February « 2014 « Science and Enterprise

Challenge Seeks Better Metal Removal Method from Mine Water

By Alan, on February 7th, 2014%

Animas River at Durango and Silverton rail road crossing (Wikimedia Commons)

7 February 2014. A new challenge on InnoCentive asks for new, less expensive techniques to remove metals from water that drains from mines, both current and inactive. The competition has a total purse of $12,000 and a deadline of 8 March 2014 (free . . . → Read More: Challenge Seeks Better Metal Removal Method from Mine Water

Shire to End Major Depression Drug Booster Development

By Alan, on February 7th, 2014%

(National Institute of Drug Abuse)

7 February 2014. Shire PLC, a pharmaceutical company in the U.K., will end trials of its drug Vyvanse as a supplement to anti-depressants for treating major depressive disorder. The company made the decision following results of two late-stage clinical trials that show the drug failed to meet the . . . → Read More: Shire to End Major Depression Drug Booster Development

Xerox Testing Video to Monitor Patient Vital Signs

By Alan, on February 6th, 2014%

Video sensing system in neonatal unit, Manipal University Hospital (Xerox Corp.)

6 February 2014. Engineers at Xerox Corporation research centers in Bangalore, India and Webster, New York are testing the feasibility of video sensing combined with data analytics to track the status of patients with chronic conditions. The project is led by Xerox . . . → Read More: Xerox Testing Video to Monitor Patient Vital Signs

Calif Stem Cell, UC Irvine Partner on Eye Transplant Tissue

By Alan, on February 6th, 2014%

(KyleMay/Flickr)

6 February 2014. California Stem Cell Inc. in Irvine and University of California in Irvine are researching the creation of retinal tissue from stem cells for transplants in patients with incurable retinal disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The study is funded by a $4 million grant from the . . . → Read More: Calif Stem Cell, UC Irvine Partner on Eye Transplant Tissue

Sense of Touch Restored to Amputee’s Prosthetic Hand

By Alan, on February 5th, 2014%

Prosthetic hand (LifeHand 2, Patrizia Tocci)

5 February 2014. Biomedical engineers and computer scientists at Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland developed a sensory feedback system for an amputee’s prosthetic hand to control grasping and sense stiffness and shapes of objects. The findings of the Lifehand 2 team led by EPFL’s . . . → Read More: Sense of Touch Restored to Amputee’s Prosthetic Hand

Myriad Genetics Acquires Rheumatoid Arthritis Test Developer

By Alan, on February 5th, 2014%

(National Institutes of Health)

Myriad Genetics Inc., a designer of genetics-based diagnostics in Salt Lake City, will acquire Crescendo Bioscience in South San Francisco, California, a developer of molecular blood tests for autoimmune diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. Myriad is paying $270 million in cash, which includes repayment of an outstanding $25 million loan . . . → Read More: Myriad Genetics Acquires Rheumatoid Arthritis Test Developer

NIH, Pharmas, Non-Profits Partner on Molecular Drug Targets

By Alan, on February 4th, 2014%

NIH director Francis Collins (NIH)

4 February 2014. National Institutes of Health (NIH), with 10 pharmaceutical companies and 8 not-for-profit organizations, are collaborating on identification of targets at the molecular level for new drugs and diagnostics. The Accelerating Medicines Partnership — a five-year, $230 million initiative — is expected to focus on Alzheimer’s . . . → Read More: NIH, Pharmas, Non-Profits Partner on Molecular Drug Targets

Telemedicine Found to Expand Care to Less Engaged Patients

By Alan, on February 4th, 2014%

(Research.gov)

4 February 2014. A study by Rand Corporation, a policy analysis organization, indicates people who use a service that makes possible medical help from a doctor over the telephone tend to be those without established health care relationships. The findings of Rand policy analysts Lori Uscher-Pines and Ateev Mehrotra appear in the . . . → Read More: Telemedicine Found to Expand Care to Less Engaged Patients

NSF-Funded Research Studying Robot-Human Interaction

By Alan, on February 3rd, 2014%

Dmitry Berenson, left, and Sonia Chernova with a PR2 personal robot. (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

3 February 2014. Computer scientists at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts are researching interactions between humans and robots in factory and home settings, working either as collaborators with or helpers to people. Research by Worcester Tech faculty Dmitry Berenson . . . → Read More: NSF-Funded Research Studying Robot-Human Interaction

Faster Process Developed to Test for Staph Infections

By Alan, on February 3rd, 2014%

Color-enhanced staphylococcus bacteria (NIH)

3 February 2014. Researchers at University of Iowa in Iowa City designed a process with synthesized genetic material that detects dangerous staph infections in the body faster than with current methods. The team led by medical school professor James McNamara, with colleagues from the university and genetic systems company . . . → Read More: Faster Process Developed to Test for Staph Infections

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