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February 2009
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Kinaxo contributes quantitative
phosphoproteomics platform to find a drug to treat pancreatic cancer
German company Kinaxo Biotechnologies GmbH has been awarded a grant to
expand applications for its quantitative phosphoproteomics platform to
contribute to a drug efficacy study to find a treatment for pancreatic
cancer. 27 February 2009
New
antibiotics produced from marine bacteria found in Norwegian fjords
Norwegian scientists have produced completely new antibiotics from
bacteria found in the sea around Norway. Eleven species of bacteria that
create substances that kill cancerous cells and three other bacteria
that produce new antibiotics were discovered. 27 February 2009
Innovative therapies needed to deal with
rapid spread of cancer in Europe
Cancer may well surpass cardiovascular diseases as the primary case of
death in Europe by 2012. To prevent this from happening, cancer
therapeutics will have to shift in focus from the treatment of symptoms
to offering a total cure, according to a new report from Frost &
Sullivan. 27 February 2009
Sciemetric wins major quality control
contract in medical device sector
Sciemetric Instruments, a supplier of manufacturing quality systems has
been named a preferred supplier to one of the world’s largest medical
device manufacturers, cementing its position in a key growth market for
the company. 27 February 2009
Philips announces first 3D cardiovascular
images from magnetic particle imaging
The technology, which uses the magnetic properties of iron-oxide
nanoparticles injected into the bloodstream, has been used in a
pre-clinical study to generate unprecedented real-time images of
arterial blood flow and volumetric heart motion. 27 February 2009
EU project to study impact of nanomedicine on healthcare
The EU-funded NANOMED project aims to look at all aspects of
nanomedicine and provide an objective answer to claims that this rapidly
evolving field will change the face of healthcare forever. 25 February
2009
Rats dying from type 1 diabetes restored to
health without insulin
Terminally ill rodents with type 1 diabetes have been restored to full
health with a single injection of a substance other than insulin. The
rats were given a single injection of the hormone leptin. 23 February
2009
Diabetes in UK increases 74% over six years
The numbers of new cases of diabetes in the UK rose 74% between 1997 and
2003. The rate of increase is now higher than in the US. 24 February
2009
Lab robot uses innovative information
technology to find new drugs
A robot scientist that can make informed guesses about how effective
different chemical compounds will be at fighting different diseases
could revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry by developing more
effective treatments more cheaply and quickly than current methods.
23 February 2009
PSA test may be unnecessary for older men
Certain men age 75 to 80 are unlikely to benefit from routine prostate
specific antigen (PSA) testing, according to a study by the Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine. 23 February 2009
Oxford Nanopore moves closer to label-free,
single molecule DNA sequencing
Oxford Nanopore Technologies has announced the publication of new
research in Nature Nanotechnology, demonstrating accurate and continuous
identification of DNA bases using nanopores. 23 February 2009
APR acquires new drug delivery
nanotechnology for innovative treatment of critical diseases
Swiss company Applied Pharma Research s.a. (APR) has acquired a
nanocoating process for the preparation of new products for the
treatment of several critical diseases. APR is already developing
specific applications in ophthalmology and dermatology. 22 February 2009
Datamining finds new target for diabetes
treatment
A team of researchers from Oxford and Southampton Universities have
identified a new molecular player in insulin secretion process by mining
a free database of 5 million drug compounds. This finding could spark a
completely new class of drugs to treat type 2 diabetes. 22 February 2009
GE installs first series of breakthrough
molecular imaging scanners
GE Healthcare has announced the installation of the new Discovery PET/CT
600-series scanners in hospitals in France, the USA and Australia. They
provide earlier diagnosis, more accurate tumour location and better
assessment of how a patient is responding to cancer treatment. 22
February 2009
NHS medical device training goes online
A ground-breaking project is being launched in the UK to create a
National Health Service (NHS) e-learning platform for medical devices,
including a library of both generic and detailed training. 22 February
2009
Varian receives European approval for
proton therapy system
Proton therapy allows doctors to use higher doses of radiation to
control and manage tumours while significantly reducing damage to
healthy tissue and vital organs. 22 February 2009
Leica launches high power laser microdissection
system
The new Leica LMD7000 is a laser microdissection system with a power-adjustable, high precision laser.
For the first time, high laser power and high repetition rates, are
combined within one system. 22 February 2009.
