Roche to take over Genentech for $47 billion (AP)

AP - Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche said Thursday it has agreed to buy California-based Genentech for $46.8 billion in a takeover described as the largest in Swiss corporate history.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Mar 2009 | 11:35 am

SNAPSHOT - Financial Crisis - 1115 GMT

- World Bank President says global economy to shrink 1-2 percent, on track for worst recession since 1930s
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 11:15 am

EntreMed Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2008 Financial Results

Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 11:00 am

Micromet, Inc. To Regain Rights to Blinatumomab in North America; Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Year ended December 31, 2008

Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 11:00 am

QLT announces completion of Phase Ia safety trial of its synthetic retinoid product

Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 11:00 am

MDS Reports First Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 11:00 am

Spectral announces 2008 financial results

Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 11:00 am

Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Reports Financial Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2009

Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 11:00 am

UPDATE 2-Saab cuts 750 jobs, says courted by Swedish group

* Saab gives notice to 750 employees at Trollhattan plant
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 10:55 am

UPDATE 1-India's Reliance resumes oil output from east coast

NEW DELHI, March 12 (Reuters) - India's Reliance Industries Ltd resumed crude oil production from its east coast MA-1 field on March 8 following an emergency shutdown in December, Upstream Regulator V...
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 10:39 am

UPDATE 6-Roche wins Genentech with raised $46.8 bln offer

(Adds further details on Avastin, valuation; updates shares)
Source: RSS feed - channel BNewsHealth | 12 Mar 2009 | 10:34 am

Salt may be bad for us - but does it make us happier?

Scientists suggest we add salt to our food, even though we know it is bad for us, because it is a natural antidepressant
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 12 Mar 2009 | 10:32 am

Boom amid bust: Med schools grow as economy tanks (AP)

AP - You wouldn't know there was an economic crisis the way the medical school business is booming these days.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Mar 2009 | 9:46 am

Health advert sparks gaming row

The games industry has condemned a government advert which suggests children who play computer games may die early.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 12 Mar 2009 | 9:13 am

Google Co-Founder Backs Vast Parkinson’s Study

Sergey Brin says he plans to contribute money and his DNA to a large genetic study of Parkinson’s disease.


Source: NYT > Health | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:18 am

European Commission Awards Orphan Designation To Knopp Neurosciences' KNS-760704 In ALS

Knopp Neurosciences Inc. ("Knopp") announced that the European Commission ("EC") has designated KNS-760704 as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The EC decision, based on a favorable opinion from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), follows the designation of KNS-760704 as an orphan drug for the treatment of ALS by the U.S.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

AVEO Initiates Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trial Of Novel, Triple VEGF Receptor Inhibitor AV-951 In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biotechnology company leveraging breakthrough discoveries in cancer biology to discover, develop and commercialize targeted oncology therapies, today announced the initiation of a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of AV-951 as monotherapy for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

Iron Induces Death In Tumor Cells

Rapid growth of cancer cells and their frequent divisions have their price: Cancer cells need considerably more energy than healthy cells. Their metabolism runs at full speed and requires large amounts of micronutrients, particularly iron. However, high levels of iron in the cell lead to the production of extremely harmful free radicals.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

HemoBioTech Announces Dramatic Clearance Of Prions With The ORTH Technology

HemoBioTech (OTCBB:HMBT) announced that their orthogonal (ORTH) technology showed to be extremely effective in elimination of prion proteins that cause mad cow disease (BSE) and a similar disease in humans (vCJD/CJD). The ORTH technology removed prion proteins at a rate of 10 -10 from biological fluids used to make specific pharmaceutical products.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

NHS Finance Graduates Among The Best In The World, UK

Four graduates on the NHS Finance Management Training Scheme ranked among the highest in the world for their results in the CIMA examinations, the leading qualification for management accounting, the NHS Institute announced today.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

Sunquest Receives FDA Clearance For Updated Blood Bank Solution

Sunquest Information Systems, Inc., a market leader in laboratory and diagnostic information systems, today announced that it received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the newest edition of its Sunquest Blood Bank™ software application.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

BioImagene Unveils The New IScan™ Family, The Digital Pathology Industry's Most Comprehensive Line Of Slide Scanners

BioImagene, the leading provider of innovative digital pathology solutions, debuted the new iScan™ family of slide scanners. The iScan line, together with BioImagene's Virtuoso™ web-based software, provides an end-to-end solution for all stakeholders in the digital pathology workflow, including pathologists, histotechnologists, lab administrators and clinicians.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

