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Metabolic surgery could revolutionize
diabetes treatment
Metabolic surgery, a new surgical approach to metabolic disease, may
provide the key to curing diabetes in some patients. Recent studies have
indicated that bariatric surgery, typically used to treat severe
obesity, often results in normalization of blood sugar levels and other
metabolic abnormalities. 28 May 2009
European online obesity survey launched
With excess weight and obesity increasing across Europe at an alarming
rate, the online survey seeks to understand to what degree this is of
concern to European citizens and what steps we think should be taken to
address this pressing issue. 28 May 2009
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Reducing chronic diseases critical to US
economic recovery and healthcare reform
The second annual Almanac of Chronic Disease published by the US
Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) highlights the factors
making up the US$1.7 trillion cost to the US economy of treating chronic
diseases. 28 May 2009
Diabetes experts issue new recommendations
for inpatient glycemic control
New recommendations by a consensus group of the American Association of
Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the American Diabetes Association
(ADA) are calling for major changes in the way healthcare professionals
treat hospitalized patients with high blood glucose (sugar) levels. 28
May 2009
Connections between diabetes and
Alzheimer’s disease explored
Numerous epidemiological studies have described the incidence of both
Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes in the Western world and
extensively defined common environmental risk factors. In a special issue
of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (April 2009), nineteen
contributions examine the possible connections between AD and T2D. 28
May 2009
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to
develop field kit to detect insecticide resistance in mosquitoes
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) has been awarded a £1.1m
grant by the US National Institutes of Health to lead a five-year
project to develop a Field Applicable Screening Tool (FAST) kit to
detect resistance to public health insecticides in mosquitoes. 28 May
2009
Medtronic device registry shows how
implantable heart devices work in clinical practice
The first results from the Medtronic Inc., OMNI Study reveal that one
out of six patients with an ICD or CRT-Ds to prevent sudden cardiac
arrest, received potentially life-saving medical therapy. 28 May 2009
Roche launches detection kit for influenza
A(H1N1)
Roche Applied Science has launched a new detection kit for the Influenza
A(H1N1) virus for use in life science research. Roche is filing to get
approval of the local health authorities worldwide for use of the kit in
emergency situations. 28 May 2009
Nanogen enters asset purchase agreement
with Elitech and files for bankruptcy
Nanogen, Inc. (Pink Sheets: NGEN), developer of molecular and rapid
diagnostic products, has executed an asset-purchase agreement with
French company Elitech Group, a privately held diagnostics company, to
acquire substantially all of the assets of Nanogen. 28 May 2009
RaySearch enters partnership with Siemens
Swedish company RaySearch Laboratories AB has entered into a long-term
development and licensing agreement with Siemens Healthcare in which
RaySearch will provide a number of treatment planning modules that will
be integrated in Siemens’ syngo Suite for Oncology. 28 May 2009
Test of benefit of blue-white light on
dementia patients
A team of lighting and nursing researchers in the US are testing the
effects of blue-white light on dementia patients in a long-term care
facility to see if simulating daylight can have health benefits for the
patients who spend long periods indoors. 28 May 2009
Developed world neglects diarrheal diseases
that kill 1.6 million children
PATH and WaterAid America have released two new reports that show that
the international aid community and developing-country governments are
not responding to clear evidence on child mortality by targeting
resources where the disease burden is greatest. 27 May 2009
Institute for OneWorld Health in
collaboration to fight neglected diarrheal diseases
The US-based non-profit pharmaceutical company has successfully
completed its first screening campaign of the Roche proprietary compound
library and will select up to 40 new drug leads for further study
intended to identify a new treatment for childhood diarrhea. 28 May 2009
St Jude Medical gains EU approval for
cardiac mapping system
St. Jude Medical, Inc. has gained European CE Mark approval and first
use of its EnSite Velocity cardiac mapping system. This new system has
been designed to help physicians more efficiently diagnose and deliver
therapy to treat abnormal heart rhythms. 28 May 2009
Canopus BioPharma studies use of statins
for treating flu
Canopus BioPharma Inc. has commissioned a team of experts to assist with
its plans for major collaborations to license, manufacture and
distribute its H1N1 swine flu statin antiviral. It is in negotiations to
initiate large scale clinical trials and gaining marketing approval. 28
May 2009
Sartorius Stedim Biotech introduces
innovative single-use bioreactors
Sartorius Stedim Biotech has introduced two prototypes of innovative
single-use bioreactors that operate based on novel mixing technologies.