Deutsch
Plasmonic nanoswitches could increase computing power a million fold
Plasmonics may pave the way for the next generation of computers that
operate faster and store more information than electronically-based
systems and are smaller than optically-based systems. 22 February 2009
Novel way to stimulate immune system
reduces amyloid deposits in mice with Alzheimer’s
A novel way to stimulate the immune system of mice with Alzheimer's
disease (AD) led to reduced amyloid deposits and the prevention of
Alzheimer's disease related pathology without causing toxic side
effects. 22 February 2009
Surgeons remove kidney through vagina
Surgeons at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US have
successfully removed a healthy donor kidney through a small incision in
the back of the donor’s vagina. 21 February 2009
Training the brain to avoid falls
Training people to avoid falls by repeatedly exposing them to unstable
situations in the laboratory helped them to later maintain their balance
on a slippery floor. The research could eventually help people,
including the elderly, for whom falling is an important health issue. 21
February 2009
Gold nanospheres target and destroy cancer
cells
Hollow gold nanospheres equipped with a targeting peptide find melanoma
cells, penetrate them deeply, and then cook the tumour when bathed with
near-infrared light, a research team led by scientists at The University
of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has reported. 16 February 2009
Agilent Technologies removes major
bottleneck for DNA sequencing
Agilent Technologies, Inc. has introduced the Agilent SureSelect Target
Enrichment System, a unique tool for greatly streamlining DNA-sequencing
research by enabling scientists to sequence only genomic areas of
interest with next-generation sequencing instrumentation. 16 February
2009
Applied Biosystems' new platform enables
human genome sequencing for $10,000
Applied Biosystems, has begun shipment of a new, genomic analysis
platform, the SOLiD 3 System. The company says the new system delivers a
roadmap that will ultimately enable scientists to sequence a human
genome for less than $10,000 dollars in 2009. 16 February 2009
Analog Devices’ new data acquisition chip
gives faster, clearer images for CT scanners
The new current-to-digital converter chip that enables high slice count
CT systems to capture real-time moving images with a high degree of
accuracy and detail. 16 February 2009
Stanford
hospital performs stomach surgery through throat
A 53 year old man has become one of the first patients at Stanford
Hospital & Clinics in the US to be treated using natural orifice
surgery, in this case for weight-loss. The entire surgery was performed
through the man's throat. 16 February 2009
Source of cancer stem cells' resistance to
radiation discovered
Stanford University researchers have found that the protection takes the
form of the increased expression of proteins that can bind and
deactivate reactive oxygen species, highly unstable small molecules that
wreak havoc on a cell’s DNA and proteins. 16 February 2009
WHO approves Coldpack Antifreeze Vaccine
Backpack for vaccine transport
Coldpack has announced that it has been designated by the World Health
Organization (WHO) as an approved vaccine transportation provider.
Coldpack was selected based on its AntiFreeze Vaccine Backpack’s
capability to help maintain and transport temperature-sensitive
immunizations. 16 February 2009
Symphogen secures €33m financing to support
clinical development of antibody products
Copenhagen-based Symphogen A/S has announced the closing of €33 million
(approximately US $44 million) financing. The financing will be used to
mature the company’s product pipeline of antibody therapeutics,
particularly within the field of oncology. 16 February 2009
Cloned human embryos successfully
reprogrammed using human eggs
Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. and its collaborators have reported that
human oocytes (or ‘eggs’) have the capacity to extensively reprogram
adult human cells. 16 February 2009
Cambridge University research group employs
Fluidigm’s EP1 genotping system for cancer studies. 16 February 2009
Millipore acquires Guava Technologies
Millipore Corporation (NYSE: MIL), a leading provider of technologies,
tools and services for the global life science industry, has entered
into an agreement to acquire Guava Technologies, a provider of
easy-to-use, bench top cell analysis systems. 16 February 2009
Toshiba completes acquisition of
imaging division of Barco. 16 February 2009
National University of Ireland, Galway
and Agilent open biological mass spectrometry facility
The state-of-the-art facility at the University is fully
equipped with the latest accurate-mass quadrupole time-of-flight
and triple quadrupole mass spectrometer platforms from Agilent.
