Bhinneka News Online: Reuters Health Report: February 1, 2018

Thursday 1 February 2018

Reuters Health Report: February 1, 2018

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Thursday, February 1, 2018

Two U.S. lawmakers voice concerns over Philip Morris tobacco trials

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Democratic U.S. senators said they have fresh concerns over clinical trials conducted by Philip Morris International Inc as it seeks U.S. clearance to market its iQOS electronic tobacco product as less risky than cigarettes, according to statements both senators provided to Reuters.

Potential blood test for Alzheimer's shows early promise

TOKYO/MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Researchers in Japan and Australia say they have made important progress in developing a blood test that could in future help doctors detect who might go on to get Alzheimer's disease.

U.S. public health chief quits over financial conflicts

(Reuters) - The head of the leading U.S. public health agency has resigned because of financial conflicts of interest that documents showed included purchases of tobacco and healthcare stocks while in office.

Exclusive: With Roman law doctrine, India moves to stub out tobacco industry rights

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Indian government is pushing the Supreme Court to apply a rarely used doctrine that would strip the $11 billion tobacco industry's legal right to trade, an effort aimed at deterring tobacco companies from challenging tough new regulations.

North Korea threats spur U.S. search for new radiation therapies

(Reuters) - The escalating threat of a potential nuclear war between North Korea and the United States has led the Department of Defense to join hands with a clutch of companies in developing more effective medical treatments for acute radiation syndrome.

Sanofi and partner seek European Medicines Agency review for sleep sickness product

PARIS (Reuters) - French healthcare group Sanofi, along with its business partner, has asked the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to review the fexinidazole product for the treatment of sleeping sickness, the company said on Wednesday.

Salmonella outbreak to cost French dairy hundreds of millions: CEO

PARIS (Reuters) - A salmonella contamination of baby milk produced by Lactalis could cost the French dairy group several hundred million euros, its CEO said in a newspaper interview.

Vertex picks cystic fibrosis triple combos for Phase III trials

(Reuters) - Vertex Pharmaceuticals said on Wednesday it selected two next-generation cystic fibrosis drugs to advance into late-stage testing of triple-combination therapies that could eventually treat up to 90 percent of patients with the life-shortening lung disease.

Community obesity rates help shape whether families are overweight

(Reuters Health) - Parents and kids who live in communities with high obesity rates are more likely to become overweight themselves than families living in communities where more people are a healthy weight, a U.S. study suggests.

More evidence traumatic brain injuries raise later dementia risk

(Reuters Health) - During the first year after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the risk of developing dementia rises four- to six-fold, according to a large Swedish study that followed millions of people age 50 or older for decades.