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September 2009

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Cancer awareness scheme launched at English football clubs
A new scheme launched today at five English football clubs will help educate men about the symptoms and risks of ‘male’ cancers — prostate, lung and bowel cancer — and encourage them to go to their doctor earlier when they show the symptoms. 26 Sept 2009

Revolutionary antibody technology gives hope for vaccine against genetically diverse HIV
For the first time an antigen has been created that induces protective antibodies capable of blocking infection of human cells by genetically-diverse strains of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 25 Sept 2009

Scanning electron micrograph of HIV (green spheres) budding from cultured lymphocyte. Photo credit: C Goldsmith, US CDCThailand HIV vaccine trial first to show preventive effect
The world's largest clinical trial of an investigational vaccine regimen has shown that it is well-tolerated and has a modest effect in preventing HIV infection in strains present in Thailand. 25 Sept 2009

METRC calls for project proposals in the "science of everyday things"
METRC the N8 Molecular Engineering Translational Research Centre based at Sheffield University, has launched its Autumn 2009 Proof of Concept Funding Call for industry–academic partnership projects. Up to £50,000 is available for each project. 23 Sept 2009

InVitria launches Optiferrin for mammalian cell culture
Optiferrin is a cell culture supplement which supports cell growth by regulating the amount of iron transported to the cell. 23 Sept 2009

AorTech licenses heart valve to SynCardia for use in artificial heart
This agreement licenses the use of AorTech’s Elast-Eon polymer heart valve (PHV) in the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart, as well as the company’s future family of pulsatile products. 23 Sept 2009

An i-Limb handTouch Bionics wins silver medal in Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards
Scottish company Touch Bionics, developer of the world’s first multi-articulating bionic hand, has won silver in the 2009 Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Awards and also won top honours in the Medical-Devices category for its i-LIMB Hand. 23 Sept 2009

Phico Therapeutics reaches first human clinical trials with novel MRSA-beating antibacterial technology
The new technology is based on the antibiotic protein SASP which is delivered into the target bacterial cells by bacteriophages. 23 Sept 2009

Siemens introduces dedicated ultrasound system for obstetrics and gynecology
Siemens Healthcare has introduced a dedicated ultrasound system for obstetrics and gynaecology, the Acuson X300 ultrasound system, PremiumEdition (PE) — Women’s Imaging. The system features exceptional clinical performance across all modes, including 3D/4D imaging. 23 Sept 2009

Hamilton launches ARC sensor technology for fluid measurement
Hamilton Company, a producer of precision fluid measurement devices, has announced the Hamilton ARC concept, a new sensor family for process control that includes pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity measurements. 23 Sept 2009

A cheeck swab being taken from a ChimpanzeeChimpanzees trained to help DNA research
Geneticists at Leicester University are receiving willing assistance from chimpanzees at Twycross Zoo. The chimps have been trained to enable keepers to take their DNA samples with cheek swabs. 23 Sept 2009

HIV vaccine a step closer with discovery of new potent antibodies
Two powerful new antibodies to HIV that reveal what may be an Achilles heel on the virus have been found. Researchers will now try to exploit the newfound vulnerability on the virus to craft novel approaches to designing an AIDS vaccine. 22 Sept

Cepheid accelerates development of rapid flu A panel test
Cepheid has announced the accelerated development of a Flu A Panel test for use on the GeneXpert System. The test will be designed to provide 45-minute identification of flu A infection, with specific presumptive identification of seasonal H1, seasonal H3, and H1N1 novel strain types. 22 Sept 2009

Pandemic flu H1N1 can cause more severe lung infection than seasonal flu
Pandemic swine flu can infect cells deeper in the lungs than seasonal flu, which may explain why people infected with the pandemic strain of H1N1 influenza are more likely to suffer more severe symptoms than those infected with the seasonal strain of H1N1. 21 Sept 2009

Large differences in cardiovascular mortality and national prevention policies across EU
Research from a three-year programme to analyse cardiovascular health and prevention policies in 16 European countries shows heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Europe but there are huge differences in both national prevention policies and levels of cardiovascular mortality between countries. 21 Sept 2009

Functioning model of human brain could be built within 10 years
A model that replicates the functions of the human brain is feasible in 10 years, according to neuroscientist Professor Henry Markram of the Brain Mind Institute in Switzerland. 21 Sept 2009

Cardinal Health spin-off CareFusion starts trading on NYSE
CareFusion Corp. was launched as an independent, publicly traded company at the beginning of the month. CareFusion products include Pyxis automated dispensing systems, Alaris IV pumps, ChloraPrep V. Mueller surgical instruments. 21 Sept 2009

eBioscience corporation acquires NatuTec GmbH
eBioscience Corporation, a San Diego-based producer of cell analysis reagents to biotechnology laboratories has announced the acquisition of Frankfurt-based NatuTec GmbH, a distributor of high-quality biological research reagents. 21 Sept 2009.

