Vaani

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

February 11, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies:

The Public Health committee has plans to examine prescription drug shortages during a legislative oversight hearing on Beacon Hill (Source: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view/20120211public_health_committee_to_examine_prescription_drug_shortage/srvc=home&position=recent ).
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued a safety advisory for Strattera (ADHD drug- atomoxetine hydrochloride), warning about ‘clinically significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure’ (Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/new-warning-on-adhd-drug/story-e6frg12c-1226268557617 ).
Dr. Francesaca Condradie is appointed by the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society as their new president (Source: http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/goodlife/2012/02/10/new-head-for-hiv-society ).
Shortage of primary care doctors- biggest threat to health care law (Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/the-health-reform-laws-biggest-threat-30000-too-few-doctors/2012/02/10/gIQALEQp4Q_blog.html ).
New Delhi has given its final approval to set up Integrated Vaccine Complex (IVC) at Chengalpattu, near Chennai to ensure vaccine security in India (Source: http://expressbuzz.com/topnews/tn-vaccine-complex-gets-central-nod/362303.html ).
A major reform of the US health insurance system – in birth control, has created uproar (Source: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/health/news/article_1690468.php/ANALYSIS-Birth-control-uproar-echoes-fracture-over-US-health-care ).
The Crossville City Council (Tennessee) unanimously has approved the third and final reading of two ordinances designated to police- the sale and consumption of synthetic marijuana, bath salts and other synthetic materials within the city of Crossville (Source: http://crossville-chronicle.com/local/x741512153/Synthetic-drugs-ordinance-now-in-effect ).

Programs:

Jewish Healthcare International (JHI) has send healthcare missions to Haiti and Ethiopia as a part of their mission to improve healthcare services in at-risk communities worldwide (Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jewish-healthcare-international-jhi-sends-healthcare-missions-to-haiti-and-ethiopia-138949059.html ).
The United Nations, International and human rights organizations are appealing for legislation to halt the practice of Female Genetic Mutilation on the Ninth International Day of Zero Tolerance. It involves partial or total removal of external genetalia in women and girls (Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/health/Health-Rights-Groups-Demand-Anti-FGM-Laws-138782694.html ).
The United States controlled Global Fund has recently announced termination of its funding to the underfunded Zimbabwe’s health sector (Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202061234.html ).

Research:

The researchers at the University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Australia and the Brigham and Women’s hospital, Harvard Medical School, US together has discovered treatment to slow the progression of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Source: http://ecancer.org/news/2420 ).
Researchers from Singapore have developed a small crab like robot to get remove early stomach cancer (Source: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/02/the-tiny-crab-like-robot-able-to-remove-early-stomach-cancers/252543/ ).
Researchers in Australia have found a possible link between drinking soda and lung disease and asthma (Source: http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2012/february/380845/Health-Headlines:-Soda-could-increase-lung-disease-risk ).
The genetics of Y chromosome can contribute to heart risk for men. Man can inherit heart disease from father (Source: http://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/health/1_in_5_men_has_heart_risk_gene_1_3507600 ).
A research study published in JAMA, shows a smaller amount of nourishment in acute lung disease patients results in no improvement in infectious complications than those receiving full caloric nourishment (Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/241422.php ).
A research study published in Diabetes Care reveals that in patients with type 1 diabetes, by their late adolescence and early adulthood, the brain volume and T2 relaxation time declines as compared with similarly aged healthy peers (Source: http://www.veridianbh.com/poc/view_doc.php?type=news&id=144059&cn=21 ).
A research study shows that exposing children to cigarette smoke can lead to acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in them (Source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Displayarticle09.asp?section=health&xfile=data/health/2012/February/health_February29.xml ).
In a recently published literature review the authors have found an association between the phosphates in fast food and health risks (Source: http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/02/11/267408-Phosphate-additives-used-in-fast-food-pose-risk-to-health-.html ).

