News
The Lead
Osteoarthritis Progression Halted
May 20, 2013 | Comments
Scientists have turned their view of osteoarthritis (OA) inside out. Literally. Instead of seeing the painful degenerative disease as a problem primarily of the cartilage that cushions joints, they now have evidence that the bone underneath the cartilage is also a key player and exacerbates the damage.
NYU Researchers Took Chinese Bribes
May 20, 2013 3:37 pm | by BY TOM HAYS - ASSOCIATED PRESS | Comments
Three New York University researchers from China divulged results from a federally funded study...
Multitasking Neurons Enhance Brain Flexibility
May 20, 2013 11:40 am | Comments
Over the past few decades, neuroscientists have made much progress in mapping the brain by...
Biochemical Transformations Were Possible on Early Earth
May 20, 2013 10:50 am | Comments
The study shows that RNA is capable of catalyzing electron transfer under conditions similar to...
Tunisia announces 3 cases of coronavirus, 1 death
May 21, 2013 6:23 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsTunisia's Health Ministry says a 66-year-old man has died after being infected by the new coronavirus following a visit to Saudi Arabia. The ministry's statement reported that his son and daughter were also diagnosed with the virus but have been treated and since recovered. The cases are the...
After a decade, global AIDS program looks ahead
May 21, 2013 3:08 am | by JIM ABRAMS - Associated Press - Associated Press | CommentsThe decade-old law that transformed the battle against HIV and AIDS in developing countries is at a crossroads. The dream of future generations freed from epidemic is running up against an era of economic recovery and harsh budget cuts. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief grew out of...
Report: NPS hantavirus response followed policy
May 21, 2013 12:10 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsYOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) — Federal investigators probing the hantavirus outbreak blamed for three deaths at Yosemite National Park recommended on Monday that design changes to tent cabins and other privately run lodging first be reviewed by National Park Service officials. The report...
Pfizer halts study of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma drug
May 20, 2013 6:39 pm | by LINDA A. JOHNSON - AP Business Writer - Associated Press | CommentsDrugmaker Pfizer Inc. has halted a late-stage study of an experimental cancer compound being tested in patients with a certain form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, because an interim analysis showed the drug wasn't helping patients live longer. Pfizer said late Monday that it was stopping the study...
Sports seem OK for many with heart-zapping device
May 20, 2013 5:47 pm | by LAURAN NEERGAARD - AP Medical Writer - Associated Press | CommentsNew research is challenging medical guidelines that say people with a heart-zapping device in their chests should avoid intense sports like basketball and soccer in favor of golf or bowling. Lots of patients ignore that take-it-easy advice and stay in the game, and Monday's findings suggest...
Royalty Pharma increases bid for drugmaker Elan
May 20, 2013 2:33 pm | by The Associated Press | CommentsRoyalty Pharma has raised its offer to buy Elan on the condition that shareholders reject the Irish drugmaker's push to refocus its business through a string of recently announced deals, including two new deals unveiled Monday. Royalty said Monday it will pay $12.50 in cash for each share of Elan...
Life, Death and Everything in Between
May 20, 2013 12:00 pm | by Harvard Medical School | CommentsLife, Death and Everything in Between
FDA has safety concerns with Merck insomnia drug
May 20, 2013 11:42 am | by MATTHEW PERRONE - AP Health Writer - Associated Press | CommentsFederal health regulators say an experimental insomnia drug from Merck can help patients fall asleep, but it also carries worrisome side effects, including daytime drowsiness and suicidal thinking. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday released its review of the company's sleep aid,...
New MATH Method for Head, Neck Cancer
May 20, 2013 11:05 am | CommentsA new method of measuring the variety of genetic mutations found in cells within a tumor appears to predict treatment outcomes of patients with the most common type of head and neck cancer. The research describes how a new way of measuring tumor heterogeneity was a better predictor of survival than are most traditional risk factors in a small group of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
Court: woman can seek lawyer fees in vaccine case
May 20, 2013 10:21 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsThe Supreme Court says a woman can seek lawyers' fees from the government even though her lawsuit over damage she said was caused by a vaccine was ruled untimely. The high court on Monday ruled for Melissa Cloer, who wanted lawyers' fees for her lawsuit over damage she says was caused by...
Drugmaker Elan plans string of acquisitions
May 20, 2013 8:35 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsElan Corp. PLC plans to pay about $338 million for a privately held, Austrian drug developer and at least $110 million for stakes in two other companies as the Irish drugmaker continues to refocus after unloading its main revenue source, an ownership stake in the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri. ...
Actavis buying Warner Chilcott in $8.5B deal
May 20, 2013 8:00 am | by MICHELLE CHAPMAN - AP Business Writer - Associated Press | CommentsActavis is buying Warner Chilcott in an all-stock transaction valued at about $8.5 billion which would create the third-biggest specialty pharmaceutical company in the U.S. The announcement on Monday comes after the two companies said earlier this month that they were in talks about a possible...
Affymetrix CFO Barabe to retire in June
May 20, 2013 6:29 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsAffymetrix Chief Financial Officer Tim Barabe is planning to retire from his post next month. The genetic testing instrument business said Monday that it is promoting Gavin Wood to the position. Barabe's retirement is effective June 28. Wood will be responsible for Affymetrix's finance,...
UK Measles Surge Years After Vaccine Scare
May 20, 2013 6:00 am | by MARIA CHENG - AP Medical Writer - Associated Press | CommentsMore than a decade ago, British parents refused to give measles shots to at least a million children because of a vaccine scare that raised the specter of autism. Now, health officials are scrambling to catch up and stop a growing epidemic of the contagious disease. This year, the U.K. has had more than 1,200 cases of measles, after a record number of nearly 2,000 cases last year.
Leading US drugs tester celebrates 1700s doctor
May 20, 2013 4:01 am | by The Associated Press | CommentsA North Carolina company that bills itself as the world's largest testing drug firm is celebrating the Scottish surgeon credited with running the first scientifically valid tests for a health problem. Quintiles Transnational on Monday joins companies and other organizations around the world in...
