homeWeek in Review
Thursday Dec 23 2010
Inisder medicine (VIDEO) Dec 22, 2010The H1N1 flu vaccine composed of an inactivated split-virus combined with an immune “booster” known as AS03A induces a more rapid and robust immune response than the vaccine composed of a whole virus without the booster, according to research published online first in The Lancet Infectious Disease MANITOBA NEWSTuberculosis hitting Canada's NorthSun Media Dec 17, 2010A disease usually associated with developing countries is hitting Canada's North. As of this week, 100 people in Nunavut were infected with tuberculosis, a lung disease that spreads easily when a person sick with it coughs on others. Circumcision Protects Against AIDSInternational News Network Dec 19, 2010A new study found that uncircumcised men were nearly seven times more likely to get the AIDS virus, giving further support to findings that circumcision….. The association between circumcision and a reduced risk of HIV was noted as early as 1987, when Dr. William Cameron of the University of Manitoba in Canada reported findings from a study in Kenya. First Nations health task group renewed
Health Canada News Release December 15, 2010A national task group to improve First Nations health services has received the green light to continue its work for another 16 months. CANADIAN NEWS PHAC Flu WatchDecember 5 to December 11, 2010 (Week 49) SASKATOON: New Level-3 Biocontainment Lab Expected to Improve Research into Emerging DiseasesFarmscape (Op Ed) December 22, 2010 (Episode 3487)
The construction of a 150 million dollar level-3 biocontainment laboratory in Saskatoon is expected to dramatically improve the ability of researchers to safely work with new or emerging diseases. Alberta syphilis outbreak still missing broad prevention campaignEdmonton Journal Dec 21, 2010A springtime report by one of Alberta’s top doctors that called for “concerted immediate and long-term actions” to stem a syphilis outbreak that has infected 26 babies since 2000, and “shows no signs of abating,” has yet to spark a broad awareness campaign by the provincial government. St. Joe's releases C. diff report to public; Hospital says transparency will help othersHamilton Spectator Dec 21, 2010Other Ontario hospitals and public health units can learn from a provincial inspection team's report on St. Joe's C. difficile outbreak, says Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie. Red tape stifling research: scientists; Bureaucratic 'bazooka' blamed for slowing trialsNational Post Dec 21, 2010They provide the best evidence possible of whether a drug or other medical intervention works and is safe, but clinical trials are being seriously hindered by regulations that push up costs, consume valuable time and do little to make the studies better, a prominent Canadian researcher argues in toughly worded new commentary. Coroner raises flag over HPV vaccines; Side effects may have contributed to teen's deathMontreal Gazette Dec 21, 2010A Quebec coroner's report on a 14-year-old's death following a Gardasil vaccination has reignited concerns about the HPV vaccination program introduced across Quebec two years ago for young girls and women. Infectious risks in family doctor’s officesCMAJ Dec 20, 2010What a difference a year makes. During pandemic (H1N1) 2009, primary care providers were scurrying around offices and clinics removing books and toys from waiting rooms, positioning bottles of hand sanitizer, passing out surgical masks to patients who presented with a cough or fever and using hospital-grade disinfect to mop up floors when a suspected H1N1 case left their office or clinic. INTERNATIONAL NEWS EU pushes vaccination amid rising flu activityCIDRAP News Dec 22, 2010The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) today said flu transmission is increasing across the European Union (EU), led by a spike in the United Kingdom, and warned people in recommended groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible. ETHIOPIA: Five-year plan to halve new HIV infectionsPlusNews, 23 December 2010Ethiopia's government has come up with an ambitious plan to halve new HIV infections, quadruple its annual condom distribution and put 85 percent of people who need life-prolonging HIV medication on treatment within five years. New HIV drug shows promiseHealthDay News Dec. 22Scientists are reporting early but promising results from a new drug that blocks HIV as it attempts to invade human cells. Top Ten Life Sciences Innovations of 2010The Scientist, Volume 24 | Issue 12 | Page 47
As the global economy continues to pull out of its recent precipitous nosedive, one mantra rings true from Beijing to Boston—innovation can save us. If developing interesting new technologies and products really is the lifeblood of economic health, then the life sciences industry is innovation’s beating heart. Flu FactoriesScientific American December 27, 2011 EditionThe next pandemic virus may be circulating on U.S. pig farms, but health officials are struggling to see past the front gate HPV Vaccine: Would You Give Your Kids Gardasil and Cervarix Vaccines?Huffington Post (blog) Dec 22, 2010The vaccines protect against the Human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus which causes cervical cancer. A Day in the Children's Ward of a Kandahar HospitalNew York Times (blog) Dec 20, 2010“Every day we see malnourished children, children with infectious diseases which could be vaccinated against” Can We Beat Bacteria by Hacking Their Conversations?Discover Magazine