Diseases and Disasters:

Zimbabwe courts are shut down due to fear of typhoid outbreaks (Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/11/zimbabwe-typhoid-idUSL5E8DB0B020120211 ).
Zimbabwe is reported to be treated about 50 cases of typhoid per day (Source: http://allnewsghana.com/more-news/africa/24370-zimbabwe-treats-more-than-1500-typhoid-cases.html ).
Africa recorded 347 cases of wild poliomyelitis in the year 2011 (Source: http://www.afriquejet.com/health-africa-recorded-347-cases-of-wild-poliomyelitis-in-2011-2012021133151.html ).
Research is still going to find the cause of the sporadically occurring Nodding Disease which has claimed hundreds of lives in some parts of Africa (Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201202110014.html ).
Nine people reported to be positive for monkey disease (Kyasanur Forest Disease) in India. This disease is caused by Kyasanur forest disease virus (KFDV), a member of the virus family Flaviviridae (same facility to which the dengue virus and yellow fever virus belong to) (Source: http://www.examiner.com/infectious-disease-in-national/nine-people-test-positive-for-monkey-disease-india ).

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

January 30, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

January is cervical health awareness month in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) joins the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) in recognizing January as Cervical Health Awareness Month (Source: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IdphNews/Reader.aspx?id=56BC8126-F0B0-4A97-9096-D34F6CFF85B9 ).

Politics and Policies:

Florida and 25 other states have officially requested the Supreme Court of United States to stop Medicaid expansion (Source: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/30/gvsb0130.htm ).
National Alzheimer’s proposal outlines strategy to improve diagnosis and treatment of this disease. The Health and Human Services released a proposal on January 9^th which had set a goal of 2025 for developing effective means of preventing and treating this disease (Source: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/30/hlsa0130.htm ).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted a new drug application for standard review for patients with previously treated Philadelphia chromosome for positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) (Source: http://regulatoryaffairs.pharmaceutical-business-review.com/news/fda-accepts-nda-for-pfizer-cml-drug-300112 )
Pakistan has asked the World Health Organization (The WHO) to help it to find the epidemic dengue in the country (Source: http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5792252 ).

Programs

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has appealed for $1.28 billion from the governments to provide humanitarian assistance to children around the world in 2012 (Source: http://channel6newsonline.com/2012/01/unicef-appeals-for-1-28-billion-for-2012-humanitarian-aid/ ).
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has donated $750 million to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/27/health/gates-donates-750-million-to-global-fund.html ).
Japan is lending $63mn to Bangladesh for a maternal and child health project (Source: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=483291&version=1&template_id=44&parent_id=24 ).

Research

The scientists in China said that they have identified ten susceptibility genes for leprosy. Tis will help to identify high-risk individuals and help in preventing this infectious disease. This discovery is based on a long-term study of more than 20,000 cases at the Shandong Provincial Institute of Dermatology and Venereology in east China (Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/china/2012-01/29/c_131381550.htm ).
The scientists at Edinburgh’s Center for Regenerative Medicine, who created Dolly, the sheep via cloning have made brain cells from a scrap of skin. They have created brain tissue from patients suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar depression and other mental illness (Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/jan/29/brain-cloning-breakthrough-mental-illness ).
Researchers in Western Australia say drinking at least eight cups of black leaf tea significantly cuts blood pressure (Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9046030/Drinking-eight-teas-a-day-cuts-blood-pressure-and-heart-disease.html ).
In a systematic review of forty nine studies covering sixteen medicines it was said that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) frequently failed to make an impact on prescribing and clinical monitoring (Source: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/30/prsb0130.htm ).
In a recent research study, it was seen that more than fifty percent of the devotees coming to a temple in Sri Lanka were having infections with cutaneous larva migrans. The scientists claim that this increased prevalence may be due to the result of flooding subsequent to high rainfalls which brought with it dog feces infected with hook worms. During the temple rituals the devotees go barefoot to the temple and perform side roll, which increase their chances of getting this infection (Source: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0030516 ).
Using the data on three groups of several thousand people born in Southern Brazil in 1982, 1993 or 2004, the scientists in their study found that there is no link between the children born by Cesarean section and their chances of becoming obese (Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/29/us-c-section-idUSTRE80S0PC20120129 ).
One of the two trial for a drug, Varisolve, for the treatment of Varicose veins have been completed by the British pharmaceutical firm (Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/30/btg-idUSL5E8CU0LT20120130 )
Researchers have identified thirty one regions of the human genome which are associated with the circulating metabolites. Many of them are the biomarkers for the cardiovascular disease or related disorders. This discovery might help the scientists to uncover or give valuable insight into the biological processes leading to these diseases (Source: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-01-genetic-metabolomic-biomarkers-paths.html ).
In a study, the researchers found how bacteria are successful in deceiving the effects of vaccine. They swap the region of their genome responsible for making the polysaccharide coating with the same region from a different serotype, which is not a target for vaccine. Thus the bacteria gets effectively disguised. This process is known as recombination (Source: http://truthdive.com/2012/01/30/How-bacteria-behind-serious-childhood-disease-evolve-to-evade-vaccines.html ).

