FDA Increases Public Exposure of Clinical Trials
from Health Imaging
The FDA is increasing its public reporting process of information about clinical trials and their results, as mandated under the Food and Drug Amendments Act of 2007. The act expands the scope of clinical trials that must submit data to its Web site, www.clinicaltrials.gov. More

Scientist Warns Cash Woes 'Devastating' to Science
from Time
Famed scientist Richard Leakey warned that the worldwide credit crisis will be "just devastating" to scientific research in coming years, as endowment interest income drops and companies cut donations. Leakey said much of the support for science comes from wealthy philanthropists, foundations and companies. All those groups likely will be affected by lowered interest rates and the squeeze of credit not being available to fund their operations, he said. More

Clue to Genetic Cause of Fatal Birth Defect
from Science Daily
A novel enzyme may play a major role in anencephaly, offering hope for a genetic test or even therapy for the rare fatal birth defect in which the brain fails to develop, according to a study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. In the U.S., 1,000 to 2,000 children are born with anencephaly each year. Most do not survive more than a day or two. More

Decoding of Malaria Parasite's Genome Could Lead to Vaccine
from USA Today
Scientists have unraveled the genetic code of a malaria parasite that sickens hundreds of millions of people each year, a step that may lead to better treatment and a vaccine. The bug, known to researchers as Plasmodium vivax, is the main cause of malaria in Latin America and Southeast Asia, accounting for as much as 40 percent of up to 500 million cases worldwide each year. More

Testicular Stem Cells Seem as Versatile as Embryonic Stem Cells
from USA Today
Cells taken from men's testicles seem as versatile as the stem cells derived from embryos, researchers reported recently in what may be yet another new approach in a burgeoning scientific field. The new type of stem cells could be useful for growing personalized replacement tissues, according to a study in the recent issue of the journal Nature. More

The Healing Power of Honey
from U.S. News & World Report
Wound care is problematic for people with diabetes. A mere nick from an ill-fitting shoe or hangnail haphazardly cut can fester for months and develop into a gaping ulcer teeming with bacteria. Researchers, however, have started to find that a dab of a certain type of honey with potent antimicrobial properties—is a worthy weapon against an ulcer that refuses to heal. More

Gene Discovery May Help Hunt for Blindness Cure
from Reuters
Scientists have discovered a gene mutation linked to the most common cause of blindness in the developed world, holding out the prospect of better treatments and perhaps eventually a cure. British scientists said they had found six variants within the gene called Serping1 that were associated with age-related macular degeneration. More

Little-known E. coli Strain O111 Starts Gaining Notoriety
from USA Today
Braylee Beaver, a 20-month-old, is back to her playful self after a 12-day hospital stay in which she received dialysis treatment and was stuck with so many needles she thought she was being punished, says her father. Beaver was allegedly sickened by an E. coli bacteria but not E. coli O157:H7, the type that most consumers are aware of. More

Fan Use Linked to Lower Risk of SIDS
from The Los Angeles Times
Having a fan in the room where an infant is sleeping may help decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, according to research published recently. SIDS deaths have fallen almost 65 percent from 1992 to 2003 as research has yielded clues on what causes the tragic deaths of seemingly healthy newborns. One of the best prevention measures, studies have shown, is placing babies on their backs to sleep. But SIDS cases still occur, and so have efforts to understand how to prevent them. More

Handwashing is More Effective than Taking Vitamins for Cold Prevention
from Infection Control Today Magazine
The days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping, and the cold and flu season is beginning. Many people have started taking vitamin C tablets as a precautionary measure. But research has shown that vitamin supplements do not provide nearly as much protection as other measures, like frequently washing your hands – and that high doses can even be harmful. More