Published online Dec 21, 2010Bacterial armies emit molecular war cries to stir others of their kind to action. Learning how these microbes gird for battle could help us find better ways to fight back. ISRAEL: 'HIV, TB prevalent among foreign workers, refugees'Jerusalem Post Dec 22, 2010 Seventeen percent of HIV carriers and 13% of tuberculosis patients in the past decade have been refugees and foreign workers, according to a report by the Health Ministry at an infectious disease conference this week. As many are illegal and do not get state health insurance, this is very worrisome. Five Years In, Gauging Impact of Gates GrantsThe New York Times Dec 20, 2010Five years ago, Bill Gates made an extraordinary offer: he invited the world’s scientists to submit ideas for tackling the biggest problems in global health, including the lack of vaccines for AIDS and malaria, the fact that most vaccines must be kept refrigerated and be delivered by needles, the fact that many tropical crops like cassavas and bananas had little nutrition, and so on. USA: Increased HIV screening cost-effectiveStanford University School of Medicine (Media Release) Dec 20, 2010An expanded U.S. program of HIV screening and treatment could prevent as many as 212,000 new infections over the next 20 years and prove to be very cost-effective, according to a new study (Related: Better HIV screening worthwhile in U.S., study finds) Disability, HIV find common groundPlusNews 21 December 2010People living with disabilities are known to be just as, if not more, at risk of contracting HIV as non-disabled people, but there is little specific data or programming that reflects this reality on a global scale. South Africa receives AIDS campaign financial boostReuters Dec 21, 2010Global Fund awards country $302 million in fight against disease
INDIA: Leaked documents show US worry over Indian labs' biosecurityAssociated Press Dec 17, 2010U.S. officials fear lax security at Indian laboratories could make the facilities targets for terrorists seeking biological weapons to launch attacks across the globe, according to comments in a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable made public Friday. HAITI: PAHO to pursue cholera vaccination in HaitiReuters Dec 18, 2010The Pan American Health Organization hopes to start a cholera vaccination program in Haiti by April but must first boost and fund production of the vaccine that is in short supply, the group said on Friday. (Related: PAHO press release) Decade of vaccines begins with new models, funding challengesSeattle Times (blog) December 16, 2010 at 1:04 PMOne of the most significant philanthropic initiatives of 2010 was the start of a "decade of vaccines" supported by the Gates Foundation with a $10 billion commitment to reach more children around the world dying of preventable diseases. Christian D. CassidyCorporate Services OfficerInternational Centre for Infectious Diseases403-445 Ellice AvenueWinnipeg MB. Canada R3B 3P5Tel: 204-944-8397 Fax: 204-986-0927Email: ccassidy@icid.com Web: icid.com
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This is the final Week in Review for 2010 ! Have a safe and healthy holiday season !
ETCETERA
Unicef Photo of the Year 2010The winners have been announced in Berlin. The prize is awarded to outstanding photos that best depict the personality and living conditions of children. Social Media for Life Sciences: Trick or Tweet?Deloitte DebatesShould life sciences companies be using social media channels as a marketing tool to promote and/or protect their businesses? Or is social media just an insignificant distraction unsuited to the business world? H1N1 Adjuvanted Vaccine Versus Whole Virus Vaccine (video)Inisder medicine (VIDEO) Dec 22, 2010The H1N1 flu vaccine composed of an inactivated split-virus combined with an immune “booster” known as AS03A induces a more rapid and robust immune response than the vaccine composed of a whole virus without the booster, according to research published online first in The Lancet Infectious Disease MANITOBA NEWSTuberculosis hitting Canada's NorthSun Media Dec 17, 2010A disease usually associated with developing countries is hitting Canada's North. As of this week, 100 people in Nunavut were infected with tuberculosis, a lung disease that spreads easily when a person sick with it coughs on others. Circumcision Protects Against AIDSInternational News Network Dec 19, 2010A new study found that uncircumcised men were nearly seven times more likely to get the AIDS virus, giving further support to findings that circumcision….. The association between circumcision and a reduced risk of HIV was noted as early as 1987, when Dr. William Cameron of the University of Manitoba in Canada reported findings from a study in Kenya. First Nations health task group renewed
Health Canada News Release December 15, 2010A national task group to improve First Nations health services has received the green light to continue its work for another 16 months. CANADIAN NEWS PHAC Flu WatchDecember 5 to December 11, 2010 (Week 49) SASKATOON: New Level-3 Biocontainment Lab Expected to Improve Research into Emerging DiseasesFarmscape (Op Ed) December 22, 2010 (Episode 3487)