Diseases & Disasters

A study conducted by Columbia and Yale universities to rank 132 countries on an Environmental Performance Index, India was ranked in having most toxic air in the world (Source: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/global-observer/indias-air-is-the-most-toxic-finds-yale-columbia-study/3470 ).
Peru drug rehabilitation center caught fire ion Saturday. At least 26 people are said to be killed (Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/world/01/29/12/least-26-killed-peru-drug-rehab-center-fire-officials ).
Bird Flu discovered in duck farm in Australia (Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/bird-flu-discovered-at-victorian-duck-farm/story-e6frfkvr-1226255590059 ).
In a study reported in the Journal of Urology, Arsenic concentrations are quite high in Antofagasta, Chile (Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/24/us-chile-cancer-idUSTRE80N1YJ20120124 ).
Bird flu detected in some regions of Tripura, India (Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/others/bird-flu-tripura-culling-begins-583 ).
The United States have detained three shipments of Brazilian orange juice and six from Canada. They were tested positive for the fungicide carbendazim. This chemical is illegal in the US (Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/27/us-fda-juice-idUSTRE80Q1MJ20120127 ).

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

January 24, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

January is cervical health awareness month in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) joins the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) in recognizing January as Cervical Health Awareness Month (Source: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/IdphNews/Reader.aspx?id=56BC8126-F0B0-4A97-9096-D34F6CFF85B9 ).

Politics and Policies:

The West Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C has been launched with the goal of saving up to $100 billion in cumulative health care costs within ten years (Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/23/4207614/dc-based-west-health-policy-center.html ).
The 130^th executive board meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted a resolution moved by India that focuses on the global burden of mental disorders. It also focuses on need for a comprehensive, coordinated response from health and social sectors at the country level. This resolution was supported by the United States of America and Switzerland (Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2825793.ece ).
India is planning to soon ban the blood tests to diagnose tuberculosis. The experts not only pointed on their accuracy but also on the effectiveness as compared to the standard culture test provided free by the Indian government. The WHO expert group observed a highly variable sensitivity of these tests ranging from as low as 0 to 100% (Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Soon-ban-on-blood-tests-to-detect-TB/articleshow/11607679.cms ).

Programs

To increase the healthcare access, Community Health Center Inc., has launched on Friday an internal telemedicine program. It will provide specialized access to the patients suffering from hepatitis C and HIV (Source: http://www.ctmirror.org/node/15138 ).
The health ministry in Zimbabwe has announced that it will soon begin HIV/AIDS door to door testing campaigns which will help people living in remote locations that cannot go to clinic for testing (Source: http://abcnewsradioonline.com/world-news/zimbabwe-to-begin-hivaids-door-to-door-testing-campaign.html ).
Immunization with rotavirus vaccine launched in Zambia. This year it will be administered to new born babies less than 24 weeks in Luska District of Zambia (Source: http://www.times.co.zm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4409:new-diarrhoea-vaccine-unveiled-for-babies&catid=36:local-news&Itemid=27 ).
A $12.2 million vaccination program being introduced by British charity Absolute Return for Kids to protect African children (Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zambia/9029771/Charity-linked-to-Duke-of-Cambridge-saving-lives-of-African-children.html ).