Abbott to acquire cardiac valve device company Evalve
The acquisition provides Abbott with a presence in the growing area of non-surgical treatment for structural heart disease for a cost of up to $410 million. 21 Sept 2009

US FDA approves four vaccines for 2009 H1N1 influenza virus
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally after the initial lots become available, which is expected within the next four weeks. 21 Sept 2009

World Alzheimer's Day: report shows more than 35 million with dementia worldwide
Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) has released a new report to mark World Alzheimer's Day on 21 September 2009. It shows more than 35 million people will have dementia in 2010, a 10% increase over figures reported in 2005, and a doubling nearly every 20 years. 21 Sept 2009. Deutsch Français Español

Does government do enough for SMEs?
The UK Chartered Institute of Marketing has launched its latest Agenda Paper, Access all areas? which asks what kind of help does government really offer SMEs. 19 Sept 2009

New role discovered for vitamin C in protecting the skin
Researchers at the University of Leicester and the Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal have discovered new protective properties of vitamin C in cells from the human skin. It could lead to development of better skin-regeneration products. 19 Sept 2009

12th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) London, 20-24 Sept. 19 Sept 2009

Sterilin secures laboratory supplies chain in case of disruption from pandemic flu
British manufacturer Sterilin Ltd has geared up to ensure ‘pandemic-proof’ production and distribution of essential laboratory testing supplies from its South Wales facility. 19 Sept 2009

Leica SCN400 slide scanner for optimal histological examinations
The new Leica SCN400 Slide Scanner offers an alternative to the microscope for the examination of histological samples in pathology, research, and teaching. 19 Sept 2009

PROdesign launches 96-well plate cell-feeding station for live cell imaging
PROdesign GmbH has launched the PROcellcare cell-feeding station  based on a 96-well plate. It supplies live cells (in vitro) under the microscope with biological nutrient and working solutions thus allowing the scientist/developer to execute efficient and automatic dispensing and controlling processes of the equipment. 18 Sept 2009

Birmingham Children’s Hospital completes development of laboratory system for newborn blood screening
Birmingham Children’s Hospital (BCH) has completed a project to improve laboratory services for screening of newborn babies in the West Midlands.  A new laboratory system is being used to manage the screening of bloodspots, taken by heelprick from 70,000 newborn infants each year. 17 Sept 2009

UK Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network supports €1 billion EC investment in technology
The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN), one of the UK’s primary knowledge-based networks for Micro and Nanotechnologies, has announced its support for the €1bn that has been made available by the European Commission for new projects. 17 September 2009

PrimerDesign develops world's first test kit for Tamiflu-resistant swine flu
Gene detection specialists PrimerDesign have developed a swine flu test kit that identifies the Tamiflu-resistant strain within 2 hours compared to the usual three days. 11 Sept 2009

Gold-coated nanotubes used as imaging agent to detect tumour cells
The imaging agents could be used as a more efficient and less toxic alternative to nanoparticles and fluorescent labels used in targeted molecular detection of normal cells, cancer cells and bacteria. 11 Sept 2009

European pharmaceutical companies ahead of US in drug discovery
A new analysis of 20 years of data contradicts previously published claims that United States pharmaceutical companies are better innovators than their European counterparts, and questions whether Americans actually benefit from the higher prices they pay for many prescription medications. 11 Sept 2009

First evidence of virus in prostate cancer cells
A type of virus known to cause leukemia and sarcomas in animals has been found for the first time in malignant human prostate cancer cells. If it is proven to cause the cancer it would open opportunities for developing diagnostic tests, vaccines, and therapies for treatment. 11 Sept 2009

Encap in colonic drug delivery licensing deal with London University
London University's drug delivery system, Phloral, has unique coating technology designed to target the release of drugs to the colon and will form part of a range of colonic delivery systems promoted by Encap under the name Encode. 10 Sept 2009

Siemens and SurgiVision to develop MRI-guided cardiac electrophysiology system
The companies will partner to develop and commercialize a real-time MRI-guided cardiac electrophysiology (EP) system.  They will also collaborate with the University of Utah to bring it to the clinic stage. 10 Sept 2009

First patient implanted with St Jude's Brio neurostimulator
St. Jude Medical, Inc. has announced the first implant of the Brio neurostimulator and the EU approval of the device, which it claims is the world’s smallest, longest-lasting rechargeable deep brain stimulation (DBS) device for treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 10 Sept 2009

Education and defibrillators needed to reduce sudden death during sport
More widespread availability of defibrillators and education of the general public could boost survival rates fourfold amongst athletes suffering cardiac arrest. 10 Sept 2009

Reperfusion therapy can cut risk of dying from heart attack by half
Effective reperfusion therapy provides a timely and sustainable reopening of the blockage. The wider use of reperfusion therapy in patients with heart attack (AMI) can save millions of lives. 10 Sept 2009

Mederi Therapeutics launches radiotherapy treatment for bowel incontinence
The Secca therapy delivers radiofrequency energy to the muscles of the anal canal, which tightens the muscles, producing better bowel control and reducing the symptoms of incontinence. 10 Sept 2009

PerkinElmer launches multiple steroid diagnostic kit for hormone and endocrine disorders
The Child Health System steroid profiling kit and data suite software can simultaneously measure ten different steroids in biological samples for diagnosing hormone imbalances or endocrine diseases in both children and adults. 10 Sept. Espanol