International Stem Cell Corporation Applauds President Obama's Decision To Allow Funding Of Parthenogenetic Stem Cell Research

International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO) (http://www.intlstemcell.com), the first company to perfect a method of creating human stem cells from unfertilized eggs, applauds President Obama's signing of an executive order to allow funding of stem cell research.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

Fear Memories Weakened To Put An End To Fear

Until recently, it was assumed that the fear memory could not be deleted. However, Klindt's team has demonstrated that changes can indeed be effected in the emotional memory of human beings. Storing changes Before fear memories are stored in the long-term memory, there is a temporary labile phase. During this phase, protein synthesis takes place that 'records' the memories.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

Link Between Obesity And Dangerous Sleep Apnea In Truck Drivers

Truck crashes are a significant public health hazard causing thousands of deaths and injuries each year, with driver fatigue and sleepiness being major causes.
Source: Health News from Medical News Today | 12 Mar 2009 | 8:00 am

Bipartisan Call for Food Safety Fixes

Lawmakers discussed changes to the nation’s food safety system to work toward reducing the number of contaminated food products.


Source: NYT > Health | 12 Mar 2009 | 7:30 am

Japanese doctor apologises for smoking remark (AFP)

AFP - A Japanese doctor has apologised after saying that people should smoke themselves to an early death to save the country money on elderly care, according to his hospital.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Mar 2009 | 6:13 am

Ex-New York Health Commissioner Is F.D.A. Pick

President Obama intends to nominate Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, a former New York City health commissioner, to lead the Food and Drug Administration, according to people briefed on the decision.


Source: NYT > Health | 12 Mar 2009 | 6:13 am

White House Team: A Choice for Drug Czar

The selection of R. Gil Kerlikowske as White House drug czar signaled a shift in emphasis from arrest and prosecution to intervention and treatment.


Source: NYT > Health | 12 Mar 2009 | 6:09 am

Recipes for Health: Refried Black Beans

Spread these beans on crisp corn tortillas for nachos or chalupas, or serve as a side dish sprinkled with queso fresco.


Source: NYT > Health | 12 Mar 2009 | 5:53 am

Report: US on short end of health care 'value gap' (AP)

AP - If the global economy were a 100-yard dash, the U.S. would start 23 yards behind its closest competitors because of health care that costs too much and delivers too little, a business group says in a report to be released Thursday.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Mar 2009 | 4:48 am

Migraines in Pregnancy Boost Vascular Risks (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, March 10 (HealthDay News) -- Women who have migraines during pregnancy are 15 times more likely than other women to suffer a stroke, twice as likely to have heart disease and three times more likely to have blood clots and other vascular problems during pregnancy, says a U.S. study.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Mar 2009 | 3:49 am

Combo of Tests Might Spot Ovarian Cancer Early (HealthDay)

HealthDay - TUESDAY, March 10 (HealthDay News) -- Used together, a blood test and an ultrasound scan may be effective in detecting ovarian cancer in its early and more curable stages, British researchers report.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Mar 2009 | 3:49 am

Clinical Trials Update: March 11, 2009 (HealthDay)

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Here are the latest clinical trials, courtesy of CenterWatch:
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Mar 2009 | 3:49 am

Overweight Preschoolers Raise Their Heart Disease Risk (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, March 11 (HealthDay News) -- In yet another sign that obesity poses health risks at any age, new research shows that overweight children as young as age 3 can begin to show signs of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Mar 2009 | 3:48 am

Second-Generation Female Condom Approved (HealthDay)

HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, March 11 (HealthDay News) -- The Female Health Co.'s FC2 Female Condom has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the company said Wednesday. The product helps protect women against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 12 Mar 2009 | 3:48 am

Morning Rounds: Novel Surgery, a Female Condom and Mental Health Failings

Health news from around the Web.


Source: NYT > Health | 12 Mar 2009 | 3:35 am

News Analysis: Rethink Stem Cells? Science Already Has

What impact will President Obama’s move to lift the ban on stem cell research have on current work?


