Integrating sex and gender differences in health research
The EU-funded project GenderBasic has developed a number of recommendations for the improved integration of sex and gender differences in health-related research. Scientists must be aware of these differences at all stages of their studies, from the research content itself to the processes and methods employed in clinical trials, says project coordinator, Dr Ineke Klinge of the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands.
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Public consultation in preparation of a legal proposal to combat counterfeit medicines for human use
Counterfeiting of medicinal products has become an increasing threat for patients, healthcare professionals and industry and a concern for EU and national policy-makers. The Directorate-General Enterprise and Industry is consulting all stakeholders and interested parties on key ideas for amending the regulatory framework for medicinal products in an effort to combat the counterfeiting of medicinal products.
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FDA Takes Next Step in Establishing Overseas Presence
In an important development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received approval from the U.S. State Department to establish eight full time permanent FDA positions at U.S. diplomatic posts in the People's Republic of China, pending authorization from the Chinese government.
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ALERT project looks to ICT for drug safety
A new EU-funded information and communication technology (ICT) project is tackling issues of safety in newly developed drugs. Over the next three and a half years, the ALERT ('Early detection of adverse drug events by integrative mining of clinical records and biomedical knowledge') project partners will work on an innovative computer system for a better and faster detection of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).
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Tattooing is a more effective way of administering DNA vaccines than direct injection
Tattooing is a more effective way of administering DNA vaccines than direct injection into muscle tissue, according to new research by German and Czech scientists. In DNA vaccination, a gene from a pathogen is injected directly into the host, which then produces the corresponding pathogen protein inside its own cells. This triggers a response from the host's immune system. Advantages of DNA vaccination include the fact that the vectors can be constructed quickly, and rapid and large scale vaccine production is much cheaper than for traditional vaccines.
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Pharmathen's new Research and Development Centre in Pallini, Athens
Pharmathen S.A announced the establishment of a new Research and Development Centre in Pallini, Athens. The new Research Centre will focus on developing Generic molecules and is expected to significantly reinforce Pharmathen's already excellent R&D capabilities. Pharmathen is one of the strongest generic developer in Europe and with the operation of the new facility the company's R&D activities will be further increased.
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Labs are Vital(TM) Program Targets Science-Minded Students Through Facebook Social Media Network
In an effort to attract young people to the clinical laboratory profession, Labs Are Vital(TM), an initiative sponsored by Abbott, has tapped into Facebook, a popular social networking Web site, to reach out to more than four million students with an interest in life sciences.
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