28 May 2009
Cardiola receives EU approval for home cardiac counterpulsation
system
Cardiola AG has received CE Mark recertification to market its m.pulse
system for at-home use to treat chronic heart failure (CHF), the most
frequent cause of hospitalization in persons over 65. 27 May 2009
Bruker introduces next-generation
ultra-sensitive ion trap
Bruker Daltonics amaZon series ion trap has 10-times improved MS/MS
sensitivity over current platforms, novel technology for accelerated
data acquisition, significantly enhanced mass resolution, and
second-generation fast and sensitive ETD/PTR capabilities. 27 May 2009
Health interventions in early childhood
could save billions in adult health costs
A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US
has found that promoting the health of young children before five years
of age could save US society up to US$65 billion in future healthcare
costs. 27 May 2009
Clinical decision support system for iPhone
Wave Medical has expanded its clinical decision support applications for
general practitioners, nurses, emergency doctors and medical students to
the iPhone and iPod Touch. 27 May 2009
Antibody fragment production breakthrough
with 2nd generation EBA
Richter-Helm BioLogics GmbH & Co. KG has announced a technological
breakthrough in the purification of antibody fragments from an E.
coli expression system. 27 May 2009
Corbis offers Science Faction’s medical,
science and space photos
Visual media provider Corbis has partnered with leading science and
technology image supplier Science Faction to distribute its premium
rights-managed photography covering physical and natural sciences, high
technology, medicine and space. 27 May 2009
Horiba Medical launches Pentra SAfe for POC
haematology
HORIBA Medical has launched Pentra SAfe to provide secure and remote
access to its bench top haematology analyser, the ABX Pentra 60 C+ in
point-of-care environments. 27 May 2009
Report: In Vitro Diagnostics in a Recession
It is commonly asserted that in vitro diagnostics is a recession-proof
industry. This report tests that assumption: What impact is the downturn
having on in vitro diagnostic companies? What are the best areas of IVD
and the best world markets? How should companies price and market their
products? What are key companies in the market doing at this time?
more ...
Report: Top Ten Global In-Vitro Diagnostics Companies
The global in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) market is forecast to grow at a
rate of 6% to reach $50.0bn in 2012. Roche is the largest player in the
market with a share of 20%. It is followed by Siemens and Abbott, who
both hold 12% of the market. The IVD market is highly consolidated, with
the top ten players holding close to 80% market share. A number of large
in-vivo players have entered the IVD market recently, signalling the
convergence of the two diagnostic fields. Siemens Healthcare is a
prominent example of this trend, following their acquisition of DPC,
Bayer Diagnostics and Dade Behring.
more ...
Thin-film battery revenues to come from
medical devices, sensors and watches
Thin-film batteries are being designed as energy storage devices for
small photovoltaic or thermoelectric systems to create ultra-long-lived
power sources for medical devices, sensors and watches. 19 May 2009
Generic pharmaceuticals saved US healthcare
$734 billion over last decade
The use of generic pharmaceuticals saved the American healthcare system
more than $734 billion from 1999-2008, with approximately $121 billion in
savings in 2008 alone, according to a report published by the Generic
Pharmaceutical Association. 19 May 2009
Biotech business model unsustainable in
current economic crisis
The global biotechnology industry delivered a solid financial
performance in 2008 despite worldwide economic turmoil, according to
Ernst & Young's 23rd annual report on the biotech industry. 19 May 2009
Early findings on development of Mexican
swine flu reported in new study
An international team including World Health Organisation and public
health agencies in Mexico, have found that the outbreak data so far is
very consistent with the early stages of a pandemic and the strain of
influenza is as lethal as the 1957 pandemic. 13 May 2009
Imperial College to build £99m health
science centre in London
A new centre will will form a key part of the Academic Health Science
Centre, which is a unique partnership between Imperial College London
and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust that aims to bring new
therapies and treatments to patients much more quickly than ever before.
