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FDA licenses Kogenate FS to prevent joint damage in children with hemophilia A

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for the blood product Kogenate FS to reduce the frequency of bleeding episodes and prevent joint damage in children with the most severe form of hemophilia.

12 Oct 2008

FDA approves Rapaflo for treatment of symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Rapaflo (silodosin) capsules for the treatment of symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition also known as an enlarged prostate.

12 Oct 2008

FDA licenses for marketing Cinryze for hereditary angioedema

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today licensed for marketing the first product in the United States intended to protect people with hereditary angioedema (HAE), a rare and potentially life-threatening genetic disease. HAE affects about 6,000 to 10,000 individuals in the United States.

12 Oct 2008

Tracking down the cause of Mad Cow disease - first synthetic prion protein with an anchor

The cause of diseases such as BSE in cattle and Creutzfeld-Jakob disease in humans is a prion protein. This protein attaches to cell membranes by way of an anchor made of sugar and lipid components (a glycosylphosphatidylinositol, GPI) anchor. The anchoring of the prions seems to have a strong influence on the transformation of the normal form of the protein into its pathogenic form, which causes scrapie and mad cow disease.

12 Oct 2008

On the trail of a targeted therapy for blood cancer

Investigators from the Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine are focusing on a family of blood proteins that they hope holds a key to decreasing the toxic effects of chemotherapy in children and adults.

12 Oct 2008

Ginkgo biloba may prevent brain cell damage after a stroke

Working with genetically engineered mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins have shown that daily doses of a standardized extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree can prevent or reduce brain damage after an induced stroke.

12 Oct 2008

Children with cystic fibrosis not well covered by guidelines for vitamin D needs

Existing recommendations for treating vitamin D deficiency in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) are too low to cover the serious need, leaving most at high risk for bone loss and rickets, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

12 Oct 2008

Disparities in head and neck cancer patients

A new analysis finds considerable disparities in survival related to race and socio-economic status among patients with head and neck cancer.

12 Oct 2008

The healing power of honey for wounds

Since ancient times honey has been valued for its health benefits and is even mentioned in the Bible and it has had a prominent a role in the customs and diets of many cultures for centuries.

12 Oct 2008

Little use of biological alternatives to chemical pesticides

The increasing demands from many consumers in this day and age for fruit and vegetables which have been grown free of chemical pesticides, has put scientists under pressure to find biological alternatives.

12 Oct 2008

Leaders often narcissists who love to take control

According to a new study people who are highly narcissistic tend to take control of leaderless groups.

12 Oct 2008

Concerns raised over safety of 'electronic cigarettes'

The increasing popularity of 'electronic cigarettes' is causing concern in Britain.

12 Oct 2008

Testicles may be a source of stem cells

A team of researchers from Britain and Germany have found that a man's testicles may be a source of stem cells.

12 Oct 2008

Painkillers found to reduce breast cancer risk

According to an international study the regular use of popular painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen reduces the risk of breast cancer.

12 Oct 2008

Controversy over call to arm ambulance workers with capsicum spray

A call for ambulance workers to be allowed to use capsicum spray to protect them against violent and aggressive patients has evoked quite a mixed response across Australia.

7 Oct 2008

Cheap 'Polypill' deals with heart disease and stroke

The 'Polypill' is a single pill which combines a range of drugs that protect against heart disease and stroke and was first considered a number of years ago as a cost effective way to significantly reduce the death toll from cardiovascular disease. But progress has been hampered by the reluctance of pharmaceutical companies to embark on a project involving inexpensive drugs which offered little financial incentive.

7 Oct 2008