EU-funded researchers gain insights into genetics of lung functioning
A large-scale study has identified five new genetic loci (points on the genome) associated with the health of the human lung and pulmonary function. Publishing in the latest edition of the journal Nature Genetics, the partly EU-funded researchers explain that their findings shed new light on the molecular basis of lung disease and might lead to better treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and similar conditions.
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IBM, Novartis and Vodafone Join Forces to Help Halt Malaria in Africa
A new solution developed by IBM (NYSE: IBM), Novartis and Vodafone with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, is helping to save lives using everyday technology to improve the availability of anti-malarial drugs in remote areas of Tanzania. Called "SMS for Life", the initiative uses a combination of mobile phones, SMS (Short Messaging Service) technologies and intuitive web sites to track and manage the supply of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) drugs and Quinine injectables, both of which are key to reducing the number of deaths from malaria.
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Manhattan Research Releases Physician Digital Media Planning Guide
While most marketers have accepted that nearly all physicians are online today, the more difficult part is figuring out where to find these physicians on the World Wide Web. Finding the right promotional mix for connecting with physicians can be a challenging proposition, as physicians use third-party sites - such as the WebMD Professional Network, the New England Journal of Medicine, or specialty specific sites - more frequently than they use pharma-owned properties.
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Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day
On this World AIDS Day we are filled with both hope and concern.
Hope because significant progress has been made towards universal access. New HIV infections have dropped. Fewer children are born with HIV. And more than 4 million people are on treatment.
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EU-funded researchers use gene therapy to slow brain disease
The brain disease X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) can be treated with a combination of gene therapy and blood stem cell therapy, new EU-funded research shows. The research is part of the X-ALD (X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: pathogenesis, animal models and therapy) project, which received EUR 1.8 million under the 'Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health' Thematic area of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).
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85% of Online Europeans Use the Internet for Health Information
In 2009, 85% of online Europeans in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain turn to the Internet and other technologies for health and prescription drug information, according to the latest Cybercitizen Health® Europe v9.0 study from healthcare and pharmaceutical market research company Manhattan Research. The collaboratively-edited Wikipedia again proves to be a top online health resource for consumers in all of the countries surveyed.
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International Diabetes Federation drives global action ahead of World Diabetes Day
In many countries, November is diabetes awareness month, with November 14 - World Diabetes Day - the most significant date on the diabetes calendar. The need to increase diabetes awareness grows ever year with the increasing impact of the disease worldwide.
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