Research

The results published in Science by Carnegie Mellon biologists indicate the presence of Magnesium in neutralizing deadly Shiga toxin. This toxin is produced by Shigella and some strains of E.coli. It can cause symptoms from intestinal disease to kidney failure (Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carnegie-mellon-university-study-reveals-potential-of-manganese-in-neutralizing-deadly-shiga-toxin-137700868.html ).
According to a study published in The Lancet medical Journal, the oral HIV tests were 2% less accurate than blood based specimens. This study has raised questions on whether self-testing should be allowed in South Africa using noninvasive and pain free tests for HIV (Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za/specialreports/hivaids/2012/01/24/oral-hiv-test-results-found-to-be-less-reliable ).
A study shows that older women could now skip osteoporosis screening tests if intial bone scan shows no big problem. (Source: http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/jan/23/many-women-can-skip-frequent-bone-scans/ ).
Journal of the American Medical Association says putting children in foster care is in some cases more ethical than obesity surgery (Source: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46076745/ns/technology_and_science-science/ ).
Gilenya (Multiple –Sclerosis Drug) is under review after the death of a patient receiving its first dose. Some other reports have indicated heart problems cause by receiving this medicine (Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240640.php ).
Hepatitis vaccination programs in US and Spain not reaching the target populations according to a research published in online edition of Infection (Source: http://www.aidsmap.com/Studies-from-US-and-Spain-show-that-hepatitis-vaccination-programmes-not-reaching-target-populations/page/2224722/ ).
Research shows that a man having unprotected oral sex with female having Human Papilloma virus (HPV causes cervical cancer in women) has greater chances of developing head and neck cancer (Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-22/science/30652195_1_head-and-neck-neck-cancer-hpv-infection ).
A group of scientists from India, Tanzania and Thailand are doing research to find the ideal variety of bitter gourd that could beat diabetes (Source: http://thecitizen.co.tz/business/-/19062-india-tanzania-scientists-undertake-anti-diabetes-properties-study ).
According to a research study, aspirin can help to prevent development of cervical cancer in HIV infected women (Source: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120119/Aspirin-may-benefit-HIV-infected-women-at-risk-of-cervical-cancer.aspx ).
The Na-GST-1 antigen, a candidate for the first human hookworm vaccine developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute (Sabin) has entered phase 1 human trail in Brail (Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/240586.php ).
Cells found that can help to prevent cancer (Source: http://topnews.net.nz/content/220958-scientists-found-cells-can-help-prevent-spread-cancer ).

Diseases & Disasters

A warning has been issued by the Australian medical authorities against the spread of Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV). This virus is known to cause Australian encephalitis or swelling of brain (Source: http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/286415/20120124/health-alert-dangerous-mosquito-borne-virus-causing.htm ).
Death of 36 people over the last month due to malaria and whooping cough in Sudan’s Jonlei State’s Duk County has been reported by Sudan Tribune newspaper (Source: http://www.sudantribune.com/Malaria-and-whooping-coughs-kill,41362 ).
Diabetes epidemic in India. A cross-sectional study, Sanofi-Aventis India SITE study (Screening India’s Twin Epidemic) done during 2009-10 conducted in 800 medical centers in India revealed that 60% of the patients suffered from diabetes, hypertension or both and 70% of them had uncontrolled diabetes (Source: http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2012/01/21/7423/the-diabetes-epidemic-in-india–/ ).
About 25 people in Lahore (Pakistan) died of taking bad heart drugs (Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/23/pakistan-heart-drugs-death_n_1223061.html ).
Respiratory tuberculosis cases increase in Azerbaijan (Source: http://www.news.az/articles/society/53248 ).