Source: NYT > Health | 12 Mar 2009 | 2:34 am

'Fat neck' a clue to heart risk

The thickness of a person's neck may provide as many clues to their risk of heart problems as their waist, a study suggests.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 12 Mar 2009 | 1:34 am

Sleep 'influences diabetes risk'

Burning the candle at both ends during the working week could raise a person's risk of diabetes, research suggests.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 12 Mar 2009 | 1:22 am

Many premature pupils 'struggle'

Over half of children born before 26 weeks end up needing extra help at mainstream schools, UK research suggests.
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 12 Mar 2009 | 12:50 am

Penile Extenders Actually Might Work, Doctor's Say

Doctor's confirm the Andropenis penile extender can increase the flaccid length of a penis by nearly one inch.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 11 Mar 2009 | 11:23 pm

Chain results in 10 kidney swaps among strangers (AP)

AP - When Matthew Jones decided to donate a kidney to a stranger, the Michigan father of five had no idea he'd be starting a lifesaving, "pay it forward" chain. His kidney donation to a Phoenix woman in 2007 set off a long-running organ swap that resulted in 10 sick people getting new kidneys over a year. It hasn't ended yet.

Source: Yahoo! News: Health News | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:52 pm

Donation chain has led to 10 kidney transplants

A 28-year-old man from Michigan decided to donate a kidney to a total stranger, setting into motion a kidney swap that over many months has resulted in 10 people getting a donor organ--and the process is still ongoing.
Source: CNN.com - Health | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:39 pm

Management of Common Childhood Poisonings Reviewed

A review provides practice recommendations to evaluate and treat common childhood poisonings.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:25 pm

Margaret Hamburg Picked for Top FDA Post, Over Possible Cardiologists, NYT and WSJ Report

The media is reporting Margaret Hamburg has been chosen for FDA Commissioner, but the White House has not made a formal announcement.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:18 pm

FDA Safety Changes: Arimidex, Coreg/Coreg CR, Myozyme

The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for anastrozole tablets (Arimidex), carvedilol tablets and extended-release tablets (Coreg, Coreg CR), and alglucosidase alfa injection (Myozyme).
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:10 pm

Hemorrhoid Management Reviewed

A clinical review provides the best options for evaluating and treating hemorrhoids.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:00 pm

FDA Safety Changes: Arimidex, Coreg/Coreg CR, Myozyme

The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for anastrozole tablets (Arimidex), carvedilol tablets and extended-release tablets (Coreg, Coreg CR), and alglucosidase alfa injection (Myozyme).
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:00 pm

Management of Common Childhood Poisonings Reviewed

A review provides practice recommendations to evaluate and treat common childhood poisonings.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:00 pm

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Linked to Cardiovascular Mortality in Elderly

A French population-based study shows that excessive daytime sleepiness might be independently associated with total and cardiovascular mortality rates in a community-dwelling elderly population.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:00 pm

Children With Bipolar Parents at Increased Risk for the Disorder

New research shows that children of a parent with bipolar disorder face a 14-fold increased risk for the development of bipolar spectrum disorders.
Medscape Medical News
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 9:00 pm

BIP Study: Long-Term Mortality Benefit With Bezafibrate Related to HDL-Cholesterol Change

The results suggest that the short-term lipid response to fibrate therapy is important in identifying treated patients in whom long-term survival is substantially improved even after termination of active treatment with the drug, according to investigators.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 7:51 pm

Texas Lawmakers Once Again Mull Controversial Bill Based on SHAPE Cardiac-Screening Proposal

The Heart Attack Prevention Bill being introduced for the second time by Rep René O Oliveira calls for private insurance companies to cover the cost of cardiac screening in intermediate-risk people.
Heartwire
Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines | 11 Mar 2009 | 7:41 pm

Wal-Mart Plans to Market Digital Health Records System

The company said its package deal of hardware, software, installation and service will make the technology more affordable for small physician offices.


Source: NYT > Health | 11 Mar 2009 | 6:03 pm

Genetic Tests May Reveal Source of Mystery Tumors

Tests to find the source of “mystery tumors” may help doctors treat them more effectively.


Source: NYT > Health | 11 Mar 2009 | 5:40 pm

Intelligence Mapped in the Brain

Brain map shows intelligence is situated in specific spots.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 11 Mar 2009 | 5:11 pm

Michelle Obama’s Agenda Includes Healthful Eating

In her first weeks in the White House, Michelle Obama has emerged as a champion of healthy food and healthy living.


Source: NYT > Health | 11 Mar 2009 | 3:20 pm

Children of Older Men Suffer Lower IQ

Children with older fathers had reduced cognitive abilities.
Source: Livescience.com - Health | 11 Mar 2009 | 12:42 pm

Bacon and beer

How to understand health risks in 13 easy clicks
Source: BBC News | Health | World Edition | 11 Mar 2009 | 12:18 pm