16 February 2009
CT
scans reveal 3000 year old mummy of Egyptian princess
Stunning 3D images have revealed details of a mummy that has been sealed
in a coffin for more than 3,000 years thanks to a cutting-edge medical
scanner developed by Philips. 16 February 2009
Mirna Therapeutics and UCSF to explore
therapeutic potential of microRNAs
Mirna Therapeutics and the University of California, San Francisco have
entered into a collaboration agreement to evaluate the capacity of
specific microRNAs to reduce or eliminate tumours in mouse models of
cancer. 16 February 2009
Website for patients to share
diagnostic-quality medical images
US company Heart Imaging Technologies (HeartIT) has launched a free
website allowing patients to upload and share diagnostic-quality medical
images using just a standard web browser. 16 February 2009
Masimo files lawsuit against Philips for
pulse oximetry patent infringement. 16 February 2009
Expression Analysis in partnership with
Complement Genomics to offer genomic services in UK. 16 February
2009
Response Genetics closes UK facility
Response Genetics has announced that it is closing its Edinburgh, UK
facility and increasing the capacity of its genetic testing laboratory
in Los Angeles, USA. 16 February 2009
Rotary members worldwide prepare for mass
polio-immunization campaigns
Hundreds of Rotary club members from the United States, Canada,
Australia, Denmark, Italy, Korea, the UK and the Caribbean will join
thousands of their fellow Rotary members , other volunteers and health
workers over the next few months to immunize children against polio in
India and Nigeria. 16 February 2009
Computerised brain exercises improve memory
and attention
Computerised brain exercises can improve memory and lead to faster
thinking according to a new study of commercial brain training software.
14 February 2009
deCODE genetics offers cut-price genetic
test for heart risks during February
deCODE genetics is offering its deCODEme Cardio Scan, a unique new tool
that enables individuals to better understand their inherited risk of
heart problems such as heart attack, stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm,
for $100. 12 February 2009
Anvita Health launches mobile viewer for
Google Health
Anvita Health, formerly known as SafeMed, an integrated partner of
Google Health, has released a new mobile viewer for Google Health that
is built on the Android mobile device platform. 12 February 2009
New online resource to support children
with type 1 diabetes
Sanofi-aventis US has announced the availability of the diabetes KidCare
Kit, a multimedia resource that will provide children and their families
with valuable tools and information to help guide them through the
difficult but crucial first 30 days following a diagnosis of type 1
diabetes. 12 February 2009
New indicator of prostate cancer discovered
Researchers from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
have discovered that the presence of the chemical sarcosine appears to
indicate aggressive prostate cancer. 11 February 2009
Bluegiga provides health device profile for
Bluetooth OEM modules
The Bluetooth Health Device Profile (HDP) significantly simplifies and
reducing the need for engineering and testing time for any type of
health or medical device. 11 February 2009
Revolutionary treatment offers new hope to
Russian cancer patients
Two of Russia’s leading research centres have purchased Elekta Axesse
systems which will allow clinicians to treat cancer tumours throughout
the body with ultra-high precision. 11 February 2009
International Stem Cell Corporation begins
pre-clinical trials on human corneal epithelial cells
The trials aimed at improving photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), a form
of corrective laser eye surgery. 11 February 2009
Non-invasive therapies and diagnostics on
the increase
Non-invasive methods are on the increase for medical treatment, patient
monitoring and diagnostics as they can help to avoid infections and mean
less pain and stress for patients. 11 February 2009
International collaboration to develop
ultrasound-activated drug-delivery nanoparticles
Nanobiotix, an emerging nanomedicine company has announced that it will
collaborate with the SonoDrugs project consortium to develop new
nanoparticulate drug carriers that can be activated for localized drug
release using focused ultrasound. 10 February 2009
Sysmex in agreement to distribute AdnaGen
cancer diagnostic tests in Europe
Sysmex Europe GmbH and AdnaGen AG have entered into a non-exclusive
European distribution agreement for AdnaGen proprietary CE-certified
diagnostics as well as their research use only (RUO) products. 10
February 2009
Navigenics launches portal to give doctors
access to patients' genomic information
For patients choosing to receive a Navigenics service through their
physician, this portal allows the physician to integrate patients’
genetic information into personalized health plans designed to help
diagnose early or prevent a number of health conditions. 10 February
2009
Novel cheap blood test for hepatitis C
A multinational team of researchers has developed a novel blood test
