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Bacterium's S-layer secretes many therapeutic proteins

By adapting a single protein on the surface of the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, researchers at the University of British Columbia have turned it into a protein production factory, making useful proteins that can act as vaccines and drugs. Dr. John Smit presented the findings at the Society for General Microbiology's meeting at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, today (7 September).

7 Sep 2009

Cancer drug could restore memory deficits in Alzheimer's patients

A drug now used to treat cancer may also be able to restore memory deficits in patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study conducted by scientists at Columbia University Medical Center, which appeared in the September issue of The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease: Volume 18:1.

7 Sep 2009

Scientists identify new genetic variations that are associated with type 2 diabetes

Scientists have identified a genetic variation in people with type 2 diabetes that affects how the body's muscle cells respond to the hormone insulin, in a new study published today in Nature Genetics.

7 Sep 2009

Bacterial cells could contribute to stronger bone implants

Bacteria that manufacture hydroxyapatite (HA) could be used to make stronger, more durable bone implants. Professor Lynne Macaskie from the University of Birmingham this week (7-10 September) presented work to the Society for General Microbiology's meeting at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.

7 Sep 2009

Baucus: 'Committed to getting health care reform done' soon

The Associated Press reports that Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said "I am committed to getting health care reform done — done soon and done right," in a written statement. The AP adds "He is considering making a formal proposal soon to the small group of Senate negotiators who call themselves the 'Bipartisan Six.'

7 Sep 2009

Obama 'ready to draw line in the sand' on health reform

"White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says President Barack Obama is considering his own health care legislation to cut through the stalemate on Capitol Hill. Gibbs says Americans will know exactly where the president stands after his speech to Congress on Wednesday night. He says Obama is ready to 'draw some lines in the sand.'" Gibbs appeared on ABC's "This Week" (9/6).

7 Sep 2009

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's health and fitness advocate to retire

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan President and CEO Daniel J. Loepp made the following statement in conjunction with the news of legendary Detroit Tiger broadcaster Ernie Harwell's retirement to deal with a serious illness.

5 Sep 2009

Unilife Medical Solutions of Australia to merge with Unilife USA

Unilife Medical Solutions Limited (Unilife Australia or the Company) (ASX: UNI) (PINKSHEETS: UNIFF) today announced that it entered into a Merger Implementation Agreement with Unilife Corporation (Unilife USA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Unilife Australia. The purpose of the Merger Implementation Agreement is to facilitate the proposed redomiciliation of the Unilife group to the United States of America (Proposed Transaction).

5 Sep 2009

Health insurance reform forum in Spanish

As Members of Congress get ready to head back to Washington, Organizing for America (OFA), a grassroots project of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) dedicated to supporting the President's agenda for change, will hold a first of its kind forum on health insurance reform in Spanish TOMORROW Saturday, September 5 in Tucson, Arizona, highlighting the strong support for health insurance reform throughout Arizona.

5 Sep 2009

Health bills might not protect some needy Americans, experts say

Kaiser Health News reports that the House's health overhaul proposal would allow some families "to obtain family coverage for $250 a month, with the government picking up the rest of the premium costs.

5 Sep 2009

Quest Diagnostics selected to be part of DJSI World and DJSI North America

Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, today announced that it was again selected to be part of the Dow Jones Sustainability World Indexes and North America Indexes (DJSI World and DJSI North America).

From Quest Diagnostics 5 Sep 2009

Gawande on "rationing": Provokes fear, but won't happen in U.S. health care

Atul Gawande, the New Yorker staff writer and cancer surgeon, spoke with NPR's Morning Edition about the how the word "rationing" has been used - and misused - in the health care debate.

5 Sep 2009

Xcorporeal to trade under the symbol “XCRP” on the Pink Sheets Electronic OTC Market

Xcorporeal, Inc. (Pink Sheets: XCRP) (the “Company” or “Xcorporeal”) announced that, effective as of today, the Company’s common stock commenced trading on the Pink Sheets Electronic OTC Market, an inter-dealer electronic quotation service for securities traded over-the-counter also known as the Pink Sheets, under the symbol “XCRP”.

5 Sep 2009

Senate negotiators have 'productive' phone call, despite tensions

A group of Senate negotiators, known as the Gang of Six, held a teleconference today to discuss their efforts to craft a bipartisan reform bill in the Finance Committee, USA Today reports. The group, which includes three Republicans and three Democrats, went into the call on the heels of a rough patch, with Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, asking supporter for help defeating "Obama-care" and Democrats attacking Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., for making critical remarks.

5 Sep 2009

Importance of healthcare reform for Los Angeles residents

With an estimated 1.6 million Los Angeles County residents living without health insurance, Healthcare Reform is a TOP PRIORITY for the County's working families and a key issue being discussed this Labor Day.

5 Sep 2009

Conference on neurophysiological and psychological basis of human subjective experience

In this conference, world renowned scholars and researchers from neuroscience, psychology, philosophy and ethics will discuss the neurophysiological and psychological basis of human subjective experience, the phenomenological and spiritual characteristics of these domains, and how these may interact in the process of practical reasoning and moral decision making.

5 Sep 2009

Intelgenx Technologies completes sale of 250,000 shares and warrants

IntelGenx Technologies Corp. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:IGX)(OTCBB:IGXT) announced today that it has completed the sale of 250,000 units ("Units") at a price of Cdn $0.41 per unit for gross proceeds of Cdn $102,500.00 (the "Offering").

5 Sep 2009

$2.4M approved for LHIN's Urgent Priorities and Aging at Home initiatives

At its meeting on August 26 2009, the South West LHIN Board approved a total of $2.4M for 2009/10 in one-time and base funding as part of its Urgent Priorities and Aging at Home initiatives. These initiatives and projects support the priorities identified in the LHIN's Integrated Health Service Plan (IHSP) and will help to address health care pressures within the South West LHIN.

5 Sep 2009

ASNM inaugral conference to discuss the latest in nanomedicine

Nanomedicine - the science and technology of diagnosing, treating and preventing disease to improve human health using nanotechnology - has the potential to revolutionize healthcare. Current and future products range from miniaturized "smart pills" that precision-target certain cancers to nanosensors that are capable of navigating through the body for early detection of disorders.

5 Sep 2009