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New discovery suggests novel methods for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered previously unsuspected mutations that contribute to the formation of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common cancer in children.

8 Mar 2007

Vaccines again linked to form of autism

New findings presented yesterday at a National Autism Association meeting bolster claims that vaccines may play a role in the development of autism spectrum disorders.

8 Mar 2007

Archemix granted two European patents

Archemix has announced today the issuance of two key, broad patents by the European Patent Office ("EPO"). The patents, EP 0 786 469 and EP 0 668 931, broadly cover methods for the identification and use of aptamers for therapeutic applications.

8 Mar 2007

FDA needs authority to approve generic biologics

AARP called on Congress today to give the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to approve safe, cost-effective generic versions of often expensive biologic drug therapies.

8 Mar 2007

Gene that prevents cancer also controls the skin's suntanning machinery

"The p53 tumor suppressor is commonly mutated in human cancer," explained David Fisher, director of the Melanoma Program in Medical Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. "Now, we've found that it plays a role in the skin's tanning response."

8 Mar 2007

ARIUS Research granted two new U.S. patents for antibodies

ARIUS Research has announced that it has been granted two new United States patents for antibodies within their CD63 program. Patent 7,175,846. covers anti-cancer antibodies in ARIUS' partnered program for melanoma, breast and prostate cancers and protects the valuable site on the disease target that the drug candidate binds to.

8 Mar 2007

It's a fact stress makes teens spotty!

The study looked at whether levels of sebum, the oily substance that coats the skin and protects the hair, increase in times of stress and are related to acne severity.

8 Mar 2007

When it comes to antioxidants, orange could be the new red!

Scientists say a special variety of orange tomatoes may be healthier than the usual bright red ones.

8 Mar 2007

Obese couples are less fertile

According to Danish researchers being obese can hinder conception and this is especially true if both partners are overweight.

8 Mar 2007

AIDS and circumcision - the jury's still out

According to preliminary results of a study in Africa, although circumcision offers men some protection from the AIDS virus, if they are already-infected, unless they let the penis heal completely they may put women at an even higher risk of contracting the virus.

8 Mar 2007

Lipitor given the green light for more heart risk patients

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. has given approval for the best seller drug Lipitor to be used in five new categories.

8 Mar 2007

Novartis to continue Indian patent fight

Novartis CEO Daniel Vasella on Tuesday at the company's annual general meeting said that the drug maker plans to continue a lawsuit challenging a section of India's Patents Act that aims to restrict certain kinds of patents, despite criticism from some HIV/AIDS advocacy groups and shareholders, Reuters reports

8 Mar 2007

HIV/AIDS services in Myanmar being pulled due to Government pressure

An increasing number of international organizations and health workers have stopped offering HIV/AIDS services in Myanmar because of pressure from the country's military government, the Washington Times reports.

8 Mar 2007

Arkansas Senate approves bill that would require prison inmates to receive HIV test before release

The Arkansas Senate on Monday voted 35-0 to approve a bill (HB 1444) that would require state inmates to receive HIV tests before being released, the AP/Pine Bluff Commercial reports.

8 Mar 2007

Fishing communities in some developing countries highly affected by HIV/AIDS

Fishing communities in some developing countries have higher HIV prevalences, as well as AIDS-related illnesses and mortality rates, than other populations, primarily because of travel and a custom of trading sex for fish, according to a report released on Monday by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the SAPA/Cape Argus reports.

8 Mar 2007

California Sen. Carole Migden introduces bill to allow HIV-positive men to use reproductive services

California Sen. Carole Migden (D) recently introduced a bill (SB 443) that would allow HIV-positive men to use reproductive services, including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization, under certain guidelines, the MediaNews/San Jose Mercury News reports.

8 Mar 2007

HIV-positive men who have sex before circumcision wounds are healed could increase female partners' infection risk

HIV-positive men undergoing circumcision might be more likely to transmit the virus to their female partners if they have sex before the circumcision wounds have healed, according to preliminary results from a study being conducted in Uganda and presented on Tuesday to 75 officials from the World Health Organization and UNAIDS at a meeting in Montreux, Switzerland, the Washington Post reports

8 Mar 2007

World Bank will not finance condom purchases in India

The World Bank and the United Kingdom's Department for International Development recently announced that they will not help the Indian government purchase condoms to fight the spread of HIV under the third phase of the country's National AIDS Control Program, which is scheduled to begin in April, because of an alleged lack of transparency in purchasing procedures, the Financial Times reports.

8 Mar 2007

Doctors in Zimbabwe end two-month strike

Doctors in Zimbabwe have ended a two-month strike after reaching a deal with the government over their wages, Health Minister David Parirenyatwa said on Saturday, Reuters South Africa reports.

8 Mar 2007

Reasons for low fertility rates in industrialized countries

The New York Times Magazine on Sunday examined why industrialized countries have been experiencing decreased fertility rates and how differing policies regarding maternity leave and worker benefits are affecting the rates.

8 Mar 2007