The construction of a 150 million dollar level-3 biocontainment laboratory in Saskatoon is expected to dramatically improve the ability of researchers to safely work with new or emerging diseases. Alberta syphilis outbreak still missing broad prevention campaignEdmonton Journal Dec 21, 2010A springtime report by one of Alberta’s top doctors that called for “concerted immediate and long-term actions” to stem a syphilis outbreak that has infected 26 babies since 2000, and “shows no signs of abating,” has yet to spark a broad awareness campaign by the provincial government. St. Joe's releases C. diff report to public; Hospital says transparency will help othersHamilton Spectator Dec 21, 2010Other Ontario hospitals and public health units can learn from a provincial inspection team's report on St. Joe's C. difficile outbreak, says Associate Medical Officer of Health Dr. Chris Mackie. Red tape stifling research: scientists; Bureaucratic 'bazooka' blamed for slowing trialsNational Post Dec 21, 2010They provide the best evidence possible of whether a drug or other medical intervention works and is safe, but clinical trials are being seriously hindered by regulations that push up costs, consume valuable time and do little to make the studies better, a prominent Canadian researcher argues in toughly worded new commentary. Coroner raises flag over HPV vaccines; Side effects may have contributed to teen's deathMontreal Gazette Dec 21, 2010A Quebec coroner's report on a 14-year-old's death following a Gardasil vaccination has reignited concerns about the HPV vaccination program introduced across Quebec two years ago for young girls and women. Infectious risks in family doctor’s officesCMAJ Dec 20, 2010What a difference a year makes. During pandemic (H1N1) 2009, primary care providers were scurrying around offices and clinics removing books and toys from waiting rooms, positioning bottles of hand sanitizer, passing out surgical masks to patients who presented with a cough or fever and using hospital-grade disinfect to mop up floors when a suspected H1N1 case left their office or clinic. INTERNATIONAL NEWS EU pushes vaccination amid rising flu activityCIDRAP News Dec 22, 2010The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) today said flu transmission is increasing across the European Union (EU), led by a spike in the United Kingdom, and warned people in recommended groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible. ETHIOPIA: Five-year plan to halve new HIV infectionsPlusNews, 23 December 2010Ethiopia's government has come up with an ambitious plan to halve new HIV infections, quadruple its annual condom distribution and put 85 percent of people who need life-prolonging HIV medication on treatment within five years. New HIV drug shows promiseHealthDay News Dec. 22Scientists are reporting early but promising results from a new drug that blocks HIV as it attempts to invade human cells. Top Ten Life Sciences Innovations of 2010The Scientist, Volume 24 | Issue 12 | Page 47
As the global economy continues to pull out of its recent precipitous nosedive, one mantra rings true from Beijing to Boston—innovation can save us. If developing interesting new technologies and products really is the lifeblood of economic health, then the life sciences industry is innovation’s beating heart. Flu FactoriesScientific American December 27, 2011 EditionThe next pandemic virus may be circulating on U.S. pig farms, but health officials are struggling to see past the front gate HPV Vaccine: Would You Give Your Kids Gardasil and Cervarix Vaccines?Huffington Post (blog) Dec 22, 2010The vaccines protect against the Human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus which causes cervical cancer. A Day in the Children's Ward of a Kandahar HospitalNew York Times (blog) Dec 20, 2010“Every day we see malnourished children, children with infectious diseases which could be vaccinated against” Can We Beat Bacteria by Hacking Their Conversations?Discover Magazine Published online Dec 21, 2010Bacterial armies emit molecular war cries to stir others of their kind to action. Learning how these microbes gird for battle could help us find better ways to fight back. ISRAEL: 'HIV, TB prevalent among foreign workers, refugees'Jerusalem Post Dec 22, 2010 Seventeen percent of HIV carriers and 13% of tuberculosis patients in the past decade have been refugees and foreign workers, according to a report by the Health Ministry at an infectious disease conference this week. As many are illegal and do not get state health insurance, this is very worrisome. Five Years In, Gauging Impact of Gates GrantsThe New York Times Dec 20, 2010Five years ago, Bill Gates made an extraordinary offer: he invited the world’s scientists to submit ideas for tackling the biggest problems in global health, including the lack of vaccines for AIDS and malaria, the fact that most vaccines must be kept refrigerated and be delivered by needles, the fact that many tropical crops like cassavas and bananas had little nutrition, and so on. USA: Increased HIV screening cost-effectiveStanford University School of Medicine (Media Release) Dec 20, 2010An expanded U.S. program of HIV screening and treatment could prevent as many as 212,000 new infections over the next 20 years and prove to be very cost-effective, according to a new study (Related: Better HIV screening worthwhile in U.S., study finds) Disability, HIV find common groundPlusNews 21 December 2010People living with disabilities are known to be just as, if not more, at risk of contracting HIV as non-disabled people, but there is little specific data or programming that reflects this reality on a global scale. South Africa receives AIDS campaign financial boostReuters Dec 21, 2010Global Fund awards country $302 million in fight against disease
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