Global Health Weekly Nwes Round-Up

January 18, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies:

Dutch government has announced that it will ban the mild narcotic drug khat (Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16508238 ).
The Ministry of Health of Malaysia is monitoring orange imported from Brazil (Source: http://www.nst.com.my/latest/health-ministry-monitoring-orange-juice-from-brazil-1.32264 ).

Programs

European Commission (EU) has given support of 52 million euros to Ghana to reduce maternal mortality and achieve the MDG 5 targets (Source: http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/10232-eu-gives-additional-funds-for-maternal-health ).
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has temporarily suspended aid to more than one million people in central and southern Somalia (Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/ICRC-Suspends-Food-Aid-to-11-Million-Somalis-137172743.html ).
India marks major milestone in global fight to eradicate polio. The World Health Organization has warned India to prevent such virus from being re-imported. (Sources: http://www.care2.com/causes/india-marks-major-milestone-in-global-fight-to-eradicate-polio.html, http://www.vancouversun.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/India+needs+cautious+about+polio+milestone/5993029/story.html ).

Research

Gene responsible for Atopic Dermatitis identified. The researchers found an association between ORAI1 Genetic Polymorphisms and the susceptibility of this disease in Japanese and Taiwanese populations (Source: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0029387;jsessionid=5147EF5A0C05A18FB235EFD5B5B40274 ).
Four genomic areas associated with the increase risk for exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Japanese individuals identified by a research team led by Michiaki Kubo at RIKEN Center for Genomic Medicine in Yokohama (Japan) (Source: http://esciencenews.com/sources/physorg/2012/01/13/keeping.eye.japanese.genome ).
Researchers reveal the benefits for aspirin therapy for those suffering from a heart disease or stroke but not for those who may have symptoms and not any history of these diseases (Source: http://topnews.net.nz/content/220872-aspirin-therapy-heart-disease-stroke-prevention-not-everyone ).
A study reveals that remission of cancer may be linked to chemotherapy drugs used for its treatment (Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-13/health/30623236_1_cancer-relapse-cancer-cells-dna-damage ).
Signs of changes in brain in people who are dependent online are similar to people who are addicted to alcohol and cocaine (Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/9009125/Internet-addiction-affects-the-brain-like-a-drink-or-drug-problem.html ).
A blood test for the detection of mad cow disease (Source: http://topnews.net.nz/content/220887-blood-test-could-help-diagnose-deadly-mad-cow-disease ).
A possible link between germ-fighting preservatives in cosmetics and breast cancer found (Source: http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/healthcare/studies/story/2012-01-13/Does-deodorant-ingredient-affect-breast-cancer-risk/52528952/1 ).
Rare but recurrent mutation in gene linked to prostate cancer (Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/17/genetic-testing-for-prostate-cancer/ ).
An Australian report says women over diagnosed with cancer due to mammograms (Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/16/women-over-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-researchers-say/ ).
Researchers from NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York City identified measures to reduce global warming by 2050 and improve human health and agriculture (Source: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2012/01/shindell-20120113.html ).

Diseases & Disasters

About 70% milk samples picked up by a government agency in New Delhi failed to confirm to standards. About 48% milk in Chandigarh is adulterated (Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-10/india/30611460_1_samples-milk-powder-central-food-laboratory, http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-11/chandigarh/30615932_1_milk-powder-milk-samples-pure-milk ).
A massive epidemic of incurable form of tuberculosis which cannot be cured with any combination of the World Health Organization recommended drug has emerged in India (Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/india-struck-by-budding-strain-of-incurable-tuberculosis/article2300929/?from=sec431 ).