that could bring a breakthrough in the battle against the dangerous
hepatitis-C virus. This procedure offers a considerably cheaper
alternative to the normal commercial tests, whilst maintaining equal
sensitivity. 10 February 2009
TwistDx’s rapid test for MRSA winner in NHS
Smart Solutions Programme
TwistDx, a DNA diagnostics company based in Cambridge, UK, has been
selected as a winner in a National Health Service competition to find
new ways to help combat healthcare associated infections. 10
February 2009
Roche exome sequencing a giant step towards
personalized medicine
A key milestone for personalized medicine has been achieved by two Roche
Applied Science companies, Roche NimbleGen and 454 Life Sciences, in
developing revolutionary technologies to resequence all human exons from
individual genomes. 9 February 2009
Sodium MRI shows arthritis long before
onset of physical symptoms
Dr Garry Gold, an associate professor of radiology at the Stanford
University School of Medicine has improved an old imaging technology
called sodium MRI to diagnose osteoarthritis as long as decades before
the onset of physical symptoms. 9 February 2009
Brain region controlling sociability
identified
A combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and
measurement of brain electrical activity in a study of brain function
has enabled researchers to trace sociability to the amygdala region of
the brain. 9 February 2009
EXACT Sciences in strategic relationship
with Genzyme for DNA diagnostics technology
Genzyme has acquired intellectual property assets related to prenatal
and reproductive health and three million shares of EXACT common stock
for $24.5 million. 9 February 2009
B&W and Covidien to develop US source of
key medical isotope
Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Group, Inc. has signed an agreement
with Covidien to develop technology for the manufacture of
molybdenum-99, the parent isotope of technetium-99m, the most widely
used radioisotope for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine procedures.
9 February 2009
FORMA to collaborate with Cubist to develop
novel antibacterial drugs
FORMA Therapeutics has signed a collaboration agreement with Cubist
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to leverage FORMA’s transformative chemistry
platform to discover novel antibacterial compounds for development by
Cubist. 9 February 2009
IAVI and Algonomics to collaborate on HIV protein design project
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and Belgian company
Algonomics have announced a collaboration to develop novel vaccine
candidates capable of controlling HIV infection.
9 February 2009
Pinehill Hospital installs digital fluoroscopy
system to improve patient throughput
Pinehill Hospital, a private hospital based in Hertfordshire, England,
has installed a Siemens AXIOM Luminos dRF digital fluoroscopy system for
urinary tract examinations, such as cystograms and intravenous urograms
(IVUs) and for arthrography imaging to enhance joint procedures such as
hip or knee replacements. 9 February 2009
Tomotherapy radiation treatment planning
software gains FDA clearance
Swedish company RaySearch Laboratories AB and TomoTherapy Inc have
announced that their jointly produced new software solution for the
Tomotherapy Hi-Art linear accelerator has received clearance by the FDA
for market launch in the US. 9 February 2009
Cancer patients in Sweden and Estonia
receive advanced radiation therapy treatments
Uppsala University Hospital and Lund University Hospital in Sweden and
Tartu University Hospital in Estonia have invested in advanced
radiotherapy systems from Elekta. 9 February 2009
Wales to host Europe's first Centre for
NanoHealth
Swansea University in Wales will host Europe's first centre devoted to
nanomedicine, after securing more than £10 million in European funding.
9 February 2009
Pfizer to acquire Wyeth for $68bn
Pfizer and Wyeth have
entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Pfizer will
acquire Wyeth in a cash-and-stock transaction worth approximately $68
billion. 4 February 2009
Philips and Immunetrics to combat
infectious diseases in critical care
Royal Philips Electronics and Immunetrics Inc. have entered into a joint
development agreement to explore new approaches to the growing problem
of infectious disease in critical care. 4 February 2009
Graffinity and Elan in fragment-based
drug-discovery collaboration
Under the terms of the agreement, Graffinity will receive technology
access fees and success payments for the generation of novel small
molecule hits against a number of drug targets. 4 February 2009
BioGenes designated partner in EU-funded
dementia project
BioGenes GmbH has been chosen as a new partner of cNEUPRO. an EU-funded
research project to analyse neurodegenerative diseases and discover
novel biomarkers. 4 February 2009
Touch Bionics introduces next generation i-LIMB
prosthetic skin
Touch Bionics has developed a synthetic covering for its
multi-articulating bionic hand that is a closer reflection of human skin
function. 4 February 2009
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