funded and Taft-Hartley employee benefit plans for unionized workers.

8 Jul 2010

Patients cope with navigating the health care system

Americans who lose employer coverage between now and 2014, when much of the health overhaul kicks in, "may find buying insurance on their own unaffordable." But for those without coverage and who can't afford to buy it "there are ways to cope."

8 Jul 2010

What do EMRs mean for patient privacy?

The Miami Herald: The federal government is spending billions to make electronic medical records a standard feature of physician offices and hospitals, but the change is not without a cost — to doctors' balance sheets, and possibly to patient privacy.

8 Jul 2010

FDA approves Beech Tree Labs' IND for Phase 1/2a clinical evaluation of BTL-TML-HSV

Beech Tree Labs, Inc., announced today that the FDA has approved its IND for a Phase 1/2a clinical evaluation of BTL-TML-HSV, a novel therapeutic agent for treating recurrent oral herpes infections. The study will be a 210 patient, multi-site, placebo-controlled trial and is anticipated to begin later this summer.

8 Jul 2010

FDA issues formal response to Nephros' 510(k) application for hemodiafiltration system

Nephros, Inc., a medical device company developing and marketing filtration products for therapeutic applications, infection control, and water purification, today reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a formal response to the company's 510(k) application.

8 Jul 2010

DFine announces closing of $36.2M round of equity financing

DFine, Inc., developer of minimally invasive solutions for treating vertebral pathologies, announced today the closing of a $36.2 million round of equity financing. The round was led by new investor Split Rock Partners. Funding was also contributed by new investor OrbiMed, and inside investors Prospect Venture Partners, Vanguard Ventures, BBT Fund/Apothecary Capital, Highland Capital Management and several private investors.

8 Jul 2010

Finance Committee lawmakers press insurer on failing to pay Part D claims

In a recent letter, Senate Finance Committee leaders Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, demanded that an insurer that was kicked out of the Medicare Part D drug program pay its outstanding claims.

8 Jul 2010

Community Health Systems subsidiary acquires Marion Regional Healthcare System

Community Health Systems, Inc. announced today that a subsidiary has acquired substantially all of the assets of Marion Regional Healthcare System located in Marion, South Carolina. The system includes Marion Regional Hospital, a 124-bed, full service acute care hospital, Mullins Nursing Center, a 92-bed skilled nursing facility, and other ancillary services.

8 Jul 2010

Bowel cancer screening test may be less likely to spot cancerous changes in summer: Study

A new study suggests that the test used in the Italian national bowel cancer screening programme may be less likely to spot cancerous changes in summer than it is in winter.

8 Jul 2010

Crooks defraud health care system with fake insurance plans and phony Medicare, Medicaid claims

"Massive unemployment and a changing health care system is creating a breeding ground for con artists." Fake health insurance is one of the "fastest growing scams." Advertisements for such products are "stapled to neighborhood telephone polls, flyers left on your car or maybe you'll get a phone call from someone who's selling health insurance at extremely low rates, as low as $29.99 a month in some cases, says Jim Quiggle of the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. The sad truth is that often these bogus policies pay little or nothing on claims, leaving consumers with exorbitant medical bills" (Haley, 7/6).

8 Jul 2010

Common glucose test accurately predicts Type II adult-onset diabetes, study finds

A common test to diagnose gestational diabetes -- a temporary condition which can harm both mother and child if left untreated -- also has predictive power for Type II adult-onset diabetes, a new Tel Aviv University study finds.

8 Jul 2010

Australian health makeover over the next few years planned

Australian health is about to get a massive make over according to the four year time schedule and plans announced by the Federal Government. The plans include major reforms that will be undertaken over the next two years.

7 Jul 2010

In depth look at Victorian ambulance services before November

After quite a few cases of delayed ambulance services the Victorian Auditor-General has now agreed to have an in-depth look at Victoria's ambulance services before the November state election. This is in response to a communication made by the State Opposition earlier this year.

7 Jul 2010

Brain fever mistaken as migraine kills a 30 year old woman

Jane Harrop, a 30 year old British woman was complaining of headaches for several days that made her feel “drunk”. She was diagnosed to be suffering from migraine but died two days later from a viral infection of the brain.

7 Jul 2010

Patent issued for jellyfish protein for therapeutic application

Quincy Bioscience, a research-based biotechnology company, announced the issuance of United States patent No.7,671,015. The patent covers the use of aequorin-containing compounds for the purpose of preventing and alleviating symptoms and disorders related to calcium imbalance.

7 Jul 2010

San Diego's Sharp Memorial Hospital named America's Most Beautiful Hospital

Soliant Health, a leading specialty healthcare staffing provider and part of Adecco Group, is proud to announce that San Diego's Sharp Memorial Hospital was named America's Most Beautiful Hospital by Soliant.com visitors.

7 Jul 2010