Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Latest Cold, Flu & Cough News and Research

Quality solutions for inhaler testing: new edition published by Copley

The new version of ‘Quality Solutions for Inhaler Testing’ from Copley Scientific not only showcases the latest developments in inhaled product testing equipment but also provides practical guidance on achieving robust and reliable measurement and analysis.

3 Jul 2012

WSU researcher looks for clues on link between H1N1 flu and obesity

The recent H1N1 flu pandemic was found to be particularly dangerous to obese people, and a Wayne State University researcher is looking for clues as to why.

3 Jul 2012

Being a parent protects against cold: Study

Being a parent reduces your risk of catching a cold—possibly because of unknown "psychological or behavioral differences between parents and nonparents," according to a study in the July issue of Psychosomatic Medicine, the official journal of the American Psychosomatic Society.

3 Jul 2012

Research highlights three factors that could determine outbreak of pandemic flu

A major collaboration between US research centers has highlighted three factors that could ultimately determine whether an outbreak of influenza becomes a serious epidemic that threatens national health. The research suggests that the numbers in current response plans could be out by a factor of two or more depending on the characteristics of the particular pandemic influenza.

3 Jul 2012

Study shows link between changing rates of antibiotic consumption and resistance

A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases and available online shows how seasonal changes in outpatient antibiotic use - retail sales of antibiotics typically get a boost during the winter - can significantly alter seasonal patterns of drug resistance. The findings suggest that hospital campaigns to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use should be coordinated with efforts in the broader community if they are to be most effective.

3 Jul 2012

First Edition: July 3, 2012

Today's headlines include reports that continue to delve into the policy-oriented and political repercussions of last week's high court decision on the health law.

3 Jul 2012

Pernix to acquire Great Southern

Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Great Southern Laboratories, a privately-held pharmaceutical contract manufacturing company located in Houston, Texas.

3 Jul 2012

Scientists assemble string of genetic letters that could control parrots' vocal learning

Scientists say they have assembled more completely the string of genetic letters that could control how well parrots learn to imitate their owners and other sounds.

3 Jul 2012

USPTO issues notice of allowance to Avanir for NUEDEXTA

Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed a new patent that covers Avanir's product NUEDEXTA, further expanding the intellectual property portfolio for the company's lead commercial asset.

2 Jul 2012

Gene vital to flu severity discovered

Researchers have discovered that a protein known as PA-X, produced from a ribosomal frameshift mutation in a gene in the influenza A genome, has a substantial impact on host response to the virus.

2 Jul 2012

Three-step clinical pathway for CAP reduces length of hospital stay

A three-step pathway helps to reduce the duration of intravenous antibiotic treatment in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia, show study findings published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

2 Jul 2012

Transcranial direct current stimulation can enhance outcome of swallowing therapy for post-stroke dysphagia

After stroke, patients often suffer from dysphagia, a swallowing disorder that results in greater healthcare costs and higher rates of complications such as dehydration, malnutrition, and pneumonia.

2 Jul 2012

Researchers demonstrate power of single-molecule sequencing

The next "next-gen" technology in genome sequencing has gotten a major boost.

2 Jul 2012

Textile cooling pads to prevent neurological damage after successful resuscitation

Textile cooling pads are to be used in future to prevent neurological damage after successful resuscitation. The system developed by scientists from the Hohenstein Institute in Bönnigheim requires no electric power, making it ideal especially for first aid in case of cardiac arrest.

30 Jun 2012

Smokers with COPD may find relief with cystic fibrosis drug

A drug developed to treat certain strains of cystic fibrosis may be useful in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, one of the most common lung diseases, which is seen frequently in smokers and has no cure. The findings were published online Friday, June 29, 2012 in the online journal PLoS ONE by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

30 Jun 2012

Eight-year trends in pediatric drug use examined

A review of US outpatient pediatric drug use over the past 8 years shows a decrease in systemic antibiotic, allergy, pain, and depression prescriptions, and an increase in asthma, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and contraceptive prescriptions.

29 Jun 2012

More sophisticated process needed to vet research for possible security threats

Noting that the journal Science last week published the second of two controversial bird flu research papers, in which a team led by Ron Fouchier of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam created a mutated strain of the virus that spreads easily among ferrets, a Washington Post editorial writes that "this is not the end of the story. Rather, it marks the beginning of an important chapter for both science and security."

29 Jun 2012