IDRI licenses NanoPass microneedle technology for intradermal delivery
IDRI has licensed NanoPass' proprietary MicronJet microneedle technology for the intradermal delivery of products against a number of diseases including tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, leishmaniasis and leprosy. 10 Sept 2009

Illumina delivers first individual's genome sequence through new service
Illumina, Inc. has delivered the genome sequence for the first customer of its new gene sequencing service. It points to a future where genome sequencing will become a routine practice that will enable physicians to make better healthcare decisions for the individual. 5 September 2009

St Jude Medical announces European launch of remote cardiac care network
The Merlin.net Patient Care Network (PCN) is a secure, Internet-based remote care system for patients with implanted medical devices. It gathers and stores data from the implant procedure, in-clinic follow-up visits and from remote transmissions sent from a patient’s home. 5 Sept 2009

NeuroLogica announces FDA clearance for inSPira HD: portable high resolution SPECT
The inSPira HD is a battery-powered, high resolution, portable SPECT designed primarily for brain imaging. 5 Sept 2009

TransEnterix lauds study results for minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical platform
Surgeons from the United States and Paraguay have successfully performed first-in-man studies of TransEnterix's revolutionary single-incision, single-port, four-channel laparoscopic surgical platform called the SPIDER System. 5 Sept 2009

GE Healthcare and TomTec Imaging Systems co-operate in cardiology IT
GE Healthcare and TomTec Imaging Systems GmbH, have entered into a formal strategic co-operation contract to improve their echocardiography systems. 5 Sept 2009

New TRUST trial data confirms clinical benefits of home cardiac monitoring
Trial data demonstrates the benefits of the Biotronik Home Monitoring system in the early detection of patient clinical events as well as the safe reduction of in-office follow-up visits. 5 Sept 2009. Deutsch

PsychoGenics and AstraZeneca in agreement to identify new treatments for central nervous system disorders. 5 Sept 2009

Sectra signs multi-year contract with Nordic region’s largest radiology company
Sectra and Norwegian company Curato have signed a six-year partnership agreement for Sectra’s RIS/PACS products and services in a contract worth about SEK 100 million. 5 Sept 2009

Bruker announces availability of world’s first 18 Tesla FTMS magnet
This will open up new capabilities in mass spectrometry in a variety of research areas, including protein identification, petroleomics, metabolomics, small molecule tissue molecular imaging, and environmental sample analysis.  5 Sept 2009. Deutsch

Swansea Centre for Nanohealth awarded £1m to study safety of nanoparticles
Researchers at Swansea University’s Centre for NanoHealth have been awarded a £1 million grant to analyse the levels at which nanoparticles can be deemed safe within cells. 5 Sept 2009

World-first swine-flu vaccine trial reveals one dose provides 'strong immune response'
A clinical trial in the UK of Novartis MF59-adjuvanted cell-based A (H1N1) vaccine indicates that the vaccine is well-tolerated and one dose elicits a strong immune response. 5 Sept 2009

Cause of neurological interference by carbon nanotubes discovered
A team of Brown University researchers in the US has found that the cause is the metal catalysts used to form the tubes, especially the metal yttrium. 1 September 2009

Diagnostic Hybrids releases Thyretain for specific detection of thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin
Thyretain is the first FDA-cleared test that specifically detects TSI and is to be used as an aid in the differential diagnosis of Graves’ disease, an autoimmune thyroid disorder.1 September 2009

The space shuttleSpace Shuttle carries vaccine processing platform to International Space Station
The Space Shuttle Discovery carried a scientific payload for the International Space Station from Austin-based Astrogenetix that will help develop vaccine candidates for MRSA and Salmonella. 1 September 2009

Opsonic Therapeutics to develop RAS and mRNA technology from Tripep and Cosmix. 1 September 2009

MicroPhage opens clinical trial on bacteriophage-based platform to identify MRSA
The MicroPhage platform is based on bacteriophage amplification to rapidly identify bacterial infections and determine antibiotic susceptibility. 1 September 2009

The US NIH awards Advaxis $210,000 for the development of dual antigen vaccine
Advaxis has been awarded the grant from the US National Institutes of Health to develop a single bioengineered Listeria monocytogenes vaccine to deliver two different antigen-adjuvant proteins. 1 September 2009

Cerus’ Intercept blood system receives Swiss approval. 1 September

3M introduces first electronic stethoscope with Bluetooth wireless
3M has introduced the 3M Littmann Electronic Stethoscope Model 3200, a next-generation auscultation device featuring Bluetooth technology that wirelessly transfers heart, lung and other body sounds to computer systems software for further analysis. 1 September 2009

The Gambia launches national vaccination campaign against child-killing disease
The Gambia has launched a national immunisation programme with the help of the GAVI Alliance to eradicate pneumococcal disease, one of the leading causes of child death worldwide. 1 September 2009 Francais

CLC bio delivers specialised immunoinformatics solution to Symphogen
CLC bio has completed a specialized immunoinformatics system that is fully customized to fit into Symphogen’s proprietary Symplex technology for high throughput identification of antibodies with diversity and specificity customized to a particular therapeutic application. 1 September 2009

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