Global Health Weekly News Round-Up

January 11, 2012 by Vaani, posted in News

Politics and Policies:

Announcement of end of death sentence in Oregon puts lethal injection drugs back on market (http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/01/oregons-governor-puts-lethal-injection-drugs-back-on-the-market/250835/ ).
World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the strategy adopted by six Gulf States (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) to prevent and control non communicable diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases responsible for more than 60% deaths in these countries (Source: http://www.who.int/en/ ).
Medicaid budget deficit of $220 million faced by Maine (Source: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/02/gvsd0106.htm ).
Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues has called for improvements to protect the patients participating in federally funded scientific study to avoid harm and their unethical treatment (Source: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/02/prsd0105.htm ).

Programs

Vodafone through its World of Difference project is working to reduce sanitation related diseases among the people of Kaleo community in Ghana. It is an eight week project aimed to increase the environmental and personal cleanliness (Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/regional/artikel.php?ID=227206).
A walk was organized by Parkway Cancer Center in Singapore raise colorectal cancer (most common cancer in Singapore) awareness among the people (Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1175493/1/.html).
The Sri Lankan Government currently drafting a national Dengue Prevention Act which is due to become law in mid-2012. The Health ministry’s epidemiology unit has announced the action against Dengue beginning to pay off (Source: http://www.asianscientist.com/features/sri-lanka-national-dengue-prevention-act-2012/).

Research

Gene responsible for lung cancer identified for the first time by the scientists at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR) and Dr Elaine Lim, medical oncologist affiliated with Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and National Cancer Center Singapore (NCCS) (Source: http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20120801-22975.html ).
First Phase of clinical trial of fully human monoclonal antibody against VEGF-C, VGX-100 has been started by Circadian Technologies Limited aimed at treating cancer (Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/08/4171873/circadian-commences-first-phase.html ).
Study has been started by the Australian researchers into a drug to manage withdrawal of Cannabis (Source: http://www.skynews.com.au/health/article.aspx?id=705320&vId= ).
Researchers at University of Nottingham found a link between the growth of an embryo during early stages of pregnancy and risk of miscarriage. They discovered that poor growth in first 12 weeks of pregnancy is a good predictor of miscarriage (Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16441820).
Trails are going for a radioactive cream for treatment of benign skin cancer (Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8961988/Radioactive-cream-used-to-treat-skin-cancer.html ).

Drug abuse highest in richest nations, according to a study published in The Lancet (Source: http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/hsn/global-study-finds-drug-abuse-highest-in-richer-nations ).

Australian University installs world’s first super resolution microscope to see infectious disease in super resolution video (Source: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/science-technology/Super-Resolution-Microscope-Helps-Australia-Fight-Disease-136801848.html ).
Coffee has more beneficial effects on health as compared to soft drinks and energy drinks. It reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/124897/effects-of-coffee-on-health ).
Chinese crunch Human Genome with videogame chips. They need just six hours to analyze data describing human genome (Source: http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/01/genomes-and-gpus/ ).

Diseases & Disasters

An earthquake of 7.3-magnitude quake struck 260 miles (420 kilometers) off the coast of Aceh province of Indonesia (Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-01-10/indonesia-earthquake-coast/52482024/1 ).
Totally drug resistant Tuberculosis (TB) cases detected in India. Of the twelve people detected with this deadly bacterium one person has already died (Sources: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_first-cases-of-totally-drug-resistant-tb-in-india-one-dead_1634439 , http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/New-deadlier-form-of-TB-hits-India/articleshow/11396410.cms ).
A 39-year-old man in China died of bird flu. He was tested positive for the H5N1 virus and died of multiple organ failure (Source: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/01/03/return-bird-flu-chinese-man-dies/ ).
Measles on rise in Western Europe (Source: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/health/news/article_1684514.php/Measles-parties-are-a-hazardous-route-to-immunity).
New vaccine for Hepatitis C has been developed by the scientists from the Oxford University, the University of Birmingham and an Italian biotech company. The professionals at Oxford University reported the efficacy of vaccine was yielded positive during the first clinical trial (Source: http://www.healthjockey.com/2012/01/05/new-vaccine-for-hepatitis-c-underway/#).

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