13 May 2009
Dementia in Clinical Practice — a new book
Dementia in Clinical Practice summarizes
the most recent advances in the field and provides an updated view of
the disorders likely to be encountered in daily practice. 11 May 2009
Warning over 6-month time lag to develop
pandemic flu vaccine
Research from the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of
Leicester NHS Trust warns of a six-month time lag before effective
vaccines can be manufactured in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak. 11
May 2009
GE expands developing health globally
program to Cambodia
GE has announced that it is expanding its Developing Health Globally
program to include six sites in Cambodia and is donating ultrasound
equipment, mobile x-rays and patient monitors to Cambodia’s Ministry of
Health, for distribution to 23 public health facilities. 11 May 2009
GE commits US$6bn to healthcare innovation
GE has announced a US$3 billion budget for the next six years for
healthcare innovation, a further US$2 billion of financing and US$1
billion in related GE technology and content to drive healthcare
information technology and health in rural and underserved areas. 11 May
2009
UK company produces first DNA test kit for
Mexican swine flu
PrimerDesign Ltd based in Southampton says it has won the race to
produce the first DNA test kit for the Mexican swine flu A (H1N1). The
rapid test gives results in only two hours compared to two days for
current diagnostic tests. 11 May 2009
Swine flu having powerful impact in Sweden
Sales of face masks are breaking records in Sweden. Before the outbreak
of the A(H1N1) flu in Mexico, few Swedes were concerned about pandemics,
previously unknown diseases, or diseases related to animals, such as mad
cow disease or BSE. 11 May 2009
Stem cell transplantation helps diabetics
become insulin free
The majority of patients with type 1 diabetes who underwent a certain
type of stem cell transplantation became insulin free, several for more
than three years, according to a new study. 8 May 2009
Chemical compound that may stop brain
tumours identified
Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of
Medicine have identified a compound that could be modified to treat one
of the most deadly types of cancer, and discovered how a particular gene
mutation contributes to tumour growth. 8 May 2009
New TB vaccine clears important hurdle
An urgently needed new tuberculosis vaccine cleared a vital step in
testing, an important advance at time when a third of the world’s
population is believed to be have latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI),
which, when re-activated, can cause full-blown disease. 8 May 2009
Autism genes discovery suggests biological
reasons for altered neural development
A research team has connected more of the intricate pieces of the autism
puzzle, with two studies that identify genes with important
contributions to the disorder. 8 May 2009
Energex proposes HemoModulation therapy for
treatment of H1N1 swine flu
Energex Systems Inc. has announced that it has notified the FDA of its
interest in applying for an Emergency Use Approval that would permit the
company to offer its HemoModulation therapy for the treatment of
influenza type A(H1N1), otherwise known as swine flu. 8 May 2009
New rodent virus implicated in human sudden
infant death syndrome
Ljungan virus which was only discovered in the 1990s in rodents, has
been found in 11 of 12 cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by
investigators from Sweden and the USA. 8 May 2009
Custom-designed nanoparticles key to new
generation of highly effective vaccines
Liquidia Technologies has developed a method to custom design and
produce nanoparticles for carrying vaccines that can enhance immune
response up to 10-fold. 7 May 2009
Modified antibiotics could treat genetic
diseases
By modifying the properties of the common antibiotic gentamicin,
researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have
developed what could become an effective treatment for many human
genetic diseases, including cystic fibrosis, Duchenne muscular
dystrophy, Usher Syndrome and numerous cancers. 7 May 2009
