Lab on the tip of the world
Smiths Medical, part of the Smiths Group, has organised and is maintaining one of four main laboratories for Caudwell Xtreme Everest - the biggest human biology study ever performed at high altitude.
Research
Clinical Research: Eastern Europe will soon catch up with Germany
Asklepios proresearch, a clinical research organization located in Hamburg, Germany recently presented its annual report about clinical research activities in Europe. Their result: The number of participations of clinical studies in Germany, one of the leading countries in research projects, slightly increased in 2006, with a positive trend for 2007. But countries like Poland and Russia are…
Booming babies
France is one of the few European countries whose population growth comes from births rather than immigration.
Endovascular brachytherapy
Endovascular brachytherapy has been successfully modified by scientists at Isotopen Technologie München AG (ITM), solving problems of radiation exposure to Rhenium-188. The researchers are now producing Rhenium-188 with previously unknown high specific activity in a new type of generator, Isotopen Technologie reports.
Variations in urological residencies
Urology is a surgical speciality with a limited number of consultants in Europe (around 134,000). The field is very well organised and active.
Current aggressive IVF treatments put patients at risk
The Netherlands — In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an overly aggressive treatment and needlessly exposes childless women to substantial risks of complications and serious discomfort, according to researchers at the University Medical Centre, in Utrecht.
Vitamin pills increase mortality
Denmark - Vitamins A, E and beta carotene, taken singly or with other supplements, 'significantly increase mortality' according to a review study released by the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group* at Copenhagen University Hospital. Their study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), did not find evidence that vitamin C could increase longevity, but did find that selenium…
Test combination predicts high risk of relapse and death in bladder cancer patients
A new testing approach has effectively identified patients at the highest risk of cancer relapse after bladder cancer surgery, according to a study published in the February issue of The Lancet Oncology http://oncology.thelancet.com. Vol 8 Feb 2007 91.
Is there a link between stroke and Fabry disease?
A joint project of more than 30 European stroke units just started to examine a potential connection between Fabry disease and stroke in young patients. The results of the worldwide SIFAP (Stroke in Young Fabry Patients) study might give an explanation for some of the 25% of strokes with unknown origin in patients aged 18-55 years.
Diabetes study does not confirm increased risk of death reported by US trial
Preliminary findings from the largest-ever study of treatments for diabetes provide no evidence that intensive treatment to lower blood glucose (sugar) increases risk of death.
US$ 1.5 billion for pneumococcal vaccines development
Canada, Italy, Norway, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today committed US$1.5 billion to launch a pilot Advance Market Commitment (AMC) to help speed the development and availability of a new vaccine which is expected to save the lives of 5.4 million children by 2030. The new initiative will target pneumococcal disease, a major cause of pneumonia and meningitis…
Europeans experience their life in a positive light - but feel tired
Regarding the results of the Eurobarometer survey on health and mental well-being, most Europeans feel healthy and happy. However, there seems to be a gap between the EU member states.
European initiative "TREAT-NMD" launched to aid neuromuscular disease patients
TREAT-NMD (Transnational Research in Europe - Assessment and Treatment of Neuromuscular Diseases) is a European Union funded Network of Excellence launched on January 1st 2007 with the aim of improving treatment and finding cures for patients with neuromuscular diseases.
The Fresenius Inventors' Prize
If something doesn't fit we make it fit, and if it doesn't exist we invent it: Pragmatism combined with imagination and idealism are the foundation stones of groundbreaking inventions that improve daily life in medicine.
No Link between cell phone use and increased cancer risk
According to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute the widespread concerns of cell phone users about an increased cancer risk are causeless. Cell phone antennas emit electromagnetic fields that can penetrate into the human brain, and scientists have wondered if this might cause tumors in the head or neck.
Semen can worsen cervical cancer
UK - Cervical cancer could be aggravated by a hormone-like molecule - prostaglandin - found in semen, according to a team of scientists led by Dr Henry Jabbour at the Medical Research Council's Human Reproductive Sciences Unit.
Hip revision with bone grafting using inorganic bone mineral matrix
The new European Transplantation Regulation makes it very difficult, or even impossible, to run a bone bank from 2007 onwards.
Fracture risk prediction osteoporosis patients
Simple clinical measurements raise hope of targeted treatments for those at highest risk. The future risk of osteoporotic fracture can be predicted with 75% accuracy using a new mathematical formula, according to research published in the October issue of Radiology (RSNA.org).
New cancer risk gene found
Carrying a mutated BRIP1 gene doubles the risk of breast cancer — by aged 70 these women's risk rises from 1-in-12 to 1-in-6.
Solution revolution for bleeding control
A new biodegradable solution has stopped bleeding in animals' wounds within seconds, according to a report in the journal Nanomedicine.
Surviving the financial climate
Earlier disease detection will save healthcare services
Quicker lab reports saves costs
Beckman Coulter developed a new integrated lab systems: The UniCel DxC880i prototype should deliver efficient disease management services.
New Cancer Drug Hope
AstraZeneca has been collaborating with researchers who detected a potential Aurora B inhibitor.
Discovered: a new genetic route to skin cancer
UK - A complex chain of molecular triggers involved in the development of malignant melanoma has been unravelled
Drug trials
Small and medium-size contract research organisations (CROs) have huge potential. For the last few decades, pharmaceutical companies have increasingly chosen to use medium-size contract research organisations (CROs), or smaller organisations, rather than the larger organisations, due to their enhanced responsiveness and flexibility, that provides good geographic coverage, a broad therapeutic…