Common human virus kills cancer stem cells
Reovirus, a common virus in humans that does not cause disease, has been
found to effectively target and kill cancer stem cells in breast cancer
tissue. The finding could lead to new ways of treating cancer. 7 May
2009
e-Zassi software streamlines
commercialisation of medical device technologies
e-Zassi.com is predictive decision support software that provides rapid
due diligence, triaging and assessment of new medical device
innovations. 7 May 2009
Phase Forward signs agreement with Novo
Nordisk for use of InForm for clinical trial data capture
The multi-million dollar agreement allows Danish company Novo Nordisk to
use Phase Forward’s InForm electronic data capture product across all
clinical trial phases, from Phases I through IV. 7 May 2009
Medication Management Canada offers
decision support and electronic record system for pharmacists
The system provides pharmacists a clinical decision support system and
electronic therapeutic record to promote common practice standards,
document therapeutic outcomes, and improve patient care. 7 May 2009
Major Portuguese hospital selects Sectra to
provide PACS
Hospital de São João, one of Portugal’s largest hospitals, has selected
Sectra to provide picture archiving and communications (PACS) products
and services in a multi-year contract. 7 May 2009
St Jude Medical gains EU approval for
remote care system for implantable cardiac devices
St Jude Medical's Merlin.net Patient Care Network (PCN) is a secure,
Internet-based remote care system that gathers and stores data from the
implant procedure, a clinic follow-up visit or from remote follow-up
transmissions of patients with implanted cardiac devices. 7 May
iSOFT wins €600,000 HIS contract in Italy
IBA Health Group Limited has announced that iSOFT has entered the
Italian market with a €600,000 contract to install its hospital
information system in four hospitals operated by Consorzio Regionale
Servizi Sociali (CRESS), a private healthcare group. 6 May 2009
Philips acquires Canadian minimally
invasive instrument supplier Traxtal
Royal Philips Electronics has announced that it has acquired
Canada-based Traxtal Inc., Traxtal will become part of the Ultrasound
business within the Philips Healthcare sector. 6 May 2009
SCM Microsystems completes merger with
Hirsch Electronics
SCM Microsystems, Inc. based in Ismaning, Germany, has announced that it
has closed its merger with Hirsch Electronics Corp. Hirsch is now a
wholly-owned subsidiary of SCM. 6 May 2009
Ventilator controlled by brain signals
helps infants in critical condition
Patient case reports from several hospitals show that a revolutionary
technique for assisted breathing by mechanical ventilation called NAVA
can improve the interaction between a child and the ventilator. 6 May
2009
Hospital infection control will be critical
in preventing spread of swine flu
The severity and extent of the current swine flu outbreak (now
officially named influenza A(H1N1) by WHO) are unknown, but the SARS
outbreak (severe acute respiratory syndrome) in 2003 taught that
rigorous infection control in hospitals may be key to limiting deaths
from any disease outbreak. 1 May 2009
Preparing for pandemic flu — guides for
families, businesses, healthcare providers
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) has re-issued its series of It's
Not Flu As Usual guides on pandemic flu preparedness for families,
businesses, medical providers, and community groups. The guides are
applicable to all countries. 1 May 2009
Course on nanotechnology and regenerative medicine
The Institute of Nanotechnology in partnership with Nanomednet and the
Cranfield Institute of Technology is holding a one-day course on
nanotechnology and regenerative medicine at the Linnean Society, London
on 7 May 2009.
1 May 2009.
Swine flu could be a disaster for weak
public health systems in developing countries
A potential spread of swine flu to developing countries without adequate
means to track the outbreak or to treat those infected could prove
disastrous, says humanitarian agency World Vision. 1 May 2009
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